Dental trauma is one of the most common events in dental practice. However, few studies have investigated the biomechanical characteristics of these injuries. The objective of this study was to analyse the stress distribution in the dentoalveolar structures of a maxillary central incisor subjected to two situations of impact loading. The following loading forces were applied using a 3D finite element model: a force of 2000 N acting at an angle of 90°on the buccal surface of the crown and a vertical 2000 N force acting in the cleidocranial direction on the incisal surface of the tooth. Harmful stresses were observed in both situations, causing damage to both the tooth and adjacent tissue. However, the damage found in soft tissues such as periodontal ligament and dental pulp was negligible. In conclusion, injuries resulting from the traumatic situations were more damaging to the integrity of the tooth and its associated hard-tissue structures.

The aims of this study were to describe the synthesis of a novel synthetic peptide based on the primary structure of the KR-12 peptide and to evaluate its antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Streptococcus mutans. The antimicrobial effect of KR-12 and [W]KR12-KAEK was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) concentrations. The evaluation of anti-biofilm activity was assessed through total biomass quantification, colony forming unit counting and scanning electron microscopy. [W]KR12-KAEK showed MIC and MBC values ranging from 31.25 to 7.8 and 62.5 to 15.6 μg ml, respectively. Furthermore, [W7]KR12-KAEK significantly reduced biofilm biomass (50-100%). Regarding cell viability, [W]KR12-KAEK showed reductions in the number of CFUs at concentrations ranging from 62.5 to 7.8 μg ml and 500 to 62.5 μg ml with respect to biofilm formation and preformed biofilms, respectively. SEM micrographs of S. mutans treated with [W]KR12-KAEK suggested damage to the bacterial surface. [W]KR12-KAEK is demonstrated to be an antimicrobial agent to control microbial biofilms.

Dentoalveolar traumatic injuries are among the clinical conditions most frequently treated in dental practice. However, few studies so far have addressed the biomechanical aspects of these events, probably as a result of difficulties in carrying out satisfactory experimental and clinical studies as well as the unavailability of truly scientific methodologies. The aim of this paper was to describe the use of finite element analysis applied to the biomechanical evaluation of dentoalveolar trauma. For didactic purposes, the methodological process was divided into steps that go from the creation of a geometric model to the evaluation of final results, always with a focus on methodological characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, so as to allow the reader to customize the methodology according to specific needs. Our description shows that the finite element method can faithfully reproduce dentoalveolar trauma, provided the methodology is closely followed and thoroughly evaluated.