The necessity in standardization of methodologies to enable a comparison among researches.

Background: Dental caries and periodontal disease are admittedly the most common oral diseases and are one of the main oral health problems, affecting the quality of life of the individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient's education level and knowledge on dental treatment of caries/periodontal disease and oral hygiene through a specific questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A group of 600 adults aged between 18 and 80 years old were evaluated. After the evaluation of the answers given, the participants in the survey were instructed regarding the main oral health preventive measures. The obtained data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results:The results showed that 59% of the patients were female at age range of 31-40 years-old. The patients with a higher educational level had more previous information about caries, periodontal diseases, and oral health preventive measures. The dentist was pointed out as the person responsible for the oral hygiene instruction for 73.83% of the patients. The lack of oral hygiene were said to be the main factor accounting for both caries and periodontal disease etiology (79.85% and 62.93%, respectively). Pain was the motivating factor for seeing a dentist (44.50) whereas 55.50% of the patients were motivated by a preventive care (routine appointment). Dental floss was used by only 49.50% of the patients and 34.90% that did not use it by saying that it provokes gingival bleeding. Conclusion:The evaluated patients presented an uneven knowledge level on caries, periodontal disease, and oral hygiene preventive measures. The educational level had a direct influence on both patient's knowledge and behavior regarding to the main oral diseases. There is the need for a continued instruction on caries and periodontal disease preventive measures, with emphasis on diet role and dental floss use in dental educational programs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polishing protocols on surface roughness and morphology of lithium disilicate ceramics (IPS e.max CAD). Fifty ceramic bars (2.0x3.0x2.5 mm) were produced and randomly divided into five groups (n=10), according to surface treatments: C: Control; Cer: Ceramaster (60 s); CW: cloth wheel with large-grit diamond (30 s) + cloth wheel with fine-grit diamond paste (30 s); E: grey Exa-Cerapol (20 s) + pink Exa-Cerapol (20 s) + Cerapol Super (20 s); F: Felt wheel with large-grit diamond paste (30 s) + Felt wheel with fine-grit diamond paste (30 s). The samples were evaluated quantitatively for surface roughness (Ra) and qualitatively by SEM, at different moments: initial (prior to roughening), after roughening and after polishing procedures. Ra means were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05). After the different polishing protocols, no statistically significant differences were observed between the Cer and E groups (p=0.6347), E and CW groups (p=0.1366), and CW and FW groups (p=0.5433). Comparing different stages in the same group, it was possible to observe that CW (p<0.0001) and FW groups (p<0.0001) showed significant differences. SEM analysis revealed that both Cer and E groups exhibited a surface morphological pattern similar to that of control group. All polishing systems were effective in reducing the surface roughness of the studied ceramic type.

Dens invaginatus is a malformation affecting mainly the superior lateral incisors. It is defined as an infolding of the crown hard tissues, including the enamel and dentin, and can extend up to the root apex. Root canal treatment of this abnormality is considered difficult due to the complex anatomy presented by these teeth. This case series presents nonsurgical endodontic treatment in two cases of dens invaginatus (type II and III) in maxillary lateral incisors. This nonsurgical or conventional endodontic treatment results in healing of the periapical lesions associated with both cases, with no need for extra intervention e.g. surgical or invasive management. The manual instrumentation associated with sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide were able to completely heal the lesions.  Radiographic exams were carried out to control and asses the healing. Nonsurgical treatment was successful in both cases with adequate repair after a 6-year follow-up with radiographic and tomographic assessments.

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os erros radiográficos cometidos por alunos de graduação durante as diferentes fases do tratamento endodôntico. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 260 radiografias periapicais, divididas nos seguintes grupos: radiografia inicial, radiografia para odontometria, radiografia da prova do cone principal de guta-percha, radiografia da condensação lateral e radiografia final. As radiografias foram realizadas com o mesmo tipo de película (E-Speed – Kodak) e aparelho de Raios X (50KV, 7,5mA), tempo de exposição de 0,8 segundos e processadas pelo método visual. Com auxílio de lupa e negatoscópio, três examinadores avaliaram as radiografias e registraram erros relacionados à técnica ou processamento. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que 57,70% das radiografias analisadas apresentaram algum tipo de erro (erro de técnica ou processamento). Não houve diferença estatística no número de radiografias com erros entre as diferentes fases do tratamento endodôntico. Conclusão: A maior frequência de erros ocorreu no quesito processamento radiográfico (manchamento, presença de riscos e densidade inadequada da imagem).

The casting internal adjustment technique with use of duplicated stone dies and a disclosing agent substantially reduced marginal fit discrepancy.

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ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to evaluate a prefabricated intraradicular threaded pure titanium post, designed and developed at the São José dos Campos School of Dentistry - UNESP, Brazil. This new post was designed to minimize stresses observed with prefabricated post systems and to improve cost-benefits. Material and methodsFracture resistance testing of the post/core/root complex, fracture analysis by microscopy and stress analysis by the finite element method were used for post evaluation. The following four prefabricated metal post systems were analyzed: group 1, experimental post; group 2, modification of the experimental post; group 3, Flexi Post, and group 4, Para Post. For the analysis of fracture resistance, 40 bovine teeth were randomly assigned to the four groups (n=10) and used for the fabrication of test specimens simulating the situation in the mouth. The test specimens were subjected to compressive strength testing until fracture in an EMIC universal testing machine. After fracture of the test specimens, their roots were sectioned and analyzed by microscopy. For the finite element method, specimens of the fracture resistance test were simulated by computer modeling to determine the stress distribution pattern in the post systems studied. ResultsThe fracture test presented the following averages and standard deviation: G1 (45.63±8.77), G2 (49.98±7.08), G3 (43.84±5.52), G4 (47.61±7.23). Stress was homogenously distributed along the body of the intraradicular post in group 1, whereas high stress concentrations in certain regions were observed in the other groups. These stress concentrations in the body of the post induced the same stress concentration in root dentin. ConclusionsThe experimental post (original and modified versions) presented similar fracture resistance and better results in the stress analysis when compared with the commercial post systems tested (08/2008-PA/CEP).