The purpose of this study was to compare the removal of root surface smear layer following active application of EDTA gel and EDTA-T (texapon) gel in different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 24%), using scanning electron microscopy. A total of 220 dentin blocks obtained from the root surfaces of extracted teeth were divided into 3 groups: Group I - (control) application of saline solution (n = 20); Group II - EDTA gel (pH 7.0) was applied in the following concentrations: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 24% (n = 100); Group III - EDTA-T gel (pH 7.0) applied in the same concentrations described above (n = 100). The photomicrographs were evaluated by one calibrated examiner using a smear layer removal index and following statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test). The results demonstrated that the specimens treated with EDTA and EDTA-T gel presented a better smear layer removal than the control group (p < 0.01); no statistically significant differences were observed between the EDTA and EDTA-T groups and between the concentrations tested (Mann-Whitney, p > 0.05). Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that all treatment modalities effectively removed the smear layer from the root surface. The addition of texapon into the EDTA gel formulation did not increase its effectiveness.

The regular periodontal practice of scaling and root planing produces a smear layer on the root surface that is detrimental to the readhesion of tissues during subsequent regeneration therapy. Although it has been demonstrated that gels containing the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can assist in the removal of this contaminating layer, no quantitative method is yet available by which to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment. In this article, the power of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a technique for monitoring and mapping the surfaces of dentinal roots is demonstrated. Roughness parameters of teeth that had been scaled and root planed were determined from AFM images acquired both before and after treatment with EDTA. The results confirmed that EDTA is an efficient cleaning agent and that dentinal samples free from a smear layer are significantly rougher than the same samples covered by a contaminating layer. AFM analysis is superior to alternative methods involving scanning electron microscopy because the same sample section can be analyzed many times, thus permitting it to be used as both the control and the treatment surface.

Objectives: to understand breastfeeding meanings and practices produced by women attending prenatal care at a Basic Health Unit in the Brazilian Northeast. Methods: a social research characterized as participant research. A Focal Group was conducted with nine pregnant women who had other children. For the analysis, Discursive Practices and Production of Meanings in Everyday Life perspectives were worked out. Results: prenatal care, mother-baby relationship, family, and pain/suffering categories were produced. Final Considerations: breastfeeding benefits for the child, wife, family and society are numerous, but it is necessary for the woman to have access to a prenatal care and a qualified puerperium so that she feels supported by a perspective of comprehensive care.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is a systemic disease caused by a helminth of the schistosoma genus. The disease is generally asymptomatic or gastrointestinal symptoms may predominate. Skin lesions related to the disease are rarely diagnosed, even in endemic areas. The authors report the case of a young girl diagnosed with cutaneous schistosomiasis with involvement of the abdomen, back and scapular region. Schistosoma eggs were found in the lesions by histopathologic exam. There was no evidence of systemic involvement. Schistosomiasis must be included in the list of differential diagnosis of skin damage, especially in endemic areas, due to the potential consequences, in case of late diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Cervical dentin hypersensitivity is a routine clinical condition caused by dentin exposure to the oral environment and sensitivity caused by the ingestion of cold, sweet or sour foods, which induces localized, acute and brief pain. This study aimed at clinically evaluating the efficacy of two treatments to improve cervical dentin hypersensitivity, as well as the duration of their effects. METHODS:The study was developed as a clinical, doubleblind and comparative study where 14 patients with cervical dentin hypersensitivity treated in the Clinic School of Dentistry of the University Center Cesmac were selected. Participants were divided in two groups of seven individuals. The first group was submitted to treatment with 5% potassium nitrate desensitizing (Nano P ® -FGM) and the second group received fluoride varnish applications (Fluorniz ® -SS White). Both treatments have followed manufacturers' instructions. RESULTS: Clinical evaluations were performed 7, 14, 21 days and 1 month after treatment. After statistical analysis of results, it was possible to conclude that products have improved initial cervical dentin hypersensitivity in studied dental elements after their applications and that the desensitizing effect of potassium nitrate was longer lasting as compared to fluoride varnish. CONCLUSION: Potassium nitrate desensitizing effect was longer lasting as compared to fluoride varnish. Keywords: Dentin hypersensitivity, Gingival recession, Periodontal therapy. Improvement of cervical dentin hypersensitivity after two different treatments Redução da dor decorrente da hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical após dois tratamentos RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:A hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical é uma condição clínica rotineira na atualidade que decorre da exposição da dentina ao meio bucal e sensibilidade causada após a ingestão de alimentos frios, doces ou ácidos, o que ocasiona dor localizada, aguda e de curta duração. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar clinicamente a eficácia de dois tratamentos utilizados na redução da hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical, bem como a duração dos seus efeitos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi desenvolvido como um ensaio clínico duplamente encoberto comparativo, onde foram selecionados 14 pacientescom hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical, atendidos na Clínica Escola de Odontologia do Centro Universitário Cesmac. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos com 7 integrantes cada. O primeiro grupo foi submetido ao tratamento com o dessensibilizante à base de nitrato de potássio a 5% (Nano P ® -FGM) e no segundo grupo foi aplicado o verniz fluoretado (Fluorniz ® -SS White). Em ambos os tratamentos foram seguidas as instruções dos fabricantes. RESULTADOS: As avaliações do quadro clínico ocorreram aos 7, 14, 21 dias e 1 mês. Após a análise estatística dos resultados pôde-se concluir que ambos os produtos apresentaram redução clínica inicial no quadro de hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical nos elementos dentais pesquisados após as suas aplic...