Evaluation of two morphometric methods of bone loss percentages caused by periodontitis in rats in different locations

Objective: The present study evaluated morphometrically bone loss percentages in experimental periodontitis in rats, comparing different locations (lingual mandible, palatal maxilla and buccal maxilla) and two evaluation methods (distance and area methods). Material and Methods: Ligatures were placed around the maxillary right second molar and around the mandibular right first molar in 14 female Wistar rats. The contralateral molars served as intragroup control. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their mandible and maxilla were removed. The specimens were dissected and stained with methylene blue dye. Bone loss was evaluated by two different methods on the surfaces of the defleshed jaw. In the first method, the distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar bone crest was measured in the roots of teeth associated with ligature. In the second method, the area of bone loss was determined using the alveolar tissue bone, CEJ and the proximal region of roots associated with the ligature as reference. The data were converted to bone loss percentages caused by ligature: (ligated - unligated) x 100/ligated. Results: When comparing the distance and area methods, no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Both methodologies indicated that the maxilla presented greater bone loss than the mandible and it was more accentuated on the buccal side than on the palatal side (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study show that both the area and the distance methods can be used to evaluate bone loss caused by ligature placement in rats, and suggest applying the morphometric methodology to the maxilla on the buccal side.

Dentine microhardness after different methods for detection and removal of carious dentine tissue

There are several methods for identifying carious dentinal tissue aiming to avoid removal of healthy dentinal tissue. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test different methods for the detection of carious dentinal tissue regarding the amount of carious tissue removed and the remaining dentin microhardness after caries removal. Material and methods: The dentin surfaces of 20 bovine teeth were exposed and half of the surface was protected with nail polish. Cariogenic challenge was performed by immersion in a demineralizing solution for 14 days. After transverse cross-section of the crown, the specimens were divided into four groups (n=10), according to the method used to identify and remove the carious tissue: "Papacarie", Caries-detector dye, DIAGNOdent and Tactile method. After caries removal, the cross-sectional surface was included in acrylic resin and polished. In a microhardness tester, the removed dentin thickness and the Vickers microhardness of the following regions were evaluated: remaining dentin after caries removal and superficial and deep healthy dentin. Results: ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05) were performed, except for DIAGNOdent, which did not detect the presence of caries. Results for removed dentin thickness were: "Papacarie" (424.7 +/- 105.0; a), Caries-detector dye (370.5 +/- 78.3; ab), Tactile method (322.8 +/- 51.5; bc). Results for the remaining dentin microhardness were: "Papacarie" (42.2 +/- 10.5; bc), Caries-detector dye (44.6 +/- 11.8; bc), Tactile method (24.3 +/- 9.0; d). Conclusions: DIAGNOdent did not detect the presence of carious tissue; Tactile method and "Papacarie" resulted in the least and the most dentinal thickness removal, respectively; Tactile method differed significantly from "Papacarie" and Caries-detector dye in terms of the remaining dentin microhardness, and Tactile method was the one which presented the lowest microhardness values.

Avaliação qualitativa do efeito de agentes de limpeza na camada de lama dentinária: estudo ultra-estrutural em microscopia eletrônica de varredura

Quando qualquer instrumento abrasiona ou corta a dentina, produz na superfície uma camada de lama dentinária ou smear layer. Dependendo do agente de união indicado em Odontologia adesiva, há a necessidade ou não da remoção da camada de lama da superfície dentinária. Com a finalidade de verificar a ação de diferentes substâncias para a limpeza dentinária, utilizamos 20 dentes pré-molares superiores íntegros, mantidos em soro fisiológico, nos quais as coroas foram seccionadas ao meio no sentido mésio-distal. Com instrumento diamantado, removeu-se o esmalte da porção vestibular e da porção lingual da coroa e, com uma broca carbide cilíndrica lisa nº 56, cortou-se aproximadamente 1 mm de dentina com alta rotação sob abundante refrigeração ar/água, para produzir a camada de lama dentinária. em seguida, essa superfície foi tratada com diferentes substâncias e lavada por 30 segundos com spray ar/água. No controle, foi simplesmente utilizado o spray ar/água. Os espécimes foram montados em suportes metálicos, preparados e visualizados no MEV-DSM 950 da Zeiss, em aumentos que variaram de 100 a 5.000 vezes. Os materiais que mais removeram a camada de lama foram, em ordem crescente: 1. spray ar/água; 2. fluoreto de sódio 2%; 3. associação alternada de Dakin/Tergensol; 4. água oxigenada 3%; 5. jateamento com óxido de alumínio 50 mm; 6. flúor acidulado 1,27%; 7. ácido poliacrílico 25%; 8. ácido fosfórico 10%.

Effect of the surface treatment of plain carbon fiber posts on the retention of the composite core: an in vitro evaluation

Foi avaliado o possível efeito de tratamentos superficiais em pinos de fibra de carbono lisos, quando comparados aos pinos serrilhados, na retenção à resina composta empregada na confecção de núcleos de preenchimento. Foram utilizados cinqüenta pinos de fibra de carbono, divididos em cinco grupos: os quatro primeiros grupos eram constituídos por pinos do tipo liso, cujas superfícies foram tratadas, e o último grupo por dez pinos do tipo serrilhado. Foram desenvolvidas matrizes de resina acrílica com um leito ajustado para conter o pino, com um alargamento na porção coronária para posterior preenchimento com resina composta. Após o tratamento superficial, todos os pinos receberam camadas de primer, foram secos e então ajustados à matriz de resina, colocando-se a resina composta autopolimerizável na porção coronária para um núcleo de preenchimento de 3 mm. As amostras foram submetidas a termociclagem e armazenadas em água destilada por uma semana. Os espécimes foram testados por meio de ensaios mecânicos de tração, à velocidade de 0,5 mm/min, até o deslocamento do conjunto ou a fratura da resina do núcleo. As conclusões foram as seguintes: a) o tratamento superficial nos grupos tratados por meio de jateamento (Grupo A), pontas diamantadas marcadoras de profundidade para facetas laminadas (Grupo C) e alteração da morfologia da extremidade coronária (Grupo D) conferiu aos pinos lisos valores de retenção comparáveis aos dos pinos serrilhados (Grupo E) nos ensaios de tração, porém sem diferença estatisticamente significativa entre estes grupos; b) os pinos tratados por meio de pontas diamantadas de granulação média (Grupo B) obtiveram valores de retenção menores que os demais grupos.

INTRAPULPAL TEMPERATURE VARIATION DURING BLEACHING WITH VARIOUS ACTIVATION MECHANISMS

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intrapulpal temperature variation after bleaching treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide using different sources of activation. Material and Methods: Twenty-four human teeth were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction providing 48 specimens, and were divided into 4 groups (n=12): (G1) Control - Bleaching gel without light activation, (G2) Bleaching gel + halogen light, (G3) Bleaching gel + LED, (G4) Bleaching gel + Nd: YAG Laser. The temperatures were recorded using a digital thermometer at 4 time points: before bleaching gel application, 1 min after bleaching gel application, during activation of the bleaching gel, and after the bleaching agent turned from a dark-red into a clear gel. Data were analyzed statistically by the Dunnet's test, ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Results: The mean intrapulpal temperature values (degrees C) in the groups were: G1: 0.617 +/- 0.41; G2: 1.800 +/- 0.68; G3: 0.975 +/- 0.51; and G4: 4.325 +/- 1.09. The mean maximum temperature variation (MTV) values were: 1.5 degrees C (G1), 2.9 degrees C (G2), 1.7 degrees C (G3) and 6.9 degrees C (G4). When comparing the experimental groups to the control group, G3 was not statistically different from G1 (p>0.05), but G2 and G4 presented significantly higher (p<0.05) intrapulpal temperatures and MTV. The three experimental groups differed significantly (p<0.05) from each other. Conclusions: The Nd: YAG laser was the activation method that presented the highest values of intrapulpal temperature variation when compared with LED and halogen light. The group activated by LED light presented the lowest values of temperature variation, which were similar to that of the control group.

Pulpal temperature increase with high-speed handpiece, ER : YAG laser and ultrasound tips

The aim of this study was to compare intrapulpal temperature increase produced by high-speed handpiece, Er:YAG laser and CVDentus ultrasound tips during cavity preparation. Thirty bovine mandibular incisors with an enamel/dentin thickness of 4 mm at buccal surface had their roots amputated and were allocated to the following groups (n=10): Group I- high-speed handpiece; Group II- noncontact Er:YAG laser (250 mJ/4Hz); and Group III- CVDentus ultrasouns tips. All devices were used with water cooling. Class V cavities were prepared to a depth of 3.5 mm, measured with a periodontal probe. A type T thermocouple was placed inside the pulp chamber to determine the temperature increase (degrees C), which was recorded by a data acquisition system ADS 2000 IP (Lynx Technology) linked to a notebook computer. Data were analyzed statistically by oneway ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05). The mean temperature rises were: 1.10 degrees C ( 0.56) for Group 1, 0.84 degrees C (0.55) for Group II, and 3.00 degrees C (1.34) for Group III. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between Groups I and II, but both of them differed significantly from Group III (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Er:YAG laser and high-speed handpiece for cavity preparation resulted in similar temperature increase. Although ultrasound tips generated significantly higher intrapulpal temperature increase, it remained below the critical value of 5.5 degrees C and may be considered safe for use.

Machined and plastic copings in three-element prostheses with different types of implant-abutment joints: a strain gauge comparative analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hardening of a dual-cure resin cement using QTH and LED curing units

Objective: This study evaluated the surface hardness of a resin cement (RelyX ARC) photoactivated through indirect composite resin (Cristobal) disks of different thicknesses using either a light- emitting diode (LED) or quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light source. Material and Methods: Eighteen resin cement specimens were prepared and divided into 6 groups according to the type of curing unit and the thickness of resin disks interposed between the cement surface and light source. Three indentations (50 g for 15 s) were performed on the top and bottom surface of each specimen and a mean Vickers hardness number (VHN) was calculated for each specimen. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer test was used for post-hoc pairwise comparisons. Results: Increased indirect resin disk thickness resulted in decreased mean VHN values. Mean VHN values for the top surfaces of the resin cement specimens ranged from 23.2 to 46.1 (QTH) and 32.3 to 41.7 (LED). The LED curing light source produced higher hardness values compared to the QTH light source for 2- and 3-mm-thick indirect resin disks. The differences were clinically, but not statistically significant. Increased indirect resin disk thickness also resulted in decreased mean VHN values for the bottom surfaces of the resin cement: 5.8 to 19.1 (QTH) and 7.5 to 32.0 (LED). For the bottom surfaces, a statistically significant interaction was also found between the type of curing light source and the indirect resin disk thickness. Conclusions: Mean surface hardness values of resin cement specimens decreased with the increase of indirect resin disk thickness. The LED curing light source generally produced higher surface hardness values.

Surface degradation of glass ceramics after exposure to acidulated phosphate fluoride

Objective: This study evaluated the surface degradation effect of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel exposure on the glassy matrix ceramics as a function of time. Material and methods: Disc-shaped ceramic specimens (N = 120, 10/per ceramic material) were prepared in stainless steel molds (inner diameter: 5 mm, height: 2 mm) using 6 dental ceramics: 3 indicated for ceramic-fused-to-metal (Vita Omega 900, Carmen and Vita Titankeramik), 2 for all-ceramic (Vitadur Alpha and Finesse (R) Low Fusing) and 1 for both types of restorations (IPS d. SIGN). The specimens were wet ground finished, ultrasonically cleaned and auto-glazed. All specimens were subjected to calculation of percentage of mass loss, surface roughness analysis and topographical description by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before (0 min) and after exposure to 1.23 % APF gel for 4 min and 60 min representing short-and long-term etching effect, respectively. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey` s test (alpha=0.05). Results: Significant effect of the type of the ceramics (p=0.0000, p=0.0031) and exposure time (p=0.0000) was observed in both surface roughness and percentage of mass loss values, respectively. The interaction factor between both parameters was also significant for both parameters (p=0.0904, p=0.0258). Both 4 min (0.44 +/- 0.1-0.81 +/- 0.2 mu m) and 60 min (0.66 +/- 0.1 - 1.04 +/- 0.3 mu m) APF gel exposure created significantly more surface roughness for all groups when compared to the control groups (0.33 +/- 0.2-0.68 +/- 0.2 mu m) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in percentage of mass loss between the ceramics at 4 min (p>0.05) but at 60 min exposure, IPS d. SIGN showed the highest percentage of mass loss (0.1151 +/- 0.11). The mean surface roughness for Vita Titankeramik (0.84 +/- 0.2 mu m) and Finesse (R) Low Fusing (0.74.+/- 0.2 mu m) was significantly higher than those of the other ceramics (0.59 +/- 0.1 mu m - 0.49 +/- 0.1 mu m) and Vita Titankeramik (p<0.05) regardless of the exposure time. A positive correlation was found between surface roughness and percentage of mass loss for all ceramic materials [(r=0.518 (Vitadur Alpha), r=0.405 (Vita Omega 900), r=0.580 (Carmen), r=0.687 (IPS d. SIGN), r=0.442 (Finesse (R) Low Fusing), r=0.572 (Vita Titankeramik), Pearson's correlation coefficient)]. The qualitative SEM analysis showed evidence of corrosive attack on all of ceramics at varying degrees. Conclusions: The ceramics indicated for either metal-ceramic or all-ceramic restorations were all vulnerable to surface texture changes and mass loss after short-term and long-term APF gel exposure.

The adhesive system and root canal region do not influence the degree of conversion of dual resin cement

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estudo morfológico da polpa de molares de ratos Wistar frente a uma oclusão traumática experimental

As alterações morfológicas pulpares, decorrentes de um estímulo externo experimental (interferência oclusal), foram estudadas, em nível de microscopia de luz. Utilizaram-se restaurações de amálgama, em sobreoclusão nos primeiros molares superiores direitos de dez ratos Wistar, divididos em 3 grupos e sacrificados por perfusão transcardíaca com formol a 10%, aos 10, 20 e 30 dias. A avaliação foi feita nos molares inferiores direitos (lado experimental) e esquerdos (lado controle). As peças ósseas após descalcificação em solução de EDTA associada às microondas, seguiram técnica histológica de rotina e coloração por hematoxilina-eosina e tricrômico de Mallory. Verificou-se no lado controle uma reação intensa caracterizada por um posicionamento atípico dos odontoblastos, seguida pelo aparecimento de cálculos pulpares e posteriormente por uma aparente e uniforme acomodação tecidual em toda a polpa, com moderada incidência de fibras colágenas. No lado experimental, as alterações foram similares parecendo, porém, aumentar com o tempo, principalmente aos 30 dias, onde a imagem histológica era semelhante à do lado controle aos 10 dias. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que a interferência oclusal provocou alterações no tecido conjuntivo pulpar tanto no lado experimental como no controle e que as mesmas foram proporcionais à direção dos movimentos mandibulares.

Cimentos endodônticos - selamento marginal apical imediato e após armazenamento de seis meses

Este trabalho avaliou o selamento marginal apical de canais radiculares obturados com os cimentos endodônticos Sealapex, Apexit, Sealer 26 e Ketac Endo. Utilizaram-se 136 raízes, cujos canais radiculares, após o preparo biomecânico, foram obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral ativa com os cimentos em estudo. Metade das amostras, imediatamente após as obturações, foram imersas na solução de azul de metileno a 2% e a outra metade após 6 meses de armazenamento em plasma sangüíneo humano. Observou-se que os cimentos Sealapex e Sealer 26 apresentaram infiltrações médias estatisticamente iguais entre si e menores que as observadas para os demais cimentos (p < 0,05). Amostras imersas no corante imediatamente após a obturação dos canais apresentaram infiltração média menor (0,829 mm) do que aquelas mantidas por 6 meses em plasma sangüíneo humano (1,275 mm). Estas diferenças foram estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,05).

Efeitos da autoclavação na velocidade e capacidade absorvente de cones de papel empregados em Endodontia

A presença de umidade no interior do sistema de canais radiculares, após o preparo biomecânico e sua desinfecção, pode influenciar no selamento apical e no êxito da obturação endodôntica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do número de esterilizações em autoclave, sobre a capacidade e velocidade de absorção dos cones de papel empregados em Endodontia. Foram analisados 440 cones de papel número 40, dos quais dez cones de cada marca comercial receberam de zero à dez ciclos de esterilização em autoclave (134°C/15 psi/15 minutos). Após cada ciclo de esterilização, os cones foram avaliados quanto a capacidade e velocidade de absorção de solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 1%. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística por meio dos testes da ANOVA (dois critérios) e Tukey (5%). Pôde-se concluir que, quanto à capacidade de absorção, os cones que sofreram menor influência dos diversos ciclos de esterilização em autoclave foram, em ordem decrescente: Tanari, Tanari cell pack, Conne e Diadent cell pack. Quanto à velocidade de absorção, os cones que obtiveram os melhores resultados foram: Tanari cell pack, Tanari, Conne e Diadent cell pack. A autoclavação mostrou-se um procedimento viável, em até 10 ciclos, apenas para a esterilização de cones de papel absorvente da marca Tanari utilizados em Endodontia.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY of SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE ASSOCIATED WITH INTRACANAL MEDICATION FOR Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis INOCULATED IN ROOT CANALS

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the action of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) associated with an intracanal medication against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis inoculated in root canals. Material and Methods: Thirty-six human single-rooted teeth with single root canals were used. The canals were contaminated with C. albicans and E. faecalis for 21 days and were then instrumented with 1% NaOCl. The roots were divided into 3 groups (n=12) according to the intracanal medication applied: calcium hydroxide paste, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel, and 2% CHX gel associated with calcium hydroxide. The following collections were made from the root canals: a) initial sample (IS): 21 days after contamination (control), b) S1: after instrumentation, c) S2: 14 days after intracanal medication placement; S3: 7 days after intracanal medication removal. The results were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level. Results and Conclusions: Both 1% NaOCl irrigation and the intracanal medications were effective in eliminating E. faecalis and C. albicans inoculated in root canals.

Finite element analysis and fracture resistance testing of a new intraradicular post

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate a prefabricated intraradicular threaded pure titanium post, designed and developed at the Sao Jose 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. Materials and and methods: Fracture 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. Results: The 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. Conclusions: The 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 (08/2008PA/CEP).