Dental Practice and Musculoskeletal Disorders Association: A Look at the Evidence

Disorders localized to the musculoskeletal system are a common problem among dental personnel. This study has the aim of surveying epidemiological studies reporting positive associations between dental practice and musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs). The focus was to evaluate the size of reported risk increase and the extent to what alternative causal explanations were considered. Reports with significant links (p value .05) were systematically selected from 2 electronic databases. Twenty-five studies were identified. Risk measures were reported in 8 studies, and all of them presented weak associations. The impact of at least 1 competing explanations was analyzed in 32% of studies, but adjustment was considered not adequate in half of them. The evidence on dentistry as a profession with potential risk for development of MSKDs remains questionable. Further research is needed to more carefully elucidate the risk and the impact of MSKDs in this particular occupational group.

Deposition of Lead and Cadmium Released by Cigarette Smoke in Dental Structures and Resin Composite

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Carbamide Peroxide Bleaching Gel Concentration on the Bond Strength of Dental Substrates and Resin Composite

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of bleaching gel containing 10%, 15% and 20% carbamide peroxide (CP) on the bond strength of dental enamel or dentin and resin composite restorations.Methods: The buccal surfaces of 12 bovine tooth crowns were conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid, and the adhesive resin Single Bond 2 and the resin composite Filtek Z350 were used to perform the restorations. The blocks were sectioned to obtain bar specimens. Each specimen group (enamel-E, dentin-D) was divided into four subgroups (n=15): S-artificial saliva; 10-10% CP bleaching; 15-15% CP bleaching; 20-20% CP bleaching. CP was applied for six hours daily for two weeks. The specimens were submitted to the a test in a universal testing machine. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the Tukey post-hoc test and a correlation analysis (r) was performed.Results: For Group E, the mean value (+/- standard-deviation) was 21.86 (+/- 6.03)a, 18.91 (+/- 8.31)ab, 15.43 (+/- 7.44)b and 10.6 (+/- 4.94)c for ES, E10, E15 and E20, respectively. For Group D, the alpha values were 34.73 (+/- 4.68)a, 35.12 (+/- 13.43)a, 29.67 (+/- 6.84)ab and 24.56 (+/- 6.54)b for DS, D10, D15 and D20, respectively. A negative correlation between the CP concentration and mean values was observed for both the enamel (r=-0.95) and dentin (r=-0.85) groups.Conclusion: In the current study, the bond strength of the restoration to enamel and the restoration to dentin were influenced by the application of CP and was dependent on the CP concentration in the bleaching gel.

Dental caries and the nutritional status of preschool children: a spatial analysis

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

Application of propolis to dental sockets and skin wounds.

The purpose of this study was to examine histologically the effects of propolis topical application to dental sockets and skin wounds. After topical application of either a 10% hydro-alcoholic solution of propolis or 10% hydro-alcoholic solution alone, cutaneous wound healing and the socket wound after tooth extraction were examined. The rats were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 days after the operation. The specimens were subjected to routine laboratory studies after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. It was concluded that topical application of propolis hydro-alcoholic solution accelerated epithelial repair after tooth extraction but had no effect on socket wound healing.

Correlation among mutans streptococci counts, dental caries, and IgA to Streptococcus mutans in saliva

Two-hundred and forty individuals were studied, divided into five groups as follows: caries-free children, children with caries, children with rampant caries, young adults with and without caries. Whole stimulated saliva was collected and all individuals were investigated for DMFT/dmft according to the WHO criteria and the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Quantitative analysis of the total aerobic flora and mutans streptococci in saliva was performed. Also, the level of salivary anti-S. mutans IgA was determined by ELISA. Children with rampant caries showed the highest OHI-S value. The highest total counts of microorganisms were found in the group of children with caries. No statistically significant differences were observed for salivary flow, OHI-S and microorganism counts between the groups of young adults. No correlation between mutans streptococci counts and anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA levels was observed in the studied groups. A correlation between increased anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA levels and caries-free status was observed among young adults but not among children.