Influence of maxillary incisor edge asymmetries on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons

Introduction: Our objective was to determine the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypeople with respect to asymmetries on the maxillary incisor edges in a frontal smile analysis. Methods: Two frontal close-up smile photos of 2 women, 1 white and 1 Afro-Brazilian, were selected for this study. Both smiles displayed healthy maxillary anterior dentitions. The images were digitally altered to create tooth wear on the maxillary left central and lateral incisors in 0.5-mm increments. The final images were randomly assembled into a photo album that was given to 120 judges, 60 orthodontists and 60 laypersons. Each rater was asked to evaluate the attractiveness of the images with visual analog scales. The data collected were statistically analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance with the Tukey post-hoc test and the unpaired Student t test. Results: The most attractive smiles in both types of smiles were those without asymmetries and the 0.5-mm wear in the lateral incisor. In general, tooth wear was considered unattractive by both groups of raters following a pattern: the more tooth wear, the more unattractive the smile; tooth wear in the central incisor was considered more unattractive than in the lateral incisor. For both group of raters, 0.5 mm of wear in the central incisor was considered unattractive, whereas the thresholds for lateral incisor discrepancies were 0.5 mm for orthodontists and 1.0 mm for laypersons. Conclusions: The result of this study corroborates the clinical assumption that symmetry between the maxillary central incisors is a paramount goal for esthetic treatments. Copyright © 2013 by the American Association of Orthodontists.

Dimensões do corredor bucal e sua relação com a distância inter pré-molar e intercomissural

The objective of the study was to analyze the size of buccal corridor during the smile of individuals from 10 to 19 years of age and to determine whether there is a relationship among buccal corridor, inter premolar distance, inter commissure width. Standard digital frontal photographs in posed broad smiles and dental casts were taken of a sample of 150 individuals divided into 5 age groups of 30 individuals: 10-11 years old (G1), 12-13 years old (G2), 14-15 years old (G3), 16-17 years old (G4), 18-19 years old (G5). Distances among the cusps of superior first premolars and buccal corridors were measured for subsequent comparisons using the Image Tool 3.0 program. Data was analyzed using Anova. The SNK test and Tamhane test were applied. The mean values of the buccal corridor ranged from 4.00-to 10.69 mm on the right side and from 4.06 to 11.43 mm on the left side. In percentage related with intercomissure width each side of the buccal corridor ranged from 7.46 to 16.47% on the right side and from 7.58% to 17.61% on the left side. Buccal corridors were different between genders and increased with age. Males have bigger buccal corridors than females, but there is no difference between gender when calculated as a percentage related with the inter commissure width. The inter premolar width is significantly correlated with inter commissure widths of female individuals 14-15 years old and 18-19 years old, and with the right linear buccal corridor of males and females aged 14-15 years old.

Análise do sorriso como ferramenta de aprimoramento para os resultados restauradores estéticos

In reply to the eagerness for aesthetic treatments in dental offices, the surgeon-dentist have had to improve themselves to produce the desired smiles. The mastery in the use of restoring and non restoring techniques as well as knowledge of the aesthetic materials in basic for the success of the cosmetic treatments. There are, however, other tolls which allow the portentiality of the treatment results such as, the analysis of the smile, through the use of photographs to perfect the results of both restoring and non restoring proceedings.

Influência de variações das normas estéticas na atratividade do sorriso

The work presented here aims to evaluate how aesthetic norm variations influence the perception of attractiveness of a smile according to dentists and laymen. Methods: The smiles in photographs of a man and a woman were digitally changed. Eleven smiles were created for each one: an ideal, control smile - an ideal smile according to accepted norms - and 10 smiles containing individual variations of each of the following norms: a) 2mm and 3mm deviations from the middle line; b) the contour of the smile - contour of a straight smile and contour of a reverse smile; c) the angle of the lateral incisors - a mesial angle of 10° and a distal angle of 10°; d) 0.5mm and 1mm diastema; and e) dental proportion - Alber’s Proportion and Plato’s Proportion. The photographs were evaluated by two specialists in cosmetic dentistry and two laymen using the visual analogue scale. Results: The ideal smile for both genders was well accepted by both the specialists and the laymen. The opinions on the smiles with aesthetic variations varied, some were more positive than others, some were in agreement and some were in disagreement. Conclusion: The absence of deviations favors the perceived beauty of a smile, but some aesthetic variations seem to be better accepted than others. The success of aesthetic treatments depends on the active participation of dentists and patients in the planning stage.

Clareamento dentário x autoestima x autoimagem

Dental changes that compromise facial harmony can have serious consequences on the social image of the patient. Depending on the emotional significance for the individual it can change interpersonal relationships, causing profound changes in their patterns of self-acceptance and self-image, with profound effects on their self-esteem of the patient. The search for tooth whitening as cosmetic factor for a harmonic smile grew sharply in the last decade. Although the color of the tooth represents only one aspect in the set of determinants of facial harmony, it is a strong factor because it is quickly perceived. This study aims to report the clinical case of a patient with spots on their upper central incisors. For the patient these spots have compromised her smile, causing harm and discomfort in their everyday social and professional relationships.

Percepção de acadêmicos de odontologia sobre o envelhecimento

The changes on learning space where Dentistry Students stay in front of social reality, by university extension, represent a strategy to form dentists according to Brazilian Curricular Directresses. In Araçatuba Dental School (FOA-UNESP), one of alternatives to add students on real locals of dentistry practices is the “Always Smiling Project – Dental Attention for institutionalized elderly in Araçatuba City, São Paulo State – Brazil”. The aim of this study was to verify the self-perception of dentistry students about aging before and after participation in this Project during one school year. To data collection, an instrument with 3 opened questions was performed and applied on 45 students, in the beginning of activities in 2009 and after 8 months. The answers were analyzed by content categorization. The results showed that the perception of students about old people was negative relating them with frail person that needs help and the students’ expectations were higher about clinical aspects of attention. In the end of school year was clear the difference of students’ comprehension about aging and their thoughts demonstrated the empathy resulting from relation. Besides, students related knowledge gain and noted that health attention involve others aspects that are over than biological space. It was possible to conclude that insertion of students in “Always Smiling” contributed to reflection and learn about aging process and suggest that practices like these should be added in Brazilian Universities.

A importância da integração universidade e serviços de saúde

Brazilian Curricular Directrix demand changes on teaching dental surgeon, proposing new scenes of learning and study other than the classroom. So, pedagogic projects should search for integral and adequate education by relating teaching, research and extension/assistance. This paper discusses the importance of university extension activities on teaching Odontology students and relates the experience of Araçatuba Dental School of São Paulo State University. This school develops some university extension activities since the 60s by Dental Service Beyond School (SEMO, in portuguese). Among the activities included by SEMO there are several projects, such as: “Program of Dental Attention for Pregnant Women”, “Program of Dental Attention to Juvenile Foundation at Araçatuba”, “Always Smiling – Health Promotion for Institutionalized Elderlies”, “Santa Clara de Assis Nursery School Program of Dental Attention”, and "Promotion of oral health in Araçatuba public kindergarten schools”. These programs give the student knowledge of structure dimensions of public health services; chance to participate on attendance for the population, comprehension of oral health politics, and the role of dental surgeon in social context, where these students will work in the future. The positive impact obtained with these services is perceived by students return. Most of them feel satisfied about the experience lived there.

Projeto Sempre Sorrindo: 10 anos de atenção ao idoso institucionalizado

Introduction: To correctly attend the health needs of the elderly population, it is necessary to invest in training of human resources. Thus, it becomes indispensable to insert the geriatric dentistry content into graduation courses. Objective: To describe the experiences and the results obtained during 10 years of an university extension project focused on oral health care of institutionalized elderly. Methodology: This is a documental and descriptive work, which was analyzed the institutional process of ten years of the University Extension Program, “Always Smiling - Dental Care for the Elderly Institutionalized of Araçatuba, “ developed at the Araçatuba Dental School, FOA/ UNESP. It were collected quantitative and qualitative data, and these were classified and interpreted according to the technique of categorizing the content. Results: In ten years of implementation, the project “Always Smiling” involved undergraduate students, professors and post-graduate students, who together have developed practical activities such as health education, hygiene supervision, recreational and educational activities, epidemiological surveys of oral health conditions and consequently, dental care according to the need of the treatment. Conclusion: The project “Always Smiling” serves as a working model for elderly health care, because it acts involves many aspects, from the prevention of diseases, even to the training of elderly caregivers, benefiting the institutionalized elderly and health professionals.

Análise do clareamento dental caseiro realizado com diferentes produtos: relato de caso

Aesthetic dental treatments are very popular nowadays. Among them, dental bleaching occupies a prominent place. Por esse motivo, muitos trabalhos são realizados a fim de avaliar seus efeitos clínicos sobre a estrutura dental. Due to the high demand for bleaching treatments, many studies have been conducted to evaluate its effects on tooth structure. This study aimed to report and discuss the aspects related to color change as well as the side effects caused by dental home bleaching using carbamide peroxide or hydrogen in different concentrations. This case reported and recent literature shows that the available products are similarly effective for vital dental bleaching. However, considering the occurrence of dental sensitivity, the use of hydrogen peroxide-based products promoted higher levels of this symptom when compared to carbamide peroxide. Gingival irritations were also verified during the treatment, regardless the product used. It was concluded that dental bleaching using 10% carbamide peroxide or 6% hydrogen peroxide accomplished with the aid of a tray produces satisfactory results, providing patients a greater selfesteem and pleasure in smiling.

Emprego de técnica cirúrgica e materiais adesivos diretos no fechamento de diastema

The following is a clinical case report of a patient whose main complaint was the presence of a generalized spacing in the anterior maxillary segment. After meticulous clinical analysis and discussions of the clinical procedures to be adopted, a labial frenectomy was our first choice, so that we could reduce the diastemas directly using composite resin. It was observed that the association of clinical and restorative procedures was capable of giving back shape, function and dental aesthetics, allowing to the young patient the satisfaction of smiling without any fear.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES USED BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN PROVIDING PALLIATIVE CARE TO PATIENTS

The objective of this study is to verify the relevance and utilization of communication strategies in palliative care. This is a multicenter qualitative study using a questionnaire, performed from August of 2008 to July of 2009 with 303 health care professionals who worked with patients receiving palliative care. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Most participants (57.7%) were unable to state at least one verbal communication strategy, and only 15.2% were able to describe five signs or non-verbal communication strategies. The verbal strategies most commonly mentioned were those related to answering questions about the disease/treatment. Among the non-verbal strategies used, the most common were affective touch, looking, smiling, physical proximity, and careful listening. Though professionals have assigned a high degree of importance to communication in palliative care, they showed poor knowledge regarding communication strategies. Final considerations include the necessity of training professionals to communicate effectively in palliative care.

Oral hygiene indirect instruction and periodic reinforcements: effects on index plaque in schoolchildren

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the indirect instruction and the influence of the periodic reinforcement on the plaque index in schoolchildren. Forty schoolchildren aged from 7 to 9 years old were selected from a public school. After determining the initial O'Leary Plaque Index all schoolchildren were submitted to a program for oral hygiene through indirect instruction -"The Smiling Robot". The schoolchildren were divided into 2 groups: with and without motivation reinforcement. The index plaque exam was performed in both groups after 30, 60 and 90 days of the educational program. Comparing the groups, the plaque index decreasing could be observed in the group with reinforcement with statistically significant difference. For the group with reinforcement, statistically significant difference among the evaluations was found. For the group without reinforcement, significant decrease in the plaque index was found after 30 days when compared to the first, third and fourth evaluations. The indirect instruction with "The Smiling Robot "promoted a positive initial impact on the decrease of plaque index in the schoolchildren. The periodic reinforcements showed more suitable results and significant reduction of the plaque index in the course of the evaluations.

Facial Feedback Affects Perceived Intensity but Not Quality of Emotional Expressions

Motivated by conflicting evidence in the literature, we re-assessed the role of facial feedback when detecting quantitative or qualitative changes in others’ emotional expressions. Fifty-three healthy adults observed self-paced morph sequences where the emotional facial expression either changed quantitatively (i.e., sad-to-neutral, neutral-to-sad, happy-to-neutral, neutral-to-happy) or qualitatively (i.e. from sad to happy, or from happy to sad). Observers held a pen in their own mouth to induce smiling or frowning during the detection task. When morph sequences started or ended with neutral expressions we replicated a congruency effect: Happiness was perceived longer and sooner while smiling; sadness was perceived longer and sooner while frowning. Interestingly, no such congruency effects occurred for transitions between emotional expressions. These results suggest that facial feedback is especially useful when evaluating the intensity of a facial expression, but less so when we have to recognize which emotion our counterpart is expressing.