A review of microbiological root canal sampling: updating an emerging picture

Objectives: The significance of microorganisms in root canals with regard to the aetiology of periapical infection and the need for crucial bacteria control during treatment are undeniable. In this study, we re-port and discuss a review of the literature on Microbiological Root Canal Sampling (MRS). The procedure is analyzed in detail, discussing its powers, limitations and the influence of sample collection procedures on the incidence of true and false positive results. Data sources: MEDLINE/PUBMED, B-On and library files of Oporto University were accessed. Selection: Papers were selected using the keywords: “root ca¬nal sampling”; “apical periodontitis”; “endodontic pathogens”; “root canal infection”; “Culture”; “molecular biology”. The references were selected under inclusion criteria such as English language, accessibility, rel¬evance to the theme and scientific rigor. Conclusions: This review illustrated the absolute need to adhere to strict methodology procedures if valid samples are to be obtained. A combination of Culture and molecular identification approaches have confirmed the polymicrobial nature of endodontic infections with a pre¬dominance of anaerobic bacteria. Nucleic acid-based techniques provide significant additional information particularly regarding the not-yet-cultivable species of the microbial community, but greatly increase the budget of the procedure. Thus, assessment of the endodontic microflora, in the context of a polymicro¬bial biofilm ecosystem, and its relevance to endodontic treatments must rely in the complementariness of Culture and Metagenomics approaches as they are neither mutually exclusive nor competitive, but strongly complementary.

Analysis of oral complications related to cancer therapy

Introduction: The side effects and adverse reactions related to cancer therapies may cause significant alterations in the oral cavity, discomfort or even severe pain in parts of the body, patient’s nutritional deficiency, delay in the administration of oncologic drugs or dose limitation, an increase of hospitalization time and of the related expenses, as well as a decrease in the patient’s quality of life. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the deleterious effects of cancer therapies in the oral cavity. Material and methods: Data was gathered from medical records of the treatment of 643 cancer patients at the São José Hospital, in Joinville, state of Santa Catarina, from January to September 2012. Among the records selected for this study, 59.41% were female patients, with a mean age of 51 to 60 years. Results: Oral complications were reported in 72.47% of the patients, and the complication with the highest prevalence was mucositis (14.62%) followed by dry mouth (10.58%). Most of the patients had not received dental care prior to the cancer treatment, and no dental record was found. Conclusions: Several different oral disorders were reported as a result of cancer treatment, and a significant number of patients needed dental evaluation prior to the treatment.

Non-syndromic oligodontia in permanent dentition: a rare case report

Objective: Tooth agenesis is one of the most common congenital anomalies seen in humans. Although ab¬sence of one or more teeth is common, absence of multiple teeth is rare. Oligodontia is a rare developmental anomaly, involving agenesis of six or more permanent teeth, excluding the third molars. The reported preva¬lence of oligodontia in permanent dentition is 0.14%. Oligodontia can be presented as an isolated condition or as a part of a syndrome. Discussion: The present case report highlights a unique case of non-syndromic oligodontia, with agenesis of four permanent incisors, left permanent canine and right second premolar in the mandibular arch and its management with a novel fixed functional prosthetic appliance. Conclusion: Prosthetic rehabilitation is an urgent need for these kind of patients so that they do not suffer from mastica¬tory and esthetic problems which can eventually lower the self esteem of individuals.

Normative and perceived orthodontic treatment need of senior year dental students

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine perceived and normative orthodontic treatment need of senior year dental students using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine senior year students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, participated. Normative assessment of occlusal characteristics was car¬ried out using IOTN and DAI while the Aesthetic Component (AC) scale of IOTN was used by the students to assess perceived need. Results: With the AC scale of IOTN, 6.1% of the students expressed “borderline need” and 2% “great need” for treatment, while normative need was 41.4% for “borderline need” and 11.1% for “great need”. The Dental Health Component found 37.4% and 24.2% in these categories, respectively. The DAI gave 26.3%, 13.1% and 15.1% in the elective treatment, highly desirable treatment and mandatory treatment categories respectively. No gender-dependent differences were found. Moderate correlation was observed between perceived and normative need (r=0.643), which was significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Over half of the dental students had orthodontic treatment need with both indices. Normative and perceived treatment need differed significantly. The perception of treatment need is not only influenced by knowledge and severity of malocclusion, as psychosocial factors acting on individuals may be involved.

Prótese parcial removível com attachment para reabilitação oral: relato de caso

Objetivo: Abordar os principais aspectos relacionados à reabilitação oral ao relatar um caso clínico utilizando prótese parcial removível (PPR) com attachment ball. Discussão: As próteses implanto-suportadas são consideradas um tratamento efetivo para a reabilitação de muitos pacientes desdentados parciais. No entanto, limitações ósseas e/ou sistêmicas e o custo elevado dos implantes podem contraindicar essa modalidade terapêutica. Assim, a reabilitação oral com PPR torna-se uma ótima opção de tratamento. É conhecido que as PPRs a grampo não apresentam boa estética em muitas situações clínicas; porém, PPRs associadas a attachments permitem diversas possibilidades de soluções clínicas quando um diagnóstico e plano de tratamento mais elaborado podem ser executados. Conclusão: A PPR retida por attachment propicia resultado estético superior, transmissão adequada da carga mastigatória aos dentes suportes e excelente retenção.

Herpes-zóster com manifestação bucal em paciente imunossuprimido: relato de caso

Objetivo: O herpes-zóster é uma infecção viral causada pela reativação do vírus da varicela-zóster. Esta doença pode afetar pacientes imunossuprimidos e caracteriza-se por lesões papulovesiculares distribuídas na região inervada pelo nervo afetado, causando dores intensas. Este artigo relata o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, leucoderma, 26 anos de idade, dependente químico, HIV positivo e com tuberculose ganglionar que procurou o Hospital Oswaldo Cruz (Curitiba/PR) tendo como queixa mal-estar geral, lesões na pele e mucosa oral, e linfadenopatia na região cervical. Discussão: O diagnóstico do herpes-zóster foi estabelecido por meio das características clínicas das lesões, e o tratamento estabelecido envolveu o uso de drogas antirretrovirais, analgésicos e antidepressivos. Conclusão: O cirurgião-dentista precisa estar atento às lesões papulovesiculares que acometem a pele e as mucosas de forma unilateral, acompanhadas de sin¬tomas de prurido e dor, pois elas garantem o diagnóstico do herpes-zóster.

Anaerobic enhancement of protease secretion by periodontal Candida albicans strains

Introduction: Among other non-bacterial organisms, yeasts have been isolated from subgingival sites with relative frequency. Candida albicans is the species most commonly isolated although its role in periodontal disease has not been established. Objective: This study evaluated the secretion patterns of aspartyl-protease (Sap) by periodontal and nonperiodontal Candida albicans strains in normoxic and anoxic conditions. Material and methods: Periodontal strains (n=10; periodontal pockets ≥3.00 mm) and nonperiodontal Candida albicans strains (n=10) were grown under normoxic and anoxic conditions in protease-inducible broth. Sap activities were quantified in supernatants using azocasein as substrate. Whole-protein contents in supernatants were determined by Bradford’s method. Specific protease activities (Sap activity.protein-1) were assessed and compared. Results: While nonperiodontal strains secrete similar amounts of Sap under both atmospheric conditions, periodontal strains secrete reduced amounts in the presence of molecular oxygen. Conclusion: Despite the limited number of assayed isolates, the possibilities of adaptation or selection of candidal strains to periodontal microenvironment may be considered.

Resistência adesiva após colagem e recolagem de bráquetes: um estudo in vitro

Introdução: A busca por um material adesivo para recolagem de bráquetes com adesão adequada desperta interesse ao ortodontista. A resina fotopolimerizável ReBond® foi introduzida na Ortodontia com esta fi¬nalidade. Objetivos: Avaliar e comparar o desempenho in vitro do ReBond® com a resina Transbond XT® na recolagem de bráquetes metálicos. Materiais e Métodos: Noventa incisivos inferiores bovinos foram divididos em 3 grupos (n=30): Grupo I: bráquetes colados com resina Transbond® e colagem de novos bráquetes com resina Transbond®; Grupo II: bráquetes colados com resina Transbond® e recolados com resina Rebond®; Grupo III: bráquetes colados e recolados com resina Transbond®. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos ao teste de cisalhamento na máquina de ensaio universal DL 500 (EMIC). Os valores obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente e apresentaram distribuição normal (ANOVA e TUKEY-HSD). Resultados: Os resultados evidenciaram existir diferença estatisticamente significante entre grupos e en¬tre colagem/recolagem dos bráquetes. A força de colagem inicial demonstrou ser sempre superior à força de recolagem, em todos os grupos experimentais. Conclusões: A força de recolagem dos bráquetes com Rebond® e Transbond® apresentaram forças de adesão adequadas ao uso clínico.

Identification of Enterococcus faecalis by PCR in saliva of pediatric patients

Objective: This study aimed to identify E. faecalis in saliva of patients that were divided into two groups: 10 patients with caries lesions and 10 caries-free patients. Material and methods: Saliva samples were collected with a sterile swab and inoculated in enterococcosel media for 48 hours. The positive samples were subcultured in broth agar - blood medium for storage and subsequent PCR analysis. The data were analyzed using the SPSS (χ2). Results: From the 20 cases included in the study, 3 were positive in the Enterococcosel medium, and both tests (culture and PCR) used confirmed that three of them belonged to the species E. faecalis. No samples were positive in Enterococcosel broth in the group of caries-free patients. From the three samples that were identified as Enterococcus in broth (positive bile esculin test), an amplified for E. faecalis PCR analysis (p > 0.005). Conclusion: Through the use of PCR, it was possible to identify the genus Enterococcus and the species E. faecalis in saliva of patients with carious lesions – the pathogen that may influence the prognosis of diseases of the oral cavity.