Private Dental Office Research Articles

Transient Apical Breakdown: Incidence, Pathogenesis, and Healing.

Transient apical breakdown (TAB) is a phenomenon that indicates temporary apical periodontal destruction and root resorption after tooth luxation injuries, followed by the healing process of the dental pulp. Andreasen in 1986, reported that TAB was seen in approximately 4.2% of all luxation injuries. However, there have been no reports thereafter on the types and frequency of the luxation traumatic injuries in which TAB occurs. Therefore, this retrospective study was aimed to assess the incidence and pathogenesis of dental trauma-induced TAB and to suggest a possible mechanism of subsequent healing based on a series of cases. Data analysis included mature teeth (n = 56) of 49 patients aged 9-30 years who presented in a private dental office over a period of 10 years (2012-2022) to investigate the incidence and healing sequala of TAB. TAB was observed in 43.8% of subluxation, 62.5% of extrusive luxation, and 75% of lateral luxation injuries. The average age of patients who developed TAB was 14.5 years, ranging from 9 to 28 years old. TAB can be expected in many cases of luxation injuries with minimal dislocation. Therefore, mild injuries (subluxation, extrusion, and lateral luxation), may exhibit spontaneous healing, recovery of dark discoloration of the crown, disappearance of a periapical radiolucent lesion and return to normal response to EPT as long as 12 months after the traumatic injury. Thus, a decision to perform endodontic treatment in these cases might be postponed until clear evidence for an infection exists.

Guided Bone Regeneration for the Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: Clinical Case Report

Periodontal disease is characterized as an inflammatory process that damages the periodontal lining and/or support tissues. Peri-implantitis is among the periodontal alterations, being caused by bacterial biofilm causing loss of underlying bone insertion, leading to modifications in its architecture that form intraosseous defects of various types. For the treatment of peri-implantitis there are non-surgical, surgical, resective, regenerative, combined techniques and the decision-making will depend on the degree of the bone defect. Therefore, guided bone regeneration (GBR) is an efficient and simple technique for bone augmentation, which is widely used to restructure bone defects that occur in the alveolar ridge and in the peri-implant region. Biomaterials are alternatives to be used in guided bone regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility, osteoinductive properties, low degradation rate and their hydrophilicity, which collaborates with the absorption of blood cells and proteins that will help in osseointegration. Female, 58-year-old normosistemic patient, attended a private dental office complaining of pain, bad smell, bleeding and bad taste in the peri-implant region referring to element 25, on its distal face to the mesial face of the element tooth 26. After imaging exams, periodontal probing and the patient's past history, extraction of element 26 was performed, decontamination protocol of the implant surface of 25 through mechanical, chemical and physical means performing antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and finally, a guided bone regeneration was performed, using the allogeneic bone grafting technique associated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane in its expanded form (e-PTFE) for recovery of the bone defect and alveolar preservation. Thus, guided bone regeneration has shown high success rates and greater predictability when well indicated and performed, making it important for the maintenance of periodontal and peri-implant health.

Retrospective Study Regarding the Correlation between Dental Anxiety and Color Preferences in Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries.

Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is recognized as a significant chronic disease which affects the quality of life starting at very young ages and has a very rapid evolution towards pulp complication and loss of dental tissue. Children with a high caries index DMFT are more likely to develop high levels of dental anxiety, which will influence the degree of cooperation during dental procedures. Emotions play an important role in the psychosomatic development of children, and all the factors that contribute to the modeling of these emotional states must be known and taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to assess the association between dental anxiety in children with S-ECC and the color preferences for the components of the dental environment to reduce the levels of dental anxiety during medical visits. For this study, 91 children between 3 and 6 years of age diagnosed with S-ECC were selected from the Pediatric Dentistry Department of UMFST from Targu Mures and from a private dental office. The level of dental anxiety was determined by measuring the pulse rate, and a questionnaire was completed to establish the color preferences for the dental office environment and the dentist's attire. For this purpose, six different colors and their variants with three shades less intensity were chosen by using RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) identification codes for each color. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the age of the subjects and dental anxiety levels, but there was no significant correlation between the DMFT score and dental anxiety. Also, the results showed that there was no significant difference between girls and boys when choosing the colors preferred by them for the dental office, but when comparing the colors that represented happiness, significant statistical difference was found between the girls' and boys' groups (p = 0.0039). For all the subjects, the colors associated with happiness were light yellow and pink, while the colors associated with anxiety were red and dark blue. The data obtained showed that dental anxiety is strongly influenced by age, and an important role in inducing positive emotions is played by the dental environment if dressed in specific colors in order to reduce dental anxiety and create familiar conditions, especially for young children with S-ECC.

Investigation of Dental Implants Operated in Private Dental Office: Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the demographic characteristics of patients who underwent dental implant surgery and various features of the implants applied, in a private clinic from January 2019 to June 2022 in Turkey by descriptive methods. Materials & Methods: The files of the patients who were operated analyzed. Gender, age, edentulous status, implant brands used and various characteristics of the patients were recorded. The obtained data were evaluated with descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Total of 90 patients, 39 (43.34%) male and 51 (56.66%) female, were included in the study. When analyzed by decades, it was determined that the most treated range was 39-48 years with 27 (30%) patients. Of the 247 implants applied, 139 (56.27%) were placed on the right side (1st and 4th regions), and 108 (43.72%) were placed on the left side (2nd and 3rd regions). When examined according to the jaws they were applied to, 137 (55.46%) of them were applied to the mandible and 110 (44.53) of them were applied to the maxilla. Of these implants, 44 (17.81%) are in the anterior position (incisors and canine teeth region), and 203 (82.18%) are in the posterior position (1st premolar and beyond). Conclusion: Dental implants can be easily applied to every individual in line with the appropriate indication. The findings in this article will help operators to choose the suitable indication.

Care and Treatment of Frail Older Adults in the Dental Office: A Case Report.

Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon that is changing healthcare systems globally, including dentistry. The percentage of frail older adults living in the community has increased as baby boomers age. The majority of these frail older adults are not edentulous, and require the services of a general dentist. Using a longitudinal case history, the authors have discussed the problems and decision making required to care for such an individual in a private dental office. We believe that with a better understanding of medicine and pharmacology, a general dentist should be able to develop a rational treatment plan for frail and dependent older adults who live in the community.

Salivary Biomarkers and their Relationship with Periodontal Clinical Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Traditionally, periodontal clinical parameters are used to diagnose and design standardized treatment plans. The scientific literature has not widely reported the inclusion of salivary biomarkers in this diagnostic and therapeutic process. Objectives: To analyze the correlation between salivary biomarkers and periodontal clinical parameters of a group of patients undergoing the periodontal maintenance phase in a private dental office located in the southwest of Colombia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A sample of 92 patients undergoing the periodontal maintenance phase was analyzed. Conventional periodontal parameters were determined, and salivary biomarkers were measured by chromatography (cariogenic bacteria, acidity, buffering capacity, blood, and erythrocytes). To determine its correlation, a bivariate statistical analysis was developed. Results: According to Spearman's correlation matrix, among the periodontal clinical parameters, there were statistically significant correlations between the extension and severity of the complete and proximal attachment loss (r=0.93) and between the bleeding on probing (BOP) and the plaque index (PI) (r= 0.37). Within the salivary biomarkers, a statistically significant correlation was found between acidity and the buffering capacity of saliva (r= -0.54); between buffering capacity and proteins (r=0.36); between blood and erythrocytes (r=0.42); between blood and proteins (r=0.58), and between erythrocytes and proteins (r=0.48). Finally, a statistically significant correlation between periodontal parameters and salivary biomarkers was observed between teeth lost due to periodontal disease and acidity (r=0.26) and between teeth lost and buffer capacity (r=0.30). Conclusion: Periodontal parameters and salivary biomarkers correlate with variables of the same group to which they belong. Still, only the variable teeth lost due to periodontal disease correlates with acidity and buffer capacity. The findings suggest that both periodontal parameters and salivary biomarkers should be evaluated throughout the periodontal process. It is possible that both parameters could express different moments of the pathophysiology of the disease.

Participant Directed Mobile Interviews: A Data Collection Method for Conducting In-Situ Field Research at a Distance

COVID-19 restrictions necessitated innovative online adaptations to conventional qualitative methods; however, virtual interviews do not permit capturing visual data from participants’ environments. Traditional mobile interviews conducted in situ provide contextual, relational, and situational knowledge. Virtual adaptations of mobile interviews have been theorized but not fully tested. This paper compares experiences with an online interview and a virtual adaptation of a mobile interview, the Participant-Directed Mobile Interview (PDMI), during a pilot study examining the design elements of private dental office waiting rooms as symbolic presentations of a dentist’s and dental clinic’s identity. Participants ( n = 4), who worked in private dental clinics and had participated in the planning and designing the waiting room, were selected using a purposive and convenience sample design. Participants were required to have access to a mobile device, the internet, and the Zoom cloud-based video conferencing platform. A semi-structured interview preceded PDMI, and both were recorded on Zoom. Unlike the online semi-structured interview, PDMI revealed the participant’s relationship to the space, produced more nuanced and contextual data and clarified the meaning of subjective statements and terms. Mobile devices used by the participant (iPad/mobile phone) provided the researcher with a view of the space and access to visual and relational data that would not be possible if the camera focused on the participants alone. Participants could freely explore, interact with, and reflect on the space in real-time, enhancing the depth and breadth of responses. PDMI was limited by participants’ access to and choice of equipment and internet services and their technical skill level. This technique could be applied to circumstances beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. PDMI could increase access, reduce research costs in distant or remote communities, and provide valuable insights within various methodologies and disciplines.

Analogy between the oral microbial flora found at the level of carious lesions, endodontic spaces and prosthetic components

Nowadays, eating habits and lifestyles are moving towards a diet high in sugars and carbohydrates, which is extremely harmful to both oral integrity and systemic health. The aim of the study was to identify the variations between the bacterial plaque formed in carious lesions, infected root canals and prosthetic components, in comparison with commensal oral microflora. The study was carried out on a group of 21 patients aged between 7 and 84 years, 13 women and 8 men, with various oral diseases, which were diagnosed during the specialized examination. The preparation of the medical record, the signing of the informed consent, the anamnesis and the consultation were carried out in the private dental office where the patients presented for a personalized treatment plan, and the examination of the pathological products and the interpretation of the results obtained in the Microbiology Discipline, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. The study carried out on the preparations taken from patients with carious lesions reveals the presence of numerous G+ cocci arranged in short chains (23%), frequent G+ cocci in diplo, thin G+ bacilli with rounded ends and G+ cocci in diplo, arranged in small piles (15 %), and values lower than 8% are represented by G+ in diplo cocci, lanceolate, rare G+ in diplo cocci, very rare fusiform bacilli and dentinal fragments. The study carried out on the preparations taken from the endodontic space showed a remarkable percentage of epithelial cells and leukocytes (28%), rare fusiform bacilli, very small fragments of epithelial tissue, thin G+ bacilli with rounded ends, G+ cocci in diplo and in small piles and buns arranged in short chains (5-6%). The study carried out on the preparations taken from the level of prosthetic components, recorded a relatively high number of epithelial cells (19%), G+ cocci arranged in diplo, lanceolate and in small piles (13%), thin G+ bacilli, with rounded ends (10 %), cocci in short chains (10%) and rare polymorphonuclear leukocytes (10%), while at the opposite pole, squamous epithelial cells, fusobacteria and pleomorphic forms (3%) are found.

RESULTS OF ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENT USING PERMANENT STRUCTURES SUPPORTED BY DENTAL IMPLANTS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

Literary data testify to the significant prevalence of the dental implantation method to solve the problem of permanent prosthetics in partial and complete anodontia. However, a significant array of information needs systematization and generalization, taking into account the specifics of providing dental care by dental institutions in different regions. The authors conducted a retrospective study of the main statistical regularities based on the results of 32 cases of treatment of secondary anodontia by replacing bounded and finite distally unlimited defects of the lower and upper jaws with the support of dental endosseous implants as exemplified by outpatient care at a private dental office in the city of Poltava (Ukraine). Dental implantation and subsequent prosthetics were performed at one medical institution, by one doctor in cooperation with one dental laboratory in the city of Poltava (Ukraine). The term of retrospective observation was 5 years. The condition for inclusion in the study was the manufacture of a non-removable orthopedic appliance with the non-removable fixation on dismountable and full-body intraosseous screw dental implants. In all cases, metal and ceramic structures with cement fixation on intraosseous dental implants of the Implife Classic, Implife Solo (Inpride company, Ukraine) Vitaplant VK Vitaplant V2Kn (Vitadent company, Ukraine) implant systems were manufactured. Observation of the treatment outcomes was carried out an average of 32 months after the fixation of 69 orthopedic appliances. It turned out that the protocol of permanent prosthetics to replace partial defects of the dentition was implemented mainly in the middle-aged group. Periodic outpatient monitoring of orthopedic appliances with cement fixation on intraosseous implants takes place within the period from 6 to 60 months. The average observation period was 32.8 months. Characteristic statistical regularities related to the selection of individuals and the most common types of implants for solving standard clinical tasks were determined. The average number of implants per clinical case was 4 supports, and the average diameter and length of the integrated implants were 3.5 and 11 mm, respectively.

The Effect of Pimpinella Anisum and Origanum Vulgare Extracts Against Streptococcus Sanguinis, Streptococcus Mutans, and Streptococcus Salivarius.

Statement of the Problem: There are global efforts for introducing a new herbal antimicrobial agent with minimal side effects. There are some reports about the antimicrobial properties of Pimpinella anisum and Oregano Vulgare.Purpose: In this study, the antimicrobial properties of Pimpinella anisum and Oregano Vulgare have been assessed.Material and Method: In this experimental in vitro study, the dental plaque samples were collected from children aged 3 to 5 years old who were referred to a private dental office with diagnosis of dental caries. After determination of the bacterial colonies of Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Pimpinella anisum and Oregano vulgare were measured by macrodilution and microdilution methods.Results: The mean MIC and MBC of Pimpinella anisum extract and Oregano vulgare extract and their combination against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus salivarius were statistically different (p< 0.001). The combination of these extracts showed the lowest MIC and MBC.Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extracts of the Pimpinella anisum and Oregano Vulgare were effective antibacterial agent against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus sanguinis so the combination of these two extracts showed the highest antibacterial properties on all the bacteria evaluated.

Uncommon case of histoplasmosis with oral manifestation: A case report of diagnosis in a South American patient.

IntroductionHistoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease caused by the H. capsulatum fungus, which is mainly present in feces and guano of birds and bats. This condition manifests in several ways and it is more severe in its disseminated form and in immunosuppressed patients, putting the patient at risk of death if not diagnosed in time.Case presentationThis report presents the case of a 39-year-old white female patient, a seller of agricultural machinery, with a history of lupus erythematosus, who attended a private dental office complaining of a tongue lesion. The patient reported having been subjected to an incisional biopsy of this lesion and the histopathological examination identified an inflammatory process. Considering the inefficient management of the lesion with intralesional application of corticosteroids, squamous cell carcinoma or granulomatous fungal infection was suspected, and a new biopsy was performed allowing the diagnosis of histoplasmosis already spread to the liver, intestines, and bone marrow. The diagnosed disease led the patient to undergo extensive antifungal treatment, including a period of hospitalization.DiscussionThe diagnosis of histoplasmosis can be delayed due to several factors, mainly due to its diverse clinical presentation between acute, chronic and disseminated forms. However, achieving an early diagnosis for histoplasmosis is very important to maintain the patient's quality of life.ConclusionGreater education, information, and awareness about histoplasmosis among health professionals are required for managing these cases, especially in endemic areas to H. capsulatum.

Exodontia de dentes supranumerários em ambiente hospitalar: relato de caso na Odontopediatria

ABSTRACT The diagnosis and treatment of supernumerary teeth pose a challenge for dental clinicians and pediatric dentists. These teeth are asymptomatic and may cause the delayed eruption of the permanent dentition, altered bone growth and ectopic positioning. This paper reports a case of the surgical removal of supernumerary teeth in the anterior region of the maxilla of a child under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. A six-year-old female patient visited a private dental office in the city of Garanhuns, Brazil, accompanied by her mother, who reported a tooth with a “strange shape” in the anterior region as the main complaint and also reported that her daughter’s first dental experience was negative. The clinical examination and imaging tests were performed under general anesthesia to confirm the diagnosis. In view of the patient’s dental and behavioral history, surgical treatment was performed in a hospital setting and assisted by a multidisciplinary team. Care in the hospital setting was found to be feasible, providing greater comfort for uncooperative patients.

Rehabilitation of Atrophic Posterior Mandible with Vertical Ridge Augmentation with Resorbable Membrane: Case Report with 3-Year Follow-up

Background: The placement of implants in the posterior mandible with the vertical bone defect can be associated with inadequate crown height space. Therefore, the vertical bone reconstruction of these defects is often necessary, although this procedure is technically challenging. Methods: A 49-year-old patient attended a private dental office for rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible. The clinical and tomographic findings show absence of teeth #36, #37, #46, #47, and #48 with severe atrophy. Vertical bone augmentation was performed by using the guided bone regeneration technique with pericardium resorbable membrane followed by placement of short implants. The free gingival graft was performed, and after three months, screw-retained lithium disilicate single ceramic crowns were manufactured. Results: After a 3-years follow-up, bone loss around the implants or presence of gingival inflammation was not observed, and the prosthesis adaptation was found to have no alteration either. Therefore, aesthetics, as well as masticatory and speech functions, were preserved. Conclusion: There was no bone loss around the implants. The association between vertically guided bone regeneration using pericardium resorbable membrane is an alternative technique, and it avoids complications related to non-resorbable membrane exposure. It was shown to be viable after a 3-year follow-up.

Restoration of 1325 teeth with partial-coverage crowns manufactured from high noble metal alloys: a retrospective case series 18.8\xa0years after prosthetic delivery

ObjectivesTo evaluate long-term survival and success rates of conventionally cemented partial-coverage crowns (PCCs) manufactured from high noble metal alloys (hn).Material and methodsRestoration-, periodontal- and tooth-related criteria on patients, restored with a single or multiple conventionally cemented hnPCCs in a private dental office were collected from existing patient records. With regard to semi-annual follow-ups, data of the most recent clinical evaluations were considered. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests were used for statistical analyses. Level of significance was set at p ≤ .05.ResultsBetween 09/1983 and 09/2009, 1325 hnPCCs were conventionally cemented on 1325 teeth in 266 patients (mean age: 44.5 ± 10.7 years). Due to various reasons, 81 hnPCCs showed complications, documenting a success rate of 93.9% after a mean observation period of 18.8 ± 5.7 years. Of these, additional 14 restorations were counted as survival, resulting in a survival rate of 94.9%. Most frequent complications were periodontal issues (n = 29, 35.8%). Significantly higher success rates were documented for hnPCCs of patients aged between 37 and 51 years (p = .012).ConclusionPartial-coverage crowns from high noble metal alloys showed excellent survival and success rates after a mean observation period of 18.8 ± 5.7 years. Higher patient age was one of the risk factors.Clinical RelevanceAccording to the results of this study, hnPCCs still represent an excellent therapeutic option—even in modern dentistry.

Three-dimensional changes in root angulation of buccal versus palatal maxillary impacted canines after orthodontic traction: A retrospective before and after study

The aim of this study was to three-dimensionally compare the root angulation changes after orthodontic traction of buccally versus palatally maxillary impacted canines (MICs). This retrospective study included patients from a private dental office of both sexes, older than 12 years, with at least one unilateral or bilateral buccal or palatal MIC, no loss of permanent teeth, with complete apical closure at the beginning of traction, and with CBCTs taken at pretreatment (T0) and after orthodontic traction (T1). The sample was divided in two groups according to their impaction site: buccal versus palatal. In all the scans, the MIC was segmented and the root angulation changes after traction were evaluated. The assessment included the sigma angle (projected on the XZ plane or coronal tomographic view), the delta angle (projected on the XY plane or axial view) and the epsilon angle (projected on the YZ plane, or sagittal view). Intragroup comparisons were performed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Intergroup comparisons were performed with t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests. Finally, the influence of MIC characteristics on the measured angles were evaluated with multiple linear regression analyses (α=0.05). Thirty-three patients (16 men, mean age: 20.38; 17 women, mean age 18.37) with forty-five orthodontically treated MIC (19 buccal versus 26 palatal) were finally included. The palatal MICs showed greater mediolateral uprighting than the buccal MICs, root displacement towards the midsagittal plane, as demonstrated by the sigma angle (palatal group: 37.58±15.08°; buccal group: 29.17±31.15°; P=0.164) and delta (palatal group: -76.90±26.55°; buccal group: -30.56±41.67°; P<0.001)angle changes. The buccal MICs showed greater anteroposterior uprighting, anterior root displacement, as demonstrated by the epsilon angle (palatal group: -4.63±12.37°; buccal group: -25.96±17.79°; P<0.001). Mediolateral and anteroposterior root angulation show significant differences after traction between buccal and palatal MICs. Palatal MICs showed greater medial root displacement while buccal MICs showed greater anterior root displacement. This condition should be considered for better planning of traction and orthodontic finishing.

Patient-reported outcomes and complication rates after lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation: a prospective study

ObjectivesOral surgery morbidity is highly variable based on patients’ characteristics and kind of surgical intervention. However, poor data are available in the literature regarding patient outcomes after oral surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient-reported outcome and complication rates after maxillary sinus floor elevation.Materials and methodsData from the records of patients undergoing maxillary sinus elevation have been collected from a private dental office. Patient-reported outcome has been assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale to evaluate the post-operative pain (VASpain) experienced in the first week following surgery and visual rating scales to evaluate discomfort level (VRSdiscomfort: 0 to 4) and willingness to repeat the same surgical procedure (VRSwillingness: 0 to 3). Analgesics intake, swelling onset and duration, and ecchymosis have been also recorded.ResultsVASpain showed moderate values in the first 2 days (< 50) post-surgery, with a tendency to progressively decrease over the next 2 days. Average assumption of painkillers was 3.93 ± 3.03. Discomfort level (VRSdiscomfort) after surgery was low (median: 1; IR: 1–0), while willingness to undergo the same surgical procedure was very high (77.63% of patients). Swelling and ecchymosis were experienced by 97.36% and 51.32% of patients, respectively, with a mean duration of 4.09 ± 1.43 and 2.21 ± 2.31 days, respectively. Membrane perforation occurred in 4 cases. Other post-operative complications were not observed.ConclusionsMaxillary sinus grafting is a safe procedure, with a low complication rate and moderate morbidity that is well tolerated by patients. Particular attention is needed in case selection, surgical planning and operator expertise.Clinical relevanceThe analysis of patient-reported outcomes can be of great help in surgical planning and in providing correct and adequate treatment.

IgG titers Decline Post-Vaccination with BNT6112b2 in an Italian Dental Team

The occupational risk of dental health care workers for COVID-19 is a burning issue. Currently, the long-lasting efficacy of the induced immunity from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is largely unknown. Our aim is to study the RDB-IgG response after 1, 4, and 7 months from complete vaccination with BNT6112b2 in an Italian dental team. All 13 dental health care workers (3 men and 10 women) working in a private dental office were enrolled in the frame of scheduled controls for occupational safety. All dental health care workers were aged less than 60 yrs old; the mean age (±DS) was 41.23±9.63 yrs; 2/13 had one medical condition associated with a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, but none of DHCW were affected with the disease. Antigen tests on nasal swab in detecting the SARSCoV-2 were always negative from December 2020 to September 2021. Any symptoms commonly attributed to COVID-19 were not reported. The vaccination with BNT6112b2 was done on them with two doses according to the authorization protocol. Some female dental health workers (4/13) seem to be non-responders or slightly responders and reported associated pathologies (obesity, hypertension). 7 months after the second dose of vaccine, the RDB-IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 have reduced significantly (94%; P < 0.001) compared to levels 1 month after. More knowledge on occupational risk and on vaccine efficacy in dental health care workers, stringent adoption of standard precautions, and, perhaps, the vaccine boost or new mucosal vaccines seem to be the main strategy in facing COVID-19 pandemic.

The life in Japan and status of private dental office at the times of COVID-19.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Restauração estética com pino de fibra de vidro e resina composta: relato de caso clínico

Objetivo: Relatar um caso clínico do uso de pino de fibra de vidro e resinas compostas para reabilitação oral do dente 14 (pré-molar superior direito). Relato de Caso: Um paciente procurou o atendimento em um consultório odontológico privado queixando-se de um dente com comprometimento estético. Expondo as formas de tratamento, o paciente concordou por reabilitar o dente 14 com pino de fibra de vidro e resina composta. Iniciou-se desobturando 2/3 do canal vestibular para instalação do pino, em seguida após seu preparo, o mesmo foi cimentado com cimento resinoso dual na cor A3 tendo sido adaptado ao conduto radicular. A partir disso, um ácido fosfórico a 37% por 40 segundos foi utilizado, depois o adesivo e fotopolimerizado por 40 segundos. Então reconstruiu-se a coroa com pequenos incrementos fotoativados com resinas compostas para dentina na cor A3 e esmalte na cor A3. Um pré-acabamento foi feito com ponta diamantada e o polimento final foi feito após 48 horas. Conclusão: As resinas compostas associadas a pinos pré-fabricados do tipo fibra de vidro são uma alternativa satisfatória para a reabilitação de dentes tratados endodonticamente e que apresentam pouca estrutura dentária remanescente.

Clinical and Salivary Findings in Patients with Metal and Crystalline Conventional and Self-Ligating Orthodontic Brackets.

AimData regarding different types of orthodontic brackets and ligation and various clinical and salivary findings are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare clinical and salivary findings in patients with different types of fixed orthodontic appliances.Subjects and methodsDecayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) and plaque index, salivary flow rate, salivary pH and prevalence of white spot lesions were determined in 83 patients with different types of orthodontic brackets and ligation (metal passive self-ligating brackets, conventional metal brackets, mono-crystal brackets and polycrystalline active self-ligating brackets), before and six months after the beginning of fixed orthodontic treatment. The patients were recruited in a private dental office, in the period of two years. The group comprised 83 patients (mean age: 15.14 ± 1.66 years), including 52 women (mean age: 15.08 ± 1.68) and 31 men (15.24 ± 1.64). Statistical analysis was performed by use of dependent and independent samples t-test as well as one way ANOVA, Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Kruskal Wallis test. P-values below 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered significant.ResultsDMFT and salivary flow have shown a significant increase, while salivary pH has shown a significant decrease in the observed time interval, in all patients irrespective of type of brackets and ligation. Among patients with different bracket material, no significant differences were found in any of the observed parameters.ConclusionAlthough salivary flow rate is increased in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances which can have caries-protective effect, DMFT also increases and salivary pH decreases six months after the beginning of the treatment independently of bracket material or ligation type. All patients should receive instructions for precise oral hygiene and dietary habits before the beginning of fixed orthodontic therapy and at every dental check-up.