Carolina Dea Bruzamolin

Prevalence of diagnosed temporomandibular disorders: A cross-sectional study in Brazilian adolescents

Background The prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) increases during adolescence and adulthood. Few studies have examined TMD prevalence in Brazilian adolescents. Aim To investigate the prevalence of TMD in Brazilian adolescents. Methods A representative population-based sample of 934 adolescents (10–14-years-old) was examined. TMD screening was performed using a questionnaire by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. TMD diagnoses used research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD—Axis-I). Examinations were performed by a single calibrated examiner (kappa > 0.80). Results The prevalence of TMD symptoms was 34.9%; the most frequently reported symptoms were headache and neck ache (20.9%), followed by joint sounds (18.5%). Myofascial pain was the most prevalent type (10.3%), followed by disc displacement with reduction (8.0%) and arthralgia (3.5%). There was a significant association between sex and TMD symptoms; prevalence was significantly higher in girls (RP = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.14–1.65; p = 0.001). Myofascial pain of TMD and displacement with reduction were more prevalent in girls (RP = 1.76; p = 0.007 and RP = 2.06; p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion TMD symptoms were present in 34.9% of adolescents, with myofascial pain being the most prevalent type (10.3%). TMD was significantly more common in girls. Routine pediatric dental care should include a TMD screening.

Polymorphisms in Nonamelogenin Enamel Matrix Genes Are Associated with Dental Fluorosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether genetic polymorphisms in AMELX, AMBN, ENAM, TFIP11, and TUFT1 genes are associated with dental fluorosis (DF). A total of 1,017 children from 2 Brazilian cohorts were evaluated. These populations lived in cities with fluoridation of public water supplies. DF was assessed in erupted permanent teeth using the modified Dean index. The polymorphisms rs946252, rs12640848, rs4694075, rs5997096, and rs4970957 were analyzed by real-time PCR from genomic DNA. Associations between DF, genotype, and allele distribution were evaluated using the χ2 test, with an alpha of 5%. The polymorphisms rs4694075, rs5997096, and rs4970957 in AMBN, TFIP11, and TUFT1 were associated with DF (p < 0.05). In conclusion, enamel matrix genes are associated with DF.

Oral health status in victims of child abuse: a case-control study

BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the oral health status of children with a history of maltreatment. AIM This case-control study evaluated oral health in children who were victims of abuse and in child protective services in Curitiba, Brazil. DESIGN One hundred twenty-two children who were victims of abuse and 240 children with no history of abuse (mean ages, 8.56 and 8.24 years, respectively) were included in the study. Dental caries were assessed according to the Decayed, Missing, or Filled Teeth index (dmft index and DMFT index) by two calibrated examiners. The presence of anterior open bite and posterior crossbite was recorded. Data were analyzed using bivariate and adjusted odds ratios using a multivariate logistic regression model analyses. RESULTS In the case group, we found a higher DMFT index (P < 0.001) and a significantly higher prevalence of missing primary teeth (P = 0.04), untreated decayed permanent teeth (P < 0.001), filled permanent teeth (P < 0.001), and anterior open bite (P = 0.04). Children who were victims of abuse presented an odds ratio of 6.48 (95% CI: 3.52-11.95) for caries in permanent teeth and an odds ratio of 2.28 (95% CI: 1.04-4.99) for open bite. CONCLUSION Victims of child abuse had a worse oral health status, demonstrating the need to establish special policies for oral healthcare for this population.

Evaluating of oral and salivary conditions of two specific groups of workers

Introduction and Objective: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic oral diseases found in industrial countries and is a multifactorial disease which has sugar as a key dietary factor. The amount of saliva concentration and presence of cariogenic bacteria will favor the development of caries. Because of this, the aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on oral alterations referred to tooth decay, oral pH changes, and changes of the oral microbiota in two distinct groups of workers. Material and methods: 30 individuals belonging to two different groups of workers: group A (GA) – workers who maintain daily contact with the confectionery; group B (GB) – workers who do not have such contact. Saliva collection was done by analysis of the salivary pH in both groups, as well as cultivation of Lactobacillus spp and S. mutans. We also evaluate the dental status of individuals belonging to the two groups through the DMFT index. Results: After the examinations of 30 workers (17 from the GA [9 men and 8 women] and 13 in the GB [7 men and 6 women]), the mean DMFT of the individuals in the group A and group B, was 7.41 (SD 5.14) 7.08 (SD 5.56), respectively, without statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The count of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp, was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between presence of dental caries and the fact that workers are in contact with sugar because they work on candy food industry, but new studies are needed for more precise research.

Performance in vitro of apex locators in determining root length in primary molars

Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho in vitro de radiografia digital e de dois localizadores apicais eletronicos, Propex II e Root ZX na determinacao do comprimento de canal em molares deciduos. Metodos: Foram selecionados 25 molares deciduos divididos em dois grupos, G1, sem reabsorcao radicular e G2 com reabsorcao radicular. Os exames foram realizados utilizando todos os metodos por dois examinadores experientes, com intervalo de 1 semana. O padrao ouro foi determinada por exame visual. Os metodos foram analisados estatisticamente em relacao aos valores de reprodutibilidade e correlacionada com o padrao ouro pelo coeficiente de correlacao de Pearson. Resultados: A determinacao de comprimento de canal coincidiu com padrao-ouro em 22,7% para o Root ZX, 17,5% para Propex II e 12,5% para a radiografia digital. valores de correlacao foram maiores no G1, o Root ZX apresentou os maiores valores. Em G2 da radiografia digital apresentou a menor correlacao. No G1, os valores de reprodutibilidade intra-examinador variou 0,925-0,523 e interexaminadores 0,863-0,670. No G2, os valores da reprodutibilidade intra-examinador varia 0,864-0,097, e inter era 0,774-0,379. Conclusao: Concluiu-se que o desempenho dos metodos varia de acordo com a experiencia do examinador. O Root ZX apresentou maior reprodutibilidade e precisao.