Elisa Souza Camargo

Nailbiting, or onychophagia : A special habit

Onychophagia, or nailbiting, is a common oral habit, observed in both children and adults. The etiologies suggested for nailbiting include anxiety, stress, loneliness, imitation of other family member, heredity, inactivity, transference from a thumb-sucking habit, and poorly manicured nails. Treatment should be directed at the causes; punishment, ridicule, nagging and threats, and application of bitter-tasting commercial preparations on the nail are a variety of reminders, but are not appropriate approaches to treatment. The key to success is the nailbiters consent and cooperation.

Insertional torque and axial pull-out strength of mini-implants in mandibles of dogs.

INTRODUCTION The objectives of this study were to evaluate insertional torque of mini-implants (MI) for orthodontic anchorage, to compare their axial pull-out strength at 0 (T0), 15 (T15), and 60 (T60) days after placement, to determine initial and peri-implant cortical bone thickness, and to analyze the correlations among these variables. METHODS Sixty MI were placed in the mandibles of 10 dogs. Peak insertional torque values were recorded, and, after the animals were killed, specimens were prepared. The MI were aligned with a testing machine to register axial pull-out strength. Cortical bone thickness was measured after removal of the MI. Statistical analyses were conducted with ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. RESULTS Pull-out strength and peri-implant cortical bone thickness had differences (P <0.01) at the various times. The T0 value showed the highest pull-out strength, and the smallest peri-implant cortical bone thickness was at T60. There was a regular correlation between pull-out strength and peri-implant cortical bone thickness at T0 (r = 0.44, P = 0.05). There was no correlation between insertional torque and pull-out strength, and insertional torque and initial cortical bone thickness. CONCLUSIONS Pull-out strength is greater immediately after placement of MI, cortical bone thickness decreases because of bone resorption, and insertional torque is not an efficient method for predicting the retention of MI.

Metal and ceramic bracket effects on human buccal mucosa epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE To test the null hypothesis that metal and ceramic brackets have no effect on the epithelial cells of the buccal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two metal and two ceramic brackets were bonded in 21 individuals of both sexes. With the use of liquid-based exfoliative cytology, morphometric and morphologic changes in buccal mucosa cells adjacent to these brackets were determined and were compared at three time points: baseline (T0), 60 days after placement (T1), and 30 days after removal of the brackets (T2). RESULTS A decrease in nuclear area and an increase in cytoplasmic area occurred in the buccal mucosa cells adjacent to the brackets at T1 (P < .01). At T2, this altered morphometry persisted only in cells adjacent to the metal brackets, although to a lesser degree than at T1 (P < .01). A greater decrease in nuclear area was noted in cells adjacent to the metal brackets than in those next to the ceramic brackets (P < .01). At T0, the proportions of surface and subsurface cells were similar, but at T1, a predominance of surface cells was observed (P < .05). At all time points, smears of cells appeared normal or normal with some inflammatory changes. CONCLUSION The hypothesis is rejected. Placement of metal and ceramic brackets in the buccal cavity induces cellular alterations. These alterations do not suggest malignancy.

Effect of etching and light-curing time on the shear bond strength of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of etching and light-curing time on the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) upon debonding of orthodontic brackets. Sixty-eight bovine permanent incisors were obtained and embedded in acrylic resin. Edgewise metallic brackets were bonded to the teeth with Fuji Ortho LC RMGIC. The specimens were randomly assigned to 4 groups, using the following etching and light-curing times: G1: 10% polyacrylic acid and 40 s (control); G2: 37% phosphoric acid and 40 s; G3: 10% polyacrylic acid and 50 s; and G4: 37% phosphoric acid and 50 s. Shear test was performed at 0.5 mm/min and the ARI was assessed. G2 (3.6 ± 0.98 MPa) presented significantly higher (p<0.05) SBS than G1 (2.76 ± 0.86 MPa) and G4 (2.86 ± 0.68 MPa), and there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between G2 and G3 (2.94 ± 0.67 MPa). ARI presented prevalence of scores 2 and 3 in all groups. RMGIC SBS enhanced with 37% phosphoric acid etching and 40 s light-curing time, but this did not occur when the light-curing time was increased, regardless of the acid used. RMGIC presented prevalence of failures at the adhesive/bracket interface.

Influence of Natural Bovine Enamel Roughness on Bond Strength after Etching

OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the longitudinal and transverse roughness parameters of the enamel surface of bovine teeth and evaluate the influence of these parameters on bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety bovine incisors were used. The surface roughness of enamel was measured with a profilometer. For each tooth, five readings were taken in the longitudinal plane and five were taken in the transverse plane of the long axis of the tooth in an area equal to the size of the bracket base. The metal brackets were bonded with Transbond XT, and bond strength was evaluated in a universal test machine. RESULTS There was a statistical correlation (P < .01) between the longitudinal and transverse roughness measurements. There was no correlation between roughness measurements (longitudinal and transverse) and bond strength (P > .05), nor was there a correlation between total roughness (longitudinal Ra and transverse Ra) and bond strength. The Students t-test showed that there was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between longitudinal and transverse roughness. CONCLUSION The transverse roughness is greater than the longitudinal roughness, there is a strong correlation between longitudinal and transverse roughness, and there is no correlation between enamel roughness and bond strength.

Polarized light microscopic analysis of bone formation after inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2.

Potassium diclofenac is a potent nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) and COX isoforms (COX‐1 and COX‐2) inhibitor. Quantitative analysis of birefringence with polarized light microscopy is a useful method to investigate the macromolecular orientation and organization of collagen fibers in connective tissues. The aim of this research was to analyze the collagen structure and maturation in bone formed after potassium diclofenac administration, during first molar orthodontic movement. Sixty Wistar rats were divided in two equal groups (N = 30): control (C) and potassium diclofenac (PD). The animals in Group C received 0.9% saline solution and the PD group received potassium diclofenac Cataflam® (5 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 3, 7, or 14 days after a NiTi unilateral closed‐coil spring was stretched between the upper right first molar and the incisors. The first molar area was fixed, decalcified, and histologically processed using picrosirius pigment. The collagen birefringence of bone turnover was analyzed by phase retardation. Two‐way ANOVA and Tukeys test showed that optical retardation was influenced by time and treatment. There was increase in the collagen organization over time. On the third day, the C group showed better collagen organization than the PD group. Potassium diclofenac interfered in collagen maturation, reducing fibril organization in the initial phase of orthodontic movement. Anat Rec, 2010.

Dental enamel roughness with different acid etching times: Atomic force microscopy study

Objective: An important characteristic of human dental enamel not yet studied in detail is its surface roughness in mesoscopic scale. This study evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively the surface topography of acid etched enamel with different etching times. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six human maxillary bicuspids were randomly distributed into three groups ( n =32): T0 (control), pumiced; T15, 35% phosphoric acid etched enamel for 15 s; T30, 35% phosphoric acid etched enamel for 30 s. Roughness measurements Ra, Rz and root mean square (RMS) and 3D images of enamels topography were obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is a powerful technique to obtain direct measurements on microscale features. Results and Conclusions: Roughness variables Ra, Rz and RMS presented statistically significant differences to all groups ( P <0.000), with values increasing with etching time. This increase was greater from T0 to T15 than from T15 to T30. Enamel surface alterations T15 to T30 occur mainly due to increase in height and deepening of prisms central region.

Insertion torque, pull-out strength and cortical bone thickness in contact with orthodontic mini-implants at different insertion angles.

This study aimed to evaluate biomechanical behaviour of inclined orthodontic mini-implants by analyzing its insertion torque (IT), axial pull-out strength (APS), and cortical bone thickness in contact with mini-implant (CBTC). A total of 102 mini-implants were inserted at 90 degree, 60 degree, and 45 degree to the surface of synthetic bone. Peak IT was measured, and the mini-implants were aligned with the mechanical testing machine to record the APS. The cortical bone thickness in contact with each mini-implant was measured after the pull-out test and the data were subjected to statistical analyses. The 45 degree group had a significantly higher IT compared with the 90 degree group (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the average of cortical bone thickness in CBTC across the three groups (P < 0.05). A negative correlation between the angulation and the CBTC (r = -0.95, P < 0.05) and a positive correlation between the APS and the CBTC were observed (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). Mini-implants that are inserted more inclined to the surface of the bone provide greater IT and an increased contact with the cortical bone. The greater the CBTC, the greater is the APS.

Effect of fluoxetine on induced tooth movement in rats

INTRODUCTION Fluoxetine is a widely used antidepressant. Its various effects on bone mineral density are well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluoxetine on induced tooth movement. METHODS Seventy-two Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: M (n = 24; 0.9% saline solution and induced tooth movement), FM (n = 24; fluoxetine, 10 mg/kg, and induced tooth movement), and F (n = 24; fluoxetine, 10 mg/kg only). After 30 days of daily saline solution or fluoxetine administration, an orthodontic appliance (30 cN) was used to displace the first molar mesially in groups M and FM. The animals were killed 3, 7, and 14 days after placement of the orthodontic appliances. The animals in group F did not receive induced tooth movement but were killed at the same times. We evaluated tooth movement rates, collagen neoformation rates by polarization microscopy, numbers of osteoclast by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and trabecular bone modeling by microcomputed tomography of the femur. RESULTS The tooth movement rates were similar in groups M and FM at all studied time points (P >0.05). The rate of newly formed collagen had a reverse pattern in groups M and FM, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). There were significantly more osteoclasts in group FM than in group F on day 3 (P <0.01). The trabecular spacing was significantly larger in group F compared with group M on day 14 (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fluoxetine did not interfere with induced tooth movement or trabecular bone in rats.

Transverse craniofacial dimensions in Angle Class II, Division 1 malocclusion according to breathing mode

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the relation between the transverse craniofacial dimensions of subjects with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion and the breathing mode presented by them. Forty Angle Class II, Division 1 malocclusion subjects of both genders participated in the study, 23 of which were predominantly nose breathers and 17 were predominantly mouth breathers. The mean age ranged from 10 years and 9 months to 14 years--Age range 1; and from 13 years and 4 months to 16 years and 6 months--Age range 2. Measurements of six transverse craniofacial dimensions were performed in P-A teleradiographs: Total Sphenoid, Total Zygomatic, Total Nasal Cavity, Total Maxilla, Total Mastoid and Total Antegonion. The transversal craniofacial dimensions were measured and compared in both groups at age ranges 1 and 2. The longitudinal assessment of age ranges 1 and 2 showed that there was no statistically significant influence of the breathing mode on the craniofacial dimensions evaluated, or on the alteration of these dimensions. Breathing mode had no influence on craniofacial development in the sample studied.