Lucila Basto Camargo

ART is an alternative for restoring occlusoproximal cavities in primary teeth - evidence from an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND A previous systematic review showed that atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) can be an option to restore the occlusoproximal cavities in primary teeth; however, few studies fulfilled the criteria of inclusion to generate a high level of evidence. AIM To update the existing systematic review and address questions regarding survival rate of ART restorations compared to the conventional approach in occlusoproximal cavities in primary molars. DESIGN The search was extended beyond the original search through the PubMed/MEDLINE database up to February 2016. Furthermore, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched. The inclusion criteria were subjects related to the scope of the systematic review. After selection by title and abstract, potentially eligible articles were read in full and included in accordance with exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was carried out with the outcome being the survival rate of restorations. RESULTS The search strategy identified 560 potentially relevant studies, in addition to 127 from the original systematic review. A total of four articles were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference between ART and conventional approaches in survival rate of occlusoproximal cavities (OR = 0.887, 95% CI: 0.574-1.371). CONCLUSION ART restorations have similar survival rate compared to conventional treatment and can be considered an option to restore occlusoproximal cavities in primary molars.

Combination effect of fluoride dentifrices and varnish on deciduous enamel demineralization

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticaries potential of 500 or 1100 ppm F dentifrices combined with fluoride varnish using a pH-cycling regimen. Seventy primary canines were covered with nail polish, leaving a 4×4 mm window on their buccal surface, and randomly assigned into 7 groups (n = 10): S: sound enamel not submitted to the pH-cycling regimen or treatment; N: negative control, submitted to the pH-cycling regimen without any treatment; D1 and D2: subjected to the pH-cycling regimen and treated twice daily with 1100 or 500 ppm F dentifrice, respectively; VF: fluoride varnish (subjected to F-varnish before and in the middle of the pH-cycling regimen); and VF+D1 and VF+D2. After 10 days, the teeth were sectioned, and enamel demineralization was assessed by cross-sectional hardness at different distances from the dental surface. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys test. Dentifrice with 1100 ppm F and the combination of F-varnish with the dentifrices significantly reduced enamel demineralization compared with the negative control (p < 0.05), but the isolated effects of F-varnish and dentifrice with low concentration were not significant (p > 0.05). The effect of combining F-varnish with the dentifrices was not greater than the effect of the dentifrices alone (p < 0.05). The data suggest that the combination of F-varnish with dentifrices containing 500 and 1100 ppm F is not more effective in reducing demineralization in primary teeth than the isolated effect of dentifrice containing 1100 ppm F.

Efficiency of different polyacrylic acid concentrations on the smear layer, after ART technique, by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

AIM: To assess the efficiency of different polyacrylic acid concentrations on the removal of the smear layer after caries removal with hand and rotary instruments in affected dentine of primary teeth. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro study. METHODS: Six exfoliated primary molars with carious lesions were divided into two groups for caries removal: (1) hand instrument or (2) low speed bur. Each tooth was cut into four pieces. One piece assigned as control surface and the other three surfaces were actively treated with either 40% Fuji IXGP Liquid (GC America), or 40% Fuji IXGP Liquid diluted with water, and 25% Ketac MolarTM Conditioner (3M-ESPE). Surfaces were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All images were submitted to an analysis by an experienced SEM professional, regarding presence or absence of smear layer and dentinal demineralization pattern. Chi-squared test was carried out (5% significance). RESULTS: There was no difference concerning the presence of a smear layer in relation to the method of caries removal, and 40% Fuji IXGP diluted with water causes a higher demineralization when compared with the control group of teeth (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Treatments with polyacrylic acid are indicated prior to glass ionomer cement application in primary teeth.

Mechanical properties of high-viscosity glass ionomer cement and nanoparticle glass carbomer

Introduction. The lack of evidence regarding the best available material for restoring occlusal-proximal cavities in primary teeth leads to the development of new restorative material, with nanoparticles, in order to enhance mechanical properties, resulting in increased restoration longevity. Aim. To evaluate the Knoop hardness and bond strength of nanoparticles material glass carbomer cement (CAR) and high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) in sound and caries-affected dentin. Methods. Forty bovine incisors were selectedand assigned into four groups (n = 10): SGIC, sound dentin and GIC; SCAR, sound dentin and CAR; CGIC, caries-affected dentin andGIC; and CCAR, caries-affected dentin and CAR. All groups were submitted to microshear bond strength (MPa). Knoop hardness was also performed. Bond strength values were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Knoop hardness data were subjected to one-way ANOVA. Results. GIC presented higher Knoop hardness (p < 0.001) and bond strength (p = 0.027) than CAR. Also, both materials showed better performance in sound than in caries-affected substrates (p = 0.001). The interaction between factors was not statistically different (p = 0.494). Conclusion. Despite nanoparticles, CAR shows inferior performance as compared to GIC for the two properties tested in vitro. Moreover, sound dentin results in better bonding performance of both restorative materials evaluated.

Impact of the radiographic examination on diagnosis and treatment decision of caries lesions in primary teeth - the Caries Detection in Children (CARDEC-01) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough most clinical guidelines throughout the world indicate that clinicians take two bitewings for detecting caries lesions in primary molars of all children, evidence for this recommendation is essentially based on cross-sectional studies performed in laboratory settings or using convenience samples. The benefits and impact of performing radiographs on diagnosis and treatment decision of caries lesions in primary teeth, mainly considering relevant outcomes for patients, have not been evaluated yet. Thus, the aim of this randomized clinical trial will be to evaluate the impact of performing radiographic examination adjunct to the visual inspection for detecting and making treatment decision regarding caries lesions in primary teeth compared with visual inspection performed alone. We will consider different outcomes related to childrens health and welfare.Methods/DesignTo reach this objective, 250 children ages 3 to 6 years who sought dental treatment in our dental school will be randomly allocated in two groups according to the diagnostic strategy used for caries detection: visual inspection performed alone or visual inspection associated to radiographic examination. Two trained and calibrated examiners will carry out the examinations and elaborate the treatment decision plan. Then, children will be treated and followed up for 2 years, with evaluations after 12 and 24 months after the inclusion of children in the study. Children will also return after 6 and 18 months to reinforce the preventive orientations. Primary outcome will be the number of dental surfaces in need of dental treatment at the follow-up. Secondary outcomes will be the components of the primary outcome separately, as well as, proportion of false-positive results, the oral health-related quality of life, cost-efficacy, cost-adjusted life years, and number of new lesions in the first permanent molars.DiscussionOur working hypothesis is that radiographic examination would actually exert little influence on patient-centered outcomes, and visual inspection would be enough as diagnostic strategy for caries detection in primary teeth.Trial registrationNCT02078453. Registered 4 March 2015.

Paediatric dentistry education of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Brazilian dental schools

AIM: To evaluate the degree of knowledge, use and teaching of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) of paediatric dentistry lecturers in dental schools throughout Brazil. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied, containing questions regarding the use of ART, socio-demographic characteristics and academic degree background. Descriptive analysis and Poisson’s regression were conducted in order to verify the association between exploratory variables and ART teaching (α=5%). RESULTS: Of the 721 questionnaires sent to dental schools, approximately 40% were returned (n=285). Some 98.2% of the participants teach ART. STATISTICS: Concerning dental lecturers who teach ART, in multiple regression model, considering ART indication (emergency versus restorative treatment) the lecturers residents of the Mid-West (PR=1.66; CI:1.13-2.45) and Northeast region (PR=1.33; CI:1.02-1.72) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=3.73; CI:2.11-5.59) teach ART as restorative treatment. When the question was about reason for using ART (conservative technique versus other techniques failures/fast treatment), lecturers with a longer period of TG (time elapsed since graduation) (PR=1.30; CI:1.08-1.56) and also lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=2.87; CI:1.95-4.22), teach it as being a conservative technique. Regarding the patients’ age covered by ART (versus without limitation), women (PR=1.26; CI:1.06-1.50) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=1.28; CI:1.06-1.54), teach that there is no age restriction. CONCLUSIONS: ART has been widely taught in Brazilian dental schools, is regularly used in lecturer’s clinical practices and has positively influenced the appropriate teaching of this technique.

Estudo Histopatológico de Lesões da Furca de Molares Decíduos

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Estudar histopatologicamente os tecidos presentes nas areas de reabsorcao na regiao de furca de dentes deciduos com processos patologicos pulpa...

Proposal of e-learning strategy to teach Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) to undergraduate and graduate students

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate e-learning strategy in teaching Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) to undergraduate and graduate students. The sample comprised 76 participants—38 dental students and 38 pediatric dentistry students—in a specialization course. To evaluate knowledge improvement, participants were subjected to a test performed before and after the course.ResultsA single researcher corrected the tests and intraexaminer reproducibility was calculated (CCI = 0.991; 95% IC = 0.975–0.996). All students improved their performances after the e-learning course (Paired t-tests p < 0.001). The means of undergraduate students were 4.7 (initial) and 6.4 (final) and those of graduate students were 6.8 (initial) and 8.2 (final). The comparison of the final evaluation means showed a statistically significant difference (t-tests p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe e-learning strategy has the potential of improving students’ knowledge in ART. Mature students perform better in this teaching modality when it is applied exclusively via distance learning.

Liberação e Reincorporação de Fluoreto de Cimentos de Ionômero de Vidro Utilizados no Tratamento Restaurador Atraumático

Resumen pt: Objetivo: avaliar a capacidade de liberacao e reincorporacao de fluoreto dos CIVs de alta viscosidade. Metodos: Corpos de prova cilindricos preparados co...

Dureza Knoop de Três Cimentos de Ionômeros de Vidro

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Avaliar a dureza Knoop de tres cimentos de ionomero de vidro (CIV) nacionais apos 24 horas e 7 dias. Metodo: Os materiais foram dosados e manip...