Mario Cezar Oliveira

In vivo assessment of the effect of an adhesive for complete dentures on colonisation of Candida species

OBJECTIVE Denture adhesives have long been recognised by denture wearers as a useful adjunct to denture retention and stability. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of a denture adhesive on oral quantities of Candida species by determination of absolute counts of colony-forming units (CFU) per ml of saliva of individuals who use this denture adhesive for a period of 14 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four individuals were randomised in two equal groups of 12 (test and control), with the individuals of the test group using the adhesive for 14 days. Samples of saliva were collected from all individuals on days 0 (initial), 7 and 14. Aliquots of saliva were diluted and plated in duplicate on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and incubated for 37 °C for 48 h, the CFU/ml were counted in the individuals of each group and the data of each group were compared at the different time periods and analysed statistically by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test (α ≤ 5%). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the test and control groups during the test periods. CONCLUSION Within of the limitations of this study, the data suggested that the denture adhesive tested did not significantly alter the oral microbiota during the 14-day trial period.

Temporomandibular disorders in elderly individuals: the influence of institutionalization and sociodemographic factors

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the non-institutionalized and institutionalized elderly population of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 307 subjects over 60 years old of both genders, where 80 are institutionalized and 227 are non-institutionalized. The evaluation of TMD signs and symptoms was performed using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (IAF) as to sociodemographic, systemic and otological factors. The results were analyzed by correlating the study factors and the prevalence of TMD. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and a 5% significance level were established for all the tests used. Results The results showed that 50.5% of the subjects presented some degree of TMD. The prevalence of TMD was 49.8% among non-institutionalized elderly individuals and of 52.5% among institutionalized individuals. Variation in the prevalence of TMD, with statistical significance according to gender, age, income, tinnitus, dizziness, and depression was observed. Conclusion The prevalence of TMD was significant among the elderly population. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of TMD in institutionalized and non-institutionalized individuals. Identifying TMD in the elderly population may be difficult because the symptoms of these disorders are similar to symptoms commonly presented in some systemic disorders associated with aging.