Abstract It is necessary to preserve height and thickness of the alveolar bone to facilitate rehabilitation with osteointegratable implants or simply to maintain bone integrity after extraction. Biomaterials associated with resorbable or non-resorbable membranes, when placed in the region of the socket, may contribute to avoid this unwanted reabsorption. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the distance of the crest of alveolar ridge to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the lower second molars and the bone density of the third molar socket filled with Gen-Tech®, 5 years after an exodontia using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to visualize the central region of the sockets, without overlapping of the buccal and lingual cortical bones. Material and Methods A total of 12 individuals from an initial group of 39 patients submitted to extraction of the unruptured lower third molars and grafting of an association of inorganic bovine bone matrix, organic bovine bone matrix, collagen and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) (Gen-Tech®) on one side and the contralateral sockets filled only by clot, returned to control after 5 years, and were submitted to CBCT. The distance from the crest of alveolar bone to the CEJ and the bone density (BD) were measured using the i-CAT Vision Software. Results The results showed that the distance from the crest of alveolar bone to the CEJ in the control group was similar to that observed before the exodontia; in the experimental group, this distance was smaller. Considering the BD measurement, a significantly higher density was observed in the experimental group (p<0.05). Conclusion Part of the biomaterial was not absorbed and allowed the stability of the evaluated parameters after 5 years, being able to be used as a bone substitute in the socket.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status of users of illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine/crack and compare it with individuals not using these chemical substances. Questionnaires were applied to 35 illicit drugs users to gather information on demographic status, general health, and use of drugs. Then, a clinical assessment of the oral health condition was performed to collect data on decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, salivary flow rate (SFR), and mucosal lesions. The control group was composed of 35 non-illicit drug users. In the experimental group, 91.43% were males, 80% were smokers, and 42.85% were alcoholics. Cocaine was the most common drug used (77.15%), followed by marijuana (68.6%), and crack (51.4%). The average DMFT index was 9.8 and the SFR was reduced in 60% of subjects. Mucosal alterations were detected, but no potentially malignant disorders or oral cancer were diagnosed. Compared to control group, significantly higher values for gender (40%, p = 0.0001), smoking (22.86%) and heavy drinking (5.7%) habits (p = 0.0001), SFR (31.4%; p = 0.0308), and oral lesions (p = 0.0488) were found for the experimental group, although significantly higher values were found in the control group for DMFT index (p = 0.0148). It can be concluded that the use of illicit drugs contributed to an increased prevalence of oral mucosa lesions. In addition, a decline on SFR and a reduced DMFT index was observed for illicit drug users.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the influence of three epoxy resin-based sealers with distinct radiopacities on the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was laterally condensed with one sealer (AH Plus®, Acroseal® or a non-radiopaque sealer), and a longitudinal void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). Buccolingual radiographs were obtained and randomly interpreted for voids by a radiologist and an endodontist in a blinded fashion. Teeth were cut and inspected under a microscope to confirm the position of void. Differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using the Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests, respectively (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significantly lower sensitivity levels (p<0.05) were observed in the coronal portion of fillings performed with both radiopaque sealers. Specificity values for Acroseal® were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the coronal and apical portions of fillings. CONCLUSIONS: The type of root canal sealer can affect the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis of upper single-rooted teeth.

A 35 years-old male patient was referred to your Institution due to a nodule on the palate with more than 15 years of evolution. In general physical examination noticed the presence of papules and café au lait (coffee with milk) pigmentation in many parts of the body. Intra oral examination found a swelling in the hard palate and resilient on palpation, asymptomatic with three centimeters of diameter. Incisional biopsy was performed and the diagnosis was neurofibroma. Complete resection of the lesion was performed confirming the initial diagnosis. The general clinical findings and the presence of neurofibroma confirmed the diagnosis of Von Recklinghausen's disease. This paper emphasizes the important role of the dentist in diagnostic and follow-up of the Von Recklinghausen's disease.

Un paciente hombre de 35 años de edad fue remitido a la Institución, debido a un nódulo en el paladar con más de 15 años de evolución. En el examen físico general, notaron la presencia de pápulas y pigmentaciones café au lait (café con leche) en muchas partes del cuerpo. Al examen oral intra se encontró un aumento de volúmen en el paladar duro resistente a la palpación, asintomático, con tres centímetros de diámetro. Se realizó la biopsia incisional, y el diagnóstico fue neurofibroma. La resección completa de la lesión confirma el diagnóstico inicial. Las conclusiones clínicas generales y la presencia de neurofibroma confirmó el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen. Este trabajo destaca el importante papel del odontólogo en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a radiopacidade produzida por sete cimentos comercialmente disponíveis (AH Plus, Epiphany, Sealapex, Acroseal, Sealer 26, Endomethasone and Endofill) e um em estágio experimental (MBP). METODOLOGIA: Depois de homogeneizados os materiais, o teste de radiopacidade foi executado conforme a especificação nº 57 da ANSI/ADA. Radiografou-se os espécimes junto a uma escala de Alumínio e as imagens resultantes foram digitalizadas. As densidades radiográficas expressas em milímetros de Alumínio (mm Al) foram comparadas por meio da análise de variância e teste de Tukey (α=0.05). RESULTADOS: Os cimentos AH Plus (10 mm Al) e Epiphany (9 mm Al) apresentaram as maiores radiopacidades seguidos pelo Sealapex (8 mm Al), Endofill (7 mm Al), Endométhasone (7 mm Al), MBP (7 mm Al) e Sealer 26 (6 mm Al). Acroseal (5 mm Al) mostrou a menor radiopacidade entre os cimentos testados (P<0.05). CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que as diferentes radiopacidades dos cimentos testados estão acima do nível mínimo recomendado pela especificação nº 57 da ANSI/ADA.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiopacity produced by seven commercially available (AH Plus, Epiphany, Sealapex, Acroseal, Sealer 26, Endomethasone and Endofill) and one experimental (MBP) root canal sealers. METHODS: Sealer radiopacity testing was performed according to ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57. Specimens were radiographed with an aluminum stepwedge, and the resulting images were digitalized. Radiographic densities expressed in Aluminum mm (mm Al) were compared using an ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: AH Plus (10 mm Al) and Epiphany (9.0 mm Al) were the most radiopaque root canal sealers, followed by Sealapex (8 mm Al), Endofill (7 mm Al), Endomethasone (7 mm Al), MBP (7 mm Al) and Sealer 26 (6 mm Al). Acroseal (5 mm Al) showed the smallest radiopacity among the tested sealers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The radiopacities of the tested sealers were above the minimum level recommended by ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57.

O propósito deste estudo ex vivo foi investigar se dois cimentos obturadores de fórmulas diferentes influenciariam a percepção radiográfica de obturações de canais radiculares. Os canais radiculares de 48 caninos superiores extraídos foram preparados e divididos em 3 grupos. Em cada grupo os canais foram preenchidos através da condensação lateral da guta-percha e de um dos cimentos testados (Endométhasone, Sealer 26 e cimento não-radiopaco), e um defeito de ponta a ponta foi simulado em metade dos espécimes de cada grupo (n=8). As imagens radiográficas vestíbulo-linguais obtidas foram aleatoriamente interpretadas quanto à existência de defeitos por um radiologista e um endodontista. As diferenças em sensibilidade e especificidade entre os grupos e examinadores foram comparadas respectivamente usando-se os testes Exato de Fisher e McNemar ajustados ao nível de significância de 5%. Ambos os cimentos radiopacos ocasionaram uma redução significativa da sensibilidade na parte cervical das obturações. O uso do Endométhasone aumentou os valores de especificidade para as porções cervical e apical das obturações dos canais radiculares. Concluiu-se que os cimentos testados influenciaram de maneira distinta a percepção radiográfica de obturações endodônticas executadas com condensação lateral.

The aim of this ex vivo was to investigate if two radiopaque root canal sealers with different formulations would influence the radiographic perception of root canal fillings. The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and randomly assigned to 3 groups of 16 specimens each. In each group, the root canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and one of the tested sealers: Endométhasone, Sealer 26, or a non-radiopaque sealer. A through-and-through void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). The buccolingual radiographic images obtained were randomly interpreted for voids existence by a radiologist and an endodontist. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using, respectively, Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests at 5% significance level. Both radiopaque sealers caused a significant decrease in sensitivity at the coronal part of fillings. The use of Endométhasone increased specificity values for both coronal and apical portions of the root canal fillings. In conclusion, the tested sealers influenced the radiographic perceptions of laterally condensed root canal fillings in a different way.