Introdução: Apesar do curto período no qual os dentes decíduos permanecem na cavidade bucal, possuem um papel fundamental no crescimento e desenvolvimento da criança. A perda prematura dos dentes decíduos pode ocasionar vários problemas funcionais, psicológicos e sociais. Objetivo: O presente artigo relata um caso de perda precoce de incisivo central decíduo devido a um trauma. A criança possuía o hábito de colocar e pressionar a língua no espaço correspondente ao dente perdido. Foi proposta a manutenção do espaço com o auxílio de uma prótese fixa adesiva. Conclusão: A prótese fixa adesiva constitui uma solução prática para os casos de perda precoce de dentes anteriores decíduos, pois é de fácil execução, conservadora e preenche os requisitos funcionais e estéticos da criança.

Forensic dentistry is finding increased application in identifying deceased individuals. Incorporating patient identification system in dentures is one of the measures taken in this regard. There are several denture identification measures, each having their own merits and demerits. This article describes a new denture identification system using Quick Response Code incorporated in dentures. This identification system can be very cost-effective, store lot of patient-related information and be easily accessible to the dentist.

Objetivo: Relatar um caso clínico de fratura panfacial, ressaltando a complexidade deste tipo de trauma e a abordagem de tratamento cirúrgico escolhida. Discussão: Um paciente de gênero masculino, 25 anos, deu entrada no Hospital Universitário do Oeste do Paraná, vítima de acidente automobilístico com múltiplas fraturas na face e evisceração do olho esquerdo. Permaneceu internado na UTI por vinte dias e, após mel¬hora clínica, foi submetido à cirurgia para redução e fixação das fraturas faciais. Optou-se pela sequência de redução “de superior para inferior e de lateral para medial”. O paciente permaneceu com bloqueio inter¬maxilar por quinze dias, pois não se tratava de paciente colaborador. Evoluiu com mínimas sequelas esté¬ticas e com uma oclusão estável. Conclusão: As fraturas panfaciais traduzem-se pelo tipo mais complexo de trauma facial e exigem conhecimento apurado por parte do operador. Existem várias sequências propostas para a redução dessas fraturas e cabe ao cirurgião bucomaxilofacial o diagnóstico e a escolha do melhor tratamento para o paciente.

Objective: The main goals of this report were to describe the surgical procedure and a three-year clinical/radiographic follow-up of a child with compound or combined odontoma. Discussion: In the majority of cases, diagnoses of odontoma are made during the development and eruption of permanent dentition, at the time when the patient is providing the documentation for having orthodontic and/or orthopedic treatment performed. In this case, the diagnosis and treatment were established earlier, before the patient entered the first stage of mixed dentition. This procedure favored normal development of permanent teeth in the maxillary anterior region preventing aesthetic, occlusion and phonation problems. Conclusion: The surgical removal of an odontoma diagnosed early (still in primary dentition), after careful clinical and radiographic analysis of the location, stage of formation and position of the teeth, is an approach which, in the majority of cases, favors eruption and alignment of permanent teeth.

Objective: One of the most common types of developmental odontogenic cyst is the dentigerous cyst. It encloses the crown of the tooth and is attached at the cementoenamel junction. Although its association with mandibular molars is common, it is rarely associated with the maxillary central incisors. Discussion: The present case report describes an unusual occurrence of dentigerous cyst associated with the impacted permanent maxillary central incisor in an inverted position and showing dilaceration of the root. The cyst was enucleated along with the extraction of the impacted tooth. We have discussed clinical presentation, radiographic features and treatment modalities of this uncommon and rare presentation of this lesion. Conclusion: Trauma to the deciduous teeth should not be overlooked, since it can result in the development of a pathology which could indirectly affect the permanent successors.

Objective: Tooth agenesis is one of the most common congenital anomalies seen in humans. Although ab¬sence of one or more teeth is common, absence of multiple teeth is rare. Oligodontia is a rare developmental anomaly, involving agenesis of six or more permanent teeth, excluding the third molars. The reported preva¬lence of oligodontia in permanent dentition is 0.14%. Oligodontia can be presented as an isolated condition or as a part of a syndrome. Discussion: The present case report highlights a unique case of non-syndromic oligodontia, with agenesis of four permanent incisors, left permanent canine and right second premolar in the mandibular arch and its management with a novel fixed functional prosthetic appliance. Conclusion: Prosthetic rehabilitation is an urgent need for these kind of patients so that they do not suffer from mastica¬tory and esthetic problems which can eventually lower the self esteem of individuals.

Introduction: Dermatologic diseases are not only represented by lesions affecting the skin but also by manifestations that may involve the mucous membranes, including oral mucosa. Objectives: To assess the frequency of oral manifestations associated with dermatologic diseases considering the location and clinical characteristics of the lesions found and also gender and age of the patients. Materials and Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study of patients who sought for treatment in the Dermatology Department of M. M. College of Medical Sciences & Research, Haryana (n=88). Results: The age of the patients varied from 5 to 88 and there was predominance of female patients. Of the cases studied, 35% were diagnosed as lichen planus, 11% as lupus erythematosus, 13% as erythema multiforme, 30% as pemphigus vulgaris and 11% as of pemphigoid group. Oral manifestations were more common among patients suffering from lichen planus (51%) and pemphigus vulgaris (23%). The most common clinical presentation found was reticular lichen planus located most predominantly in the buccal mucosa. Conclusions: It is essential for the dentists to know these pathologies so that they should be able to diagnose them at an early stage of the disease and direct the patients to get adequate treatment. Furthermore, intra-oral examination should be included as a routine practice in dermatological services.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine perceived and normative orthodontic treatment need of senior year dental students using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine senior year students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, participated. Normative assessment of occlusal characteristics was car¬ried out using IOTN and DAI while the Aesthetic Component (AC) scale of IOTN was used by the students to assess perceived need. Results: With the AC scale of IOTN, 6.1% of the students expressed “borderline need” and 2% “great need” for treatment, while normative need was 41.4% for “borderline need” and 11.1% for “great need”. The Dental Health Component found 37.4% and 24.2% in these categories, respectively. The DAI gave 26.3%, 13.1% and 15.1% in the elective treatment, highly desirable treatment and mandatory treatment categories respectively. No gender-dependent differences were found. Moderate correlation was observed between perceived and normative need (r=0.643), which was significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Over half of the dental students had orthodontic treatment need with both indices. Normative and perceived treatment need differed significantly. The perception of treatment need is not only influenced by knowledge and severity of malocclusion, as psychosocial factors acting on individuals may be involved.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the histological reaction of the subcutaneous tissue of rats after the implantation of natural inorganic mineral scaffold from a calf femur containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) and irradiated with low-power laser light. Material and methods: Sixteen Wistar rats were incised in the torso in a medial-longitudinal orientation, and the subcutaneous tissue of the left and right sides of the incision was pulled apart for implantation of the inorganic bone scaffold containing rhBMP-2. Diode laser light was applied to the right side implant at a dose of 8 J/cm2 for 3 minutes, forming two groups: G1 (control) and G2 (irradiated with laser). Implants and surrounding tissue were removed from four animals on days 7, 21, 40 and 112 for microscopic study. The histological results were assessed by means of grading (0 = absence, 1 = slight presence, 2 = representative and 3 = very representative), considering the following events: formation of osteoid structure, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, fibrin deposition, neovascularization, foreign body granuloma and fibrosis. Results: The results showed no statistically significant differences in each of the four periods when the two groups were compared (p>0.05 – Mann-Whitney’s test). Conclusion: The natural inorganic scaffold from a calf femur with rhBMP-2 was a biocompatible combination. Under these conditions, the inductive capacity of rhBMP-2 for cell differentiation was inhibited. A slight hastening of tissue healing was shown in the group that was irradiated with low-power laser light.

Objectives: The significance of microorganisms in root canals with regard to the aetiology of periapical infection and the need for crucial bacteria control during treatment are undeniable. In this study, we re-port and discuss a review of the literature on Microbiological Root Canal Sampling (MRS). The procedure is analyzed in detail, discussing its powers, limitations and the influence of sample collection procedures on the incidence of true and false positive results. Data sources: MEDLINE/PUBMED, B-On and library files of Oporto University were accessed. Selection: Papers were selected using the keywords: “root ca¬nal sampling”; “apical periodontitis”; “endodontic pathogens”; “root canal infection”; “Culture”; “molecular biology”. The references were selected under inclusion criteria such as English language, accessibility, rel¬evance to the theme and scientific rigor. Conclusions: This review illustrated the absolute need to adhere to strict methodology procedures if valid samples are to be obtained. A combination of Culture and molecular identification approaches have confirmed the polymicrobial nature of endodontic infections with a pre¬dominance of anaerobic bacteria. Nucleic acid-based techniques provide significant additional information particularly regarding the not-yet-cultivable species of the microbial community, but greatly increase the budget of the procedure. Thus, assessment of the endodontic microflora, in the context of a polymicro¬bial biofilm ecosystem, and its relevance to endodontic treatments must rely in the complementariness of Culture and Metagenomics approaches as they are neither mutually exclusive nor competitive, but strongly complementary.

Objectives: The aim of this review is to examine the potential mechanisms of probiotic bacteria in the oral cavity and to summarize the observed effects of probiotics with regard to oral health. Additionally, safety concerns and future aspects are briefly considered. Data sources: Studies suggest that probiotics may func¬tion not only by direct inhibition of—or enhanced competition with—pathogenic micro-organisms, but also by more subtle mechanisms including modulation of the mucosal immune system. Clinical studies report¬ing the anticariogenic effects of probiotics and their use in the treatment of periodontal disease and in the treatment of halitosis and Candida albicans have been identified. Study selection: The studies focus on pro¬biotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria genera that are most used in various probiotic products. Conclusions: Although direct recommendations for the use of oral probiotics cannot yet be given, scientific evidence so far indicates that probiotic therapy may be a reality in dentistry in the future.

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre as células-tronco pulpares, células indiferenciadas que possuem uma elevada capacidade de proliferação, autorrenovação e diferenciação em variados tipos celulares e seu uso na engenharia de tecidos aplicada à Odontologia. Bases de dados: As bases de dados utilizadas foram Pubmed e Bireme. Seleção dos trabalhos: Foi realizada por meio das palavras-chave: “Células-tronco mesenquimais”; “Polpa dentária”; “Bioengenharia”. Conclusões: A capacidade de multidiferenciação, as altas taxas de proliferação e o acesso relativamente fácil fazem da polpa de dentes decíduos e permanentes uma atraente fonte de células-tronco mesenquimais, as quais poderiam ser empregadas na regeneração tecidual. Algumas pesquisas evidenciaram que células-tronco pulpares foram capazes de produzir tecidos dentários como dentina, polpa e até estruturas similares a dentes in vivo. Os avanços dos estudos utilizando células-tronco abrem oportunidades para o desenvolvimento novas terapias que procuram regenerar e/ou substituir dentes perdidos ou danificados por diferentes motivos.