vol. 11 núm. 20 (2015)

Introduction: the alterations in normal formation of the tooth germ during the odontogenic process, in primary or permanent dentition, are called dental anomalies. They are classified in anomalies affecting position, form, size and number of teeth. This last group includes both tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth, meaning the congenital absence of one or more teeth and an additional number of teeth, respectively. The object was to determine the prevalence of anomalies in the number of teeth in 5 - 14 year old patients of the pediatric dentistry clinics of the School of Dentistry of the University of Valle, during the 2005-2012 period. Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 369 panoramic x-rays were observed, out of a total of 665, using the medical records for support; having an expected prevalence of 4%, a confidence interval (ci) of 95% and an accuracy level of 2%. Results: prevalence of anomalies in number of teeth was 4.9% (ci 95%: 2.6-7.1). Tooth agenesis, excluding the third molar, were the most frequent with 3.8% (ci 95%: 1.8-5.7) with no significant difference between genders, as compared to supernumerary teeth, which were found in 1.1% (ci 95%: 0.0-2.1) and were only detected in men. Most cases were found in the higher arch. Conclusion: anomalies in number of teeth, in this survey, were within the reported range in literature, being agenesis more frequently found than supernumerary teeth.

Introduction: the active ingredient of chewing tobacco, known as chimú in Colombia, is nicotine, a liquid, oily and colorless alkaloid that goes through the oral mucosa, which is a triggering factor and further problem in periodontal diseases. The objective of this analysis was to determine the difference in patients consuming chewing tobacco (chimu), compared to a group of cigarette smokers and a group of non-smokers. Methods: a case and cross-sectional study, with a sample, for convenience purposes, of 90 subjects (18 to 40 years). An intra-oral examination was conducted, which included a periodontogram, as well as the O’Leary index, both to classify the periodontal disease according to the American Academy of Periodontology, and gingival retractions according to Miller. Results: a total of 26.7% of the subjects who chewed chimu had periodontal disease; 73.3% gingivitis, 63.3 gingival retractions; and 40% gingival hyperplasia. As for smokers, 63.3% had periodontal disease; 367%, gingivitis; 26.7%, gingival retractions, and 20%, gingival hyperplasia. As for patients who did not consume tobacco, 3.3% had periodontal disease; 96.7%, gingivitis; 20%, gingival retractions, and 16.6%, gingival hyperplasia. Association between chimu and cigarettes: periodontal disease (p = 0,004, or 0,21 ci 95% 0,70-0,631), gingivitis (p = 0,004 or 4,75 ci 95% 1,58-14,24), gingival retractions (p = 0,004, or 4,75 ci 95% 1,58-14,24), gingival hyperplasia (valor p: 0,091). Conclusions: chimu consumption is less harmful than smoking, as regards periodontal disease. It is, however, a risk factor for gingivitis and gingival retraction. Gingival hyperplasia is not associated with the smoking and tobacco chewing habits.

Introduction: the Political Constitution of Colombia defines, as one of its essential principles, the recognition and protection of the Colombian ethnic and cultural diversity, which involves guaranteeing their rights, like the right to health, as conceived from their cultural characteristics. Objective: seize the cultural traditions and oral hygiene practices of the Zenú indigenous population. Methods: a qualitative study conducted in 2011. This study takes up again the ethnographic approach and method. 10 individuals from the Zenú community participated in the data collection process. The performed activities included observation, field logs, comprehensive interviews and observation groups. The analysis comprised the data condensation, from a descriptive and interpretative exercise, which was organized in three analysis categories, which resulted in several trends. Results: in spite of the westernization processes, traditional myth related practices, as well as broad and positive magical-religious conceptions on health and oral hygiene are still implemented. The inter-generation transmission is still valid, and dentistry services are only used when oral conditions cannot be cured by traditional treatments. Conclusion: preservation of traditions and ancestral oral health care practices call for the reorientation of the education of oral health care providers to further their science conception and, thus, facilitate the recognition of cultural differences and social inclusion processes for different groups.

Biofilm is a group of cells sticking together on a surface, embedded within a matrix of exopolysaccharides protecting them from antibiotics. Over 60% of microbial infections are caused by biofilms. The antimicrobial resistance increase of these communities involve several mechanisms, including: inactivation of antibiotics through extracellular polymers, decline of the growth rate by nutrient limitation and phenotypic changes in the bacterial cells, as a result of the resistant gene acquisition within the biofilm. Prognosis for treatment and eradication of biofilms is not the best one. The development of new medicines becomes necessary and urgent to counter biofilm related infections. This post shows the case of a 44 year old woman who goes to see the doctor for pain in 12, particularly upon vertical percussion. Such episodes are caused by under extended endodontics of 12 and in the extraradicular filling material of ducts. After the x-ray evaluation and appropriate application of the treatment plan, spherical shaped bacteria were detected within the biofilm, which caused the patient’s infection.

Introduction: scientific evidence suggests that stress and psychological symptoms play an important role on diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate clicking in individuals with stress and different psychopathological symptoms.  Methods: we compared 30 college students who experienced clicking with 60 healthy control volunteers. The participants received the pss-10 and scl-90-r Spanish versions. Odds ratio (or) and 95% ci were calculated to determine the risk of these variables for the presence of clicking using logistic regression.  Results: stress was weakly associated with the occurrence of clicking (or = 1.35, 95% ci: 0.46-3.95, p = 0.57). Being an individual with stress and depression (or = 2.92, 95% ci: 0.61-14.0, p = 0.16) and anxiety (or = 2.80, 95% ci: 0.69-11.31, p = 0.13) may increase the risk of clicking. In addition, depression (or = 7.00, 95% ci: 0.66–74.28, p = 0.07) and anxiety (or = 4.90, 95% ci: 0.78 – 30.80, p = 0.07) adjusted by pain symptoms seem to be important variables for some subjects. The risk of clicking in students with anxiety-depression comorbidity and stress was higher (or = 2.11, 95% ci: 0.40-11.15, p = 0.37). Moreover, there was a different risk when this comorbidity, stress and pain symptom were present (or = 4.30, 95% ci: 0.35-51.90, p = 0.21).  Conclusion: depression, anxiety, stress and pain may be predictors for development of TMD such as clicking. In this sense, the measurement of those conditions in these patients should be a priority.

Introduction: the object of this research was to evaluate the microshearing strength of two self-etching adhesives: one-step and two-step on enamel, upon acid and microsandblasting. Methods: 40 recently pulled human third molars, which were filed down with 600 - 2500 and divided into two groups: 1) one step (n = 20); 2) two steps (n = 20); then they were divided into four subgroups, following the procedures (sa-sm: adhesive application according to the manufacturer; sa-m: upon microsandblasting and adhesive application; ca-sm: 37% phosphoric acid application and adhesive application; ca-m: microsandblasting, 37% phosphoric acid and adhesive). Then, three layers of tygon were applied on each surface. Microshearing test conducted. The data were analyzed with the D’Agostino normality test. Afterwards, the two-criteria Anova analysis was conducted and Bonferrini postest (α = 0.05). Results: for the two-step adhesive prior application of 37% phosphoric acid and/ or microsandblasting, there is no significant increase in the enamel adhesion strength values (p = 0,678). The application of 37% phosphoric acid on enamel before the one-step adhesive increases the strength values (p = 0,001). Conclusions: microsandblasting before the adhesive process does not help increase the enamel adhesion strength values; the application of phosphoric acid helps increase the enamel adhesion strength values.

Abstract. Stainless steel is one of the most widely used materials in current orthodontics. Archwires, brackets, bands, ligatures, tubes, among other appliances, are manufactured using different types of this alloy. The first evidence of the use of this alloy in the orthodontic field dates back to the mid-1920s, when it was introduced as a material to manufacture wires. The alloy has ever since gained popularity among orthodontists and its further development has led to its widespread use in today’s different orthodontic techniques. Despite being available for more than 80 years, and the fact that most orthodontists use it on a daily basis, there is still a lack of knowledge about the basic principles, composition, and properties of thismaterial by these professionals. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review is to discuss the main characteristics and properties of stainless steel that are useful in the orthodontic practice for orthodontists to take advantage of this remarkable material.

Introduction: the objective of this analysis was to determine the characteristics of occlusion in mouth breathing children, who are treated in the Child’s Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Antioquia. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study in 100 6-12 year old mouth breathing patients, who went for the first time to the Child’s Clinic (iv to vii semester), who had no prior therapeutic surgeries, identified with a checklist. Upon a medical examination, the following information was collected: socio-demographic variables, medical backgrounds, face features, oral habits, characteristics of the dental arches, occlusion related variables, and cavities and gingivitis. Results: over half the surveyed population is class i and did not show lip competence. Onychophagia and bruxism were other frequent habits. The lower dental midline deviated in respect of the face midline prevails in children (69%). As regards anterior crossbites, there were no significant differences between boys and girls; while the anterior open bite was more frequently found in children (26%). The oval shape of the arches was the most prevailing characteristic (higher: 85%, and lower 77%), and over half the patients showed to have high palate. Gingival inflammation signs were observed in 80%, and over 50% were found to have cavities. Conclusions: differential characteristics were found in the surveyed population, both face and occlusion characteristics, which require a deeper analysis for integral treatments based on the individual and collective needs.

The nutritional condition of the population, particularly in babyhood, is an indicator of their quality of life, which is seen in the physical, intellectual and emotional development of individuals, as closely related to their health conditions, as well as, among others, food, socio-economic, environmental and cultural factors. Therefore, the nutritional condition plays an important role in the oral health condition. On the other hand, malnutrition –which is defined as any alteration of the nutritional conditions, including both alterations caused by excess (overweight and obesity) and alterations caused by deficiencies (malnutrition)– might affect the development of the oral structures if occurring at early age. Based on that, knowing the effects of malnutrition on the oral health conditions and its potential clinical manifestations, both intraoral and extraoral, in undernourished children, was deemed to be important. The objective of this analysis was to determine the presence of tooth anomalies possibly associated with malnutrition in children, through a critical analysis of literature, based on the publication of original posts in national and international indexed magazines, during the 2000-2012 period.  

Temporomandibular disorders (tmd) are an ailment causing symptoms like pain, which is one of the main reasons for dental examination. However, frequently, patients in the initial stages, ignore the symptoms, or it is maybe in a later stage that they decide to go to the dentist, either because of an incapacitating pain in the regions of the stomatognathic system or because the community is not aware of these disorders. Both situations often promote unfavorable evolution and worsening of the clinical symptoms, which no doubt correspond to the dentistry area. In addition, tmd share with other diseases some etiology related signs, symptoms and factors. Thus, the general dentist is faced up with the challenge of having, in their daily hours, patients who may show some of the tmd manifestations during the routine examination or otherwise. Based on that, general dentists must know and have access to information facilitating the development of basic skills and abilities to identify tmd related etiologic factors and record relevant information contributing to early diagnosis, and thus prevent any waste of time and timely refer the patient to a specialist. Keywords: