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In the present investigation, a scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of the topical application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) gel associated with Cetavlon (EDTAC) in removing the smear layer and exposing collagen fibers following root surface instrumentation. Twenty-eight teeth from adult humans, single rooted and scheduled for extraction due to periodontal reasons, were selected. Each tooth was submitted to manual (scaling and root planing) instrumentation alone or combined with ultrasonic instruments, with or without etching using a 24% EDTAC gel. Following extraction, specimens were processed and examined under a scanning electron microscope. A comparative morphological semi-quantitative analysis was performed; the intensity of the smear layer and the decalcification of cementum and dentinal surfaces were graded in 12 sets using an arbitrary scale ranging from 1 (area covered by a smear layer) to 4 (no smear layer). Root debridement with hand instruments alone or combined with ultrasonic instruments resulted in a similar smear layer covering the root surfaces. The smear layer was successfully removed from the surfaces treated with EDTAC, which exhibited numerous exposed dentinal tubules and collagen fibers. This study supports the hypothesis that manual instrumentation alone or instrumentation combined with ultrasonic instrumentation is unable to remove the smear layer, whereas the subsequent topical application of EDTAC gel effectively removes the smear layer, uncovers dentinal openings and exposes collagen fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destruction of dental tissue and supporting structures is usually microscopically assessed by routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections. This short communication is concerned with the potential role of fluorescence microscopy of HE-stained sections to study morphological aspects of intact and pathological teeth in dental research. This methodology improves the visualization of the anatomical structures of the intact teeth, especially anatomical features and periodontal ligament spatial distribution. This technique also improves the visualization of the root and bone resorption and the delineation of the periapical lesion extension. The fluorescence microscopy technique of HE-stained sections is an easy, reliable and inexpensive method that seems to be a useful tool for evaluating morphological aspects of intact and pathological teeth in dental research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is rare and affected individuals may carry a potentially serious condition known as SMMCI syndrome. However, many of these cases do not receive proper attention because they are misdiagnosed as agenesis of the maxillary central incisor. The purpose of this manuscript is to report two cases of children with only one maxillary central incisor and draw diagnostic differences between the entities. A correct diagnosis is very important because if an SMMCI is confirmed, the patient should be referred for genetic counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To verify the association between 25(OH)D level and polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) with the disturbance in the dental development and eruption. A total of 183 children from two datasets were evaluated. The first dataset was a case–control (15:15) designed to assess if persistent primary tooth (PPT) is associate with serum 25(OH)D level and with genetic polymorphisms in VDR. The second dataset of genomic DNA samples from 54 children with delayed tooth eruption (DTE) and 99 controls were analysed to verify if genetic polymorphisms in VDR (rs2228570 and rs739837) are associated with DTE. The 25(OH)D and the genotyping/allele distribution were analysed using the T-test and chi-square test, respectively. The level of 25(OH)D in the PPT group (24.9 ± 6.4 mg/mL) was significantly lower than the control (30.0 ± 7.0 mg/mL) (p=.047). Our data show that children with 25(OH)D deficiency are more likely to present PPT (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.51, 3.70). The rs739837 and rs2228570 polymorphisms were not associated with DTE (OR = 1.44; 95%CI: 0.87, 2.39 and OR = 0.80; 95%CI: 0.45, 1.44, respectively). Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for PPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Green tea, obtained from the Camellia sinensis, is one of the most popular drinks worldwide and has recently been in the focus of scientific research due to its beneficial effects on general health. Several studies suggest that, among the polyphenols found on green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most bioactive compound and is responsible for its antibacterial activity. Purpose: To conduct a qualitative systematic review of literature evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of EGCG against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Methods: Relevant published studies included in the Pubmed (1966-June 2015), Scopus (1960-June 2015), Web of Science (1900-June 2015), and Google Scholar databases were identified. Publications of in vitro studies, which studied EGCG antibacterial efficacy against S. mutans, were extracted and pooled in a table. The evaluation included inhibition zone measures, reduction of the number of microorganisms, and biofilm formation. Results: Twelve studies were selected to compose this systematic review. Eleven of them showed that EGCG has antibacterial efficacy against S.mutans. Conclusions: In vitro evidence available confirms the antibacterial activity of EGCG against S. mutans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of apical negative pressure irrigation (ANP) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) with apical positive pressure irrigation (PP-conventional irrigation) in the periapical repair of dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis. Methods: Forty-nine mesial and distal root canals of premolars of three dogs with experimentally induced periapical lesions were subjected to a single-session root canal treatment. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups: ANP, PUI, and PP (control). After 180 days, the animals were euthanized, and the anatomic pieces were removed and subjected to histotechnical processing for morphological and morphometric histological analyses of hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections under conventional and fluorescence microscopy. Periapical lesion size before and 180 days after root canal treatment was measured by periapical radiographic examination. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histoenzymology was performed for osteoclast counting and Brown and Brenn staining to assess bacteria. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test ( α = 5 %). Result: There were no statistically significant differences among the groups regarding periapical lesion size in the radiographic evaluation ( p = 0.91). In the comparison of histopathological parameters, group ANP presented more homogeneous results. There was a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.02) between groups ANP and PP, with better results for group ANP in which milder infiltrate inflammatory was observed. No statistically significant difference ( p > 0.05) was found among the groups with respect to periodontal ligament space, presence of mineralized tissue resorption, size of the periapical lesions, and number of osteoclasts. Conclusion: Although the three irrigation systems elicited similar periapical tissue response with respect to almost all evaluated parameters, ANP presented the mildest inflammatory infiltrate, suggesting an advantage over PP in the indication for clinical use. Clinical relevance: Irrigation of the root canal systems is an extremely important step in root canal treatment. Therefore, it is of relevance to evaluate the efficacy of these systems by in vivo experimental models to provide scientific background for the clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The recovery of mutans streptococci in saliva and dental biofilm samples depends, in part, on the culture medium used. In this study, we compared (i) the culture media Sucrose-Bacitracin agar (SB-20), Modified SB-20 (SB-20M) and Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar (MSB) in the count of colony forming units (cfu) of mutans streptococci and (ii) in the morphological and biochemical differentiation between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Design: Samples of non-stimulated saliva from 20 children were plated on SB-20, SB-20M and MSB, and incubated in microaerophilia at 37°C for 72h. Identification of microorganisms was based on analysis of colony morphology under stereomicroscopy. The biochemical identification of colonies was done by biochemical tests using sugar fermentation, resistance to bacitracin and hydrogen peroxide production. Results: There was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the number of cfu of mutans streptococci recovered on SB-20 and SB-20M agar. Comparing the media, SB-20 and SB-20M yielded a larger number of mutans streptococci colonies (p <0.05) and were more effective than MSB in the identification of S. sobrinus (p <0.05), but not of S. mutans (p >0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between SB-20 and SB-20M culture media in the count of mutans streptococci, demonstrating that the replacement of sucrose by coarse granular cane sugar did not alter the efficacy of the medium. Compared with MSB, SB-20 and SB-20M allowed counting a larger number of mutans streptococci colonies and a more effective morphological identification of S. sobrinus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a reactive local benign vascular lesion, where connective tissue fibrovascular proliferation occurs. The most common etiology of PG is chronic, low-level irritation. PG affects females mainly. The purpose of this paper is to report a giant pyogenic granuloma caused by an acute trauma in the upper lip of an 11-year-old boy. The initial clinical diagnosis suggested PG, which was confirmed after an excisional biopsy and a microscopic exam. Oral lesions of large proportions in children can cause functional, esthetic, and behavioral issues, and should be promptly investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dental caries is still one of the most prevalent diseases in children worldwide. • The effect of green tea and its extract, EGCG, as mouthwashes in children at high caries risk and prevalence was studied. • Rinsing with EGCG solution effectively reduces the levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the oral cavity of children. • Both EGCG and green tea could be used as alternatives to chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes. • The reduction of mutans streptococci was higher than lactobacilli. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of green tea and its extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a mouthwash in children. The study group included 47 children aged 5-12 years at high caries risk and prevalence. Children selected were asked to rinse with one of the substances (EGCG, green tea, chlorhexidine and distilled water) for one min. A non-stimulated salivary sample (2 mL) was collected at baseline and after rinsing. The concentration of cariogenic microorganisms (mutans streptococci and lactobacilli) was determined before and after rinsing based on the count of colony-forming units (CFU). CFU were counted with the aid of a stereomicroscope through the perfunctory identification of the morphological characteristics of CFU. The microbial reduction percentage was then calculated. The analysis of the effectiveness of the treatments showed that there was a significant reduction in relation to the values obtained before and after the mouthwash, both for mutans streptococci (pCHX = 0.001; pEGCG = 0.001; pGreen Tea = 0.005; pDistilled Water = 0.018) and lactobacilli (pCHX = 0.001; pEGCG = 0.002; pGreen Tea = 0.008; pDistilled Water = 0.033). The percentage of microbial reduction of both cariogenic microorganisms caused by the EGCG solution was higher than green tea and distilled water, but less than CHX. The percentage of microbial reduction by the EGCG solution for mutans streptococci was 79.9%, green tea 68.3%, distilled water 50.6% and CHX 95.5%. For lactobacilli, the percentage reduction of all solutions was relatively lower when compared to mutans streptococci. For the EGCG solution it was 72.09%, followed by green tea 59.17% and distilled water 41.96%, but less than CHX 86.02%. Rinsing with EGCG solution reduced the levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the oral cavity of children. Although EGCG had better antimicrobial activity than green tea, this study supports the effectiveness of both as an antibacterial mouthwash option. Both EGCG and green tea could be used as alternatives to chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]