This study shows that simvastatin therapy leads to a reversal of the cyclosporine A-induced bone loss, which may be mediated by downregulation of interleukin-1beta and prostaglandin E(2) production.

Therefore, within the limits of this study, we suggest that cyclosporin A at immunosuppressive levels can bring about an imbalance in the alveolar bone homeostasis in rats. However, in the presence of inflammatory stimulation, the inhibition of the immune system by cyclosporin A may decrease the initial periodontal breakdown.

The aim of this randomized, controlled, split-mouth, clinical study was to differentiate and clinically qualify the effectiveness of different desensitizing agents in the treatment of painful symptoms caused by cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH). Two hundred-and-fifty-two teeth of 42 patients were distributed into seven groups (n = 36): G1 -placebo; G2, G3, G4 and G6 -fluoride varnishes; G5 -sodium fluoride; G7 -potassium oxalate. Three applications were made one week apart. A three-score system (Alfa = 0, Bravo = 2, and Charlie = 3, respectively for no sensitivity, slight sensitivity and high sensitivity) was used to assess CDH after each application and after 30 days. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Kruskall-Wallis and Dun tests. After the second week, statistically significant differences were observed for all materials compared with the baseline. After 30 days, Group G7 had presented a significant gradual reduction along all the evaluated time intervals. It was concluded that all the desensitizing agents were capable of reducing dentin hypersensitivity, with the exception of the placebo and the sodium fluoride groups.

INTRODUCTION: Plaque control is the major consensus during orthodontic treatment to prevent the occurrence of cavities and periodontal inflammation. The mechanic resource of greater effectiveness and frequent use in this control is the oral hygiene. The tooth brushing techniques most used in orthodontic patients are: Ramfjord's method, Modified Stillman technique and Bass method. OBJECTIVE: Since control studies evaluating the effectiveness of usual tooth brushing techniques do not show clear advantage, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three brushing methods, through periodontal clinical parameters of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS: Thirty patients were selected, with ages between 14 and 22 years old, with fixed orthodontic appliances. After basic periodontal treatment the following factors were evaluated: 1 - Plaque index and 2 - Gingival index and each patient was randomly included in one of the three selected groups according to the brushing technique: Group 1 - Scrubbing technique; Group 2 - Modified Stillman technique and Group 3 - Bass technique. Patients were evaluated for 9 months. RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction of clinical parameters by the end of this period, however there was a very significant reduction of Gingival index on group 3 (13.6%) when compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Thus, it can be suggested that the Bass technique can be effective on the reduction of periodontal clinical parameters of Plaque index and Gingival index in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Tacrolimus is used for transplant patients with refractory graft rejection and those with intolerance to cyclosporin (CsA), without the disfiguring adverse effects frequently attributed to CsA therapy. Since we have shown that CsA-associated bone loss can also affect alveolar bone, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of conversion of monotherapy from CsA to tacrolimus on alveolar bone loss in rats. Groups of rats were treated with either CsA (10 mg/kg/day, s.c.), tacrolimus (1 mg/kg/day, s.c.), or drug vehicle for 60 and 120 days, and an additional group received CsA for 60 days followed by conversion to tacrolimus for a further 60-day period. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate-resistent acid phosphatase (TRAP-5b), calcium (Ca(2+)), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations were evaluated in the serum. Analyses of bone volume, bone surface, number of osteblasts, and osteoclasts were performed. Treatment with CsA for either 60 or 120 days was associated with bone resorption, represented by lower bone volume and increased number of osteoclasts; serum BALP, TRAP-5b, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were also higher in these animals. After conversion from CsA to tacrolimus, all the altered serum markers returned to control values in addition to a significant increase of bone volume and a lower number of osteoclasts. This study shows that conversion from CsA to tacrolimus therapy leads to a reversal of the CsA-induced bone loss, which can probably be mediated by downregulation of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production.