Objective: To evaluate, using histological analysis, the systemic action and repair process of wounds produced on the back of rats and treated with red, infrared, or both lasers applied directly or indirectly to the wounds. Background Data: Skin tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve a series of dynamic events. Many benefits are associated with biomodulation uisng laser therapy. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (without laser), red laser (aluminium gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP); λ = 685 nm; λ = 0.0314 cm Three wounds were produced on the back of each animal. Only the wound closest to the head was irradiated in the experimental groups. For the evaluation of skin reaction and wound healing, three animals of each group were killed at 3, 5, and 7 days postoperatively. The irradiation protocol established 48-hour intervals between applications, with the first application immediately after the surgical procedure. Results: In the red and infrared laser group, healing was more advanced in the wound located furthest from the point of laser application. The most effective healing of a proximal wound was verified in the control group on the 7th postoperative day. Conclusion: The combined application of red and infrared lasers resulted in the most evident systemic effect on the repair of skin wounds produced in rats.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a topical anesthetic to a placebo on pain perception during administration of local anesthesia in 2 regions of the oral cavity. A split-mouth, double-blind, randomized clinical trial design was used. Thirty-eight subjects, ages 18-50 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II, received 4 anesthetic injections each in regions corresponding to the posterior superior alveolar nerve (PSA) and greater palatine nerve (GPN), totaling 152 sites analyzed. The side of the mouth where the topical anesthetic (benzocaine 20%) or the placebo was to be applied was chosen by a flip of a coin. The needle used was 27G, and the anesthetic used for administration of local anesthesia was 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. After receiving the administration of local anesthesia, each patient reported pain perception on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 100-mm length. The results showed that the topical anesthetic and the placebo had similar effects: there was no statistically significant VAS difference between the PSA and the GPN pain ratings. A higher value on the VAS for the anesthesia of the GPN, relative to the PSA, was observed for both groups. Regarding gender, male patients had higher values on the VAS compared with female patients, but these differences were not meaningful. The topical anesthetic and the placebo had similar effects on pain perception for injection of local anesthesia for the PSA and GPN.

Background The prophylactic extraction of third molars is a common practice in dental offices, but divergent opinions are found in the literature regarding the indication of this procedure. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of pathological changes associated with the pericoronal tissue of asymptomatic impacted third molars that could justify prophylactic extraction. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in which 109 pericoronal tissues with no radiographic evidence of pathology were histopathologically analyzed. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed individually by two pathologists. Result The frequency of inflammatory infiltrate in the dental follicle of patients older than 20 years of age was significantly higher than that of younger patients (p = 0.004), demonstrating an association between inflammation in the dental follicle and patient age. The occurrence of squamous metaplasia was also greater in patients older than 20 years (p = 0.042), demonstrating that the prevalence of squamous metaplasia increases with age. A significant association was also found between inflammation and squamous metaplasia (p \ 0.001). Conclusion Pathological changes may be present in the dental follicle of impacted third molars even in the absence of clinical or radiographic signs of disease.

Purpose: To examine and compare the levels of several metal ions released in the saliva of patients with orthodontic appliances, at different time points before and after insertion of a miniscrew. Methods: Saliva of patients (n=20) was collected at four time points: before miniscrew placement (T1), 10 minutes (T2), 7 days (T3) and 30 days after miniscrew placement (T4). The salivary samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The release of nine different metal ions was observed: titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), Vanadium (V) and cobalt (Co). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Salivary metal concentrations from different time points of miniscrew treatment were compared using Wilcoxon paired tests (α=5%). Results: At time point T4, there was a quantitative increase in the salivary concentration of Cu, Ti, V, Zn, as well as a quantitative decrease in the salivary concentration of Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, when compared with T1. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances associated with miniscrews does not lead to an increase of salivary metal ion concentrations.

<div>Justifica-se intervir cirurgicamente em fraturas do tipo blow out naqueles casos em que haja alterações da função orbital,</div><div>como a diplopia, ou mesmo por razões estéticas, como a enoftalmia. Clinicamente, as fraturas do tipo blow out revelam</div><div>alterações estéticas e funcionais que, associadas aos exames complementares por imagem, como a tomografia</div><div>computadorizada, indicam o procedimento cirúrgico reparador. A utilização do polietileno de alta densidade (PAD) na</div><div>reconstrução do assoalho orbital reduz a morbidade do enxerto autógeno, apresentando estabilidade e biocompatibilidade.</div><div>Este artigo discute um caso cirúrgico de evolução favorável após seis meses de reconstrução do assoalho orbital com PAD.</div>