[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: In dentistry, allergic reactions to Ti implants have not been studied, nor considered by professionals. Placing permanent metal dental implants in allergic patients can provoke type IV or I reactions. Several symptoms have been described, from skin rashes and implant failure, to non-specific immune suppression.
Our objective was to evaluate the presence of titanium allergy by the anamnesis and examination of patients, together with the selective use of cutaneous and epicutaneous testing, in patients treated with or intending to receive dental implants of such material.
Thirty-five subjects out of 1500 implant patients treated and/or examined (2002-2004) were selected for Ti allergy analysis. Sixteen presented allergic symptoms after implant placement or unexplained implant failures [allergy compatible response group (ACRG)], while 19 had a history of other allergies, or were heavily Ti exposed during implant surgeries or had explained implant failures [predisposing factors group (PFG)]. Thirty-five controls were randomly selected (CG) in the Allergy Centre. Cutaneous and epicutaneous tests were carried out.
Nine out of the 1500 patients displayed positive (+) reactions to Ti allergy tests (0.6%): eight in the ACRG (50%), one in the PFG (5.3%)(P=0.009) and zero in the control group. Five positives were unexplained implant failures (five out of eight).
Ti allergy can be detected in dental implant patients, even though its estimated prevalence is low (0.6%). A significantly higher risk of positive allergic reaction was found in patients showing post-op allergy compatible response (ACRG), in which cases allergy tests could be recommended.
Clinical Oral Implants Research 09/2008; 19(8):823-35. · 3.43 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: A randomised clinical trial was designed to compare the immediate efficacy (48-96 h) of two treatments with bioadhesive gels with different concentrations of potassium nitrate (NK 5% versus NK 10%) on dentine hypersensitivity (DH). We evaluated DH by means of the use of the evaporative stimulus (ES), as the main outcome, using a placebo control group as reference.
Forty-five consecutive patients who, after stimulation with a blast of air, had at least one tooth with DH > or = 2 according to the verbal ratings scale (VRS) scale were selected. They were randomly treated with a bioadhesive gel with 5% NK, 10% NK or a placebo gel without NK. The DH was evaluated at baseline, days 2, 4, 7 and 14 by an examiner blind to the procedure. The response to the ES with a blast of air, to the tactile stimulation with a probe and the subjective evaluation of the patient measured on the VRS scale were recorded. Statistical analysis was made using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
A greater reduction of DH after ES was observed after 48 h of treatment in the NK10% group (35.8%) compared to the NK5% group and placebo group (11.8% and 13.4%, respectively). This difference increased significantly at 96 h (p=0.003). No significant differences were observed for the other variables. These preliminary results may support the usefulness of an NK 10% gel to reduce the DH after stimulation with a blast of air during the first 4 days of its appearance.
Journal Of Clinical Periodontology 04/2003; 30(4):315-20. · 3.61 Impact Factor
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: In regard to the limited literature on the subject, and the contradictions observed, we can not conclude that the types of manual brushes produce clinically important effects on the patients' gingival health, or that these effects can be detected consistently. However, the best results have been obtained with new brush designs, and future studies are necessary to clarify the existing contradictions. There is a clear need of long-term studies which comparatively evaluate the ability to reduce gingivitis and plaque with the newly designed brushes. On the other hand, there is evidence that supports the use of powered toothbrushes in the general population, especially those of the oscillating-rotating and counter-rotational type, as they have shown their ability to reduce gingival bleeding or inflammation, and dental plaque with greater efficacy than manual brushes. There is a clear need of long-term trials on the efficacy of powered brushes in orthodontic patients. With the existing studies we can conclude that there is limited evidence that orthodontic patients using a powered toothbrush show a slight, but significant, reduction of bleeding, compared with users of manual brushes. No conclusion can be made concerning the type of brush to be used. The techniques of interproximal oral hygiene, fundamentally the use of dental floss and interproximal brushes, appear to add additional benefits, in terms of plaque reduction, when they are associated with conventional manual brushes. Further long-term studies are necessary to confirm their efficacy in the reduction of gingival bleeding or inflammation. The choice of the type of technique must be made in relation to the characteristics of the patient: dental floss could be indicated in individuals with closed interdental spaces, and inter-proximal brushes in periodontal patients, or in those with open embrasures.
[Show abstract][Hide abstract] ABSTRACT: Power-driven toothbrushes (PDT) have been designed to improve the efficacy of oral hygiene. It is not clear how they compare in efficacy with manual toothbrushes in cause-related periodontal therapy.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a PDT as compared with a manual toothbrush (MT), in terms of gingival bleeding or inflammation resolution, in cause-related periodontal therapy.
An electronic (MEDLINE and Cochrane Oral Health Group Specialised Trials Register) and a manual search were made to detect studies which permitted the evaluation of the efficacy of PDT in the reduction of gingival bleeding or inflammation, and their effect on other secondary variables. Only randomized studies in adults, published in English up to June 2001, which compared a PDT with an MT, and evaluated the evolution of gingival bleeding or inflammation were included. The selection of articles, extraction of data and assessment of validity were made independently by several reviewers.
Twenty-one studies were finally selected. The heterogeneity of the data prevented a quantitative analysis. A higher efficacy in the reduction of gingival bleeding or inflammation in the PDT patients was detected in 10 studies. This effect appears to be related to the capacity to reduce plaque, and is more evident in counter-rotational and oscillating-rotating brushes. No solid evidence was found for a higher efficacy of sonic brushes. In short-term studies with prophylaxis after initial examination, independently of the type of PDT tested, no significant differences were found.
The use of PDT, especially counter-rotational and oscillating-rotating brushes, can be beneficial in reducing the levels of gingival bleeding or inflammation. There is a need for methodological homogeneity in future studies in this field to enable quantitative analysis of their results.