The purpose of this study was to investigate whether immersion of denture surface in lemongrass extract (LGE) have effects on C. albicans biofilms, human cells viability, and in denture surface. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) and time-kill assays were performed for LGE against C. albicans. For biofilm analysis, discs were fabricated using a denture acrylic resin with surface roughness standardization. C. albicans biofilms were developed on saliva-coated discs and the effects of LGE at MIC, 5XMIC or 10XMIC were investigated during biofilm formation and after biofilm maturation. Biofilms were investigated for cell counting, metabolic activity and microscopic analysis. The cytotoxicity of different concentrations of LGE to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analyzed by MTT. The effects of LGE in acrylic resin were verified by changes measured in roughness, color and flexural strength after 28 days of immersion. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey test at 5% significance level. The minimal concentration of LGE required to inhibit C. albicans growth was 0,625 mg/mL, while MFC was 2,5 mg/mL. The presence of LGE during biofilm development resulted in a reduction of cell counting (p0.05). No differences were verified in color perception, roughness or flexural strength after immersion in LGE at MIC compared to control (p>0.05). It could be concluded that immersion of denture surface in LGE was effective in reducing C. albicans biofilms, with no deleterious effects on acrylic properties at MIC concentration. MIC also represented an effective and safe concentration for use.

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate, by means of the push-out test, the effect of the anatomical customization of the fiber post on the bond strength of a self-adhesive resin cement. Methods. Twelve endodontically treated, human, upper central incisors were randomly divided into two groups (n=6): control (glass fiber posts cemented with Relyx® U200) and customized (glass fiber posts anatomically customized with translucent composite resin cemented with Relyx U200). The roots were sectioned into three slices, cervical, middle, and apical, and photographed with a digital camera attached to a stereomicroscopic loupe. The images were analyzed by software, for evaluation of the cement line. The slices were subsequently submitted to the push-out test until the post had completely extruded, and the fracture mode was analyzed with a stereomicroscopic loupe. Results. The results showed significant differences between the groups in the different root thirds in relation to the area occupied by air bubbles (p<0.05). Bond strength, when all the thirds are considered, was 8.77 ± 4.89 MPa for the control group and 16.96 ± 4.85 MPa for the customized group. Conclusion. The customized group showed greater bond resistance than the control group and a more uniform cement layer.

Despite their demonstrated biocompatibility and osteogenic properties, oyster shells have been reported as a potential alternative to other commonly used materials for bone substitution. This study evaluated whether an experimental bone substitute (EBS) made from a typical oyster shell of Northeastern Brazil (Crassostrea rhizophora) has effects on bone development using an animal model. Oysters were collected from a biologically assisted vivarium, and their inner layer was used for preparing an EBS. Chemical and surface characterization of EBS was performed using Individually Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively. Seventy-two rats were randomly assigned to groups according to the treatment of bone defects created in the submandibular area: Negative Control (-C), Positive Control (+C; Bio-Oss^®) and EBS. Euthanasia occurred at 7, 21, 42 and 56 days postoperatively. The bone pieces were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The formation of bone tissue was evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. Data were analyzed through the Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA considering a significant level of 5%. The main element found in EBS was calcium (71.68%), and it presented heterogeneity in the particle size and a porosity aspect at SEM analysis. Histological results revealed the absence of inflammatory cells in all groups, being that EBS presented the most accelerated process of bone formation with a statistically significant difference between this group and the +C and -C groups in the 21-day time-point (p < 0.05). After 21 days, the bone formation process was similar between all groups (p > 0.05), showing an immature lamellar bone pattern after 56 days of experimentation (p > 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, it was possible to conclude that EBS presented good biocompatibility and promoted fast stimulation for bone-forming cells in an animal model.

FUNDAMENTOS: As doenças dermatológicas não estão representadas apenas pelas lesões que afetam a pele, mas, também, por manifestações que podem envolver as mucosas, inclusive a mucosa oral. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a frequência das manifestações orais em pacientes com doenças dermatológicas, considerando-se a localização e as características clínicas das lesões encontradas, o sexo, a idade e a raça dos acometidos. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, do tipo transversal, com pacientes que procuraram atendimento no Serviço de Dermatologia do Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra (HUPD) da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) entre outubro de 2007 e outubro de 2008 (n=88). RESULTADOS: A idade variou entre cinco e 88 anos, e o sexo feminino foi o mais atingido (2:1). Dos casos examinados, 35% eram de líquen plano, 33% de lúpus eritematoso, 24% de eritema multiforme, 7% de pênfigo vulgar e 1% do grupo penfigoide. As lesões orais foram mais frequentes nos portadores de líquen plano (51%) e lúpus eritematoso (20%). O líquen plano reticular foi a forma clínica mais comum e a mucosa jugal, o sítio mais acometido. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento dessas patologias pelo cirurgião-dentista é de fundamental importância, cabendo-lhe uma parcela de responsabilidade pelo diagnóstico precoce e orientação para o tratamento adequado. Além disso, o exame intraoral deve ser incorporado como prática de rotina durante o atendimento dermatológico.