Aurélio de Oliveira Rocha

Background: Chloramphenicol, tetracycline, zinc oxide (CTZ) paste has been widely used, particularly in Latin America, in Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair (LSTR) procedures in primary molars. However, reports on its long-term efficacy are scarce. Aim: This multicentre non-inferiority randomised trial compared the efficacy of LSTR using CTZ paste with conventional zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) pulpectomy in primary molars. Design: 199 primary molars from children aged 3–9 years were randomised to the CTZ or ZOE groups. The primary outcome was clinical and radiographic success at 24 months. Clinical time, children’s behaviour, immediate discomfort and postoperative pain were also evaluated. The main analysis followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle, comparing success proportions with the Miettinen–Nurminen method, considering a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 15% (p < 0.05). Results: Overall success rates in the ITT population were 64.3% for CTZ and 58.7% for ZOE, with a difference of 5.6% (95% CI: −9.3 to 20.4; p p 0.05). Conclusion: LSTR with CTZ paste was non-inferior to conventional ZOE pulpectomy after 24 months of follow-up.

Objectives: Cryotherapy is a therapeutic alternative with relevant applications in dentistry. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis on its use in dental procedures. Material and Methods: A search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database in May 2025. Three independent reviewers selected the articles about the use of Cryotherapy in Dentistry. The following data were collected: number and density of citations, year of publication, journal, impact factor, study design, main themes, country, continent, institution, authors, and keywords. Collaborative networks were generated using VOSviewer. Spearman’s test was used to determine the correlation between the number of citations, year of publication, and impact factor. Results: A total of 2,437 articles were identified, with 163 included. The most cited study had 207 citations. Publications ranged from 1964 to 2025, peaking in 2021 (n=13). The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was the most frequent journal (n=14). Clinical trials were the most common study design (n=58). Cryotherapy was mainly used for analgesia (n=42), especially in oral medicine (n=63). Clark GT authored the most studies (n=7), and the University of California led institutional output (n=9). The United States was the most represented country (n=28), while Asia was the leading continent (n=57). Conclusion: Research on cryotherapy in dentistry has grown in recent years, mainly in Asia. Its use is most frequent in analgesia-related procedures, especially in stomatology, through clinical trials.

Purpose: To identify the factors associated with children’s immediate satisfaction following invasive dental procedures (endodontic treatment and tooth extraction) and to compare satisfaction levels between treatment modalities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 children aged 5–10 years and their caregivers. Fifty-six children underwent endodontic treatment and 55 underwent extraction of primary molars. Children’s immediate satisfaction was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioural variables were incorporated into a structural equation model (SEM) to investigate their direct and indirect effects on satisfaction. Results: The SEM demonstrated an adequate fit to the data. Self-reported pain was significantly negatively associated with children’s satisfaction [standardised coefficient (SC) = − 0.389]. Child age (SC = 0.229), caregiver anxiety (SC = − 0.189), and self-reported pain (SC = − 0.465) showed significant effects on children’s behaviour during treatment. However, child behaviour was not significantly associated with satisfaction (SC = 0.098). The type of invasive procedure performed (endodontic treatment or extraction) did not influence satisfaction levels. Conclusions: Children’s immediate satisfaction with invasive dental procedures was primarily associated with their perception of pain. Although child behaviour was influenced by age, caregiver anxiety, and self-reported pain, it was not associated with satisfaction.

Purpose: Effective pain control during local anaesthetic administration is essential in paediatric dentistry. Although topical anaesthetic gels are widely used, concerns remain about dosage control. Cryoanaesthesia has emerged as a non-pharmacological alternative. This randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of cryoanaesthesia compared with 20% benzocaine gel in reducing self-reported pain during mandibular infiltrative anaesthetic puncture in children. Methods: Forty children aged 6 to 9 years, each with at least one mandibular primary molar requiring treatment under local anaesthesia, were included. Participants were randomised to receive either cryoanaesthesia or 20% benzocaine gel as the topical anaesthetic intervention. Self-reported pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale immediately after initial anaesthetic puncture. Pre-operative child and parental anxiety, as well as the child’s behaviour during anaesthesia, were also evaluated. A one-sided Student’s t -test for non-inferiority was applied to compare mean pain scores between groups. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify potential associations between independent variables and self-reported pain. Results: The mean age of the participants was 7.63 ± 1.23 years. Mean self-reported pain scores were 38.50 ± 41.20 in the benzocaine group and 38.00 ± 36.54 in the cryoanaesthesia group. Non-inferiority of cryoanaesthesia was not demonstrated (mean difference: 0.50 ± 4.69, 95% CI −24.42 to 25.42, p = 0.22). A statistically significant association was observed between negative behaviour and self-reported pain ( β = 45.21; 95% CI 18.68 to 71.74; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The non-inferiority of cryoanaesthesia compared with 20% benzocaine gel for mandibular topical anaesthesia in children could not be demonstrated. Clinical trial registry: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials—REBEC (Identifier: RBR-74w5bt4), available at https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-74w5bt4 , registered on March 12th, 2025.

Aim: To scrutinize the scientific profile of the top 100 mostcited articles concerning oral repercussions associated with sports practice. Methods: To implement this solution, a search was conducted in September 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection database using a search strategy composed of terms related to sports dentistry to identify the 100 most frequently reported articles on the subject, without restrictions on publication date or language. For selection, studies were organized in descending order by the number of submissions. The 100 most cited articles were selected and data on citation metrics, publication trends, journal sources, study design, research themes (e.g., age group, protective equipment, sport modality, dental repercussion), authorship, institutional and geographic origin, and keyword co-occurrence were extracted. Submission counts were compared with the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Collaborative networks of authors and keywords were mapped using VOSviewer, and altmetric data were extracted from the Dimensions platform. Results: The United States was the leading contributing country, and the predominant focus of research was on the efficacy of mouthguards in preventing dental trauma. The journal Dental Traumatology accounted for over one-third of all publications. The most-cited article (232 citations) was an observational study, which was the most frequent study design. “Sports” and “mouthguard” were the most prevalent keywords. Altmetric analysis revealed that Mendeley was the primary source of online mentions. Conclusion: The top 100 cited articles in sports dentistry are primarily concentrated in Dental Traumatology, with a dominant research focus on the evaluation of mouthguard efficacy through observational studies, largely led by institutions in the United States.

Background: Advances in reciprocating kinematics have improved the safety and efficiency of mechanical root canal preparation in Endodontics. Despite the growth of scientific publications in recent decades, a bibliometric analysis addressing research structure, temporal evolution, and the global landscape is still lacking. Aim: To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on reciprocating kinematics in Endodontics, focusing on publication trends, research themes, and global scientific contributions. Methodology: The Web of Science Core Collection (WoS‐CC) was searched in April 2026 without restrictions on publication year, language, or citation count. Extracted data included publication year, journal, impact factor, study design, research topic, country, institution, authorship, and keywords. Bibliometric mapping and network visualisation were performed using VOSviewer. Citation patterns and citation density, co‐authorship networks, and keyword co‐occurrence were analysed. Associations between citation count, publication year, and journal impact factor were assessed using Spearman's rank‐order correlation. Results: A total of 852 articles published between 2008 and 2026 were included, with the most cited article receiving 348 citations. The article with the highest citation density accumulated 21.11 citations per year since publication. Journal of Endodontics was the most productive journal ( n = 215). Laboratory‐based studies accounted for approximately 86% of the publications. The most frequently investigated topics were shaping ability and canal transportation ( n = 140). Silva EJNL was the most prolific author ( n = 46). Brazil ranked first in national scientific output ( n = 231), while Asia was the most productive continent overall ( n = 376). Spearman's analysis showed significant correlations, with citation counts strongly decreasing with publication year ( ρ = −0.811), moderately increasing with impact factor ( ρ = 0.551), and impact factor slightly decreasing over time ( ρ = −0.315). Conclusions: Reciprocating instrumentation continues to represent an active area of research in Endodontics. The available literature is predominantly experimental, with a strong emphasis on instrument performance and procedural safety, whereas clinically oriented investigations remain comparatively limited. Although scientific output is concentrated within specific countries and research groups, this bibliometric analysis highlights sustained research interest in reciprocating NiTi systems and underscores the need for broader international collaboration and well‐designed clinical studies to strengthen the clinical evidence base.