Fast monitoring of tooth erosion caused by medicaments used in the treatment of respiratory diseases by ATR-FTIR and μ-EDXRF analysis

Biological and antimicrobial properties of the association Ambroxol and a water-soluble viscous liquid as a vehicle for a tricalcium silicate-based sealer

This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and biological properties of Ambroxol associated with glycerin (GLI), propylene glycol (PG), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a possible vehicle for an experimental tricalcium silicate sealer, with the intention of developing a new biomaterial. Mouse undifferentiated dental pulp cells (OD-21) were cultured, and the effects of different association on cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production were investigated. Antimicrobial adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis to setting sealers at 2 h was evaluated. Polyethylene tubes containing experimental sealers and empty tubes were implanted into dorsal connective tissues of 12 male 3- to 4-months-old Wistar rats (250-280 g). After 7 and 30 days, the tubes were removed and processed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction and ANOVA followed by Tukey test was used for parametric data and Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn for nonparametric (p < 0.05). Cell proliferation was dose-dependent, since all association were cytotoxic at higher concentrations; however, Ambroxol-PEG showed significantly higher cytotoxicity than other association (p < 0.05). In addition, irrespective of the association, no cytokine production was observed in vitro. Ambroxol-GLI reduced bacterial viability, whereas Ambroxol-PEG increased (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed no significant difference in the inflammatory response (p > 0.05) and mineralization ability in all association. Additionally, IL-1β and TNF-α were upregulated on Ambroxol-PEG in relation to Control at 07 days (p < 0.05). Ambroxol-GLI was the best vehicle for experimental tricalcium silicate sealer, as it promoted an increase in antimicrobial activity without altering the inflammatory response or mineralization ability.

Adverse effects of respiratory disease medicaments and tooth brushing on teeth: A scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy study

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of brushing with fluoride dentifrice on teeth severely affected by erosion due to respiratory medicaments. Enamel (n = 50) and dentin (n = 50) bovine specimens were prepared and treated with artificial saliva (S-control), acebrofilin hydrochloride (AC), ambroxol hydrochloride (AM), bromhexine hydrochloride (BR), and salbutamol sulfate (SS) and subjected to cycles of demineralization (immersing in 3 mL, 1 min, three times a day at intervals of 1 hr, for 5 days) followed by remineralization (saliva, 37°C, 1 hr). Simulated brushing with fluoridated toothpaste was performed using 810 strokes in a reciprocal-action brushing simulator. Scanning electron microscopy, micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDXRF) spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy were then performed. μ-EDXRF images showed extensive erosion after treatment with all medicaments. SEM images showed enamel erosion in order SS > BR > AC = AM > S after brushing and fluoridation. FTIR results were in agreement. In case of dentin, μ-EDXRF measurements showed significant difference in mineral content (percent weight of calcium and phosphate) in SS + brushing + fluoridation treated enamel compared to control, while μ-EDXRF images showed erosive effects in the order SS > AM>BR > AC = S post brushing + fluoridation. SEM images showed erosion in the order SS > AM = BR > AC > S post brushing + fluoridation. Again, FTIR multivariate results were in agreement. Overall, our study shows that proper oral care is critical when taking certain medication. The study also demonstrates the possible use of FTIR for rapid clinical monitoring of tooth erosion in clinics.

Chemical and morphological evaluation of enamel and dentin near cavities restored with conventional and zirconia modified glass ionomer subjected to erosion-abrasion

Microenergy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDXRF) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to test the hypothesis that zirconia modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) could improve resistance to erosion-abrasion to a greater extent than conventional cement. Bovine enamel (n = 40) and dentin (n = 40) samples were prepared with cavities, filled with one of the two restorative materials (GIC: glass-ionomer cement or ZrGIC: zirconia-modified GIC). Furthermore, the samples were treated with abrasion-saliva (AS) or abrasion-erosion cycles (AE). Erosive cycles (immersion in orange juice, three times/day for a duration of 1 min over a 5 day period) and/or abrasive challenges (electric toothbrush, three times/day for a duration of 1 min over a 5 day period) were performed. Positive mineral variation (MV%) on the enamel after erosion-abrasion was observed for both materials (p < 0.05), whereas a negative MV% on the dentin was observed for both materials and treatments (p < 0.05). The SEM images showed clear enamel loss after erosion-abrasion treatment and material degradation was greater in GIC_AE compared to those of the other groups. Toothbrush abrasion showed a synergistic effect with erosion on substance loss of bovine enamel, dentin, GIC, and ZrGIC restorations. Zirconia addition to the GIC powder improved the resistance to abrasive-erosive processes. The ZrGIC materials may find application as a restorative material due to improved resistance as well as in temporary restorations and fissure sealants.