Differences in the pattern of lanthanum diffusion into predentine and dentine in mouse incisors and molars

Apical Sealing and Bioactivity of an Experimental Gutta-Percha Containing Niobium Phosphate Bioglass

This study evaluated the apical sealing ability and bioactivity of an experimental gutta-percha containing niobium phosphate bioglass. Thirty-six human premolars were endodontically prepared and divided into three groups: GPC—filling with conventional gutta-percha; GBC—filling with bioceramic gutta-percha (EndoSequence BC); GNB—filling with experimental gutta-percha containing niobophosphate. Teeth were stored in tubes containing 2 mL of simulated body fluid (SBF) solution in an oven for 30 days. Then, the samples were immersed in lanthanum nitrate solution and analyzed for apical nanoleakage (NI) with a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Gutta-percha specimens were immersed for 28 days (SBF) and analyzed in SEM/EDS and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess bioactivity. NI data originated from the SEM/EDS were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 5%). NI data originated from TEM and bioactivity were descriptively reported. Statistical analysis did not detect a significant difference between groups (p = 0.13) for NI. In the bioactivity analysis, an abundant layer of hydroxyapatite was identified only in the surface of the GNB group samples. The gutta-percha containing niobophosphate bioglass promoted an apical sealing similar to EndoSequence BC, in addition to demonstrating bioactivity through the deposition of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the material after immersion in SBF.

Influence of the pulpal components on human dentine permeability in vitro

AIM

To examine the influence of the retained pulpal components on permeability of human dentine by monitoring drug diffusion.

METHODOLOGY

Twelve intact dentine discs were prepared from freshly extracted human third molars. The dentine surface on the enamel side was etched with 10% polyacrylic acid for 30 s. The drug diffusion test was carried out before and after removal of the retained pulpal components. Each dentine disc was inserted between two plastic chambers; enamel- and pulpal-side chambers, which were filled with 0.05 mol L(-1) naproxen sodium (NA) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), respectively. After 10 min, the solution on the pulpal-side chamber was collected to determine the concentration of NA using a spectrophotometer. To remove the retained pulpal components and residual NA, the pulp chamber of each disc was washed out with PBS and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. After removal of these components and the residual NA, the drug diffusion test was repeated. The inner surface of the pulp chamber was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after the removal of the retained pulpal components.

RESULTS

The amount of NA that diffused through dentine into the pulp was significantly higher after the pulp chamber was washed out with PBS (paired t-test, P < 0.05). SEM observation demonstrated the presence of the retained pulpal components, odontoblastic layer and some parts of subodontoblastic zone, covering the surface of predentine. These components were removed after the pulp chamber was washed out with PBS followed by cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of retained pulpal components had a significant influence on drug diffusion through dentine discs.

Phospholipids in amelogenesis and dentinogenesis

Phospholipids have been identified in enamel and dentin. Before demineralization, a group of phospholipids extracted by lipid solvents was associated with cell membranes and is therefore closely related to cell growth and intracellular regulations. After demineralization, a second group of phospholipids, associated with the extracellular matrix, was extracted; this group is probably linked to the mineralized phase. Using imidazole-osmium tetroxide fixation of rat incisors, we stained cellular unsaturated fatty acids, so that we could visualize the membrane domains, coated pits, and endocytic inclusions. Filipin, a probe for cholesterol, varied in density along the plasma membrane of secretory ameloblasts, and allowed us to visualize membrane remnants inside the forming enamel. With respect to phospholipids located in the extracellular matrix, the malachite-green-glutaraldehyde (MGA) method or iodoplatinate (IP) reaction retains and visualizes enamel and dentin phospholipids. In predentin, aggregates appearing as granules and filaments, or liposome-like structures, were located in the spaces between collagen fibrils. In dentin, organic envelopes coating the crystals, also named "crystal-ghost" structures, outlined groups of collagen fibrils. Histochemical data provided evidence that phospholipids are co-distributed or interact with proteoglycans. Radioautography after IP reaction established that [3H] choline was detected in dentin as early as 30 min after the intravenous injection of the labeled precursor, before any labeling was seen in odontoblasts and predentin. This suggests that blood-serum-labeled phospholipids pass between odontoblasts, cross the distal permeable junctional complex, and diffuse in dentin prior to any cellular uptake and phospholipid synthesis. Pharmacologically and genetically induced pathology also supports the suggestion that phospholipids play an important role in the formation and mineralization of dental tissues.

Changes in the pattern of horseradish peroxidase diffusion into predentin and dentin after cavity preparation in rat molars

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the process of reducing dentin permeability in adult rat molars after cavity preparation with horseradish peroxidase as a tracer.

STUDY DESIGN

Class V cavities were prepared on the upper first molars of 18 rats. Horseradish peroxidase was injected into the vascular system at intervals of 3 hours and 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after cavity preparation, and frozen sections were processed by the diaminobenzidine procedure.

RESULTS

Horseradish peroxidase reaction products were noted in the dentinal tubules immediately beneath the cavity up until 14 days after cavity preparation. An abrupt stoppage of reactive products caused by impermeable junctional zone formation at the interface of the primary dentin and reparative dentin was observed at 14 days after cavity preparation.

CONCLUSION

Reparative dentin formation and subsequent impermeable junctional zone formation participate in the reduction of dentin permeability after cavity preparation.

Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) in forming enamel and predentine in rat incisor-coordinated distribution with proteoglycans suggests a functional role

Stromelysin-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-3) or proteoglycanase was visualized by light and electron microscopy immunolabelling in the forming zone of rat incisors. In predentine, labelling was more dense at the transition zone between the inner proximal third and the two outer thirds. Odontoblast processes were also positively stained, mostly in predentine and to a lesser degree in dentine. The dentine-enamel junction was intensely labelled, whereas dentine and forming enamel were only faintly stained. Gold-antibodies complexes were seen inside secretory ameloblasts and odontoblasts in cytosolic locations. The distribution of stromelysin-1 was compared with the distribution of 2-B-6 epitope, an antibody recognizing chondroitin-4-sulphate/dermatan sulphate and which showed a decreasing gradient from the proximal zone to the distal part of predentine. In contrast, both 5-D-4, an anti-keratan sulphate antibody and an anti-lumican antibody displayed a reversed distribution, with an increase seen from the proximal and central thirds to the distal part of predentine. This coordinated distribution suggests that stromelysin-1 may have a functional role, being implicated in predentine in the degradation of chondroitin-4-sulphate/dermatan sulphate-containing proteoglycans, and consequently allowing keratan sulphate proteoglycan concentration to increase near the border where mineralization is initiated.