The effect of fluoridated and non-fluoridated rewetting agents on in vitro recurrent caries

Inhibition of dentin matrix-bound cysteine cathepsins by potassium fluoride

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cysteine cathepsins (CCs) can break down unprotected type I collagen fibrils in dentin matrix. This study investigated the use of potassium fluoride (KF) as a potential inhibitor of MMPs and CCs in dentin. Demineralized dentin beams were divided into groups (n = 10 in each group) and incubated in artificial saliva (AS, control), either alone or with one of seven concentrations of KF (6-238 mM fluoride) for 1, 7, and 21 d. After 21 d, all groups were further aged in AS for 6 months. Total MMP activity was screened using the colorimetric MMP assay. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were investigated using gelatin zymography. At the end of each incubation, changes in loss of dry mass and CC-mediated or total dissolution of collagen peptides were measured via precision weighing, C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), and hydroxyproline (HYP) assays. The beams were examined using scanning electron microscopy. After 21 d, total MMP activities, dry mass loss, and CTX release for the groups exposed to 179 and 238 mM fluoride were significantly lower compared with the control group. After 6 months, all groups showed similar total MMP activity, dry mass loss, and HYP release, and CTX levels were significantly lower when the fluoride concentration was ≥24 mM. Calcium fluoride (CaF₂ )-like precipitates were observed over the beams. In summary, KF significantly inhibited the catalytic activity of dentin matrix-bound CCs but did not seem to be effective for MMP-mediated activity.

Effects of silver diamine fluoride on dentine carious lesions induced by Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces naeslundii biofilms

BACKGROUND. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been shown to be a successful treatment for arresting caries. However, the mechanism of SDF is to be elucidated. AIM. To characterize the effects of SDF on dentine carious induced by Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces naeslundii. DESIGN.  Thirty-two artificially demineralized human dentine blocks were inoculated: 16 with S. mutans and 16 with A. naeslundii. Either SDF or water was applied to eight blocks in each group. Biofilm morphology, microbial kinetics and viability were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, colony forming units, and confocal microscopy. The crosssection of the dentine carious lesions were assessed by microhardness testing, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS. Biofilm counts were reduced in SDF group than control (P < 0.01). Surfaces of carious lesions were harder after SDF application than after water application (P < 0.05), in S. mutans group, Ca and P weight percentage after SDF application than after water application (P < 0.05). Lesions showed a significantly reduced level of matrix to phosphate after SDF treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION. Present study showed that SDF posses an anti-microbial activity against cariogenic biofilm of S. mutans or A. naeslundii formed on dentine surfaces. SDF slowed down demineralization of dentine. This dual activity could be the reason behind clinical success of SDF.

Influence of fluoride- or triclosan-based desensitizing agents on adhesion of resin cements to dentin

Effect of desensitizers on the bond strength of resin cements to dentin was evaluated. Intact premolars (N = 90) were embedded in polymethyl methacrylate; dentin surfaces were exposed, and they were randomly divided into two main groups of cements (Duolink (D), Variolink II (V); n = 45 per group) and then into three desensitizer subgroups (n = 15 per subgroup). Teeth in controls (C) were treated according to cements' adhesion protocols; the other two groups received either fluoride- [Aqua-Prep F (F)] or triclosan-based [Seal&Protect (T)] desensitizers. Ceramic disks (Empress 2) were adhered; specimens were thermocycled (×5,000 cycles, 5-55 ± 1°C, dwell time 30 s) and subjected to shear bond strength test (MPa ± SD) in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed 1 mm/min). Failure types were classified using scanning electron microscope. For V, application of both desensitizers (29.6 ± 7.8 and 22.8 ± 2.8 for F and T, respectively) did not present significantly different results than that of the VC (21.2 ± 2.3; p > 0.05, one-way ANOVA). In D, F (20.6 ± 2.4) showed significantly higher results (p < 0.05) than those in T (16.1 ± 3.9) and DC group (15.2 ± 2.3). V showed significantly higher results than D (p < 0.05, Bonferroni). F and T did not negatively affect the bond strength results with D and V. Adhesive failures were more frequent with both T (84%) and F (66%) in D; cohesive failures in the cement (88%) were more commonly observed with F in V. Both F and T desensitizers can be safely used prior to final cementation but F in combination with V seems to be more reliable, considering both the bond strength and the failure types.

Histomorphologic characterization of noncarious and caries-affected dentin/adhesive interfaces

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the dentin/adhesive interfacial characteristics when bonding to noncarious as well as caries-affected dentin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven extracted, unerupted, third molars were sectioned into halves. Artificial caries was created on one-half of each tooth, leaving the other half as a control. Dentin surfaces were treated with UNO adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions for the wet-bonding technique and under environmental conditions present in the oral cavity. Dentin/adhesive interface sections of each half-tooth were stained with Goldner's trichrome, a classic bone stain, and examined using light microscopy. The width of exposed collagen was measured directly from photomicrographs, and adhesive penetration was analyzed qualitatively.

RESULTS

The degree and extent to which the adhesive encapsulated the demineralized dentin matrix were reflected in the color difference in the stained sections with the noncarious dentin sections showing a degree of collagen encapsulation superior to that of the caries-affected dentin sections. The overall mean widths of exposed collagen were significantly (p < or = .05) greater at the caries-affected dentin/adhesive interface, 8.6 (1.7) microm, as compared with those at the noncarious dentin/adhesive interface, 6.0 (1.5) microm.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphologic characteristics of the caries-affected dentin/interface suggest an increase in the exposed collagen zone and a decrease in the quality of the adhesive infiltration when compared with noncarious dentin. The evidence suggests that dentin substrate characteristics have a significant effect on the dentin/adhesive interface structure.