Caries-resistant bonding layer in dentin

Dual modified nanosilica particles as reinforcing fillers for dental adhesives: Synthesis, characterization, and properties

A facile procedure has been devised to develop a novel dentin bonding system containing poly (acrylic acid)-grafted-silanized fumed silica particles as reinforcing filler, with high stability of nanoparticle dispersion and enhanced bond strength and mechanical properties. In the first step, the silanization of fumed silica nanoparticles was performed in the following conditions: (i) ethanol-water solution with a pH of 5 and (ii) cyclohexane with a pH of 9 using trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (γ-MPS) as a reactive silane coupling agent. FTIR and TGA analyses confirmed the presence of silane in the resultant structure and enhanced dispersion stability of modified particles was proved by a separation analyzer and also zeta potential analyses. In the second step, free radical polymerization of acrylic acid monomers in the presence of silanized nanoparticles was carried out and poly (acrylic acid) -grafted- silanized fumed silica were acquired. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the adhesive containing 0.2 wt.% of the dual modified filler reached maximum of 70.4 MPa and 1.34 MPa m^1/2, respectively, showing average improvements of 74% and 179%, respectively, in comparison with the adhesive without filler. Flexural modulus values did not significantly change with increasing the filler content except the adhesive containing 5 wt.% having the lowest flexural modulus. The highest microtensile bond strength was also observed at 0.2 wt.% filler content showing the average improvements of 197% as compared with the neat adhesive. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping confirmed a homogenous and uniform distribution of the fillers in the adhesive matrix containing 0.2 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% of filler while incorporation of 5 wt.% led to large particle aggregates. SEM images of the fracture surface of the adhesive with different filler contents subjected to fracture toughness test showed rougher surface and longer crack path by increasing filler concentration. The adhesive containing 0.2 wt.% of filler perfectly penetrated into the dentin tubules proved by the SEM micrographs in microtensile bond strength test.

Advancing antimicrobial strategies for managing oral biofilm infections

Effective control of oral biofilm infectious diseases represents a major global challenge. Microorganisms in biofilms exhibit increased drug tolerance compared with planktonic cells. The present review covers innovative antimicrobial strategies for controlling oral biofilm-related infections published predominantly over the past 5 years. Antimicrobial dental materials based on antimicrobial agent release, contact-killing and multi-functional strategies have been designed and synthesized for the prevention of initial bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation on the tooth and material surface. Among the therapeutic approaches for managing biofilms in clinical practice, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has emerged as an alternative to antimicrobial regimes and mechanical removal of biofilms, and cold atmospheric plasma shows significant advantages over conventional antimicrobial approaches. Nevertheless, more preclinical studies and appropriately designed and well-structured multi-center clinical trials are critically needed to obtain reliable comparative data. The acquired information will be helpful in identifying the most effective antibacterial solutions and the most optimal circumstances to utilize these strategies.