A scanning electron microscopy study of diseased root surfaces conditioned with EDTA gel plus Cetavlon after scaling and root planing

Biological Effects of a Root Conditioning Treatment on Periodontally Affected Teeth - An In Vitro Analysis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluated the root surfaces modifications resulted by application of different chemicals agents, and their influence on the fibrin network and fibroblasts attachment. From 96 anterior mandibular human extracted incisor teeth, 192 dentin blocks of buccal and lingual surface were obtained and randomly divided into 6 groups: Cont- control group, which received no treatment; Root surface scaling and root planing (Srp); Citric acid-Srp; EDTA-Srp; Tetracycline capsule-Srp; Tetracycline gel-Srp. After dentin treatments the specimens were analyzed as follows: 1) demineralization level and residues of the product by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); 2) adhesion of blood components after 20 min of surface treatment by SEM; 3) fibroblast attachment after 24 h by SEM; 4) cell metabolism after 24 h by MTT assay. Data were analyzed using Fisher Exact, One-way ANOVA test followed by Dunn's test, Tukey test and Dunnett test (α=0.05). Citric acid, EDTA and Tetracycline gel resulted in adequate demineralization with no completely smear layer and smear plug removal on root dentin surface. Tetracycline capsule produced great tetracycline residues with several demineralization areas. Tetracycline gel and EDTA groups presented more fibroblast fixation than other experimental groups. The highest mean blood clot adhesion score was observed in roots treated with tetracycline gel. EDTA and Tetracycline gel surface treatment removed the smear layer over dentin surface and promoted adhesion of fibrin network and fibroblast cells attachment.

Antibacterial effect and shear bond strength of an orthodontic adhesive cement containing Galla chinensis extract

Galla chinensis extract (GCE), a naturally-derived agent, has a significant inhibitory effect on cariogenic bacteria. The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect and shear bond strength of an orthodontic adhesive cement containing GCE. A resin-modified glass ionomer cement incorporated GCE at five mass fractions (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8%) to prepare GCE-containing cement for analysis. For the agar diffusion test, cement specimens were placed on agar disk inoculated with Streptococcus mutans (strain ATCC 25175). Following 48 h incubation, the inhibition halo diameter was measured. To assess bacteria colonization susceptibility, S. mutans adhesion to cement specimens was detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following 48 h incubation. To evaluate bond strength, a total of 50 metal brackets were bonded on premolar surfaces by using cement (10 teeth/group). Following immersion in an artificial saliva for 3 days, shear bond strength (SBS) was measured. The results demonstrated that GCE-containing samples exhibited a larger bacterial inhibition halo than control, and the inhibition zone increased as the GCE mass fraction increased. SEM analysis demonstrated that S. mutans presented a weaker adherent capacity to all GCE-containing cements compared with control, but the difference between each GCE-containing group was not significant. SBS values of each GCE-containing group exhibited no difference compared with the control. In conclusion, GCE-containing adhesive cement exhibits a promising inhibitory effect on S. mutans growth and adhesion. Without compromising bond strength, adding GCE in adhesive cement may be an attractive option for preventing white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment.

Influence of dental exposure to oral environment on smear layer removal and collagen exhibition after using different conditioning agents

Although in vitro studies have shown encouraging results for root surface conditioning with demineralizing agents, in vivo studies have failed to show its benefits in periodontal healing. This can be attributed to several factors, among which, the hypermineralization of dental surface. Therefore, this in vitro study compared, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the effect of root surface conditioning with different conditioners (1% and 25% citric acid, 24% EDTA and 50 mg/mL tetracycline hydrochloride) in impacted teeth and in teeth that had their roots exposed to the oral environment. One trained examiner assessed the SEM micrographs using a root surface modification index. There was a tendency of more root surface modification in the group of impacted teeth, suggesting that the degree of root mineralization influences its chemical demineralization.