Resin adhesion to caries-affected dentine after different removal methods

High-intensity focused ultrasound: an innovative approach for micro-manipulation of demineralized dentine

BACKGROUND

Treatment of deep carious lesions poses significant challenges in dentistry, as complete lesion removal risks compromising pulp vitality, while selective removal often reduces the longevity of restorations. Herein, we propose a minimally invasive approach using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for microscale removal of carious dentine. Concurrently, HIFU's antimicrobial effects against associated cariogenic biofilms and the corresponding thermal and biological impacts on surrounding tissues were investigated.

METHODS

A total of 238 sound human molars were utilized, with 203 samples of artificial carious-simulated dentine (ACSD) prepared for HIFU exposure. HIFU (250 kHz) was applied at 20 W for varying durations (60, 120, and 180 s). The acoustic waves were administered via a collimated cone coupled to the dentine surface using ultrasonic gel.

RESULTS

Advanced characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy (n = 5/group), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and nano-indentation (n = 5/group), demonstrated HIFU's effectiveness in removing demineralized collagen-fibrils. This was reflected in the increased mineral content, nano-hardness, and reduced elastic-modulus of ACSD lesions. Micro-CT (n = 6/group) confirmed the increase in mineral density post-HIFU exposure. Confocal microscopy of Rhodamine-B stained ACSD (n = 5/group) quantified the depth of dentine microscale removal post-HIFU exposure in a time-dependent manner. HIFU's potent anti-biofilm effect (n = 9/group) against Streptococcus mutans biofilms was evidenced by microscopic characterizations and significant reductions in metabolic-activity and colony-forming units. Furthermore, HIFU promoted the proliferation of dental pulp stem cells (n = 3/group) while maintaining the associated temperature-rise within the physiological tolerance.

CONCLUSION

HIFU's potential as an innovative, minimally invasive, non-ionizing tool for dentine carious lesion micromanipulation was demonstrated through the interaction between focused acoustic waves and dentine, warranting further studies for future clinical translation in restorative and/or preventive dentistry.

Effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation and chitosan biomodification on the stability of resin/demineralized bovine dentin bond

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser for selective removal of carious lesion, followed by biomodification with chitosan on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS), adhesive interface, dry mass loss and hydroxyproline release (HYP).

METHODS

Artificial lesions were created in 104 bovine dentin blocks. Blocks were divided according to caries removal method: bur or Er:YAG laser. Seventy-six blocks were acid etched and subdivided according to dentin biomodification: no chitosan and 2.5% chitosan. Composite resin restorations were performed. Blocks were sectioned into beams and stored in water. After 24 h, 6 and 12 months, beams were submitted to μTBS test (n = 10) and analysis of adhesive interface by SEM (n = 3). The other 28 blocks were sectioned into beams and initial dry mass (DM) was determined (n = 7). Beams were stored and after 7 days, DM was redetermined. HYP release (n = 7) was evaluated by ELISA. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Bonferroni's tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

After 24 h, the highest µTBS was found for bur (p < 0.001). After 6 months, methods were similar (p = 0.432). After 12 months, laser-irradiated dentin showed the highest µTBS values (p = 0.025). Chitosan promoted higher µTBS values after 6 (p = 0.011) and 12 months (p < 0.001) preserving adhesive interface. Dry mass loss and HYP release were not influenced (p > 0.05) by caries removal method or by dentin biomodification.

CONCLUSION

The bond strength to demineralized dentin reduced over 50% in all groups after water storage. From 6 months of water storage, Er:YAG laser irradiation and biomodification with chitosan maintained the stability of the resin-dentin bonds, but did not influence dry mass loss and HYP release.

Clinical evaluation of composite restorations in Er:YAG laser-prepared cavities re-wetting with chlorhexidine

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate longitudinally the composite restorations, performed in cavities prepared by Er:YAG or conventional bur, and dentin re-wetting with water or chlorhexidine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty individuals with four active caries with cavitation reaching the dentin located on the occlusal surface of molars counterparts are selected. The teeth of each individual were randomly assigned into four groups: (I) Er:YAG laser (260 mJ/4 Hz) re-wetting with chlorhexidine, (II) Er:YAG laser (260 mJ/4 Hz) re-wetting with deionized water, (III) conventional method re-wetting with chlorhexidine, and (IV) conventional method re-wetting with deionized water. The teeth were isolated, prepared cavities, phosphoric acid etching, and re-wetting according to previously assigned method. Restoration was performed employing the Single Bond 2 and Z350XT resin. Clinical follow-up was held after the polishing of the restoration (baseline) and 6 and 12 months of the making of the restoration using the modified USPHS criteria. The restorations were qualitatively analyzed by means of photographs. In the evaluation period, replicas of the restorations were analyzed by SEM. Data were analyzed by statistics using chi-square test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

After 12 months of clinical evaluation, groups prepared with laser and re-wetting with chlorhexidine and water showed the lowest marginal staining value. There was no statistical difference between the groups for other factors. SEM analysis revealed that a non-expressive amount of restorations showed gaps and irregularities of tooth-restoration interface after 6 and 12 months compared to the baseline.

CONCLUSION

The restorations performed in laser-prepared cavities, regardless of the re-wetting, presented the best clinical performance over the evaluated period.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Laser-prepared teeth, regardless of re-wetting, showed greater resistance to marginal discoloration.

Thermal effects and morphological aspects of varying Er:YAG laser energy on demineralized dentin removal: an in vitro study

The aim of this study was to evaluate thermal changes, dentin ablation removal capacity, and morphological aspects of sound and demineralized human dentin surface irradiated with different output energies of an erbium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser. Eighty sound human tooth specimens were assigned into two groups: demineralized dentin and sound dentin (control group). The dentin groups were subdivided into four subgroups (n = 10) according to the irradiation energy used (120, 160, 200, or 250 mJ) at a constant frequency level of 6 Hz, in focused mode, and under refrigeration. Quantitative analysis of the sound and carious dentin ablation was performed using light microscopy (LM) by measuring (mm) the remaining demineralized tissue with the Axion Vision™ software. Qualitative analysis was performed using the images obtained with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the temperature increase was recorded with an infrared digital thermometer. The Er:YAG laser promoted a gradual increase in temperature for all groups, and no difference was observed between the sound and demineralized dentin. The groups of 200 and 250 mJ showed the highest values, yet a variation in temperature did not exceed 5 °C. The energy output of 120 mJ selectively removed demineralized tissue when compared to 250 mJ, while also providing more regular surfaces in the cavity preparation. It was concluded that the temperature increase during sound and demineralized dentin removal had a strong positive correlation with the Er:YAG laser energy level output. However, the higher energies used did not present selectivity to the demineralized tissue, and the parameters used did not cause an increase in temperature over 5 °C.

Thermal effects and morphological aspects of human dentin surface irradiated with different frequencies of Er:YAG laser

This study reports the effects on micromorphology and temperature rise in human dentin using different frequencies of Er:YAG laser. Sixty human dentin fragments were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 30): carious or sound dentin. Both groups were divided into three subgroups (n = 10), according to the Er:YAG laser frequency used: 4, 6, or 10 Hz (energy: 200 mJ; irradiation distance: 12 mm; and irradiation time: 20 s). A thermocouple adapted to the tooth fragment recorded the initial temperature value (°C); then, the temperature was measured after the end of the irradiation (20 s). Morphological analysis was performed using images obtained with scanning electron microscope. There was no difference between the temperatures obtained with 4 and 6 Hz; the highest temperatures were achieved with 10 Hz. No difference was observed between carious and sound dentin. Morphological analyses revealed that all frequencies promoted irregular surface in sound dentin, being observed more selectively ablation especially in intertubular dentin with tubule protrusion. The caries dentin presented flat surface for all frequencies used. Both substrates revealed absence of any signs of thermal damage. It may be concluded that the parameters used in this study are capable to remove caries lesion, having acceptable limits of temperature rise and no significant morphological alterations on dentin surface.

Micro-tensile bond strength and interfacial characterization of an adhesive bonded to dentin prepared by contemporary caries-excavation techniques

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) and interfacial characteristics of adhesive-dentin bonds produced after caries-removal with contemporary techniques.

METHODS

Carious molars were cut at the base of the fissure, exposing 'sound' and 'carious' dentin at different spots. After caries-excavation, a composite was bonded using a 2-step self-etch adhesive. The μTBS was measured and the mode of fracture analyzed using a stereomicroscope and imaged by Feg-SEM, while additional non-fractured specimens were histologically analyzed after Masson's trichrome staining in order to identify potentially incompletely resin-enveloped collagen.

RESULTS

μTBS to residual caries-excavated dentin was lower than to sound dentin. The different caries-removing techniques had a significant effect on the μTBS. Er:YAG laser guided by a LIF-feedback system (Kavo) resulted in the lowest μTBS (26.8% lower than to 'sound' dentin) and a distinct layer of incompletely resin-enveloped collagen at the interface. Although different degrees of collagen exposure were seen for other caries-removing techniques, such as a thick layer for CeraBur (Komet-Brasseler), some unprotected collagen areas for Cariex (Kavo), or completely resin-enveloped collagen for a tungsten-carbide-bur (Komet), the μTBS appeared not directly affected (10%, 16.6%, and 15.3% lower than to 'sound' dentin, respectively). Carisolv (MediTeam) resulted in the highest μTBS (only 1% reduction compared to that to 'sound' dentin), followed by the tungsten-carbide-bur aided by Caries Detector (Kuraray) (4.8% reduction). Enzymatic caries excavation using the experimental SFC-VIII (3M-ESPE) aided by a disposable plastic instrument resulted in a 19.4% reduction in μTBS as compared to that to 'sound' dentin.

SIGNIFICANCE

The dentin bonding receptiveness depends to a large extent on the caries-excavation method employed.

Effect of Er,Cr: YSGG Laser on the Microtensile Bond Strength of Two Different Adhesives to the Sound and Caries-affected Dentin

The microtensile bond strength of a three-step etch-and-rinse and a two-step self-etch adhesive is not negatively affected by Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation in sound and caries-affected dentin.

Influence of the additional Er:YAG laser conditioning step on the microleakage of class V restorations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an additional Er:YAG laser conditioning step after laser cavity preparations, on the microleakage of class V composite restorations. Forty-eight bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups: G1(control) cavities prepared with bur, G2- cavities prepared with laser (400 mJ/2 Hz), G3- cavities prepared and subsequently conditioned with Er:YAG laser (60 mJ/2 Hz); G4-idem for G3, but the laser conditioning was carried out without water-spray. All the cavities were restored using Clearfill SE Bond and Z-250 composite resin. The samples were thermal cycled for 700 cycles and then immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution. The sectioned restorations were exposed to a photoflood lamp to reveal silver nitrate penetration. The Kruskal-Walis one-way analyses of variance test and post hoc Wilcoxon pair-wise comparison were used to compare microleakage degrees. At the gingival margin G2 showed a lower microleakage mean than the control bur-prepared cavities (p = 0.0003). At occlusal margins there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.28). It may be concluded that Er:YAG laser class V cavity preparations do not need to be followed by an additional laser conditioning step to result in levels of microleakage similar to or lower than those obtained after bur preparations.