A Deep Morphological Characterization and Comparison of Different Dental Restorative Materials

Spectroscopic molecular-fingerprint profiling of saliva

Saliva analysis has been gaining interest as a potential non-invasive source of disease indicative biomarkers due to being a complex biofluid correlating with blood-based constituents on a molecular level. For saliva to cement its usage for analytical applications, it is paramount to gain underpinning molecular knowledge and establish a 'baseline' of the salivary composition in healthy individuals as well as characterize how these factors are impacting its performance as potential analytical biofluid. Here, we have systematically studied the molecular spectral fingerprint of saliva, including the changes associated with gender, age, and time. Via hybrid artificial neural network algorithms and Raman spectroscopy, we have developed a non-destructive molecular profiling approach enabling the assessment of salivary spectral changes yielding the determination of gender and age of the biofluid source. Our classification algorithm successfully identified the gender and age from saliva with high classification accuracy. Discernible spectral molecular 'barcodes' were subsequently constructed for each class and found to primarily stem from amino acid, protein, and lipid changes in saliva. This unique combination of Raman spectroscopy and advanced machine learning techniques lays the platform for a variety of applications in forensics and biosensing.

Physical and chemical mechanisms involved in adhesion of orthodontic bonding composites: in vitro evaluations

Background

Bond strength of orthodontic composite is strongly influenced by molecular and structural mechanisms. Aim of this in vitro study was to compare bond strength of light-cure orthodontic composites by measuring debonding forces and evaluating locations of bond failure. Investigations on chemical compositions clarified adhesive behaviors and abilities, exploring effects of ageing processes in this junction materials.

Methods

Twelve enamel discs, from human premolars, were randomly coupled to one orthodontic adhesive system (Transbond XT™ 3 M UNITEK, USA, Light-Cure Orthodontic Paste, LEONE, Italy and Bisco Ortho Bracket Paste LC, BISCO, Illinois) and underwent to Shear Bond Strength test. Metallic brackets were bonded to twenty-seven human premolar, with one of the adhesive systems, to quantify, at FE-SEM magnifications, after debonding, the residual material on enamel and bracket base surfaces. Raman Spectroscopy analysis was performed on eight discs of each composites to investigate on chemical compositions, before and after accelerated aging procedures in human saliva and sugary drink.

Results

Orthodontic adhesive systems showed similar strength of adhesion to enamel. The breakage of adhesive-adherent bond occurs in TXT at enamel-adhesive interface while in Bisco and Leone at adhesive-bracket interface. Accelerated in vitro aging demonstrated good physical–chemical stability for all composites, Bisco only, was weakly contaminated with respect to the other materials.

Conclusion

A similar, clinically adequate and acceptable bond strength to enamel for debonding maneuvers was recorded in all orthodontic adhesive systems under examination. No significant chemical alterations are recorded, even in highly critical situations, not altering the initial mechanical properties of materials.

The Effects of Food-Simulating Liquids on Surface Roughness, Surface Hardness, and Solubility of Bulk-Fill Composites

Aim:

To investigate the surface roughness, surface hardness, and solubility of bulk-fill composites after exposure to food-simulating liquids (FSLs).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 200 disc-shaped samples (8 mm diameter × 4 mm depth) were prepared using four bulk-fill composites (SonicFillTM, Tetric® EvoCeram Bulk Fill, Beautifil-Bulk Restorative, FiltekTM Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative) and a microhybrid composite (FiltekTM Z250) ( n = 40). Following the measurement of initial weights of the samples ( m1), the surface roughness measurements were gauged using a contact-profilometer. The samples were stored in four different FSLs for 7 days, and then the second surface roughness values were recorded. The samples were stored in a desiccator to reach the constant mass and the values were recorded as m2, then the solubility levels were calculated. The Vickers microhardness values of the samples were determined. A total of 20 specimens were evaluated in terms of surface morphology with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were statistically analyzed with the two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests ( P < .05).

Results:

Beautifil-Bulk Restorative was affected at most in terms of surface roughness after storage in FSLs and citric acid caused the highest values in this group ( P < .005). Beautifil-Bulk Restorative and Filtek Z250 showed the highest surface hardness values, while the Tetric EvoCeram group had the lowest. The highest solubility values were found in Beautifil-Bulk Restorative, and citric acid and ethanol yielded the highest solubility values for all of the composites.

Conclusion:

Beautifil-Bulk Restorative is the most affected group in all parameters evaluated and also affected overly by citric acid among the FSLs in consequence of its prereacted glass ionomer fillers.

[Evaluation of wear property of Giomer and universal composite in vivo]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the wear performance of Giomer and universal composite for posterior restorations by 3D laser scan method, in order to guide the material selection in clinic.

METHODS

In this study, 48 patients (108 teeth) were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients in need of a minimum of 2 Class Ⅰ and/or Class Ⅱ restorations were invited to join the study. The teeth were restored with Giomer (Beautifil Ⅱ, BF) and universal composite (Filtek Z350, Z350) randomly. The restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 6-, 18-, 48-month using the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria for clinical performance. The in vivo images and gypsum replicas were taken at each recall. A 3D-laser scanner and Geomagic Studio 12 were used to analyze the wear depth quantitatively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

After 4 years, 89.6% patients were recalled. The survival rate of both materials was 95.8% (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Seven restorations of the two materials failed due to loss of restoration, bulk fracture, secondary caries and pulp necrosis. The wear patterns of restorations were divided into 2 classes. Pattern Ⅰ: occlusal contact areas showed the deepest and fastest wear depth; pattern Ⅱ: the wear depth was slow and uniform. Both materials showed a rapid wear in the first 6 months. Then the wear rate was decreased. The occlusal wear depth after 4 years were (58±22) μm and (54±16) μm for BF group and Z350 group respectively, which were in accordance with the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines (wear depth for 3 years < 100 μm). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between the two groups. Regarding the restorations with wear pattern Ⅰ, the wear depth of BF group was higher than Z350 group at 6- and 48-month (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between restorations with wear pattern Ⅱ (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Within the limitation of the study, after 4 years, the survival rate and wear resistance of Giomer met ADA guidelines for tooth-colored restorative materials for posterior teeth. When the two materials were applied in occlusal contact areas, wear resistance of Giomer was slightly lower than universal composite resin. No significant difference was found when they were applied in none of the occlusal contact areas.

Evaluation of Effect of Dietary Solvents on Bond Strength of Compomer, Ormocer, Nanocomposite and Activa Bioactive Restorative Materials

Objectives:

The successful endodontic therapy is judged by ability of tooth to withstand masticatory forces. The present study focused on comparing the strength of restorative materials, i.e., compomer, ormocer, nanocomposite, and ACTIVA Bioactive after conditioning in dietary solvents.

Materials and Methods:

This in vitro study consisted of 26 specimens of each restorative material Compomer (F2000 3M ESPE), Nanocomposite (Filtek Z350XT), Ormocer (Admira VOCO), and ACTIVA Bioactive (Pulpdent). The I-shear–punch test was conducted with the help of custom-designed shear–punch apparatus in Universal Testing Machine in different dietary solvents. Results were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) and using Tukey’s test and one-way analysis of variance test at P < 0.5.

Results:

Ormocer conditioned in heptanes had the highest mean shear–punch strength. ACTIVA Bioactive conditioned in distilled water showed the highest mean shear–punch strength. There was a significant difference in bond strength among all restorative materials (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Ormocer conditioned in heptane had significantly higher shear strength. ACTIVA Bioactive conditioned in distilled water had significantly increased shear strength. The nanofilled composite was significantly stronger than the Ormocer, ACTIVA Bioactive, and Compomer – a polyacid-modified composite.

Surface roughness and filler particles characterization of resin-based composites

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness (Ra), and the morphology and composition of filler particles of different composites submitted to toothbrushing and water storage. Disc-shaped specimens (15 mm × 2 mm) were made from five composites: two conventional (Z100™, and Filtek™ Supreme Ultra Universal, 3M), one "quick-cure" (Estelite ∑ Quick, Tokuyama), one fluoride-releasing (Beautiful II, Shofu), and one self-adhering (Vertise Flow, Kerr) composite. Samples were finished/polished using aluminum oxide discs (Sof-Lex, 3M), and their surfaces were analyzed by profilometry (n = 5) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM; n = 3) at 1 week and after 30,000 toothbrushing cycles and 6-month water storage. Ra data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Filler particles morphology and composition were analyzed by SEM and X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy, respectively. Finishing/polishing resulted in similar Ra for all the composites, while toothbrushing and water storage increased the Ra of all the tested materials, also changing their surface morphology. Beautifil II and Vertise Flow presented the highest Ra after toothbrushing and water storage. Filler particles were mainly composed of silicon, zirconium, aluminum, barium, and ytterbium. Size and morphology of fillers, and composition of the tested composites influenced their Ra when samples were submitted to toothbrushing and water storage.

Giomers in dentistry - at the boundary between dental composites and glass-ionomers

Introduction

From the variety of direct restorative dental materials, composite resins are considered as having the most esthetic and functional properties. The conservative preparation, esthetic results, good mechanical qualities and surface finishing properties of dental composites, combined with the protective properties of fluoride from glass-ionomers, led to a new generation of dental materials: the giomers.

Objective

The purpose is to review the available literature about the giomers, regarding the chemical composition, handling properties and esthetics, adhesion and microleakage, fluoride releasing and protection offered, clinical indications.

Method

The search was carried out using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases with the following keywords: giomer, esthetic properties giomers and fluoride releasing giomers. A total of 232 articles were initially selected, with the following inclusion criteria: full text articles, written in English, with topics on the properties and the clinical implications of giomers. Papers presented as abstract were not included. In the next step, review articles, duplicates, and articles in other languages were removed; as a result, a total of 44 sources published between 2004 and 2017 were selected.

Results

The selected articles referred to the following aspects about the giomers: chemical composition (8 articles), adhesion and microleakage (10 articles), fluoride releasing and pulp protection (15 articles), clinical indications (6 articles), effects of additional treatments and dietary habits (11 articles).

Clinical Evaluation of Microhybrid Composite and Glass lonomer Restorative Material in Permanent Teeth

AIM

The aim of this study was to clinically compare glass ionomer cement (GIC) with microhybrid composite resin used in class I cavities on permanent teeth over a period of 9 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 teeth with class I cavities were divided into two groups (n = 20) and restored with GIC (EQUIA; GC) and microhybrid resin composite (Amelogen Plus; Ultradent). Restorations were evaluated at ×4.5 magnification using the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria every 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher's exact test (a < 0.05).

RESULTS

The data obtained reported no statistical significance difference between both groups in regard to anatomical shape, color, postoperative sensitivity, secondary caries, material handling, adaptation, and marginal staining.

CONCLUSION

The results of this clinical study showed that GIC (EQUIA; GC) can be used for the restoration of permanent teeth and may be more appropriate for certain clinical situations than the resin composite material.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

EQUIA (GIC) is a viable alternative to resin composite in restoring class I cavities in permanent teeth.