Quantitative image of fluorescence of ceramic and resin-cement veneers

Porphyrin-associated fluorescence spectroscopy (Photogen®) for the optical diagnosis of dental biofilm in orthodontic treatment: an observational clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the presence of dental biofilm with fluorescence spectroscopy associated with porphyrin (Photogen®) in users of orthodontic appliances.

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational clinical trial included 21 patients with metallic orthodontic fixed appliances. The presence of biofilm was evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy (Evince-MMÓptics. São Carlos-SP, Brazil) with a porphyrin photo-evidence device (Photogen®). Digital images of the buccal surface of the upper anterior teeth (central and lateral incisors and canines) without and with porphyrin were analyzed using the histogram R (red) function in ImageJ software. The results were analyzed using the maximum and mode values of the red pixels from the histograms. The statistical analysis considered the significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

The maximum values and modes of the red pixels were significantly higher in biofilms analyzed by porphyrin-associated optical spectroscopy compared to optical spectroscopy alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Porphyrin-associated fluorescence spectroscopy was able to detect dental biofilm in the oral environment of patients with orthodontic treatment. This method better evidenced the presence of biofilm on the buccal surfaces of the upper teeth compared to that observed with fluorescence spectroscopy without porphyrin.

Digital image analysis of fluorescence of ceramic veneers with different ceramic materials and resin cements

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the type of ceramics and resin cements on the fluorescence of ceramic veneers under the 405 nm UV-light by digital imaging. One hundred and ninety-two veneers were fabricated using three types of ceramics (IPS e.max CAD, IPS Empress CAD, and Zenostar). Eight pieces of substrates were made of resin-nano-ceramic (Lava Ultimate). The level of fluorescence for each sample cemented with the substrate using three kinds of resin cements (RelyX U200, Variolink N, and Choice 2) was analyzed by using histogram data of luminosity from Adobe Photoshop software. Furthermore, the fluorescence values were evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. The highest fluorescence values were observed for the IPS e.max CAD cemented with Choice 2 cement, followed by IPS Empress CAD, and Zenostar the lowest. The final fluorescence intensity of ceramic veneer is affected by ceramic materials and resin cements.

The Effect of Feldspathic Thickness on Fluorescence of a Variety of Resin Cements and Flowable Composites

(1) Background: The shade of resin-based materials and ceramic thickness influence the optical color of laminate restorations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate—in vitro—the effect of resin-based cement shade and ceramic thickness on fluorescence of feldspathic laminate veneers; (2) Methods: 180 samples of feldspathic ceramic A2 shade with two different thicknesses (0.5 and 0.8 mm) were obtained. The samples were cemented to composite resin substrates with one of the following materials in different shades (n = 10): resin cement (Variolink Esthetic in Light, Neutral and Warm shades; or RelyX Veneer in B0.5 /white, Translucent and A3 Opaque/yellow opaque shades); flowable composite resin (G-aenial Flo in A2 and A3 shades) or a pre-heated composite resin (Filtek Supreme XTE, A3 body shade). The fluorescence spectra were obtained by means of a spectrofluorometer. Two-way ANOVA, Tukey, and Student’s t-tests were performed (α = 0.05); (3) Results: Fluorescence values were significantly influenced by the resin-based agent tested (p < 0.001), the thickness of ceramic (p < 0.001), and their interaction (p < 0.001). The lowest fluorescence values were achieved by RelyX Veneer resin cement regardless its shade and the ceramic thickness; (4) Conclusions: both the shade of resin-based agent and the feldspathic ceramic thickness influenced the fluorescence of laminate restorations.

Analysis of color and fluorescence of different dentin ceramics and natural human dentin's to enhance shade matching

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the color and fluorescence of five dentin ceramic systems with human dentin to enhance shade matching.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five dentin ceramic systems, including Vita, GC, Creation, Noritake, and Ivoclar in 16 shades, and 12 human dentins, were prepared. The fluorescence and color coordinates were measured at 380-780 nm. A light source including a visible and a ultraviolet (UV) complemented with a geometry 45° illumination and 0° observer was used. The mean minimum difference in color coordinates and fluorescence efficiency was statistically analyzed before and after UV excitation by one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Post-hoc multiple comparisons were performed using the LSD test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

While the fluorescence efficiency of Noritake and Ivoclar ceramics displayed no significant difference with natural dentin, Vita, GC, and Creation ceramics presented a lower fluorescence compared to the natural dentin (p < 0.05). Noritake and Ivoclar had a better color match with human dentin than the other ceramics. Studying the color differences under UV showed that just Creation offers statistically worse performance than the other ceramic.

CONCLUSIONS

The color and fluorescence of the used different brands of dentin ceramic are not the same as the human dentin. However, Noritake and Ivoclar presented the most similarity.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Knowledge of ceramic and natural teeth fluorescence is essential for acceptable reproduction of optical properties in esthetic restorations.

Effect of phytosphingosine on staining resistance and microhardness of tooth enamel

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protective effect of phytosphingosine (PHS) against staining on dental enamel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six specimens of bovine teeth (6 mm × 6 mm × 2 mm) were cut, and initial color (Easyshade, VITA), microhardness (HMV-2, Shimadzu) and fluorescence (Matlabs software, Matworks) measurements were performed. Specimens were separated into four groups according to the treatments: Distilled water (control); Human saliva (HS); PHS; PHS + HS. Specimens (n = 6) were submitted to staining procedures: Distilled water (immersion for 30 days-control); Coffee (15 minutes, twice a day/for 15 days); Black tea (as described for Coffee) and cigarette smoke (20 cigarettes/sample). Final measurements were performed, and data were analyzed (Color-CIEDE2000, fluorescence-2-way ANOVA, Tukey, and microhardness-Kruskal-Wallis Dunn, P < .05).

RESULTS

Coffee caused the highest color change (ΔE₀₀ ), followed by black tea, regardless of the treatment employed. Distilled water and cigarette smoke produced similar color changes (P > .05) for the groups control (water = 1.0 + - 0.5/ cigarette = 2.3 0.3) and PHS (water = 0.8 0.4/ cigarette = 2.3 0.4). PHS + HS demonstrated intermediate means than PHS and HS when stained with coffee and tea. After treatments, the least fluorescence alterations occurred for the groups treated with distilled water and cigarette, regardless of the treatment, with no difference (P > .05) between them. There was a significant difference (P < .05) on microhardness between all the groups, as PHS + HS > PHS > HS > Distilled water.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that PHS treatment did not protect the staining of the enamel by coffee and tea, but increased the microhardness, both in the presence and absence of a salivary pellicle.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Phytoshingosine is a novel agent and considered a promising component for anti-biofilm and anti-erosion properties by the formation of a diffusion barrier on the dental enamel. In line, PHS might be considered for anti-staining purposes.