Chemical cleaning agents and bonding to glass-fiber posts

Fabrication Strategies of Scaffolds for Delivering Active Ingredients for Tissue Engineering

Designing scaffolds with optimum properties is an essential factor for tissue engineering success. They can be seeded with isolated cells or loaded with drugs to stimulate the body ability to repair or regenerate the injured tissues by acting as centers for new tissue formation. Recently, scaffolds gained a significant interest as principal candidates for tissue engineering due to overcoming the autograft or allograft's associated problems. The advancement of the tissue engineering field relies mainly on the introduction of new biomaterials for scaffolds' fabrication. This review presents and criticizes different scaffolds' fabrication techniques with particular emphasis on the fibrous, injectable in situ forming, foam, 3D freeze-dried, 3D printed, and 4D scaffolds. This article highlights on scaffolds' composition which would be beneficial for developing scaffolds that could potentially help to meet the demand for both drug delivery and tissue regeneration.

Glass fiber post treatment – does it influence resin cement bond strength?

Abstract Introduction Glass-fiber posts are used in order to improve the retention of restorations in endodontically treated teeth. Objective To evaluate the bond strength of glass-fiber posts submitted to different surface treatments and cemented to the root canal dentin with self-adhesive resin cement. Material and method Thirty roots of human canines were prepared and divided according to two factors: surface treatments (silane, 35% hydrogen peroxide, or sodium bicarbonate) and root thirds (cervical and middle thirds). The glass-fiber posts were cemented with self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX U200). After 24 h, the specimens were prepared for microtensile bond strength test (hourglass format), fracture pattern and micromorphological assessment by scanning electronic microscopy, in order to measure the cement line. Result The data (MPa and µm) were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 5%). The surface treatments influenced the bond strength of the posts cemented with self-adhesive resin cement (p<0.00). The mean bond strength (standard deviations) differed according to the region of root dentin (p<0.00): the cervical region (Control: 19.16MPa (3.71); Silane: 25.65MPa (4.04); Hydrogen peroxide: 24.43MPa (3.16); Sodium bicarbonate: 37.42MPa (8.27)) showed higher bond strength values than the middle third of the root (Control: 14.66MPa (4.65); Silane: 12.52MPa (5.03); Hydrogen peroxide: 10.64MPa (3.33); Sodium bicarbonate: 10.87MPa (2.49)). Conclusion Treatment of the glass-fiber post surface with chemical and physical agents increased the bond strength of the cement-post-dentin interface in the cervical third and the treatment with Sodium bicarbonate showed better results in bond strength.

Effect of thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coating on bonding to glass fibre posts

AIM

To evaluate the alterations promoted by a thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coating on the surface of glass fibre posts and their effect on the bond strength of resin-core materials to the posts.

METHODOLOGY

Fibre post surfaces were treated with experimental thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coatings or clinically available treatments (i.e. hydrogen peroxide and methylene chloride); nontreated posts were used as controls. The contact angles formed between the post surface and the water/adhesive were measured with a tensiometer. Scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive spectroscopy were used to examine the topographies and chemical changes in the post surfaces following treatment. Surface roughness was evaluated with laser interferometry. Core resin was bonded to the fibre posts, and microtensile bond strength testing was subsequently performed. The data were individually submitted to anova and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The water contact angle was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by the thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coating. All treatments significantly increased the adhesive contact angle (P ≤ 0.016) compared to the control as well as the surface roughness (P ≤ 0.006) and the amount of Si on post surfaces. Greater percentages of Si were observed for the thermally deposited coating. The bond strength to the posts was significantly improved by the thermally deposited coating (P < 0.05), whereas the other treatments did not differ from the control.

CONCLUSION

Treating the surface of glass fibre posts with a thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coating improved the bond strength to resin-based materials. The coating could be performed by manufacturers of glass fibre posts in order to reduce the number of clinical steps required for luting posts into root canals.

Effect of different fiber post surface treatments on microtensile bond strength to composite resin

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The interface of fiber post and composite resin is a site of potential failure of adhesion. Improving this interface adhesion through different pretreatments of the fiber post surface has been suggested, but the results are controversial.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect on the bond strength to composite resin of pretreating glass fiber post surfaces with hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, and a silane coupling agent.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Glass fiber posts were treated for 1 or 5 minutes with 30% hydrogen peroxide or 35% phosphoric acid. Treated posts were divided into silanization and no silanization groups. Control groups included no treatment or treatment with silanization alone (total of 10 groups; n=14). Composite resin was bonded to the fiber posts, and the specimens were cut into beams with the fiber post in the middle and the composite resin at both sides. The beams were attached to a mechanical testing device, and microtensile bond strength was evaluated. Fracture modes were assessed using stereomicroscopy. Statistical analysis was done with 3- and 2-way ANOVA (α=.05). Additional specimens were evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate the effect of treatments on the characteristics of fiber post surfaces.

RESULTS

The highest bond strength values were found in the group treated with phosphoric acid for 5 minutes with silanization, followed by the group treated with silanization alone. ANOVA showed a statistically significant effect for silanization (P<.05), but no statistically significant effect for surface treatment. SEM evaluation revealed cracked and dislodged superficial fibers in all groups, with no obvious difference in fiber exposure among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The silane coupling agent had a significant effect on the bond strength of the tested glass fiber posts to composite resin, whereas 30% hydrogen peroxide or 35% phosphoric acid did not.

Biomaterials-based nanofiber scaffold: targeted and controlled carrier for cell and drug delivery

Nanofiber scaffold formulations (diameter less than 1000 nm) were successfully used to deliver the drug/cell/gene into the body organs through different routes for an effective treatment of various diseases. Various fabrication methods like drawing, template synthesis, fiber-mesh, phase separation, fiber-bonding, self-assembly, melt-blown, and electrospinning are successfully used for fabrication of nanofibers. These formulations are widely used in various fields such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, cosmetics, as filter media, protective clothing, wound dressing, homeostatic, sensor devices, etc. The present review gives a detailed account on the need of the nanofiber scaffold formulation development along with the biomaterials and techniques implemented for fabrication of the same against innumerable diseases. At present, there is a huge extent of research being performed worldwide on all aspects of biomolecules delivery. The unique characteristics of nanofibers such as higher loading efficiency, superior mechanical performance (stiffness and tensile strength), controlled release behavior, and excellent stability helps in the delivery of plasmid DNA, large protein drugs, genetic materials, and autologous stem-cell to the target site in the future.