Influence of Novel Experimental Light-Cured Resin Cement on Microtensile Bond Strength

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and Knoop hardness number (KHN) of a novel experimental light-cured resin cement (HL). Eighteen flat dentin surfaces of human molars were polished using #600 SiC paper and bonded to CAD/CAM resin blocks with the respective resin cements and composites: HL, Panavia V5 (PV), and Clearfil AP-X (AP). All specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 h and 7 days. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) observations were performed to evaluate filler morphology and to detect the elements. The resin cements had a significant effect on the immediate µTBS (F = 22.59, p < 0.05) and after water storage µTBS (F = 22.83, p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the KHN between the tested materials were observed, and HL indicated the highest KHN when compared with PV. HL showed a combination of the regular-shaped filler and spherical-shaped filler within the matrix. Silicon was detected in HL from the EDX evaluation. HL exhibited better bonding performance and polymerization, which may have contributed to the improvement of the adhesive strength.

Ultrasonic measurement of dentin remineralization effects of dentifrices and silver diamine fluoride

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the dentin remineralization effect of the application of a functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (fTCP) dentifrice and a silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The materials used were: a fluoride-containing dentifrice with fTCP (fTCP＋), a fluoride-containing dentifrice without fTCP (fTCP-) and a 38% SDF solution. Following treatment, the dentin slabs were immersed in a 0.1-M lactic acid buffer solution and then placed in artificial saliva. This procedure was repeated three times daily for 28 days. The propagation time of longitudinal ultrasonic velocities (UV) and the Knoop hardness (KH) of the samples were measured. The samples were also observed using scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The SDF and fTCP＋ groups showed higher UV than the fTCP - group regardless of the application method. The F-SDF group at 28 days showed significantly higher UV (4121 ± 102 m/s) than the F-fTCP + group (3731 ± 65 m/s) (p < .05). The F-SDF group at 28 days showed significantly higher KH (47.4 ± 2.2) than the F-fTCP＋ group (43.3 ± 1.0) and the F-fTCP - group (42.9 ± 2.1) (p < .05). Closure of the dentinal tubules and crystal precipitation was detected on the surface of the fTCP＋ group to a greater extent than the fTCP - group.

CONCLUSIONS

The fTCP-containing dentifrice and SDF solution effectively enhanced bovine dentin remineralization.

Influence of polymerization methods and priming agents on the bond strength between resin luting agents and gold alloy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of polymerization methods and a metal priming agent on the bond strength between gold alloy for metal ceramic restorations and dual-cure-type resin luting agents, and on the strength and hardness of the luting agents.

METHODS

A total of 154 disks cast by a gold alloy were treated with or without a metal priming agent. One of the three luting agents was applied on the disk. The luting agent was either chemically or dual-polymerized. The shear bond strength was measured both before and after thermocycling. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, flexural strength test, and Knoop hardness test were performed.

RESULTS

Significant differences among the luting agents were observed in terms of bond strength and flexural strength. Significant differences between chemically and dual-polymerized luting agents were observed regarding shear bond strength, flexural strength, and Knoop hardness before thermocycling. The application of the priming agent was effective only for a luting agent.

CONCLUSION

Both bond strength and flexural strength differed among three luting agents. The effect of the priming agent on bond strength differed among the luting agents. Both the bond and flexural strength of a chemically polymerized luting agent differed before or after thermocycling.

Hardness Development in Resin Composite Core Materials

PURPOSE

To investigate the hardness characteristics of 13 contemporary resin core materials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Specimens (n = 12) were fabricated using stainless steel molds with top surfaces of dual-cure products photopolymerized while additional groups were allowed to self-cure. Twelve Knoop hardness indentations 500 microns apart were obtained of photopolymerized top and bottom sample surfaces as well as the self-cured sample surface with the mean recorded as the representative sample hardness. Testing was completed at 10 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours. In addition, hardness values were compared to that obtained from polished coronal dentin samples. Mean data between groups were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's, within groups with repeated measures ANOVA/Tukey's.

RESULTS

Hardness results were material dependent. All but two products demonstrated a 0.8 bottom/top Knoop hardness ratio at 10 minutes. Product's self-cure cure reaction did not attain hardness similarity with any photopolymerized top surfaces and while some materials were found to have similar dentin hardness to resin top surface ratio similarity, only one product had hardness equal to or greater than that of dentin during any time period.

CONCLUSIONS

Under this study's conditions, hardness development was material dependent and all but two products demonstrated adequate hardness-derived degree of cure assessment at 10 minutes after preparation. Self-cured samples demonstrated hardness increase; however, no self-cured material achieved hardness similarity to photopolymerized top surfaces. None of the materials achieved hardness similarity to dentin and only one product demonstrated hardness greater than that of dentin.

Effect of Simulated Pulpal Pressure on Knoop Hardness of Two Self-etch Adhesives with Different Aggressiveness

AIM

Simulated pulpal pressure (PP) has been shown to affect the bond strength and nanoleakage of different adhesives at dentin interfaces but the effect of simulated PP on polymerization of adhesives has not been studied yet. Furthermore, it has been proposed that strong and mild self-etch adhesives have different polymerization behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of simulated PP on polymerization of two self-etch adhesives, Adper Prompt L-Pop (APLP) and Adper Easy Bond (AEB), by means of the Knoop hardness test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty caries-free human molars were used to prepare deep dentin specimens with a mean remaining dentin thickness of 0.9 mm. The specimens were bonded in the absence or presence of PP. The specimens were assigned to four equal groups (n = 15) as follows: AEB/-PP, APLP/-PP, AEB/+PP, and APLP/+PP. Bonding procedures were completed; then the specimens' hardness was measured with the Knoop test. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and the t test.

RESULTS

In the absence of PP, the hardness of AEB was significantly higher than that of APLP (p < 0.001). In contrast, when PP was simulated, the hardness of APLP was higher than that of AEB (p = 0.002). The hardness of AEB was not influenced by the presence of PP (p = 0.153). Simulation of PP resulted in a significant improvement in the hardness of APLP (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The polymerization degree of strong self-etch adhesive was lower compared to mild self-etch adhesive. In the presence of hydrostatic PP, the polymerization degree of strong self-etch adhesive was higher than mild self-etch adhesive.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Dentin moisture caused by positive PP might improve polymerization of strong self-etch adhesives.

Comparative Microbiological Evaluation after Caries Removal by Various Burs

Aim

The aim of the study was to compare the caries removal efficacy in terms of bacteriology and efficiency in terms of time taken by conventional and smart burs.

Materials and methods

A total of 40 extracted permanent molars with occlusal caries were selected for this study. These teeth were split at the center of carious lesion buccolingually, in order to obtain two similar halves. Thus, 80 samples were obtained in this way and were randomly divided into 2 groups of 40 samples each. Caries was removed using conventional burs in group I and polymer bur Smartprep (SS white) in group II. The time involved in caries removal was measured for both the groups. After excavation of all carious lesions, the samples were decalcified, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin wax from which thin sections of 5 μm were obtained, which were histologically evaluated for bacterial presence under a light microscope.

Results

An intergroup comparison between conventional bur (group I) and smart bur (group II) showed a statistically nonsignificant difference in terms of the presence of microorganisms after caries removal with a p value of 0.073638 (p > 0.05). However, the time taken for caries removal was significantly more for smart burs than diamond burs with a p value of 0.001 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The polymer burs were found to be as effective as the conventional burs in terms of microbial presence after caries removal, but are more time-consuming than conventional burs.

How to cite this article

Somani R, Chaudhary R, Jaidka S, et al. Comparative Microbiological Evaluation after Caries Removal by Various Burs. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):524-527.

The interrelationship of microstructure and hardness of human coronal dentin using reference point indentation technique and micro-Raman spectroscopy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to determine the interrelationship between the microstructure - in terms of chemical composition and crystallinity - to the microhardness of coronal dentin.

METHODS

Dentin microhardness was tested by a novel reference point indenter and compared to the traditional Knoop hardness method. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical composition and crystallinity of dentin.

RESULTS

From the occlusal groove to the border of the coronal pulp chamber, dentin hardness decreased from superficial dentin (SD) to deep dentin (DD). Mineral/organic matrix ratios (phosphate/CH and phosphate/amide I) also decreased from SD to DD; however, this change was significant (P<0.05) in the phosphate/amide I ratio only. The phosphate/carbonate ratio decreased significantly by varying position from SD to DD. The degree of the crystallinity, as measured by the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak at 960cm^-1, decreased significantly going from superficial to deep dentin.

SIGNIFICANCE

For the first time, the interrelationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties of coronal dentin was determined by using the novel reference point indentation technique and micro-Raman spectroscopy. We hypothesize that the decrease in hardness from superficial to deep dentin can potentially be explained by decreased mineral content and increased carbonate content, which is also associated with decreased crystallinity. Collectively, there is a positive association between dentin hardness and mineral content and a negative association between dentin hardness and carbonate content.

Effect of monomer blend and chlorhexidine-adding on physical, mechanical and biological properties of experimental infiltrants

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate antimicrobial inhibition zone, degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop hardness (KH) of experimental infiltrants. Experimental low viscosity monomer blends were prepared and chlorhexidine diacetate salt (CHX) (0.1% or 0.2%) was added comprising the groups: G1) TEGDMA; G2) TEGDMA/0.1CHX; G3) TEGDMA/0.2CHX; G4) TEGDMA/UDMA; G5) TEGDMA/UDMA/0.1CHX; G6) TEGDMA/UDMA/0.2CHX; G7) TEGDMA/BISEMA; G8) TEGDMA/BISEMA/0.1CHX; G9) TEGDMA/BISEMA/0.2CHX. Icon^® was used as control group.

METHODS

Specimens of resin blends were made (n=9) to accomplished DC and KH. Pour plate was accomplished to evaluate antimicrobial groups' activity against Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA). Data obtained were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests for blends comparisons and Dunnett's test for comparisons between experimental infiltrants and Icon^® (p<0.05).

RESULTS

In relation to antimicrobial effect, uncured blends showed higher antibacterial activity than cured ones for the most of blends. After polymerization, G5 showed the highest inhibition zone against SM and, G3 and G6 against LA. Concerning KH, TEGDMA/UDMA-based blends showed the highest values of KH number and it was influenced by monomeric base, regardless CHX concentration. DC was not affected by monomer blend composition, neither for CHX concentration. The antimicrobial activity was affected by monomeric base, CHX concentration and polymerization. Experimental infiltrants presented similar or higher performance than Icon^® for the properties evaluated.

SIGNIFICANCE

White spot lesion infiltration with low viscosity monomer blends (infiltrants) is an alternative to stop initial caries lesions progression. The incorporation of an antimicrobial agent as chlorhexidine diacetate salt in infiltrants composition could enhance the performance of these materials.

Maturation stage enamel malformations in Amtn and Klk4 null mice

Amelotin (AMTN) and kallikrein-4 (KLK4) are secreted proteins specialized for enamel biomineralization. We characterized enamel from wild-type, Amtn(-/-), Klk4(-/-), Amtn(+/-)Klk4(+/-) and Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) mice to gain insights into AMTN and KLK4 functions during amelogenesis. All of the null mice were healthy and fertile. The mandibular incisors in Amtn(-/-), Klk4(-/-) and Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) mice were chalky-white and chipped. No abnormalities except in enamel were observed, and no significant differences were detected in enamel thickness or volume, or in rod decussation. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) maximum intensity projections localized the onset of enamel maturation in wild-type incisors distal to the first molar, but mesial to this position in Amtn(-/-), Klk4(-/-) and Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) mice, demonstrating a delay in enamel maturation in Amtn(-/-) incisors. Micro-CT detected significantly reduced enamel mineral density (2.5 and 2.4gHA/cm(3)) in the Klk4(-/-) and Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) mice respectively, compared with wild-type enamel (3.1gHA/cm(3)). Backscatter scanning electron microscopy showed that mineral density progressively diminished with enamel depth in the Klk4(-/-) and Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) mice. The Knoop hardness of the Amtn(-/-) outer enamel was significantly reduced relative to the wild-type and was not as hard as the middle or inner enamel. Klk4(-/-) enamel hardness was significantly reduced at all levels, but the outer enamel was significantly harder than the inner and middle enamel. Thus the hardness patterns of the Amtn(-/-) and Klk4(-/-) mice were distinctly different, while the Amtn(-/-)Klk4(-/-) outer enamel was not as hard as in the Amtn(-/-) and Klk4(-/-) mice. We conclude that AMTN and KLK4 function independently, but are both necessary for proper enamel maturation.

Influence of fluorescent dye on physical-mechanical properties of luting cements for confocal microscopy analysis

AIMS

To evaluate the influence of a fluorescent dye (rhodamine B) on the physical and mechanical properties of three different luting cements: a conventional adhesive luting cement (RelyX ARC, 3M/ESPE), a self-adhesive luting cement (RelyX U-200, 3M/ESPE), and a self-etching and self-adhesive luting cement (SeT PP, SDI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cements were mixed with 0.03 wt% rhodamine B, formed into bar-shaped specimens (n = 10), and light cured using an LED curing unit (Radii, SDI) with a radiant exposure of 32 J/cm(2) . The Knoop hardness (KHN), flexural strength (FS), and Young's modulus (YM) analyses were evaluated after storage for 24 h.

RESULTS

Outcomes were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (P = 0.05) for multiple comparisons. No significant differences in FS or YM were observed among the tested groups (P ≥ 0.05); the addition of rhodamine B increased the hardness of the luting cements tested.

CONCLUSION

The addition of a fluorescent agent at 0.03 wt% concentration does not negatively affect the physical-mechanical properties of the luting cement polymerization behavior.

Hardness, polymerization depth, and internal adaptation of Class II silorane composite restorations as a function of polymerization protocol

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of various photoactivation techniques on the internal gap, Knoop-hardness, and polymerization depth of silorane- and methacrylate-based composites in Class II restorations.

METHODS

Preparations were made in third molars (n = 10), according to composites (Filtek P60: methacrylate; Filtek P90: silorane) and photoactivation techniques (OC: occlusal photoactivation (control); OBL: occlusal+buccal+lingual photoactivation; and BLO: buccal+lingual+occlusal photoactivation (transdental)). Composites were inserted in two increments, both individually photoactivated for 20s. After 24h, specimens were sectioned and the ratio of internal gaps to interface length (%) recorded. Hardness was tested across the transversal section of restorations (1-4 mm below the surface).

RESULTS

Silorane restorations showed significantly lower gaps compared with methacrylate, regardless of polymerization technique (P<.05). Supplementary energy dose in OBL and BLO protocols caused significant increase in gaps in silorane restorations (P<.05). For methacrylate restorations, OBL activation caused significantly higher gap formation (P<.05). Significantly lower hardness values were seen for silorane than for methacrylate composites (P<.05), regardless of depth and photoactivation. Significantly higher hardness values were seen in BLO activation for methacrylate restorations compared with control (P<.05); for silorane, no differences were observed. Significantly higher hardness values were observed at 1 and 3 mm compared to 2 and 4 mm for both composites.

CONCLUSIONS

Internal gaps and hardness are affected by composite type and photoactivation. Despite the reduced values, hardness of silorane is not influenced by photoactivation or by depth. Internal gaps are dependent on the energy dose for both composites, with silorane showing lower internal gaps.