Clinical trials sponsored by industry and other private organizations

Abstract The present manuscript discussed some relevant aspects related to private sponsored clinical trials in dentistry. For decades, the academy has been the major responsible for research in Brazil. Distant from the trade sector, academic research has not always provided clear benefits to society. A key aspect of making benefits clearer is the process of scientific knowledge transference to decision-makers, which is, in fact, the ground of evidence-based dentistry. Although private sponsoring of clinical research seems to be part of the research progress of the business rates, investment in Brazil is lower than those observed in other countries. It is particularly important to understand that instead of creating its own rules, dentistry imported the high-quality standards originally designed for pharmaceutical studies. Therefore, it is critical to understand the original rules and how dental items are classified by regulatory agencies. In fact, knowledge about international and local regulation is a basic assumption in industry-sponsored research. Despite globalization, the identification of industry-sponsored studies through open access databases is still very hard and time-demanding. A common concern when conducting industry-sponsored trials is study biases. Fortunately, many relevant organizations, academic and industry groups, have been working seriously against that. Finally, for less experienced researchers, many aspects related to industry-sponsored studies - such as confidentiality, authorship, budget - are deeply discussed until a final version of the trial agreement can be written and signed, protecting all sides. In short, the scenario should be improved, but it already represents a nice opportunity for dental research.

Bonding efficiency and durability: current possibilities

Abstract Bonding plays a major role in dentistry nowadays. Dental adhesives are used in association with composites to solve many restorative issues. However, the wide variety of bonding agents currently available makes it difficult for clinicians to choose the best alternative in terms of material and technique, especially when different clinical situations are considered. Moreover, although bonding agents allow for a more conservative restorative approach, achieving a durable adhesive interface remains a matter of concern, and this mainly due to degradation of the bonding complex in the challenging oral environment. This review aims to present strategies that are being used or those still in development which may help to prevent degradation. It is fundamental that professionals are aware of these strategies to counteract degradation as much as possible. None of them are efficient to completely solve this problem, but they certainly represent reasonable alternatives to increase the lifetime of adhesive restorations.

Thermal-induced polymerization shrinkage in silorane versus methacrylate based resin composite / Contração de polimeração induzida termicamenteem resinas compostas a base de silorano e metacrilato

Shrinkage is a limitation of resin composite, compromising the clinical longevity of the restorative procedure. In an attempt to reduce their harmful effects, researchers have studied monomers with lower values of contraction. As a result, low-shrinkage composites were developed. This study evaluated quantitatively the shrinkage as a function of power density increase based on methacrylates, comparing them with silorane based resin, and qualitatively regarding gap formation between the adhesive interface as function of tooth substrate. Resin Filtek P90 and Filtek Z250 were polymerized with the device Blue Star 3 with 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mW/cm2 keeping volume constant in 12 mm3. For qualitative analysis of restorative interface, class V cavity preparations in bovine incisors were restored in (2x2x2 mm3), photoactivated with the same values of irradiance, and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy at the interface of the wall surrounding enamel, dentin and axial. The quantitative results of the polymerization shrinkage were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05), while qualitative data were submitedd to Mann-Whitney's, Kruskal-Wallis' and Miller's tests. The progressive increase in power density directly influenced the polymerization shrinkage of the materials studied, although the silorane based resin demonstrated significantly lower values. The marginal integrity was influenced by the dental substrate and the power density used.

Este estudo avaliou quantitativamente a contração de polimerização em função do aumento dos valores de densidade de potência irradiados em compósitos à base de metacrilatos e silorano, e qualitativamente a interface restauradora em relação à abertura de fendas marginais, em função da variação do tipo de substrato dentário. As resinas Filtek Z250 e Filtek P90 foram fotoativadas com 200, 400, 600, 800 e 1000 mW/cm2, em um volume constante de 12mm3, e os valores de contração foram aferidos por meio da máquina de ensaios universal. Para análise qualitativa da interface restauradora, preparos cavitários classe V de (2x2x2mm3) foram restaurados em incisivos bovinos, fotoativados com os mesmos valores de irradiância, e analisados em microscopia eletrônica de varredura nas interfaces da parede circundante em esmalte, parede circundante em dentina e parede axial. Os resultados quantitativos da contração de polimerização foram analisados pelo teste ANOVA a dois critérios e Tukey (p<0,05) enquanto para os dados qualitativos os testes Mann- Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis e Miller foram empregados. O aumento progressivo da densidade de potência influenciou diretamente na contração de polimerização dos materiais estudados, não obstante a resina composta à base de silorano ter demonstrado valores significativamente menores. A integridade marginal sofreu influência do substrato dentário bem como da densidade de potência utilizada, para as duas resinas estudadas.

Water interaction and bond strength to dentin of dye-labelled adhesive as a function of the addition of rhodamine B

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigated the effect of the fluorescent dye rhodamine B (RB) for interfacial micromorphology analysis of dental composite restorations on water sorption/solubility (WS/WSL) and microtensile bond strength to dentin (µTBS) of a 3-step total etch and a 2-step self-etch adhesive system. Material and Methods The adhesives Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (MP) and Clearfil SE Bond (SE) were mixed with 0.1 mg/mL of RB. For the WS/WSL tests, cured resin disks (5.0 mm in diameter x 0.8 mm thick) were prepared and assigned into four groups (n=10): MP, MP-RB, SE, and SE-RB. For µTBS assessment, extracted human third molars (n=40) had the flat occlusal dentin prepared and assigned into the same experimental groups (n=10). After the bonding and restoration procedures, specimens were sectioned in rectangular beams, stored in water and tested after seven days or after 12 months. The failure mode of fractured specimens was qualitatively evaluated under optical microscope (x40). Data from WS/WSL and µTBS were assessed by one-way and three-way ANOVA, respectively, and Tukey’s test (α=5%). Results RB increased the WSL of MP and SE. On the other hand, WS of both MP and SE was not affected by the addition of RB. No significance in µTBS between MP and MP-RB for seven days or one year was observed, whereas for SE a decrease in the µTBS means occurred in both storage times. Conclusions RB should be incorporated into non-simplified DBSs with caution, as it can interfere with their physical-mechanical properties, leading to a possible misinterpretation of bonded interface.