Effect of Xylitol Varnishes on the Inhibition of Demineralization in Vitro

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of xylitol varnishes in the inhibition of enamel demineralization in vitro. Material and Methods: Bovine enamel blocks (n=120) were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 30), and the surface hardness (SH) was measured at baseline. The blocks were treated with the following varnishes: 20% xylitol, 20% xylitol plus F (5% NaF), Duraphat™ (5% NaF, positive control), and placebo (no-F/xylitol, negative control). The varnishes were applied and removed after 6 h of immersion in artificial saliva. The blocks were subjected to pH cycles (demineralization and remineralization for 2 and 22h/day, respectively, for 8 days). Surface and cross-sectional hardnesses were measured to calculate the percentage of SH loss (%SHL) and the integrated loss of the subsurface hardness (ΔKHN). Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey's tests (p<0.05). Results: %SHL was significantly decreased by 20% xylitol plus F, Duraphat™, and 20% xylitol varnishes compared to placebo. The use of 20% xylitol plus F varnish led to a significantly lower percentage of SH loss compared to the use of 20% xylitol varnish without F. However, the experimental and commercial varnishes led to significantly lower subsurface demineralization compared to placebo and did not differ from each other. Conclusion: Xylitol varnishes, especially when combined with F, effectively prevent enamel demineralization (AU).

Experimental composite containing silicon dioxide-coated silver nanoparticles for orthodontic bonding: Antimicrobial activity and shear bond strength

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity and shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets to bovine enamel using experimental composites with different concentrations of silicon dioxide-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag@SiO2 NPs). Methods: Fifty bovine incisors were divided into five groups according to the composite (n = 10): G1 - Control Group (Transbond XT Resin), G2 - Experimental composite without Ag@SiO2 NPs; G3 - Experimental composite with 0.5% of Ag@SiO2 NPs; G4 - Experimental composite with 1% of Ag@SiO2 NPs; G5 - Experimental composite with 3% of Ag@SiO2 NPs. The SBS test was performed using a universal mechanical testing machine, and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was analyzed by optical microscopy. For the antimicrobial activity evaluation, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm was formed for three days in hydroxyapatite discs. Posteriorly, S. mutans colony forming units (CFU) were evaluated. For SBS analysis, Analysis of Variance was used, followed by the Tukey test, at a 5% statistical significance level. The CFU data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, followed by Dunn as a post-hoc test. The ARI results were analyzed descriptively. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in SBS values between the experimental and control groups (p>0.05). A 3% incorporation of Ag@SiO2 NPs statistically reduced the SBS values (p<0.05) compared to the 1% group. The addition of 3% of Ag@SiO2 NPs to the composites significantly reduced S. mutans biofilm formation, compared to group G2 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Composites incorporating 3% of Ag@SiO2 NPs presented similar SBS values compared to the control group, and showed significant antimicrobial activity.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou investigar a atividade antimicrobiana e a resistência de união ao cisalhamento (RU) de braquetes ortodônticos colados em esmalte bovino, utilizando compósitos experimentais com diferentes concentrações de nanopartículas de prata revestidas com dióxido de silício (NPs Ag@SiO2). Material e Métodos: Cinquenta incisivos bovinos foram divididos em cinco grupos, de acordo com o compósito utilizado (n = 10): G1 - Grupo Controle (Resina Transbond XT); G2 - Compósito Experimental sem NPs Ag@SiO2; G3 - Compósito Experimental com 0,5% de NPs Ag@SiO2; G4 - Composto Experimental com 1% de NPs Ag@SiO2; e G5 - Compósito Experimental com 3% de NPs Ag@SiO2. O teste de RU foi realizado em máquina universal de ensaios mecânicos, e o índice de adesivo remanescente (IAR) foi analisado por microscopia óptica. Para a avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana, biofilme de S. mutans foi formado por três dias em discos de hidroxiapatita. Posteriormente, foram avaliadas as unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) de S. mutans. Para a análise de RU, foi utilizada a Análise de Variância, seguida do teste de Tukey, com nível de significância estatística de 5%. Os dados de UFC foram analisados por meio do teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido do teste post-hoc de Dunn. Os resultados de IAR foram analisados descritivamente. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores de RU entre os grupos experimentais e o grupo controle (p> 0,05). A incorporação de 3% de NPs Ag@SiO2 reduziu estatisticamente os valores de RU (p< 0,05), em comparação ao grupo com 1%. A adição de 3% de NPs Ag@SiO2 ao compósito reduziu significativamente a formação de biofilme de S. mutans, em relação ao grupo G2 (p< 0,05). Conclusão: Os compósitos com incorporação de 3% de NPs Ag@SiO2 apresentaram valores de RU semelhantes ao grupo controle e demonstraram significativa atividade antimicrobiana.

Mechanical properties and surface roughness of polymer-based materials containing DCPD particles

Abstract The purpose of this study was to synthesize dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) particles functionalized with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) through different routes by varying the receptor solution: ammonium phosphate (AP groups) or calcium nitrate (CN groups) and the moment in which TEGDMA was incorporated: ab initio (ab) or at the end of dripping the solution (ap). Two syntheses were performed without adding TEGDMA (nf). The particles were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, true density (using a helium pycnometer), surface area, and scanning electron microscopy. A 20 vol% of DCPD particles from the D, E, and F groups was added to the resin matrix to determine the degree of conversion (DC), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), the flexural modulus (FM), and surface roughness after an abrasive challenge (RA). A group with silanized barium glass particles was tested as a control. The data were submitted to ANOVA/Tukey's test (DC, BFS, and RA), and the Kruskal-Wallis test (FM) (alpha = 0.05). BFS values varied between 83 and 142 MPa, and the CN_ab group presented a similar value (123 MPa) to the control group. FM values varied between 3.6 and 8.7 GPa (CN_ab and CN_nf groups, respectively), with a significant difference found only between these groups. RA did not result in significant differences. The use of calcium nitrate solution as a receptor, together with ab initio functionalization formed particles with larger surface areas. Higher BFS values were observed for the material containing DCPD particles with a higher surface area. In general, the DC, FM, and RA values were not affected by the variables studied.

Trends in restorative composites research: what is in the future?

Abstract Clinical trials have identified secondary caries and bulk fracture as the main causes for composite restoration failure. As a measure to avoid frequent reinterventions for restoration replacement, composites with some sort of defense mechanism against biofilm formation and demineralization, as well as materials with lower susceptibility to crack propagation are necessary. Also, the restorative procedure with composites are very time-consuming and technically demanding, particularly concerning the application of the adhesive system. Therefore, together with bulk-fill composites, self-adhesive restorative composites could reduce operator error and chairside time. This literature review describes the current stage of development of remineralizing, antibacterial and self-healing composites. Also, an overview of the research on fiber-reinforced composites and self-adhesive composites, both introduced for clinical use in recent years, is presented.

Síntese e caracterização de partículas de fosfato de cálcio funcionalizadas com TEGDMA e sua aplicação no desenvolvimento de materiais resinosos remineralizadores / Synthesis and characterization of calcium phosphate particles functionalized with TEGDMA and their application in the development of remineralizing resin-based materials

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram : 1) sintetizar e caracterizar partículas de fosfato di-cálcico di-hidratado (DCPD) funcionalizadas com dimetacrilato de trietileno glicol (TEGDMA), com o propósito de reduzir a aglomeração e melhorar a interação entre as partículas e a matriz orgânica dos materiais resinosos e 2) avaliar o efeito da adição de partículas funcionalizadas em uma matriz resinosa em relação a liberação de íons, propriedades ópticas, grau de conversão, propriedades mecânicas e microestrutura do material. Na primeira etapa do trabalho foram sintetizadas pelo método sol-gel dois tipos partículas de DCPD: funcionalizadas e puras. Além dessas, caracterizou-se nesta etapa partículas comerciais do mesmo composto. As partículas foram caracterizadas por difração de raio X (DRX), espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise elementar, análise termogravimétrica (TGA), isortermas de adsorção de nitrogênio e método BET, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e espalhamento de luz dinâmico (DLS). Na segunda etapa do trabalho, um novo lote de partículas funcionalizadas foi sintetizado, e como controle, sintetizou-se partículas não funcionalizadas. Quatro materiais resinosos foram formulados, um deles contendo apenas BisGMA e TEGDMA (1:1 em mols) e os demais contendo, além da matriz resinosa, 20% (em volume) de partículas funcionalizadas, partículas não funcionalizadas ou sílica coloidal silanizada. Os materiais foram avaliados quanto à liberação de íons, propriedades ópticas (transmitância total e E em relação à resina sem carga), grau de conversão (GC), resistência à flexão biaxial (RFB), módulo de elasticidade e análise microestrutural...

The aims of this study were: 1) to synthesize and characterize dicalcium phosphate dihidrate (DCPD) particles functionalized with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), with the purpose of reducing agglomeration and improve the interaction between the particles and the organic matrix of resin-based materials and 2) evaluate the effect of the addition of functionalized particles in a resin matrix regarding ion release, optical properties, degree of conversion, mechanical properties and microstructure. In the first part of the study, two types of DCPD particles were synthesized by a sol-gel method: functionalized and bare. Additionally, proprietary DCPD particles were also characterized. Particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (DRX), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Nitrogen adsorption isotherms and BET method, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In the second part, a new batch was synthesized and, as a control, non-functionalized nanoparticles were synthesized. Four resin-based materials were prepared, one containing only BisGMA and TEGDMA (1:1 in mols) and the other containing besides the resin, 20 % (in volume) of functionalized, non-functionalized or silanized colloidal silica particles. Materials were evaluated for ion release, optical properties (total transmittance and E, in relation to the unfilled resin), degree of conversion (DC), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), elastic modulus and microstructural analysis. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), complemented by Tukey test, with a global significance level of 5%. Particles composition was confirmed by DRX, while functionalization was confirmed by FTIR , elemental analysis and TGA. Functionalized particles presented surface area up to three times higher compared to bare and proprietary particles. These findings were confirmed by DLS, which found larger...

Minimal alterations on the enamel surface by micro-abrasion: in vitro roughness and wear assessments

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the in vitro changes on the enamel surface after a micro-abrasion treatment promoted by different products. Material and Methods: Fifty (50) fragments of bovine enamel (15 mm × 5 mm) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=10) according to the product utilized: G1 (control)= silicone polisher (TDV), G2= 37% phosphoric acid (3M/ESPE) + pumice stone (SS White), G3= Micropol (DMC Equipment), G4= Opalustre (Ultradent) and G5= Whiteness RM (FGM Dental Products). Roughness and wear were the responsible variables used to analyze these surfaces in four stages: baseline, 60 s and 120 s after the micro-abrasion and after polishing, using a Hommel Tester T1000 device. After the tests, a normal distribution of data was verified, with repeated ANOVA analyses (p≤0.05) which were used to compare each product in different stages. One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were applied for individual comparisons between the products in each stage (p≤0.05). Results: Means and standard deviations of roughness and wear (µm) after all the promoted stages were: G1=7.26(1.81)/13.16(2.67), G2=2.02(0.62)/37.44(3.33), G3=1.81(0.91)/34.93(6.92), G4=1.92(0.29)/38.42(0.65) and G5=1.98(0.53)/33.45(2.66). At 60 seconds, all products tended to produce less surface roughness with a variable gradual decrease over time. After polishing, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, except for G1. Independent of the product utilized, the enamel wear occurred after the micro-abrasion. Conclusions: In this in vitro study, enamel micro-abrasion presented itself as a conservative approach, regardless of the type of the paste compound utilized. These products promoted minor roughness alterations and minimal wear. The use of phosphoric acid and pumice stone showed similar results to commercial products for the micro-abrasion with regard to the surface roughness and wear. .