Effect of a calcium hydroxide-based intracanal medicament containing N-2-methyl pyrrolidone as a vehicle against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm

Abstract This study investigated the effect of a calcium hydroxide (CH) paste (CleaniCal®) containing N-2-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as a vehicle on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilms compared with other products containing saline (Calasept Plus™) or propylene glycol (PG) (Calcipex II®). Methodology Standardized bovine root canal specimens were used. The antibacterial effects were measured by colony-forming unit counting. The thickness of bacterial microcolonies and exopolysaccharides was assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Morphological features of the biofilms were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Bovine tooth blocks covered with nail polish were immersed into the vehicles and dispelling was observed. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Results CleaniCal® showed the highest antibacterial activity, followed by Calcipex II® (p<0.05). Moreover, NMP showed a higher antibacterial effect compared with PG (p<0.05). The thickness of bacteria and EPS in the CleaniCal® group was significantly lower than that of other materials tested (p<0.05). FE-SEM images showed the specimens treated with Calasept Plus™ were covered with biofilms, whereas the specimens treated with other medicaments were not. Notably, the specimen treated with CleaniCal® was cleaner than the one treated with Calcipex II®. Furthermore, the nail polish on the bovine tooth block immersed in NMP was completely dispelled. Conclusions CleaniCal® performed better than Calasept Plus™ and Calcipex II® in the removal efficacy of E. faecalis biofilms. The results suggest the effect might be due to the potent dissolving effect of NMP on organic substances.

Dentin pretreatment and adhesive temperature as affecting factors on bond strength of a universal adhesive system

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effects of dentin pretreatment and temperature on the bond strength of a universal adhesive system to dentin. Material and Methods: Ninety-six extracted non-carious human third molars were randomly divided into 12 groups (n=8) according to Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SbU) applied in self-etch (SE) and etch-and-rinse (ER) mode, adhesive temperature (20°C or 37°C) and sodium bicarbonate or aluminum oxide air abrasion. After composite build up, bonded sticks with cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 were obtained to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS). The specimens were tested at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min on a testing machine until failure. Fractured specimens were analyzed under stereomicroscope to determine the failure patterns in adhesive, cohesive (dentin or resin) and mixed fractures. The microtensile bond strength data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=5%). Results: Interaction between treatment and temperature was statistically significant for SbU applied in self-etch technique. Both dentin treatments showed higher bond strength for ER mode, regardless of adhesive temperature. When compared to control group, sodium bicarbonate increased bond strength of SbU in SE technique. Adhesive temperature did not significantly affect the μTBS of tested groups. Predominantly, adhesive failure was observed for all groups. Conclusions: Dentin surface treatment with sodium bicarbonate air abrasion improves bond strength of SbU, irrespective of adhesive application mode, which makes this approach an alternative to increase adhesive performance of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive to dentin.

Influência do tempo de aplicação do bicarbonato de sódio a 10% na adesão ao esmalte bovino clareado: estudo in vitro / Effect of the application time of 10% sodium bicarbonate on bleached enamel: an in vitro study

Este estudo in vitro avaliou a influência do tempo de aplicação do bicarbonato de sódio a 10% na qualidade da união de um sistema adesivo universal unido ao esmalte bovino clareado por meio de testes de resistência de união (microtração imediata e após 6 meses) e grau de conversão na interface adesiva (espectroscopia micro-Raman). Cento e dez blocos de esmalte bovino (4x4 mm) foram planificados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em 5 grupos: C: controle, sem clareamento; B: clareamento com peróxido de hidrogênio 35% (HP); BS3: clareamento com HP seguido de tratamento com a solução de bicarbonato de sódio 10% (BS) por 3 min; BS5: clareamento com HP seguido de tratamento com BS por 5 min; BS10: clareamento com HP seguido de tratamento com BS por 10 min. O HP foi aplicado duas vezes (20 minutos cada, com exceção do grupo C) e em seguida as restaurações adesivas foram realizadas. Após 24 horas, 20 espécimes de cada grupo foram seccionados em palitos (1x1 mm) e submetidos ao teste de resistência de união (imediato e após 6 meses) em máquina de ensaios universal com velocidade de 0,5 mm/min (n=10). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA a dois critérios (p <0,05). As médias das análises imediata e após 6 meses foram: C: 26,77 / 25,32; B: 26,42 / 26,42; BS3: 23,95 / 22,98; BS5: 23,65 / 26,64; BS10: 23,42 / 29,30. Nenhum dos fatores testados apresentou significância: tratamento (p=0,349) e tempo (p=0,234), não havendo interação entre estes (p=0,198). Falhas adesivas foram predominantes nos dois períodos de avaliação. Para a análise do grau de conversão, após 24 horas da restauração, 2 espécimes de cada grupo foram seccionados em fatias de 1mm, sendo apenas 3 fatias selecionadas. Os seguintes parâmetros foram utilizados: excitação dos espécimes com laser de argônio operando a 538 nm, espectro obtido a uma resolução ~4cm-1, sob uma região de espectro entre 1580-1660cm-1, verificando a altura dos picos 1608cm-1 e 1637cm-1. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA a um critério (p <0,05) e as médias do grau de conversão foram: C: 71,10%; B: 72,11%; BS3: 73,98%; BS5: 69,25%; BS10: 70,56%. O fator de estudo tratamento não apresentou significância estatística (p=0,808). A adesão no esmalte clareado parece não ter sido afetada negativamente quando restaurações adesivas foram feitas imediatamente após o clareamento, independente da aplicação ou não da substância antioxidante. Mais estudos que avaliem a adesão em esmalte clareado, principalmente no que diz respeito ao grau de conversão e aos diferentes tipos de sistemas adesivos universais se fazem necessários para fins comparativos e para que possamos indicar seguramente as restaurações imediatas (quando necessárias) na prática clínica.(AU)

The present in vitro study evaluated the influence of the application time of 10% sodium bicarbonate in the adhesion quality of a universal adhesive system bonded to bleached enamel through microtensile bond strength testing (immediate and after 6 months) and the degree conversion (micro-Raman spectroscopy). One hundred and ten bovine enamel blocks (4x4mm) were flattened and randomly allocated into 5 groups: C: control, without bleaching; B: bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP); BS3: bleached and treated with 10% sodium bicarbonate solution (BS) for 3 min; BS5: bleached and treated with BS for 5 min; BS10: bleached and treated with BS for 10 min. HP was applied twice (20 minutes each, except in group C) and the adhesive restorations were performed. After 24 hours, 20 specimens from each group were sectioned into sticks (1x1 mm) and submitted to microtensile bond strength testing (immediately and after 6 months) in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min (n = 10). Data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA (p <0.05). The means of the immediate and 6 months analysis were: C 26.77 / 25.32; B: 26.42 / 26.42; BS3: 23.95 / 22.98; BS5: 23.65 / 26.64; BS10: 23.42 / 29.30. None of the tested factors showed significance: treatment (p = 0.349) and time (p = 0.234), with no interaction between them (p = 0.198). Adhesive failures were predominant in both evaluation periods. For the degree of conversion analysis, 2 specimens of each group were sectioned into 1 mm slices after 24 hours of the restorative procedure, and 3 slices were selected. The following parameters were used: excitation of specimens with argon laser operating at 538 nm, spectrum obtained at a resolution of ~4cm-1, under a spectrum region between 1580-1660cm-1, evaluating the height of the peaks at 1608cm-1 and 1637cm-1. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p <0.05). The means of degree of conversion were: C: 71.10%; B: 72.11%; BS3: 73.98%; BS5: 69.25%; BS10: 70.56%. The study factor "treatment" was not statistically significant (p = 0.808). The results of bonding to bleached enamel was not negatively affected when adhesive restorations were made immediately after bleaching, regardless of the application of the antioxidant substance. Further studies to evaluate the adhesion on bleached enamel, mainly with regard to the degree of conversion and different types of universal adhesive systems are needed for comparative purposes. Only after this, the immediate restoration (if necessary) in clinical practice can be safely and indicated.(AU)

Effect of sodium bicarbonate on Candida albicans adherence to thermally activated acrylic resin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 5 percent sodium bicarbonate on the adherence of Candida albicans to thermally activated acrylic resin. Fifty 4 mm² specimens of acrylic resin were obtained using a metallic matrix. The specimens received chemical polishing, were sterilized and then immersed in Sabouraud broth, inoculated with Candida albicans standardized suspension. After 24 hours of incubation at 37ºC, the specimens were divided into four groups according to the substance used for disinfection (5 percent sodium bicarbonate, 0.12 percent digluconate chlorhexidine, vinegar and Corega Tabs). A control group was included, in which distilled water was used. The adhered microorganisms were dispersed, diluted and plated onto culture media to determine the number of colony-forming units (cfu/mL). The results were analyzed through the Mann-Whitney statistical test at the 5 percent level of significance. Only 0.12 percent digluconate chlorhexidine and 5 percent sodium bicarbonate presented a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0010 and p = 0.0156, respectively) compared to the control group, decreasing the number of cfu/mL. However, when the different disinfecting solutions were compared with each other, only 0.12 percent digluconate chlorhexidine presented a statistically significant difference in the reduction of cfu/mL. It was concluded that although 0.12 percent digluconate chlorhexidine was more effective in the reduction of Candida albicans adherence values to thermally activated acrylic resin, 5 percent sodium bicarbonate also proved to be a viable alternative.

Influence of physico-chemical factors on leaching of chemical additives from aluminium foils used for packaging of food materials.

In recent years, the use of aluminium foils to wrap foodstuff and commodities has been increased to a great extent. Aluminium was found to leach out from the foil in different simulants particularly in distilled water, acidic and alkaline medium at 60 +/- 2 degrees C for 2 hours and 40 +/- 2 degrees C for 24 hours. The migration was found to be above the permissible limit as laid down by WHO guidelines, that is of 0.2 mg/L of water. The protocol used for this study was based on the recommendation of Bureau of Indian Standard regarding the migration of chemical additives from packaging materials used to pack food items. Migration of the aluminium metal was found significantly higher in acidic and aqueous medium in comparison to alcoholic and saline medium. Higher temperature conditions also enhanced the rate of migration of aluminium in acidic and aqueous medium. Leaching of aluminium metal occurred in double distilled water, acetic acid 3%, normal saline and sodium carbonate, except ethanol 8%, in which aluminium migration was below the detection limit of the instrument where three brands of the aluminium foil samples studied.