Effects of an MDP-based surface cleaner on dentin structure, morphology and nanomechanical properties.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of Katana™ Cleaner (KC) in nanomechanical and triboscopic properties of etched dentin. METHODS: Dentin disks from human third molars were prepared. Two main groups of study were established in function of the etching conditioning, phosphoric acid (PA) and Clearfil SE Bond primer (CSEB). Four subgroups were tested within each group: i) untreated dentin (UD), ii) etched dentin (ED) [(PAED/CSEB)], iii) etched dentin contaminated with saliva (PAED+S)/(CSEB+S), and iv) etched and contaminated dentin treated with KC (PAED+S+KC)/(CSEB+S+KC). Nano-DMA testing and imaging, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis and nanoroughness (SRa) measurements were obtained. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images were also acquired. RESULTS: Phosphoric acid etched dentin samples and those specimens contaminated with saliva (PAED+S) attained the highest SRa values, that decreased after Katana™ Cleaner application (PAED+S+KC). In the group of dentin treated with CSEB primer, all subgroups performed similar, except in CSEB+S that attained the highest SRa values. The treatment with KC restored the original values of complex modulus of the untreated dentin. KC application produced the lowest and the highest tan delta values on PAED and CSEB groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Katana™ Cleaner provided equally mature dentin surfaces after any of the etching methods. Tan delta increased when Katana™ Cleaner was applied on the dentin surface previously etched and contaminated with saliva, regardless the kind of etchant, thus facilitating the dissipation of energy for elastic recoil during loading. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Katana™ Cleaner application after saliva contamination originated similar low roughness levels, regardless the type of etching method. Both complex and storage moduli were similar, after Katana™ Cleaner application, in any case.

Real-time in-depth imaging of gap formation in bulk-fill resin composites.

OBJECTIVES: This study visualized in real-time the gap forming of bulk-fill resin composites during polymerization using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Light-cured bulk-fill resin composites; Tetric N-ceram Bulk Fill (TNB), SonicFill (SNF), Surefil SDR (SDR), dual-cured bulk-fill resin composite Bulk EZ (BEZ), and light-cured core resin composite Clearfil Photo Core (CPC) were investigated. Swept-source OCT real-time cross-sectional monitoring was obtained during resin composite placement and curing procedure. Gap formation was observed in bonded cylindrical resin composite molds (4-mm depth, 3-mm diameter) and free shrinkage volume was observed at the top and bottom of a tube with similar dimensions (n=10). OCT 3D data were analyzed to calculate sealing floor area percentage (SFA%) and volumetric shrinkage in bonded tube (VS%). Data were analyzed by ANOVA at significance level of 0.05. The bottom-top degree of conversion ratio (DC%-R) through 4-mm depth was measured using the XploRA Plus micro-Raman spectroscopy. RESULTS: BEZ showed no gap formation at the cavity floor in any specimens while SNF showed the highest gap formation; the statistical order in terms of SFA% was BEZ (100±0)>TNB (84.97±2.98)>CPC (52.13±8.23)=SDR (45.97±9.21)>SNF (16.23±6.00) (p<0.05). On the other hand, total VS% was statistically ordered as BEZ (3.40±0.14)>SDR (3.22±0.09)>TNB (1.82±0.11)>SNF (1.65±0.04)=CPC (1.56±0.04) (p<0.05). Unlike BEZ, the light-cured resin composites showed larger shrinkage at specimen bottom than top. TNB showed the lowest DC%-R followed by SNF (p<0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Light-cured bulk-fill resin composites showed various degrees of gap formation and shrinkage at 4-mm deep cavity. The dual-cured bulk-filled resin composite showed no decrease of degree of conversion through the depth and the highest cavity adaptation despite its tendency for higher volumetric shrinkage.

Enamel margins resealing by low-viscosity resin infiltration.

This study evaluated low-viscosity resin potential as enamel marginal gap sealant for existing composite restoration. Standard restorations with marginal gaps were created in bovine teeth; gaps were resealed using G-Bond Plus (GB, GC, Tokyo, Japan) or Icon (ICN, DMG, Hamburg, Germany) with or without HCl pretreatment (n=8). Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) images were taken before and after resealing of the margin and thermal cycling to calculate enamel marginal gap extent. Cross-sectional microscopy was performed to confirm SS-OCT findings. SS-OCT showed remarkable reduction of backscatter signal at enamel margins after application of the low-viscosity resin. Enamel margin resealing significantly decreased gap and there was a significant difference between ICN (regardless of HCl pretreatment) and GB, while thermal cycling increased gaps (p<0.05). The low-viscosity resin could effectively infiltrate micro-gaps at enamel margins and improve sealing of an existing composite restoration. Resin infiltration is a viable option for resealing intact restorations with open margins.

Assessment of natural enamel lesions with optical coherence tomography in comparison with microfocus x-ray computed tomography.

A technology to characterize early enamel lesions is needed in dentistry. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive method that provides high-resolution cross-sectional images. The aim of this study is to compare OCT with microfocus x-ray computed tomography ([Formula: see text]) for assessment of natural enamel lesions in vitro. Ten human teeth with visible white spot-like changes on the enamel smooth surface and no cavitation (ICDAS code 2) were subjected to imaging by µCT (SMX-100CT, Shimadzu) and 1300-nm swept-source OCT (Dental SS-OCT, Panasonic Health Care). In [Formula: see text], the lesions appeared as radiolucent dark areas, while in SS-OCT, they appeared as areas of increased signal intensity beneath the surface. An SS-OCT attenuation coefficient based on Beer-Lambert law could discriminate lesions from sound enamel. Lesion depth ranged from 175 to [Formula: see text] in SS-OCT. A correlation between [Formula: see text] and SS-OCT was found regarding lesion depth ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and also surface layer thickness ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). The images obtained clinically in real time using the dental SS-OCT system are suitable for the assessment of natural subsurface lesions and their surface layer, providing comparable images to a laboratory high-resolution [Formula: see text] without the use of x-ray.

Study on the influence of leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) on the remineralization of enamel defects via micro-focus x-ray computed tomography and nanoindentation.

Regeneration of severely damaged enamel (e.g. deep demineralized lesions) is currently not possible, because the structural units of enamel crystal construction are removed after its maturation. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface impregnation by leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) on the remineralization of eroded enamel using micro-focus x-ray computed tomography (µCT). Fifteen bovine enamel blocks were embedded in resin and three zones (sound, demineralization, and remineralization) were defined on each specimen. Lesions were prepared by immersing the samples in demineralization solution for 7 d. The samples were soaked in distilled water or 60 or 120 µg mL(-1) solution of LRAP in water for 30 min. After the surface treatment, specimens were incubated in artificial saliva for either 5 or 10 d at 37 °C. The amount of mineral gain (dΔZ%) and the relative changes in the lesion depth (dLD%), obtained from µCT, were used to evaluate the effect of LRAP on the remineralization of lesions. The effects of LRAP on cross-sectional integrated hardness ΔINH were studied after 10 d using nanoindentation. ANOVA test was used to determine the effect of time and/or LRAP concentration on dΔZ%, dLD% and ΔINH mean values. Tukey's analysis was used for multiple comparison testing (α = 0.05). Analysis of µCT data showed significant effect of time and LRAP concentration on the dΔZ% (p = 0.013, p = 0.003) and the dLD% (p < 0.001, p = 0.002) mean values. The nanoindentation hardness was significantly improved by 120 µg mL(-1) LRAP (p = 0.02). Also, the peptide treatment affected the mineral distribution throughout the lesion by inhibiting of superficial deposition. This study showed that the treatment of eroded lesions in enamel by LRAP can improve and regulate the pattern of remineralization in vitro.