Bond strength comparison of a fiber-reinforced composite resin: Different dentin conditions and preparation techniques.

This study aimed to compare the bond strength of a fiber-reinforced composite resin with traditional and bulk-fill composite resins under different dentin conditions and preparation techniques. Eighty molar teeth, excluding the mesio-distal half of the occlusal dentin surfaces of each teeth, were isolated with acid-resistant nail varnish and stored in a demineralisation solution (pH 4.5). After mechanical removal of the varnish, the teeth were buried in acrylic resin blocks. In every composite resin group, one-half of the specimens were prepared with a diamond bur and another half with Er: YAG laser. Then, the specimens were divided into four groups of composite resins (Filtek Z250, G-aenial Posterior, SonicFill 2, Ever X Posterior) (n = 10). Shear bond strengths were measured using a universal testing device, and failure types were determined with stereomicroscope images. SEM images were obtained at 1000× magnification. Data were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons (p = .05). Differences in the dentin surface affected the bond strength results (p < .05), whereas there was no significant difference between cavity preparation methods (p > .05). EverX Posterior showed the highest bond strength results. Within the limitations of this study, fiber-reinforced composite resin exhibited successful bond strength results in addition to improved mechanical properties. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Fiber-reinforced composite had successful bond strength values. Bond strength values of sound dentin groups were higher than those of caries-affected dentin groups. The use of an Er: YAG laser for preparation did not lead to insufficient bond strength results.

Effects of polishing systems and storage media on color stability and surface roughness of bulk-fill restorative composites.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of polishing systems and storage media on surface roughness and color change of four bulk-fill restorative composites. METHODS: Four bulk-fill restorative composites and one micro-hybrid resin composite were used in this study. 72 cylindrical specimens were prepared for each resin composite. The specimens were divided into three polishing groups and further solution subgroups (n= 8). Surface roughness (Ra) and color were measured before and after the immersion periods. Statistical analyses were performed using three-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni tests (P< 0.05). RESULTS: Baseline Ra values were lower in the unpolished groups. Immersion in solutions increased the Ra of all resin composites tested. The lowest ΔE*ab was observed in Filtek One Bulk-Fill groups immersed in artificial saliva. Filtek One Bulk-Fill polished with Twist Dia showed lower ΔE*ab values than polished with Sof-Lex and the unpolished groups (P< 0.05). A weak positive correlation was observed between the baseline Ra and ΔE*ab. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Color stability and surface roughness of bulk-fill restorative composites seems to be dependent on the composition of the material and polishing system used. Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer filler containing bulk-fill restorative composite was the most stain-susceptible resin composite.

Microhardness of glass carbomer and high-viscous glass Ionomer cement in different thickness and thermo-light curing durations after thermocycling aging.

BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to compare the upper and lower surface microhardness and surface changes of Glass Carbomer Cement (GCP) and EQUIA Forte (EF) in different thickness after thermo-light curing durations and aging. METHODS: A total of 504 samples (5 mm-diameter) were prepared by using GCP-252 (GCP Dental, and Vianen, Netherlands) and EF-252 (EQUIA Forte, GC, Tokyo, Japan). Three different thickness samples (2, 4, and 6 mm) were prepared with 84 samples in each subgroup. The samples were prepared by three curing procedures (Non-exposed, 60s, 90s). Their varnishes were applied to the upper surfaces of half of each subgroup (n = 7). The upper microhardness measurements were evaluated before and after aging. To compare the effect of different thicknesses, the bottom surfaces of the samples were evaluated before aging in terms of microhardness measurements. Also, the upper surfaces were analyzed in the SEM before and after aging. RESULTS: The upper surface values of all the samples were higher than the bottom values (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the varnished and non-varnished samples in both materials (p > 0.05). Although this increase was not significant in some groups, temperature variations increased the surface microhardness values of both materials except for the non-exposed-varnished EF samples. The highest microhardnesses values were recorded in the non-exposed-varnished EF (125.6 ± 6.79) and unvarnished GCP (88.1 ± 7.59) samples which were thermo-light cured for 90 s before aging. The bottom hardness values were affected by thickness variations in both GCP and EF materials (p < 0.05). The sample deformations and microcracks after aging were greater than before in all the materials. Thermo-light curing in 90 s to the samples reduced the cracks in both the materials before and after aging. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal aging adversely affected the microhardness of the materials, which is important for clinical success. The thermo-light curing process improved the microhardness of the GCP group without varnish application. Varnish application increased the microhardness of the EF group without applying thermo-light curing. The microhardness of the bottom surfaces decreased with increasing thickness. The thermo-light curing did not increase the bottom surface microhardness of all the samples.

Effects of photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green on Streptococcus mutans biofilm.

BACKGROUND: The current procedures for treating tooth decay are not always guaranteed to successfully remove all microorganisms which cause disease. For elimination of bacteria and prevention of their effects, different methods are recommended, such as antibacterial materials and cavity disinfectants. The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial activity of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using diode laser with indocyanin green (ICG) on Streptococcus (S.) mutans biofilm with conventional methods. METHODS: Ninety human molars were divided into 9 groups: negative control, positive control, CHX, NaOCl, gaseous ozone, erbium (Er):YAG laser, diode laser, and indocyanin green/ICG, and PDT. Cavities were then cut into the teeth (2 per tooth, 20 cavities per group) and sterilized. For all of the groups, with the exception of the negative control group, 105 CFU/mL of the active S. mutans culture were inoculated into the cavities and then incubated at 37 °C for 72 h. Then, dentin chips (25 ± 5 mg) were collected from cavity walls and spread on Mueller-Hinton agar media after decimal dilution. The colonies were counted after incubation at 37 °C for 24 h. RESULTS: All the treatments significantly reduced the number of S. mutans compared with the positive control group (p < 0.05). The antimicrobial effectiveness of CHX, NaOCl, ozone, PDT, Er:YAG laser, and diode laser groups were similar. The lowest bacterial reduction was observed in the ICGgroup. CONCLUSIONS: This work concludes that PDT using diode laser with ICG may be suggested on the cavity disinfection after caries excavation as an alternative to conventional methods.

Color stability and surface roughness of polished anterior restorative materials.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different finishing-polishing techniques on the color stability and surface roughness of various anterior restorative materials after staining. A composite, a compomer, and a resin-modified glass ionomer were used to prepare 120 specimens. Specimens were divided into subgroups: polishing discs, liquid polishing material, aluminium oxidebonded discs, and control. The specimens were stained in a coffee solution. Color parameters (L*a*b*) and surface roughness before and after staining were measured. The color was affected by the material type (p<0.05) and finishing-polishing systems (p<0.05). The composite showed the highest color stability; however, the color differences of all groups were visible even to the nonskilled operator. The Ra values did not significantly change after staining for any of the restorative groups (p>0.05). The finishing-polishing systems had an effect on color after storing in staining solution.

Effects of different polishing methods on color stability of resin composites after accelerated aging.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of polishing procedures on the color stability of different types of composites after aging. Forty disk-shaped specimens (Ø10×2 mm) were prepared for each composite resin type (an ormocer, a packable, a nanohybrid, and a microhybrid) for a total of 160 specimens. Each composite group was divided into four subgroups according to polishing method (n=10): control (no finishing and polishing), polishing disk, polishing wheel, and glaze material. Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) and surface roughness were measured before and after accelerated aging. Of the polishing methods, glazed specimens showed the lowest color change (∆E*), ∆L*, and ∆b* values (p<0.05). Of the composite resins, the microhybrid composite showed the lowest ∆E* value, whereas the ormocer showed the highest (p<0.05). For all composite types, the surface roughness of their control groups decreased after aging (p<0.05). In conclusion, all composite resins showed color changes after accelerated aging, with the use of glaze material resulting in the lowest color change.

A novel LED-based device for occlusal caries detection.

The aim of this in-vitro study was to compare the performance of laser-based (DIAGNOdent, KaVo, Biberach, Germany) and LED-based (Midwest Caries I.D., DENTSPLY Professional, New York, USA) caries detectors in the detection of occlusal caries in permanent molars. The study consisted of 129 visually sound or non-cavitated pits or fissures in 82 extracted permanent human molar teeth. Two trained examiners used the laser-based and LED-based caries detectors to examine the fissures for caries. The teeth were then sectioned at the surfaces suspected of containing occlusal caries and histologically evaluated using stereomicroscopy as a gold standard. Inter-examiner reliability of the caries detector examination was assessed using Cohen's Kappa statistics. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing occlusal caries using the two devices were calculated according to appropriate cut-off scores. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also determined to compare the diagnostic performance of the devices in occlusal caries diagnosis. The cut-off level of significance was taken as p = 0.005. Cohen's Kappa showed substantial agreement for the laser-based caries detector (0.74), and almost perfect agreement for the LED-based (0.89) caries detector. The specificity of the laser-based device varied from 0.49 to 0.97 at T1 and T2. Its sensitivity varied from 0.33 to 0.65 at T1 and T2. The specificity of the LED-based device varied from 0.48 to 0.56 at T1 and T2. Its sensitivity varied from 0.65 to 0.84 at T1 and from 0.80 to 0.84 at T2. Taking the limitations of the current study into consideration, the DIAGNOdent laser pen was more accurate in determining when teeth were free of occlusal caries than was the Midwest Caries I.D. LED-based device, although the Midwest Caries I.D. device more often revealed the presence of occlusal caries than did the DIAGNOdent pen.