Effects of bleaching using 10% carbamide peroxide with calcium or amorphous calcium phosphate on enamel mineral content and hardness / Asociación entre la severidad de Hipomineralización Incisivo-Molar (HIM) y lesiones cavitadas de caries en escolares

ABSTRACT This study evaluated enamel mineral content and surface microhardness before and after bleaching treatment using 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) containing calcium (Ca) or amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Thirty-six bovine slabs were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n = 12) according to bleaching treatment: G1 - Opalescence PF 10% (CP), G2 -NiteWhite ACP (CP+ACP), and G3 - Opalescence PF (10%) with calcium (CP+CA). The bleaching agent was applied on enamel surface for 6 h/day over a period of 21 days. Enamel surface was evaluated by Knoop microhardness (KNH) and micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (p-EDXRF) at baseline and at after bleaching treatment. Data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (a = 0.05). There was a significant decrease in microhardness after bleaching treatments for all study groups, but no difference between bleaching gels. There was no difference in the Ca/P ratio measured by p-EDXRF for all groups at the study times, but the mean value was lower in group CP+CA than in group CP+ACP. Group CP was similar to both CP+ACP and CP+CA. It can be concluded that enamel microhardness decreased after the bleaching process, regardless of the presence of calcium or ACP, but there was no significant change in the Ca/P ratio of enamel after bleaching for each tested gel. This indicates that the bleaching gels have erosive potential, causing softening of enamel without promoting surface loss, regardless of the presence of calcium of ACP ions.

RESUMO Este estudo avaliou o conteúdo mineral do esmalte e a microdureza superficial antes e após o tratamento clareador, utilizando peróxido de carbamida 10% (PC) contendo cálcio (Ca) ou fosfato de cálcio amorfo (ACP) em sua composigao. Trinta e seis espécimes de esmalte bovino foram alocados aleatoriamente em 3 grupos (n = 12) de acordo com os tratamentos clareadores: G1 - Opalescence PF 10% (CP), G2 -NiteWhite (CP+ACP); e G3 - Opalescence PF (10%) com cálcio (CP + CA). O agente clareador foi aplicado na superficie do esmalte por 6 h/dia por um periodo de 21 dias. A superficie do esmalte foi avaliada por microdureza Knoop (KNH) e espectrometria de fluorescencia de raios X micro-dispersiva (p-EDXRF) no inicio e após o tratamento clareador. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste ANOVA de medidas repetidas e Tukey (a = 0,05). Houve uma diminuigao significativa da microdureza após os tratamentos clareadores para todos os grupos estudados, mas nao houve diferenga entre os diferentes géis. Nao houve diferenga da relagao Ca/P mensurada por p-EDXRF para todos os grupos nos tempos estudados; no entanto, o grupo CP+CA apresentou menor valor comparado ao grupo CP+ACP. O grupo CP foi similar aos grupos CP+ACP e CP+CA. Portanto, pode-se concluir que houve redugao significativa da microdureza do esmalte após o clareamento, independente da presenga de cálcio ou APC na composigao dos géis, embora nao tenha havido alteragao significando na relagao Ca/P do esmalte após o clareamento. Isto indica um potencial erosivo dos géis clareadores, causando o amolecimento sem perda da estrutura do esmalte, independente da presenga dos íons cálcio e ACP.

Effect of non-thermal atmospheric plasma on the dentin-surface topography and composition and on the bond strength of a universal adhesive.

This study investigated the effect of application of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) on the topography and composition of the dentin surface, as well as the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of a universal adhesive to NTAP-treated dentin. Exposed flat dentin surfaces from human third molars were either treated with NTAP for 10 and 30 s or untreated (control). The dentin-surface topography and chemical composition were characterized by atomic force microscopy (n = 3) and Raman confocal spectroscopy (n = 5), respectively. The µTBS (n = 8) of Scotchbond Universal to dentin was determined after storage for 24 h and 1 yr, either by direct water exposure or under simulated pulpal pressure. In-situ zymography was used to evaluate the influence of NTAP on the dentin-enzymatic activity. Non-thermal atmospheric plasma produced no remarkable topographical or chemical alterations at the dentin surface; only the amount of phosphate decreased following 10 s of treatment with NTAP. After 1 yr of direct water exposure, the µTBS of NTAP-treated specimens did not differ statistically significantly from that of untreated controls, whereas simulated pulpal pressure-aging resulted in a significantly higher µTBS for NTAP-treated dentin. The dentin-enzymatic activity appeared to be treatment-dependent, but the untreated controls showed more intense fluorescence within the hybrid layer. Scotchbond Universal maintained its µTBS strength after 1 yr of direct water exposure and simulated pulpal pressure, although remarkable statistical differences between treatments were observed depending on the aging condition.

Genetics, evolution and conservation of Bromeliaceae.

Bromeliaceae is a morphologically distinctive and ecologically diverse family originating in the New World. Three centers of diversity, 58 genera, and about 3,140 bromeliad species are currently recognized. We compiled all of the studies related to the reproductive biology, genetic diversity, and population structure of the Bromeliaceae, and discuss the evolution and conservation of this family. Bromeliads are preferentially pollinated by vertebrates and show marked variation in breeding systems, from predominant inbreeding to predominant outcrossing, as well as constancy in chromosome number (2n = 2x = 50). Autogamous or mixed mating system bromeliads have a high inbreeding coefficient (F(IS)), while outcrossing species show low F(IS). The degree of differentiation among populations (F(ST))of species ranges from 0.043 to 0.961, which can be influenced by pollen and seed dispersal effects, clonal growth, gene flow rates, and connectivity among populations. The evolutionary history of the Bromeliaceae is poorly known, although some studies have indicated that the family arose in the Guayana Shield roughly 100 Mya. We believe that genetic, cytogenetic, and reproductive data will be essential for diagnosing species status and for assisting conservation programs.

Conversion degree of indirect resin composites and effect of thermocycling on their physical properties.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of four indirect resin composites (IRCs) with various compositions processed in different polymerization units and investigated the effect of thermal aging on the flexural strength and Vicker's microhardness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were prepared from four IRC materials, namely Gr 1: Resilab (Wilcos); Gr2: Sinfony (3M ESPE); Gr3: VITA VMLC (VITA Zahnfabrik); Gr4: VITA Zeta (VITA Zahnfabrik) using special molds for flexural strength test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (25 x 2 x 2 mm(3), ISO 4049), for Vicker's microhardness test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (5 x 4 mm(2)) and for DC (N = 10) using FT-Raman Spectroscopy. For both flexural strength and microhardness tests, half of the specimens were randomly stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours (Groups 1 to 4), and the other half (Groups 5 to 8) were subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5 to 55 +/- 1 degree C, dwell time: 30 seconds). Flexural strength was measured in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 0.8 mm/min). Microhardness test was performed at 50 g. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha= 0.05). The correlation between flexural strength and microhardness was evaluated with Pearson's correlation test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: A significant effect for the type of IRC and thermocycling was found (p= 0.001, p= 0.001) on the flexural strength results, but thermocycling did not significantly affect the microhardness results (p= 0.078). The interaction factors were significant for both flexural strength and microhardness parameters (p= 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Thermocycling decreased the flexural strength of the three IRCs tested significantly (p < 0.05), except for VITA Zeta (106.3 +/- 9.1 to 97.2 +/- 14 MPa) (p > 0.05) when compared with nonthermocycled groups. Microhardness results of only Sinfony were significantly affected by thermocycling (25.1 +/- 2.1 to 31 +/- 3.3 Kg/mm(2)). DC values ranged between 63% and 81%, and were not significantly different between the IRCs (p > 0.05). While a positive correlation was found between flexural strength and microhardness without (r = 0.309) and with thermocycling (r = 0.100) for VITA VMLC, negative correlations were found for Resilab under the same conditions (r =-0.190 and -0.305, respectively) (Pearson's correlation coefficient). CONCLUSION: Although all four IRCs presented nonsignificant DC values, flexural strength and microhardness values varied between materials with and without thermocycling.

Mineral distribution and CLSM analysis of secondary caries inhibition by fluoride/MDPB-containing adhesive system after cariogenic challenges.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inhibition zone formation (IZ) and mineral distribution along the interface of adhesive systems either containing fluoride and antibacterial primer or not, after chemical and biological artificial caries challenges. METHODS: Forty-eight third molars were used. Artificial caries was developed with S. mutans in a 4mm x 4mm area of occlusal dentin surface. Carious dentin was removed and cavities were restored with Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBM) and Clearfil Protect Bond (CPB) (n=24). Samples were submitted to secondary caries development by chemical (C) (acidic gel) or biological (B) (S. mutans culture) methods for 5 days. Four groups were tested (n=12): (1) SC (SBM+C); (2) SB (SBM+B); (3) CC (CPB+C); (4) CB (CPB+B). The IZ and outer lesion (OL) formations were analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The distribution of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content along the interface was analyzed by micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometer by energy-dispersive (microEDX). RESULTS: The frequency of IZ formation and mean values of IZ thickness differed among the groups. The CC group presented the lowest OL depth. microEDX analysis showed that CPB had the highest mineral loss by the biological method, but the lowest mineral loss by the chemical method. SC and SB groups showed intermediate values of mineral loss. CONCLUSION: The mineral loss along the dentin/restoration interface was affected by the artificial caries method, and hybrid layer formation by adhesive systems used. The adhesive system containing fluoride and antibacterial primer did not prevent secondary caries formation.

Chemical, morphological and thermal effects of 10.6-microm CO2 laser on the inhibition of enamel demineralization.

Studies have shown that enamel can be modified by pulsed CO2 laser to form a more acid-resistant substrate. This study evaluated the effects of a 10.6-microm CO2 laser on enamel surface morphology and chemical composition as well as monitored intrapulpal temperature changes during irradiation. Human teeth were irradiated with fluences of 1.5-11.5 J/cm2, and pulpal thermal as well as chemical and morphological modifications on enamel were assessed. The teeth were submitted to a pH-cycling model, and the mineral loss was determined by means of cross-sectional microhardness. For all irradiated groups, intrapulpal temperature changes were below 3 degrees C. FT-Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated that fluences as low as 6.0 J/cm2 were sufficient to induce chemical and morphological changes in enamel. Then, for fluences reaching or exceeding 10.0 J/cm2, laser-induced inhibitory effects on demineralization were observed. It was thus concluded that laser energy density in the range of 10.0 and 11.5 J/cm2 could be applied to dental enamel in order to produce chemical and morphological changes and reduce the acid reactivity of enamel without compromising the pulp vitality.