Surface deterioration of resin composites and enamel after toothbrush simulation with new and used toothbrushes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of toothbrushing with new and used toothbrushes on the surface of resin composites and dental enamel. METHODS: The extracted human incisors were selected after vestibular enamel surfaces (ES) were examined. Disc-shaped specimens of direct composite (DC) and indirect composite (IC) were fabricated. Computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) composite blocks (CC) were sliced in 2 mm thickness (n= 8). The surface roughness, gloss, and color were measured. The measurements were performed before and after 3 months of toothbrushing simulation (TBS) for 2,500 circular cycles. The wear index was calculated by using the ImageJ program. The specimens were subjected to an additional 2,500 cycles and the same measurements were repeated. RESULTS: No significant increase in surface roughness values was observed in DC, IC, and CC groups after 3 and 6 months of TBS except in the ES group. The highest change in surface gloss was observed in the DC group. Although the wear index of toothbrushes increased over time, only the increase in the IC group was statistically significant (P= 0.033). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Changes in surface roughness, gloss, and discoloration of the dental enamel and restorations and wear of toothbrush bristles were increased over time.

Prevalence of Dental Anomalies Assessed Using Panoramic Radiographs in a Sample of the Turkish Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, frequency and distribution of dental anomalies that were detectable on panoramic radiographs in a large sample Turkish population, and the associations among the anomalies. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively on panoramic radiographs of 43,880 patients who were admitted to the Faculty of Dentistry at Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. Patients' files were examined by two observers and radiographic images of 2265 patients with at least one dental anomaly were included. Dental anomalies were classified as anomalies in the number, structure, position and shape of teeth. The interactions between the groups were analysed using chi-square tests. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 1336 women (59%) and 929 men (41%) with a mean age of 33.3 ± 14.4 years. A total of 2265 patients, with a prevalence of 5.2% (2265/43880), had at least one dental anomaly. The most frequent anomalies were in position (2.7%) and number (2.1%). Structure anomalies were least common, affecting 0.02% of patients. Among the study group of patients with dental anomalies, 12.2% presented more than one kind of anomaly. CONCLUSION: Position anomalies were the most common dental anomaly, whereas structural anomalies were least common in a Turkish sample. The prevalence of anomalies varies between populations, confirming the role of racial factors.

Radiographic Evaluation of Marginal Bone Height and Density Around Overhanging Dental Restorations.

This study aimed to investigate the marginal bone changes beneath overhanging restorations. The study group consisted of 250 archived panoramic radiographs that had at least one overhanging restoration, examined by two observers. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the marginal bone crest beneath the overhang was measured with ImageJ software. The same distance was measured from the control sites (the intact surface of the same tooth with overhang, and the same tooth on the contralateral side) to assess bone loss. To evaluate bone density, two regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen: one in the marginal bone beneath the overhang, and the other was in the marginal bone adjacent to the intact surface of the same tooth. Wilcoxon paired t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons (P < .05). The prevalence of overhangs was 4.3%. Molar teeth (80.8%) and the disto-occlusal cavities (54%) were the most common sites for overhangs. The average bone loss beneath the overhangs was 2.77 ± 1.20 mm, which was significantly different from the control sites (P < .05). The bone density beneath the overhang was significantly lower than at control sites (P < .05). The frequency of overhangs was higher in areas that are difficult to reach, and the height and density of the marginal bone beneath the overhang were decreased compared to control sites.

Long-term effect of curcuminoid treatment on resin-to-dentin bond strength.

Endogenous dentin proteases contribute to the degradation of collagen fibrils in the hybrid layer. Recently, inhibition of host-derived proteases by curcuminoids has shown promising results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcuminoid treatment on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) after 24 h or 12 months of storage. Fifty-four extracted sound human molars were flattened to mid-coronal dentin and divided into nine groups. After phosphoric acid-etching for 15 s, the dentin was experimentally treated for 60 s using 100 µM or 200 µM of curcumin, diflourobenzocurcumin, or demethoxycurcumin dissolved in 1% and 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water solutions. Untreated and DMSO-treated groups served as controls. After bonding agent application, each tooth was restored with dental composite. The molars were sectioned into 0.9 × 0.9 × 6 mm beams. The µTBS testing was performed after 24 h and 12 months of storage in artificial saliva. Data were analyzed using regression analyses. Failure patterns were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Dentin treatment with curcuminoids did not adversely affect 24-h µTBS compared to controls. After 12 months, the µTBS of curcuminoid groups was statistically significantly higher than the controls. This study indicates the feasibility of using curcuminoids as protease inhibitors.

Microbiological and SEM assessment of atraumatic restorative treatment in adult dentition.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the practicability of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in adults in terms of marginal adaptation of restorations and microbiological changes in residual carious dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The occlusal dentin caries of 25 permanent molar teeth were removed with hand instruments. The total counts of bacteria (TCB) and the facultative anaerobic bacteria (FAB), mutans streptococci (MS), and Lactobacillus spp. (LB) counts in the affected dentin were evaluated quantitatively. The weights of the samples were measured with an electronic balance (Shimadzu, Type AX200, Japan). The cavities were restored with glass ionomer cement (KetacTM Molar Easymix, ESPE Dental AG, Seefeld, Germany). Twenty replicas of randomly selected ART restorations were prepared and marginal adaptation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 6 months, the same protocols were repeated. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-tests, Wilcoxon t-tests, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and chi-square tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: In the sixth month, restoration loss and pulpitis were not observed. The mean weight of samples removed from the cavity floor was less than the baseline (0.014±0.009 and 0.023±0.013 g, respectively) (p<0.01), and the counts of total bacteria, FAB, MS, and LB significantly decreased compared to baseline (p<0.01). The frequency of marginal gaps was increased (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ART showed that the counts of microorganisms decreased after 6 months although the marginal gap rates of restorations increased. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ART can be a reliable treatment approach in adults for 6 months due to the decrease in microorganism counts, although gaps exist.

Inhibitory effect of curcuminoid pretreatments on endogenous dentin proteases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcuminoids on the dentin endogenous protease activity. Demineralized dentin were pretreated with 50 or 100 µM of three different curcuminoids for 60 s and incubated up to 3 months. Untreated beams served as controls. Dry dentin mass was measured after incubation. Aliquots were analyzed for the quantity of ICTP and CTX releases for MMP and cathepsin-K mediated degradation, respectively. The effect of curcuminoids on matrix-bound MMP and soluble rhMMP-9 were measured using an activity assay. Data were subjected to repeated-measures-ANOVA (α=0.05). Gelatinolytic activity was analyzed using zymography. ICTP and CTX release and dry mass loss of curcuminoid-treated groups were significantly lower than the control. Inhibition of rhMMP-9 varied from 29-49% among curcumonoid-treated groups, whereas no inhibition was observed at untreated control (p>0.05). Results were confirmed by zymography. The study showed that the pretreatment of dentin matrices by curcuminoids decreases endogenous protease activity-mediated degradation in dentin.