Effect of phytosphingosine on staining resistance and microhardness of tooth enamel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of phytosphingosine (PHS) against staining on dental enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six specimens of bovine teeth (6 mm × 6 mm × 2 mm) were cut, and initial color (Easyshade, VITA), microhardness (HMV-2, Shimadzu) and fluorescence (Matlabs software, Matworks) measurements were performed. Specimens were separated into four groups according to the treatments: Distilled water (control); Human saliva (HS); PHS; PHS + HS. Specimens (n = 6) were submitted to staining procedures: Distilled water (immersion for 30 days-control); Coffee (15 minutes, twice a day/for 15 days); Black tea (as described for Coffee) and cigarette smoke (20 cigarettes/sample). Final measurements were performed, and data were analyzed (Color-CIEDE2000, fluorescence-2-way ANOVA, Tukey, and microhardness-Kruskal-Wallis Dunn, P < .05). RESULTS: Coffee caused the highest color change (ΔE00 ), followed by black tea, regardless of the treatment employed. Distilled water and cigarette smoke produced similar color changes (P > .05) for the groups control (water = 1.0 + - 0.5/ cigarette = 2.3 0.3) and PHS (water = 0.8 0.4/ cigarette = 2.3 0.4). PHS + HS demonstrated intermediate means than PHS and HS when stained with coffee and tea. After treatments, the least fluorescence alterations occurred for the groups treated with distilled water and cigarette, regardless of the treatment, with no difference (P > .05) between them. There was a significant difference (P < .05) on microhardness between all the groups, as PHS + HS > PHS > HS > Distilled water. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that PHS treatment did not protect the staining of the enamel by coffee and tea, but increased the microhardness, both in the presence and absence of a salivary pellicle. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Phytoshingosine is a novel agent and considered a promising component for anti-biofilm and anti-erosion properties by the formation of a diffusion barrier on the dental enamel. In line, PHS might be considered for anti-staining purposes.

Effect of various aging protocols and intermediate agents on the bond strength of repaired composites.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of two adhesive systems and different aging protocols on the bond strength of a -repaired microhybrid composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty test specimens (n = 20) and 10 control specimens measuring 8 x 4 mm were fabricated of a microhybrid composite (4 Seasons, shade A2) and grouped according to time/aging protocol: G1: 24 h in artificial saliva; G2: 7 days in artificial saliva; G3: 30 days in artificial saliva; G4: artificial accelerated aging (AAA) for 384 h; G5: control. After aging, samples were submitted to three types of surface treatment: SB2: Adper Single Bond 2, a two-step adhesive (3M ESPE); SB3: Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, a three-step adhesive (3M ESPE); C: without application of adhesive (control). After this, test specimens were repaired with the same composite of a different shade (C3), and submitted to the microtensile test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Failure modes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (Jeol JSM 7500). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: G2/SB2 presented significantly lower bond strength values in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.05). The control group presented the highest bond strength values, which differed statistically significantly from SB3, G3/SB2, and G4/SB2 (p < 0.05). Fractographic analysis demonstrated that most samples presented predominantly cohesive failures, excepting GI/SB2, which presented mixed and cohesive failures, and G4/SB2 and G1/SB3, which showed adhesive failures. CONCLUSION: The repair was more effective when performed after a short period of time and when the 3-step adhesive system (SB3) was used.