Influence of microstructure on optical properties of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramics.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of microstructure and chemical composition on the optical properties of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramics. METHODS: Samples (n = 5; 1.0 mm thickness) of shades A1, A2, and A3 were fabricated from CAD-CAM ceramic blocks (Ivoclar Vivadent): IPS e.max® CAD LT (emLT) and HT (emHT). Samples were polished to 1.0 ± 0.01 mm in thickness. The optical properties (R- reflectance; T- transmittance; µs'- reduced scattering and µa- absorption coefficients) from the post-crystallized samples were determined using the inverse adding-doubling (IAD) method based on integrating-sphere measurements. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to evaluate the microstructural properties. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) was employed to analyze the chemical composition. The chemical and structural characterization were performed before and after crystallization of the ceramic samples. RESULTS: emLT showed higher values of µs'and lower values of µa and T than emHT for each shade in all wavelengths (p < 0.003). Considering T for emHT, there were no statistical differences for shades A1 and A2 at 488 nm and 514.5 nm (p > 0.003) and shades A1 and A3 at 457.9 nm (p > 0.003). emLT showed particle length ranging from 0.74 to 2.78 µm (mean = 1.57 µm and RF-relative frequency = 28 %) and particle width ranging from 0.21 to 0.74 µm (mean = 0.30 µm and RF = 31 %). emHT showed particle length ranging from 0.83 to 3.08 µm (mean = 1.86 µm and RF = 21 %) and particle width ranging from 0.24 to 1.12 µm (mean = 0.56 µm and RF = 28 %). In comparison with emHT, emLT showed greater vol% for C, K, and Zr and lower vol% for O and Al. SIGNIFICANCE: The optical properties of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramics are influenced by the chemical composition and, consequently, by the material microstructure.

Evaluation of the remineralizing capacity of silver diamine fluoride on demineralized dentin under pH-cycling conditions.

OBJECTIVE: (1) to determine the effects of the silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride (NaF) in demineralized dentin exposed to an acid challenge by pH-cycling, (2) to evaluate the remineralizing capacity of SDF/NaF products based on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the treated dentin surfaces. METHODOLOGY: In total, 57 human molars were evaluated in different stages of the experimental period: sound dentin - negative control (Stage 1), demineralized dentin - positive control (Stage 2), and dentin treated with SDF/NaF products + pH-c (Stage 3). Several commercial products were used for the SDF treatment: Saforide, RivaStar, and Cariestop. The mineral composition and crystalline and morphological characteristics of the dentin samples from each experimental stage were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) analytical techniques. Moreover, the mechanical response of the samples was analyzed by means of the three-point bending test. Statistics were estimated for ATR-FTIR variables by Wilcoxon test, while the mechanical data analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Regarding the chemical composition, we observed a higher mineral/organic content in the SDF/NaF treated dentin + pH-c groups (Stage 3) than in the positive control groups (Saforide p=0.03; Cariestop p=0.008; RivaStar p=0.013; NaF p=0.04). The XRD results showed that the crystallite size of hydroxyapatite increased in the SDF/NaF treated dentin + pH-c groups (between +63% in RivaStar to +108% in Saforide), regarding the positive control. SEM images showed that after application of the SDF/NaF products a crystalline precipitate formed on the dentin surface and partially filled the dentin tubules. The flexural strength (MPa) values were higher in the dentin treated with SDF/NaF + pH-c (Stage 3) compared to the positive control groups (Saforide p=0.002; Cariestop p=0.04; RivaStar p=0.04; NaF p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The application of SDF/NaF affected the physicochemical and mechanical properties of demineralized dentin. According to the results, the use of SFD/NaF had a remineralizing effect on the dentin surface even under acid challenge.

Evaluation of the remineralizing capacity of silver diamine fluoride on demineralized dentin under pH-cycling conditions

Abstract Objective (1) to determine the effects of the silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride (NaF) in demineralized dentin exposed to an acid challenge by pH-cycling, (2) to evaluate the remineralizing capacity of SDF/NaF products based on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the treated dentin surfaces. Methodology In total, 57 human molars were evaluated in different stages of the experimental period: sound dentin - negative control (Stage 1), demineralized dentin - positive control (Stage 2), and dentin treated with SDF/NaF products + pH-c (Stage 3). Several commercial products were used for the SDF treatment: Saforide, RivaStar, and Cariestop. The mineral composition and crystalline and morphological characteristics of the dentin samples from each experimental stage were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) analytical techniques. Moreover, the mechanical response of the samples was analyzed by means of the three-point bending test. Statistics were estimated for ATR-FTIR variables by Wilcoxon test, while the mechanical data analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. Results Regarding the chemical composition, we observed a higher mineral/organic content in the SDF/NaF treated dentin + pH-c groups (Stage 3) than in the positive control groups (Saforide p=0.03; Cariestop p=0.008; RivaStar p=0.013; NaF p=0.04). The XRD results showed that the crystallite size of hydroxyapatite increased in the SDF/NaF treated dentin + pH-c groups (between +63% in RivaStar to +108% in Saforide), regarding the positive control. SEM images showed that after application of the SDF/NaF products a crystalline precipitate formed on the dentin surface and partially filled the dentin tubules. The flexural strength (MPa) values were higher in the dentin treated with SDF/NaF + pH-c (Stage 3) compared to the positive control groups (Saforide p=0.002; Cariestop p=0.04; RivaStar p=0.04; NaF p=0.02). Conclusions The application of SDF/NaF affected the physicochemical and mechanical properties of demineralized dentin. According to the results, the use of SFD/NaF had a remineralizing effect on the dentin surface even under acid challenge.