A Comparison of Laser and Mechanical Surface Pretreatment Methods on Shear Bond Strength of Resin Composite to Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer.

Statement of the Problem: Dentin margins have a higher microleakage than enamel in composite restorations due to weaker bond durability. Clinically, most margins are located apical to cementoenamel junction on the dentin or cementum. Different surface preparation methods may have dissimilar effects on the shear bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) to composite resin, regarding the layering technique employed in restoration of these cavities. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the shear bond strength of RMGI to composite resin using different mechanical surface preparation methods. Materials and Method: In this in vitro study, 72 RMGI samples were prepared in six groups (n=12): control, acid etching, air abrasion with aluminum oxide (Al2O3), bur, Er: YAG laser, and Er, Cr: YSGG laser groups. Two samples from each group were randomly examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A bonding layer and composite resin were applied and cured. Then the samples were subjected to 5000-cycles thermocycling procedure. The shear bond strength was then evaluated using a universal testing machine. Finally, the failed surface of the samples was evaluated under a light microscope to examine the failure mode. For the statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Games-Howell post hoc test was used to compare quantitative variables and chi-squared test to investigate the relationship between the failure mode and the groups. The significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed significant differences between the mean of the strength variable in the groups (p< .001). The acid-etch and air abrasion groups exhibited significantly the lowest and highest values, respectively. The chi-squared test results also showed a significant relationship between the failure mode in the study groups (p= .008). Conclusion: Acid etching before completing RMGI polymerization could adversely affect shear bond strength. The air abrasion and bur methods are among the best methods to increase the shear bond strength between composite resin and RMGI. Using Er, Cr: YSGG and Er: YAG lasers could increase the bond strength results.

Pre-Heating of Low-Shrinkage Composite Resins: Effects on Color Stability and Surface Roughness.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of preheating on the color stability and surface roughness of a silorane-based composite resin. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 Filtek P90 composite resin disks, (10mm×1mm), were fabricated using plastic molds and were divided into two groups. In group 2, the composite resin syringes were placed in a thermostatically controlled water bath at 55‒60°C before preparing the disks. After polishing the samples with silicon carbide papers, they were stored in distilled water for 48 hours. Roughness and color parameters were then measured in two stages: immediately after retrieval from distilled water and after 40 days of storage in tea solution. Finally, the differences in roughness and color parameters were recorded. Independent sample t-test and regression analysis were used at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: Based on the findings of the present study, there was no significant difference among the mean ∆E values (P=0.4); however, a significant difference in mean surface roughness (P=0.01) was found between the two groups. Regression analysis showed a significant relationship between the study groups in terms of surface roughness and ΔE values​ (preheated: r2 = 0.73; non-preheated: r2= 0.76). Conclusion: Filtek P90 silorane-base composite showed ΔE>3.3 and surface roughness above 0.2µ under preheated and non-preheated conditions and discoloration increased following preheating.

The antibacterial activity of "Satureja hortensis" extract and essential oil against oral bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been an increasing growth in research on medical plant's effect on dental plaque bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial effects of Satureja hortensis extract and its essential oil (EO) on Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus mutans as important bacteria in early supragingival dental plaque formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, different concentrations of S. hortensis extract and its EO were prepared using double dilution method. The disc diffusion method was used to determine antibacterial activity. Based on these measurements, the minimal inhibitory concentration value was reported for each bacterium. Antibiotics used as positive controls in this study were erythromycin (15 µg) and tetracycline (30 µg). t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Aqueous and methanolic extract did not show significant antibacterial activity, but the EO significantly inhibited the growth of the test bacteria compared to positive control (P < 0.05). High concentrations of EO processed greater antimicrobial effects against three oral bacteria than other low concentrations (P < 0.0001). For S. mutans, the inhibition effect of tetracycline 30 µg was similar with 50% (P = 0.789) and 25% (P = 0.158) dosages of the EO. For S. salivarius, the effect of tetracycline 30 µg was similar to 50% dosages of the EO (P = 0.122). For S. sanguis, the effect of erythromycin 15 µg was lower than 50% (P = 0.0006) and 25% (P = 0.003) dosages of the EO. The inhibition effects of all concentrations of EO were higher for S. sanguis. S. salivarius and S. sanguis are more sensitive than S. mutans to S. hortensis EO. CONCLUSION: Due to the strong antibacterial effect of S. hortensis EO on the oral bacteria growth, it can be served as herbal mouth rinse, while to confirm this antibacterial effect, further clinical studies are necessary.

Evaluation of shear bond strength of zirconia to composite resin using different adhesive systems.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate shear bond strength of zirconia to composite resin using different universal and conventional adhesives and a zirconia primer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty zirconia blocks were fabricated of zirconium ingots (10×10×5 mm) and sintered at 1530°C for 2 hours. They were then air-abraded with Al2O3 particles. The specimens were divided into 4 groups and subjected to one of the following bonding agents: Futurabond U (group 1), Clearfil Universal Bond, universal adhesives (group 2), Z-Prime Plus, zirconia primer (group 3) and Adper Single Bond 2, conventional adhesive (group 4). Composite resin was then applied in a diameter of 5 mm and in a thickness of 2 mm. All the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and then thermocycled between 5°C and 55°C for 5000 cycles with a 30-second dwell time. The shear bond strength was then evaluated with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data (MPa) were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD test (P≤0.05). The specimens were evaluated under a stereomicroscope to determine the mode of failure. RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength was 16,874 MPa in group I, 13.4434 MPa in group II, 11.6500 MPa in group III and 6.8700 MPa in group IV. ANOVA revealed that the shear bond strength in group IV was significantly lower than that in other groups (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The shear bond strength in group I was significantly higher than that in groups III and IV. So Universal adhesives could provide higher shear bond strength of zirconia to composite resin after thermocycling compared to zirconia primers. Key words:10-MDP, shear bond strength, universal adhesive systems, zirconia primer.

A positive correlation between immunohistochemical expression of CD31 and mast cell tryptase in odontogenic tumors.

In this study, we compared mast cell tryptase and CD31 expression between odontogenic tumors with the aim of predicting the clinical behavior of these lesions at the time of initial biopsy. We also evaluated the correlation between mast cell tryptase and CD31 expression to clarify the role of mast cells (MCs) in the growth of odontogenic tumors. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-MC tryptase and anti-CD31 antibodies was performed on 48 cases of odontogenic tumors including solid ameloblastoma (SAM), unicystic ameloblastoma (UAM), odontogenic myxoma (OM), cystic calcifying odontogenic tumor (CCOT) and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT). Ten high power fields were analyzed for each sample. Total MC count was significantly increased in SAM compared to other odontogenic tumors (p<0.05). Microvessel density was statistically higher in SAM and AOT compared to remaining odontogenic tumors (p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between MCs and microvessels in odontogenic tumors (p=0.018, r=0.34). Our findings suggest a role for MCs in aggressive clinical behavior of odontogenic tumors. The significant correlation found between MC count and microvessel density in odontogenic tumors is in agreement with the theory of participation of MCs in tumor progression. Targeting MC activity may represent an important nonsurgical therapeutic approach, especially for aggressive odontogenic tumors.