Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties, Cell Viability, and Metalloproteinase Activity of Bioceramic Endodontic Materials Used in Vital Pulp Therapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties, cell viability, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition capacity of several endodontic materials aimed at vital pulp therapy: Pro Root MTA®, EndoSequence®, Biodentine®, MTA Angelus®, TheraCal LC®, and BioC Repair®. The materials were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Antimicrobial tests were conducted using a microcosm biofilm model, cell viability was assessed using murine fibroblasts (L929), and MMP activity was analyzed through electrophoresis. The results showed that BioC Repair®, Biodentine®, and EndoSequence® exhibited similar antimicrobial properties, while MTA Angelus® and ProRoot MTA® had inferior results but were comparable to each other. In terms of cell viability, no significant differences were observed among the materials. EndoSequence® demonstrated the highest MMP inhibition capacity. In conclusion, BioC Repair®, Biodentine®, EndoSequence®, and TheraCal® showed better antimicrobial properties among the tested materials. The materials did not exhibit significant differences in terms of cytotoxicity. However, EndoSequence® displayed superior MMP inhibition capacity.

Antibacterial activity and physicochemical properties of a sealer containing copaiba oil.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of a novel dual-cure endodontic sealer containing copaiba oil. The copaiba oil was obtained and characterized by gas chromatography (GC), and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed. The experimental sealers were formulated with copaiba oil concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2%, and the RealSeal™ (Sybron endo, Orange, USA) and AH Plus (Dentsply De Trey Gmbh, Konstanz, Germany) were used as the commercial references. The antimicrobial activity of the sealers was evaluated by the direct contact test for 1h and 24h. To evaluate the physicochemical properties of the sealers, the degree of conversion, setting time, film thickness, dimensional stability, and radiopacity tests were performed. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Concerning the results, the sealers containing copaiba oil showed antimicrobial activity without harming the physicochemical properties.

Antimicrobial and physical properties of experimental endodontic sealers containing vegetable extracts.

To assess the antimicrobial activity and the physical properties of resin-based experimental endodontic sealers with the incorporation of vegetable extracts obtained from Bixa orellana, Mentha piperita, and Tagetes minuta species. The extracts were obtained and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The extracts were individually incorporated into a dual-cure experimental sealer at a mass concentration of 0.5%. A commercial reference RealSeal was used. The sealers were evaluated by measuring the setting time, degree of conversion, dimensional stability, radiopacity, flow, and film thickness of these materials, also and its antimicrobial effect was evaluated using the direct contact test. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test at α = 0.05 significance level. The physical properties were not influenced by the addition of the vegetable extracts (p > 0.05). For S. mutans, only T. minuta and B. orellana groups presented antibacterial activity after 24 h of contact (p < 0.05). All extracts evidenced an antibacterial effect against E. faecalis (p < 0.05). The experimental sealers hold promise as a novel vegetable sealer with great antimicrobial activity and also great physical-mechanical properties. Nonetheless, more studies are needed.

Physicomechanical, optical, and antifungal properties of polymethyl methacrylate modified with metal methacrylate monomers.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The high recurrence rates of denture stomatitis may be associated with the resistance of biofilms to therapeutics. Therefore, methods that provide biomaterials with antifungal properties are an attractive solution to improving microbial control. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to modify conventional polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) through the incorporation of metal methacrylate monomers and to evaluate the physicomechanical and optical properties and antifungal activity of the modified materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental denture base acrylic resins were fabricated through the addition of zirconium methacrylate (ZM), tin methacrylate (TM), and di-n-butyldimethacrylate-tin (DNBMT) to the liquid of a commercially available denture base PMMA resin. Unmodified PMMA resin was used as the control. The degree of conversion of the materials was tested through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (n=3). A digital spectrophotometer was used to assess the color change of the modified materials (n=8). Differences in Knoop hardness and roughness between experimental groups were also evaluated (n=8). A biofilm accumulation test with Candida albicans (ATCC 62342) (n=4) was performed for 5 days in Sabouraud broth culture supplemented with 10% sucrose. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference test (α=.05). RESULTS: The degree of conversion and color-change values of the experimental materials were statistically similar to those of the control (P=.593). The incorporation of DNBMT significantly increased the hardness of the modified material (P=.014). The ZM, TM, and DNBMT groups had higher antifungal activity against C. albicans (P=.001) and lower roughness than the control group (control 0.65 ±0.05 µm; ZM 0.34 ±0.09 µm, TM 0.34 ±0.11 µm, and DNBMT 0.41 ±0.08 µm). CONCLUSIONS: The metal-containing methacrylate monomers provided antifungal action to the modified materials without affecting the physicomechanical or optical properties of the denture base resin. ZM, TM, and DNBMT are potential reactive agents for the fabrication of PMMA denture base resins with antifungal properties.

Are propolis extracts potential pharmacological agents in human oral health? - A scoping review and technology prospecting.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antimicrobial potential of propolis - a honey bee product - was correlated with its traditional use as a natural medicine, mainly known for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Moreover, research on natural products in dentistry has increased in recent years in the search for products with greater therapeutic activity, lower toxicity, better biocompatibility, and more affordable cost to the population. OBJECTIVE: Considering that the beneficial effect of propolis is acknowledged for several oral conditions, this study aimed to synthesize the research and technological forecasts of existing evidence on the use of propolis extract as a potential antimicrobial agent in dentistry. METHODS: Studies were identified through an investigation in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo electronic databases. Additionally, the following patent databases were screened: Google Patents, WIPO, INPI, Espacenet, and Questel Orbit. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and Questel Orbit. RESULTS: A total of 174 scientific articles and 276 patents fulfilled all the criteria and were included in the investigation. The highest number of patents (n = 144) was produced by China. Additionally, the most prevalent studies were performed on an experimental basis (72%), followed by clinical studies (n = 27) and review articles (n = 21). The effect of using propolis has been extensively observed in oral care products, periodontics, pathology, and cariology, among other dental specialties. CONCLUSION: It was possible to identify the current scientific and technological scenario of the application of propolis in dentistry, with the number of patents increasing in recent years. However, all studies related to the use of propolis in dentistry have shown a potentially safe antimicrobial agent in an extensive field of application.

Systematic review and technological overview of the antimicrobial activity of Tagetes minuta and future perspectives.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antimicrobial potential of Tagetes minuta was correlated with its traditional use as antibacterial, insecticidal, biocide, disinfectant, anthelminthic, antifungal, and antiseptic agent as well as its use in urinary tract infections. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to systematically review articles and patents regarding the antimicrobial activity of T. minuta and give rise to perspectives on this plant as a potential antimicrobial agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search of studies published between 1997 and 2015 was conducted over five databases: MedLine (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Portal de Periódicos Capes and SciFinder, grey literature was explored using the System for Information on Dissertations database, and theses were searched using the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Full text database and the Periódicos Capes Theses database. Additionally, the following databases for patents were analysed: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Google Patents, National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and Espacenet patent search (EPO). The data were tabulated and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. RESULTS: After title screening, 51 studies remained and this number decreased to 26 after careful examinations of the abstracts. The full texts of these 26 studies were assessed to check if they were eligible. Among them, 3 were excluded for not having full text access, and 11 were excluded because they did not fit the inclusion criteria, which left 10 articles for this systematic review. The same process was conducted for the patent search, resulting in 4 patents being included in this study. CONCLUSION: Recent advances highlighted by this review may shed light on future directions of studies concerning T. minuta as a novel antimicrobial agent, which should be repeatedly proven in future animal and clinical studies. Although more evidence on its specificity and clinical efficacy are necessary to support its clinical use, T. minuta is expected to be a highly effective, safe and affordable treatment for infectious diseases.