Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Dental Cement Materials on Growth of Different Bacterial Strains.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of dental cement materials for the prevention of bacterial growth, which can cause failure of fixed cementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS We developed an agar diffusion disk test in-house to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 3 commercially available dental cement materials (Ketac, Harvard FLB, and Panavia SA Universal Dual Resin cements) compared with a negative control. The materials were tested for the inhibition against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 10449), Streptoccocus salivarius (ATCC 25975), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), and Lactobacilus acidophilus (ATCC 4356). The antimicrobial effectiveness of materials was expressed as the diameters of the inhibition zones around the disk. RESULTS Overall, 240 specimens were tested. All cement materials showed antimicrobial effectiveness. Different microbial strains reacted differently to the different dental cements (all P.

Disinfection of Infected Artificial Dental Periapical Lesions with Diode Laser: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND Periapical lesions are primarily caused by infections in the root canals. The objective of this study was to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of diode laser during root canal treatment in artificial models of infected periapical lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred twenty-two extracted premolar single-rooted teeth were inserted into methyl methacrylate artificial models of periapical lesions, and bacterial solutions of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 49456) were then applied to the models. The respective diameters of lesions in the artificial models represented 3 different subgroups based on lesion size. The laser protocol used for endodontic disinfection had a power output of 1.5 W and a wavelength of 810 nm. The impact on cell viability was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS Disinfection with laser did not differ between microorganisms (P=0.137), and laser irradiation with a longer duration had better disinfecting action for both microorganisms (P.

Antimicrobial Effect of Orthodontic Materials on Cariogenic Bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

BACKGROUND White spot lesions (WSLs) are a common complication after orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the antimicrobial properties of selenium-containing vs. fluoride-containing orthodontic materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS Antibacterial efficacy of orthodontic materials (SeLECT Defense bonding agent, Adhesive agent, Band Cement, Transbond Plus SEP bonding agent, Transbond Plus Adhesive agent, Fuji I Band cement, Fuji Ortho LC Adhesive agent, Ortho Solo Bonding agent, Transbond XT bonding agent, and Transbond XT primer) was tested with the inhibition of 2 bacterial strains: S. mutans (ATCC 10449) and L. acidophilus (ATCC 4356). The antimicrobial efficacy of the materials was measured by agar diffusion test. The diameters of inhibition zones around each disk were measured in millimeters (mm). RESULTS Materials containing selenium and fluoride showed significant differences from the negative control (both p<0.001). Orthodontic materials containing fluoride as a potential antimicrobial agent showed larger zones of inhibition in total (9.1±2.6 mm), the selenium group was the second-most effective (4.7±4.9 mm), and the group without any potential antimicrobial agent showed the least antimicrobial effect (0.9±1.0 mm). Materials from the group with no antibacterial agent were not significantly different from the negative control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Materials containing selenium carried the most significance when comparing microorganisms with the agent, since they were the only ones showing difference between the 2 microorganisms. They showed statistically significant difference in efficacy against S. mutans, and poor antimicrobial effect against L. acidophilus. These data suggest that orthodontic materials containing selenium might have the potential to prevent WSLs due to their antimicrobial properties.

The Effect of Ca and Mg Concentrations and Quantity and Their Correlation with Caries Intensity in School-Age Children.

INTRODUCTION: Saliva is a watery product formed by the salivary glands and secreted in the mouth. Besides the fundamental factors, saliva with its ingredient is one of the main etiologic factors of caries presence. In the development of dental caries, the relationship between demineralization and remineralization is influenced by the presence of saliva, which facilitates the transportation of ions, oral bacteria, and fermentable carbohydrates to the exposed surfaces of teeth. The main components of saliva electrolytes are sodium, calcium, copper, magnesium, bicarbonates, and organic phosphates. Increase in calcium level in the remineralization solution may enhance the deposition velocity of minerals in the caries lesion. Magnesium, except the similar role as calcium, takes an active part in cellular reparation process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study were included students of age 12-13. Students were divided into three groups; the first group included caries-free children, the second group with DMF = 1-6, and the third group with DMF > 6. Fully stimulated and nonstimulated saliva was collected in sterile graded patches in the morning hours, due to the circadian rhythm in 5-minute length. Chemical analyzes have been conducted at the Faculty of Chemistry, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. Statistical processing has been performed at the Medical Faculty, at the Institute of Medical Statistics in Skopje. RESULTS: Depending on the DMF, before and after stimulation, regarding Ca level, no significant differences were found. However, the Ca level prior to stimulation is significantly higher in the second group compared to the third one. Also, the amount of Ca after stimulation in the first group was significantly higher. No significant differences in Mg level and amount were found prior to and after stimulation, while the amount of Mg after stimulation had a significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Saliva mineral analysis has shown significant differences in quantitative and qualitative components between examining groups. The decrease of calcium molality in saliva might play a significant role in caries occurrence; thus, we may suppose that saliva calcium level significantly influences hard dental tissues defense mechanism. Magnesium levels after stimulation showed a significant difference between groups I and III and no significant differences between groups I and II. Magnesium level and amount correlate with calcium level, favoring elemental caries resistance.

The Role and Impact of Salivary Zn Levels on Dental Caries.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal attention has been given to the role of salivary microelements, the importance they have in reducing the intensity of caries, and the effect of caries prophylaxes. AIM: This research aimed to determine the concentration and quantity of Zn and its impact on the prevention and the reduction of the intensity of caries in schoolchildren aged 12-13 years with permanent dentition. METHODS: For this research, we analyzed the stimulated and nonstimulated full saliva of 106 schoolchildren divided into three groups by mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The control group consisted of 25 caries-free children, the second group had 47 children with mean DMFT index of 1 to 6, and the third group had 34 children with DMFT index of ≥ 6. Complete saliva was collected from all children in a sterile test tube. RESULTS: The concentration of Zn in saliva before stimulation in caries-free children has variations of the order of 0.001+ to 0.01 mmol/l. The maximum concentration after stimulation is 6.72 mmol/l, while the maximum value is 64.38 mmol/l. CONCLUSION: The Zn concentration in the stimulated saliva showed a significant increase in the group of caries-free children and could be described as a positive value for the reduction of caries.