Neural network approach to evaluate the physical properties of dentin.

This study intended to evaluate the effects of inorganic trace elements such as magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), and zinc (Zn) on root canal dentin using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The authors obtained three hundred extracted human premolars from type II diabetic individuals and divided them into three groups according to the solutions used (Mg, Sr, or Zn). The authors subdivided the specimens for each experimental group into five subgroups according to the duration for which the authors soaked the teeth in the solution: 0 (control group), 1, 2, 5, and 10 min (n = 20). The authors then tested the specimens for root fracture resistance (RFR), surface microhardness (SµH), and tubular density (TD). The authors used the data obtained from half of the specimens in each subgroup (10 specimens) for the training of ANN. The authors then used the trained ANN to evaluate the remaining data. The authors analyzed the data by Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and linear regression analysis (P < 0.05). Treatment with Mg, Sr, and Zn significantly increased the values of RFR and SµH (P < 0.05), and decreased the values of TD in dentin specimens (P < 0.05). The authors did not notice any significant differences between evaluations by manual or ANN methods (P > 0.05). The authors concluded that Mg, Sr, and Zn may improve the RFR and SµH, and decrease the TD of root canal dentin in diabetic individuals. ANN may be used as a reliable method to evaluate the physical properties of dentin.

Noninvasive temporal detection of early retinal vascular changes during diabetes.

Diabetes associated complications, including diabetic retinopathy and loss of vision, are major health concerns. Detecting early retinal vascular changes during diabetes is not well documented, and only few studies have addressed this domain. The purpose of this study was to noninvasively evaluate temporal changes in retinal vasculature at very early stages of diabetes using fundus images from preclinical models of diabetes. Non-diabetic and Akita/+ male mice with different duration of diabetes were subjected to fundus imaging using a Micron III imaging system. The images were obtained from 4 weeks- (onset of diabetes), 8 weeks-, 16 weeks-, and 24 weeks-old male Akita/+ and non-diabetic mice. In total 104 fundus images were subjected to analysis for various feature extractions. A combination of Canny Edge Detector and Angiogenesis Analyzer plug-ins in ImageJ were utilized to quantify various retinal vascular changes in fundus images. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine significant differences in the various extracted features from fundus images of diabetic and non-diabetic animals. Our novel image analysis method led to extraction of over 20 features. These results indicated that some of these features were significantly changed with a short duration of diabetes, and others remained the same but changed after longer duration of diabetes. These patterns likely distinguish acute (protective) and chronic (damaging) associated changes with diabetes. We show that with a combination of various plugging one can extract over 20 features from retinal vasculature fundus images. These features change during diabetes, thus allowing the quantification of quality of retinal vascular architecture as biomarkers for disease progression. In addition, our method was able to identify unique differences among diabetic mice with different duration of diabetes. The ability to noninvasively detect temporal retinal vascular changes during diabetes could lead to identification of specific markers important in the development and progression of diabetes mediated-microvascular changes, evaluation of therapeutic interventions, and eventual reversal of these changes in order to stop or delay disease progression.

Back-scattered and secondary electron images of scanning electron microscopy in dentistry: a new method for surface analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a popular tool for investigating the root canal surface to visualize dentinal tubules, the smear layer and various root canal filling materials in endodontics. Most of the SEM micrographs taken in endodontic research are in secondary electrons (SE) mode, in which the topographic view of a subject can be demonstrated without giving any information about the real structure. Back-scattered electron (BSE) images are also used, which reveal some information about the internal structure while providing no topographic details. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using back-scattered (BSE) and secondary electron (SE) mode of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together for obtaining detailed information about biomaterials in relation to dental structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesiobuccal roots of four permanent maxillary molars were cleaned and shaped with rotary instruments. Two samples were obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. After 2 weeks, gutta-perch was removed using rotary instruments and chloroform. In the other phase of the study, white mineral trioxide aggregate was mixed and packed into five glass tubes and exposed to blood, deionized water, synthetic tissue fluid and egg white. All the samples were prepared for visualization under SE and BSE modes of SEM to observe the characteristics of material remnants and surface structures. RESULTS: BSE mode illustrated different grey scale views which made it possible to differentiate dentin chips from filling material remnants on the surface of root canal dentin. In addition, SE mode focused on image topography, while a BSE detector showed new texture formation on the surface of white mineral trioxide aggregate exposed to proteinaceous fluids such as blood or egg white. CONCLUSIONS: Mapping BSE and SE micrographs helped us to better understand the structure of materials on the surface of root canal dentin and MTA. Moreover, analysis of structure of materials on the surface of root canal dentine and MTA can be performed better by mapping of BSE and SE micrographs.

Push-out bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate in the presence of alkaline pH.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a range of alkaline pH values on the push-out strength of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA). METHODS: The standardized lumens of root slices prepared from extracted single-rooted human teeth were filled with white ProRoot MTA. The specimens were then randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20) and wrapped in pieces of gauze soaked in synthetic tissue fluid (STF) (pH, 7.4) and STF buffered in potassium hydroxide at pH values of 8.4, 9.4, or 10.4. The samples were incubated for 3 days at 37 °C. The push-out bond strengths were then measured by using a universal testing machine. Failure modes after the push-out test were examined under a light microscope at ×40 magnification. The data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS: The greatest (9.46 ± 0.63 MPa) and lowest (5.68 ± 0.83 MPa) mean push-out bond strengths were observed after exposure to pH values of 8.4 and 10.4, respectively. There were significant differences between the groups (P = .001). The bond failure was adhesive for all experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: Push-out bond strength of WMTA could be influenced by different alkaline pH values.

Effects of storage temperature on surface hardness, microstructure, and phase formation of white mineral trioxide aggregate.

INTRODUCTION: Storage temperature influences the properties of Portland cement during mixing. Because of similarities between Portland cement and mineral trioxide aggregate, the aim of the present study was to evaluate surface microhardness, topography, and phase structure of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) after storage in a range of temperatures. METHODS: Thirty WMTA sachets were divided into 3 groups of 10. The 3 groups were stored at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 40 degrees C for 48 hours with accompanying ampules. Sachets were immediately mixed after removal from storage according to manufacturer's instructions and mixed and packed into cylindrical glass tubes at room temperature. Surface microhardness of each specimen was measured after 3 days. Four specimens from each group were prepared and observed under scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey test at P <.05. RESULTS: Mean surface hardness +/- standard deviation after storage at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 40 degrees C were 25.23 +/- 5.99, 53.56 +/- 3.28, and 62.89 +/- 1.76, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed among the groups (P < .001). More voids and a disorganized, flake-like topography were observed in specimens stored at 4 degrees C in comparison with those stored at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C. X-ray diffraction meter generated similar peaks at 40 degrees C and 25 degrees C, but slight differences were observed at 4 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that storage temperature might influence surface hardness and microstructure of WMTA.

A study of the relation between erosion and microhardness of root canal dentin.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to find a relation between erosion and microhardness of root canal dentin after irrigation with different canal irrigants. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-two single-canal human premolar teeth were selected and enlarged by rotary Protaper files. The middle part of each root was transversely sectioned to a 4-mm slice. The initial microhardness values of intact specimens were measured at depths of 100 microm and 500 microm from the pulp-dentin interface using a Vickers microhardness tester. the specimens were divided into 6 groups of 12 specimens and were treated as follows: 1: 2.6% NaOCl, 2: 17% EDTA (5 minutes) then 2.6% NaOCl (5 minutes), 3: 17% EDTA (1 minute) then 2.6% NaOCl (1 minute), 4: MTAD (5 minutes), 5: 2% Chlorhexidine (5 minutes), and 6: saline (control), respectively. Posttreatment microhardness values were obtained in the same manner as the initial ones. Afterwards, the specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy analysis. The amount of dentin erosion was examined. RESULTS: Group 2 showed the most erosive effect on dentin (P < .0001) along with the least decrease of dentin microhardness at depth of 100 microm, whereas MTAD showed the most reduction of dentin microhardness and less erosive effect on dentin. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that erosion is not the main factor in decreasing the dentin microhardness, whereas the amount of irrigant penetration might be the main cause.

Scanning electron micrograph and surface hardness of mineral trioxide aggregate in the presence of alkaline pH.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate morphologic microstructure and surface hardness of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) after exposure to a range of alkaline environments during hydration. METHODS: WMTA was mixed and packed into 60 glass tubes. Four groups, each containing 15 tubes, were exposed to pH values of 7.4, 8.4, 9.4, and 10.4, respectively, for 3 days. In 12 tubes in each group, Vickers surface hardness was measured after exposure to alkaline environments. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey test. Three specimens in each group were prepared to be evaluated under a scanning electron microscope using scattered electron (SE) and backscattered electron (BSE) detectors. RESULTS: The mean surface hardness values +/- standard deviation after exposure to pH values of 7.4, 8.4, 9.4, and 10.4 were 58.28 +/- 8.21, 68.84 +/- 7.19, 67.32 +/- 7.22, and 59.22 +/- 9.14, respectively. The difference between these values was statistically significant (p = 0.000). There were statistically significant differences between pH values of 8.4 and 9.4 and pH values of 7.4 and 10.4 (p > 0.05). The SE detector revealed needle-shaped crystals at pH values of 7.4 and 8.4 and an amorphous microstructure at pH values of 9.4 and 10.4 on WMTA surface. The BSE detector showed more unhydrated structure and pores at pH values of 7.4 and 10.4 compared with pH values of 8.4 and 9.4. CONCLUSIONS: Surface hardness can be influenced by different alkaline pH values. The BSE detector can reveal more microstructure details of WMTA in conjunction with the SE detector. More porosity and unhydrated structure are observed in WMTA exposed to pH values of 7.4 and 10.4.

Effect of pH on sealing ability of white mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling material.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate microleakage of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) used as a root-end filling material after its exposure to a range of acidic environments during hydration. Seventy single-rooted teeth were divided into 4 experimental and 2 control groups. All the teeth were instrumented, and their apices were resected. Root-end cavities were filled with white MTA in the experimental groups. In the control groups root-end cavities were not filled. Root-end fillings were exposed to acidic environments with pH values of 4.4, 5.4, 6.4, or 7.4 for 3 days in the experimental groups. Microleakage was evaluated by using bovine serum albumin. The evaluation was conducted at 24-hour intervals for 80 days. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey test. The earliest bovine serum albumin microleakage was observed in a pH value of 4.4 followed by pH values of 5.4, 6.4, and 7.4, respectively. There was a significantly longer time necessary for leakage to occur in samples stored in higher pH values (P < .000).