Reduction of microorganisms in carious dentin by photodynamic therapy mediated by potassium iodide added to methylene blue and red laser.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the association of potassium iodide to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on human carious dentin produced with a microcosm biofilm model. METHODS: A microcosm biofilm model was used to generate a caries lesion on human dentin. Pooled human saliva diluted with glycerol was used as an inoculum on specimens immersed on McBain artificial saliva enriched with 1 % sucrose (24 h at 37 °C in 5 % CO2). After refreshing culture media for 7 days, the dentin specimens were divided in 5 groups (3 specimens per group, in triplicate; n = 9): C (NaCl 0.9 %), CX (2 % chlorhexidine), PKI (0.01 % methylene blue photosensitizer+50 mM KI), L (laser at 15 J, 180 s, 22.7 J/cm2), and PKIL (methylene blue + KI + Laser). After the treatments, dentin was collected, and a 10-fold serial dilution was performed. The number of total microorganisms, total lactobacilli, total streptococci, and Streptococcus mutans was analyzed by microbial counts (CFU/mL). After normality and homoscedasticity analysis, the Welch's ANOVA and Dunnett's tests were used for CFU. All tests used a 5 % significance level. RESULTS: CX and PKIL groups showed significant bacterial decontamination of dentin, compared to group C (p < 0.05) reaching reductions up to 3.8 log10 for CX for all microorganisms' groups and PKIL showed 0.93, 1.30, 1.45, and 1.22 log10 for total microorganisms, total lactobacilli, total streptococci, and S. mutans, respectively. CONCLUSION: aPDT mediated by the association of KI and methylene blue with red laser reduced the viability of microorganisms from carious dentin and could be a promising option for cavity decontamination.

Evaluation of pretreatments on intra-radicular dentin bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of dentin pretreatments on the push-out bond strength (POBS) of self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) to radicular dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two experimental pretreatments (2.5% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4 ) and 26% polyacrylic acid (PA)) and two SARCs: Maxcem Elite (MAX) and Calibra Universal (CAL) were used. For each cement, a control group was applied as indicated by the manufacturer. Sixty bovine incisors were restored (n = 10) and subjected to POBS evaluation. Failure mode, adhesive interface and surface morphology were analyzed by a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and resin infiltration was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data for POBS and CLSM were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc (α = 0.05). RESULTS: For MAX, both experimental pretreatments resulted in increased POBS in the cervical third, and for CAL, only the PA resulted in higher POBS in the cervical third. The most failures occurred between the dentin and the resin cement, except when TiF4 was applied. For PA, analysis of surface morphology showed open dentinal tubules, while TiF4 presented particle agglomerates. SEM and CLSM images confirmed presence of resin tags for both pretreatments. CONCLUSION: Pretreating radicular dentin with PA and TiF4 solutions improves the bond strength of SARCs.

Effect of extended light activation and increment thickness on physical properties of conventional and bulk-filled resin-based composites.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the biaxial flexural strength (BFS), flexural modulus (BFM), and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of incremental and bulk-filled resin-based composites (RBCs) using extended curing exposure times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc specimens (n = 8; 6-mm diameter) were fabricated using three stacked molds (0.5-mm thick for the top and bottom molds, and a 1-mm-thick center mold for the conventional and 3-mm thick for the bulk-fill RBCs). Conventional (Tetric EvoCeram/TCE and Filtek Z250/FIZ) and bulk-fill RBCs (Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill/TBF and Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative/FOB) were evaluated. The stacked RBC-filled molds were light-cured for (1) the manufacturer-recommended exposure (MRE) duration; (2) 50%, and (3) 100% extension of the MRE. The BFS, BFM, and KHN of the top and bottom discs were measured. BFS and BFM were analyzed by three-way ANOVA (material*curing time*depth) and Tukey's post hoc (α = 0.05). KHN was analyzed by two-way ANOVA (curing time*depth) and Tukey's post hoc (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Extending the exposure duration did not change the BFS and BFM on the top of the RBCs, but the BFS and KHN increased at the bottom of bulk-fill RBCs. For the conventional RBCs, TCE showed the highest increase on BFS at the bottom, going from 53.6 MPa at T1 to 69.9 at T3. Among the bulk-fill RBCs, FOB presented the highest increase on the bottom BFS (T1: 101.0 ± 19.9 MPa, T3: 147.6 ± 12.9 MPa). For all RBCs and exposure times, BFS and KHN were lower at the bottom. Only FIZ and FOB reached a bottom-to-top hardness ratio of 80%, at T3 and T2. CONCLUSION: A significant increase on the BFS and KHN on the bottom of bulk-fill RBCs can be observed when the time of exposure to the curing light is double the MRE. However, extended exposure does not eliminate differences on the BFS and KHN between the shallow and deep regions of RBCs. TCE and TBF failed to reach an acceptable B/T hardness ratio at all evaluated exposure times. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mechanical properties of RBCs can be affected by insufficient polymerization, specially at deeper regions of the increment. Therefore, clinicians should consider applying twice the MRE to curing-light to polymerize the maximal increment thickness of bulk-fill RBCs.

Synthesis, characterization, and incorporation of upconverting nanoparticles into a dental adhesive.

The purpose of this study was to describe the synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of b-NaYF4:30%Yb/0.5%Tm upconverting nanocrystals for use as nanofillers in a dental adhesive and microscopically evaluate the interface between the particles and a commercial adhesive. The upconverting nanoparticles were synthesized and purified by thermal decomposition, and their chemical composition determined by energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. The crystalline structure was characterized using X-Ray diffraction and morphology and size were observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Upconverting emission was evaluated by spectrophotometry irradiating the particles with a 975 nm diode laser. Particles were functionalized with polyacrylic acid and the success was confirmed by measurement of Zeta Potential and transmission electron microscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction found a pure hexagonal phase crystalline pattern. Scanning electron microscopy showed uniform dispersion of hexagonal-shaped particles of approximately 150 nm. Upconversion emission was observed in 344 nm, 361 nm, 450 nm, 474nm, 646 nm, 803 nm. Functionalization success was confirmed by formation of a stable aqueous colloid with a Zeta potential of -29.5mV and the absence of voids in the particle-adhesive interface on the transmission electron microscopy images. The reported synthesis and functionalization process produced upconverting nanoparticles emitting photons within the blue spectral region (450 nm and 474 nm).

Flexural strength and microhardness of bulk-fill restorative materials.

BACKGROUND: Bulk-fill materials can facilitate the restorative procedure mainly for deep and wide posterior cavities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate flexural strength (biaxial flexural strength [BFS]) and microhardness (Knoop microhardness [KHN]) at different depths of bulk-fill materials. METHODS: Five bulk-fill materials were tested: two light-curable composite resins, one dual-cure composite, one bioactive restorative, and a high-viscosity glass ionomer. A conventional composite was used as control. BFS and KHN were tested at different depths. Data was analyzed by two- and one-way ANOVAs, respectively and Tukey's post-hoc (α=0.05). RESULTS: The high-viscosity glass ionomer material presented the lowest BFS at all depths. KHN for the two light-curable and the dual-cure bulk-fill resin composites was reduced following an increase in restoration depth, while the conventional composite, the bioactive material, and the high-viscosity glass ionomer were not affected. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the properties of the tested materials at 4 mm depth, showing that the studied properties of some materials vary according to the cavity depth, although the results are material dependent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical properties of light-cured, bulk-fill materials may be affected by inadequate polymerization. Clinicians should consider complementary strategies to achieve adequate polymerization at high-increment depths.

Synthesis, characterization, and incorporation of upconverting nanoparticles into a dental adhesive

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of b-NaYF4:30%Yb/0.5%Tm upconverting nanocrystals for use as nanofillers in a dental adhesive and microscopically evaluate the interface between the particles and a commercial adhesive. The upconverting nanoparticles were synthesized and purified by thermal decomposition, and their chemical composition determined by energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. The crystalline structure was characterized using X-Ray diffraction and morphology and size were observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Upconverting emission was evaluated by spectrophotometry irradiating the particles with a 975 nm diode laser. Particles were functionalized with polyacrylic acid and the success was confirmed by measurement of Zeta Potential and transmission electron microscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction found a pure hexagonal phase crystalline pattern. Scanning electron microscopy showed uniform dispersion of hexagonal-shaped particles of approximately 150 nm. Upconversion emission was observed in 344 nm, 361 nm, 450 nm, 474nm, 646 nm, 803 nm. Functionalization success was confirmed by formation of a stable aqueous colloid with a Zeta potential of −29.5mV and the absence of voids in the particle-adhesive interface on the transmission electron microscopy images. The reported synthesis and functionalization process produced upconverting nanoparticles emitting photons within the blue spectral region (450 nm and 474 nm).