Do Ginger Extract, Natural Honey and Bitter Chocolate Remineralize Enamel Surface as Fluoride Toothpastes? An In-Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent literatures, much attention has been given to natural products for their health benefits. AIMS: In this study, the objective was to measure the efficacy of the ginger-honey-chocolate mixture as the remineralization effect has been shown in the literature previously and to evaluate the individual contributions of this mixture; ginger, natural honey, bitter chocolate separately on remineralization of initial enamel caries lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All specimens were divided into eight groups as: Ginger (Arifoglu®, Turkey) in powder form, (n = 8); Ginger-Honey-Chocolate (n = 8); Natural honey (Balparmak Plateau Blossom Honey®, Turkey) (n = 9); Bitter chocolate (Nestlé®, Switzerland) (n = 8); MI Paste (GC, Japan) (n = 8); Paradontax (Sensodyne, Glaxosmithklein, USA) (n = 9); Pronamel (Sensodyne, Glaxosmithklein, USA) (n = 9); Control (n = 9) groups. Samples were carried out five pH cycles along 7 days at 37°C for each group. During pH cycling, blocks were put in a demineralization (6 h) and a remineralization solution (18 h). The treatment consisted of 1 min. interaction of enamel surfaces with agent/deionized slurries (1:3 w/w) on a daily basis. The surface microhardness (SMH) was determined before and after pH cycling with a Digital Micro-Vickers Hardness Tester (Wilson Wolpert; Europe BV, 401 MVD, Netherlands). Mineral changes were determined by using FluoreCam® and recovery values were calculated as SMHR% and FΔ%, respectively. RESULTS: All groups showed an enhanced remineralization. There was no significant difference in terms of FΔ% (F = 1.223, P = 0.304) and SMHR% (F = 0.709, P = 0.664) between all groups. CONCLUSION: The herbals (ginger, honey, and bitter chocolate) examined in this study gave promising results with a high remineralization potential.

A novel quantitative light-induced fluorescence device for monitoring molar-incisor hypomineralization.

BACKGROUND: The FluoreCam system is based on an innovative approach to the quantification of enamel health termed fluorescence enamel imaging (FEI). Enamel is both highly mineralized and semi-translucent. Because of its mineral composition, enamel will fluoresce when exposed to certain light wavelengths. The semi-translucent nature of enamel results in different enamel densities emitting different levels of fluorescence. As a result, with FEI technology, one can measure the density of tooth enamel by measuring its fluorescence when subjected to specific light wavelengths. PURPOSE: To determine the ability of visual examination and the instrumental procedures of the FluoreCam to monitor molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study involved children with MIH at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Marmara University. In total, 11 patients with MIH were diagnosed on a visual MIH scale and evaluated with the FluoreCam. The equipment, data processing, and interaction between the equipment and operator were evaluated. RESULTS: Fluorescent images recorded with the custom software, the clinical view, and digital numeric values were evaluated to assess the potential for use of the device in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data from an ongoing clinical study suggest that measurements with the FluoreCam are useful in monitoring MIH. This technique also provides visual and quantitative feedback to patients.

Two-year clinical evaluation of IPS Empress II ceramic onlays/inlays.

The stronger the ceramic material, the longer the restoration stays in the mouth. The current study evaluated the two-year clinical performance of a strong ceramic system, IPS Empress II, with increased strength on onlay/inlay restorations of molars. Teeth from 35 patients, including three premolars and 32 molars, were prepared for 28 onlay and seven inlay restorations with IPS Empress II ceramics. The restorations were cemented with a highly viscous, dual-curing luting composite cement (Bifix) and evaluated by two examiners using USPHS criteria at baseline (one week following insertion), six months, one year and two years. The baseline scores and recalls were assessed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistically significant marginal discoloration at the Bravo level was found at the 12- and 24-month recalls (p=0.046). One debonding was statistically insignificant. No changes were observed with respect to anamnesis, such as any symptom from the TMJ or masticatory muscles. No restorations were replaced due to hypersensitivity or were missing at the two-year evaluation. Any wear on the restoration, antagonist tooth or any changes of proximal contacts were not observed. IPS Empress II Ceramics were found to be appropriate as onlay/inlay restorations for clinical use under the conditions of the current study.

Thickness measurement of worn molar cusps by ultrasound.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an ultrasonic system for in vitro measurement of cusp tips of human teeth. Each worn cusp of 12 molar teeth was measured with an industrial ultrasonic system. The teeth were sectioned and measured by polarized light microscopy. The ultrasonic measurements and histological readings were moderately correlated (r = 0.601, p < 0.01). The ultrasonic system used in this study seemed a promising method for measuring thickness of worn cusp tips of extracted human molar teeth.

Detection of natural white spot caries lesions by an ultrasonic system.

Ultrasound has been used in industrial business as one of the nondestructive measurement methods. It was hypothesized that nondestructiveness of the ultrasonics could be useful in determination of demineralization of noncavitated carious lesions on human enamel. This investigation was designed to determine the presence of natural carious lesions on proximal surfaces of human molar teeth using an ultrasonic system compared to radiography and histology as the gold standards. Measurements were made directly from proximal surfaces of 20 mandible molar teeth with white spot carious lesion by 2 examiners independently with the ultrasonic system. Ultrasonic evaluation of each natural white spot lesion had a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 88% and a negative predictive value of 86%, and the chance-corrected agreement was also satisfactory (kappa=0.74) compared to histology. The radiograph demonstrated chance-corrected agreement of 0.41:0.38 for the first and second examiners, respectively. Duncan test analysis of the numerical values was significantly different for the intact and the noncavitated carious surfaces (p<0.05). The results indicated that the ultrasonic evaluation is a sensitive method for the detection of the natural white spot carious lesions and can differentiate the changes in elastic properties of enamel numerically.

Endodontic treatment of a fused maxillary lateral incisor.

A case report of endodontic treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor that fused with a supernumerary tooth is presented. The fused maxillary lateral incisor was in supraposition on the maxillary dental arch and required orthodontic treatment. The fused tooth was prepared for endodontic therapy. Cleaning and shaping of the root canals were performed. Then, the Ultrafil technique was used for obturation of the root canals. After orthodontic treatment, the teeth was mesiodistally reduced in size and restored with an anterior composite resin.

The effect of a varnish with fluoride on the hardness of the exposed human dentine tissue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new varnish with fluoride, Fluoridin N-5, on the exposed dentine tissue in situ. Human incisors which were mounted into intra-oral devices were worn by six volunteers and the test materials were applied three times a day for fourteen days. Three different materials were used as three test groups: Novalite, Fluoridin gel N-5 and Amalgam liner. Although both the control and test groups showed some increases in hardness, the mean hardness increase of all of the test groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.007). However, the comparison of mean increases in hardness values showed no significant difference among the test groups.

Smooth coronal surface, resin restoration and microleakage.

The space between the resin and the cavity walls has always become interesting to search. The aim of this study was to evaluate any differences on leakage values of Class 5 type resin restorations prepared on surrounding surfaces of the tooth crown. Ninety human teeth were prepared as Class 5 cavities on buccal, lingual, mesial and distal surfaces and were randomly divided into groups for bevelling, groove preparation and as control. The subgroups were arranged as fluoride gel and/or sealant applications. Fluoride gel was applied following the cavity preparations. Sealant was applied over composite resin restorations. Treated teeth were thermocycled and immersed into dye solution for 96 hours. The restorations were evaluated in a stereo-microscope following the sectioning. Bevelling of the cavosurfaces and/or preparation of a groove addition to cavity procedures did not make any difference on the microleakage scores of the restorations done on either surfaces statistically.

Root canal morphology of mandibular incisors.

In this study, 100 mandibular central and lateral incisors were used to determine the number of root canals and their types, the ramifications of the root canal, the location of apical foramina, and the frequency of apical deltas. The teeth were immersed in India ink, decalcified, and cleared. The examination of root canal systems of the teeth was based on Vertucci's classification. Two more root canal types which are not defined in that classification have also been determined and grouped as new types.

The incidence of mandibular premolars with more than one root canal in a Turkish population.

One hundred and eighty seven mandibular premolars taken from a Turkish population were examined in this study. The teeth were soaked in India ink and then decalcified, cleared and used in an in vitro study to determine the number of root canals and their types, the ramifications of root canals, the location of apical foraminae and the frequency of apical deltas. It was found that the incidence of more than one canal in mandibular premolars was 27.76%; that of finding two or three separate canals in the same root was 9.62% and that of having more than one canal at the apex was 23.49%.

Evaluation of the variation in chemical composition and surface topography of different brands of gutta percha cones.

There have been many studies on the gutta percha cones used in endodontic therapy. Variations exist between different brands of cone. Since an appropriate cone plays a very important role in the prognosis of therapy, this study examined the surface topography and chemical composition of eight different brands of cone by, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic absorption spectrometry. There were some differences between all brands of gutta percha cones.

Comparison of microleakage between direct placement technics and direct inlay technics.

Laboratory studies have indicated that improvements in the physical properties of composite restorations, especially for posterior teeth, may be obtained if these materials underwent heat treatment prior to insertion. The purpose of this study was to compare the microleakage in Class II restorations ending on cementum/dentine when these preparations were restored by a direct placement composite resin as opposed to a direct inlay composite resin. Thirty-six human posterior mandibular teeth were used in this study and randomly divided into three equal groups; Group I was prepared and restored with the composite Ful-fil in a direct placement technique. Groups II and III were prepared and restored using a direct composite resin inlay technique. The material used in Group II was Brillant D.I.; that of Group III, Ful-ful. All preparations terminated 1.0 mm apical to the CEJ. The composite resin patterns of Groups II and III were oven-tempered before cementing with D.I. Duo Cement. Specimens were thermocycled 125 times between 5-55 C. Microleakage was noted cervically on a scale of 0 to 5. The composite Ful-fil, used as a direct placement material, exhibited less leakage (P less than 0.05) than either the Brillant D.I. composite or Ful-fil composite when these materials were placed as direct composite inlays.