Photodynamic inactivation of planktonic cultures and Streptococcus mutans biofilms for prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment: An in vitro investigation.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the efficacy of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) with hematoporphyrin IX (H) and modified hematoporphyrin IX (MH) at 10 µmol/L, using a blue light-emitting diode (LED), fluence of 75 J/cm,2 over planktonic cultures and biofilm of Streptococcus mutans (UA 159). METHODS: Suspensions containing 107 cells/mL were tested under different experimental conditions: a) H and LED (H+L+), b) MH and LED (MH+L+), c) only LED (P-L+), d) only H (H+L-), e) only MH (MH+L-), and f) control group, no LED or photosensitizer treatment (P-L-). The study also evaluated the effect of PDI on S mutans biofilm on metallic or ceramic brackets bonded on specimens of human teeth. The strains were seeded onto Mitis salivarius-bacitracin-sacarose agar to determine the number of colony-forming units. RESULTS: H and MH under LED irradiation were effective on planktonic cultures (P <0.0001). H and MH (H+L+ and MH+L+) caused a reduction of 3.80 and 6.78 log10 CFU/mL. PDI with the use of H or MH and LED exerted a strong antimicrobial effect over S mutans showing 54% and 100% reduction, respectively. PDI on S mutans biofilm on metallic and ceramic brackets with the use of H was not effective (P = 0.0162, P = 0.1669), however, MH caused a significant reduction of 44% and 53% of the cell count on metallic and ceramic brackets, respectively (P = 0.0020, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In vitro planktonic cultures with the use of H or MH and LED exerted significant antimicrobial activity. No effect was observed on S mutans biofilm on either bracket type with the use of H, MH showed better results, suggesting a promising use against dental caries and white spot lesions.

Resin-dentin bond stability and physical characterization of a two-step self-etching adhesive system associated with TiF4.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the bond strength to superficial (SD) and deep (DD) dentin after the use of 2.5% (T2.5%) or 4% (T4%) titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) in aqueous solution as a dentin pretreatment, or when incorporated into the primer (T2.5%P and T4%P) of an adhesive system (Clearfil SE Bond/CL). Degree of conversion (DC), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PI) and zeta potential (ZP) of the solutions were evaluated. METHODS: Fifty molars were sectioned longitudinally to obtain two slices of each tooth, which were demarcated into SD and DD. Treatments were applied (n=10): CL; T2.5%; T4%; T2.5%P; T4%P. After 24h or 180days storage, microshear bond strength tests were performed. The DC values of T2.5%P and T4%P were evaluated by FTIR. PS, PI and ZP were measured using dynamic light scattering. RESULTS: Analysis of mixed models showed significant effect of concentration of TiF4 * solution * storage time (p=0.0075). There were higher bond strength values in SD than in DD (p=0.0105) for all treatments in both times. The failure mode showed adhesive failures in the majority of groups, irrespective of depth and time (p=0.3746). The bond strength values were not affected by treatments. Lower average particle size was observed for T2.5%P and T4%P at baseline. T2.5% and T4% showed a trend towards agglomeration. SIGNIFICANCE: Higher bond strength values were achieved at SD for all treatments and times. The failure modes observed were adhesive. TiF4 incorporation did not affect DC. T2.5%P and T4%P presented excellent stability over time.

Longitudinal Effect of Surface Treatments Modified by NaOCl-Induced Deproteinization and Nd:YAG Laser on Dentin Permeability.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dentin permeability after dentin hypersensitivity treatments: fluoride, adhesive system, and collagen deproteinization with and without Nd:YAG laser exposure, and after erosive and abrasive challenges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin permeability was assessed by measuring dentinal fluid flow using a permeability device. Eighty bovine dentin specimens (6 mm diameter/1 mm thickness) had permeability measured in the presence of the smear layer and after removal of the smear layer by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). They were then divided into eight groups according to treatment (n = 10): Group C, control; Group L, Nd:YAG laser; Group F, fluoride; Group FL, fluoride plus Nd:YAG laser; Group A, adhesive; Group AL, adhesive plus Nd:YAG laser; Group D, 10% NaOCl plus adhesive; and group DL, NaOCl plus adhesive plus Nd:YAG laser. Nd:YAG laser was irradiated at 60 mJ/pulse/10 Hz/47.7 J/cm2/1 W and applied freehanded without contact for 60 sec. Permeability was measured 24 h after the treatments. The specimens were exposed to erosive and abrasive challenges for 5 days. Erosive challenge was done by immersion in Coca-Cola, four times a day/90 sec each. After the first and last erosive challenge of the day, the abrasive challenge was conducted by brushing the specimens (24,000 cycles/3.8 cm range/200 g weight), and permeability was measured again. Results were analyzed statistically using two factor ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: With the exception of groups FL and A, all treatments reduced permeability. A significant reduction in permeability was seen when the treatments were combined with laser exposure. The association of adhesive and Nd:YAG laser led to the lowest rate of permeability after 24 h. NaOCl-induced deproteinization associated with Nd:YAG laser showed the lowest permeability rate after erosive/abrasive challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Dentin hypersensitivity treatments reduced dentin permeability when associated with Nd:YAG laser, even after erosive/abrasive challenges.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser on the solvent evaporation of adhesive systems.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of Nd:YAG laser on the evaporation degree (ED) of the solvent components in total-etch and self-etch adhesives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ED of Gluma Comfort Bond (Heraeus-Kulzer) one-step self-etch adhesive, and Adper Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE), and XP Bond (Dentsply) total-etch adhesives was determined by weight alterations using two techniques: Control--spontaneous evaporation of the solvent for 5 min; Experimental--Nd:YAG laser irradiation for 1 min, followed by spontaneous evaporation for 4 min. The weight loss due to evaporation of the volatile components was measured at baseline and after 10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 40 s, 50 s, 60 s, 70 s, 80 s, 90 s, 100 s, 110 s, 2 min, 3 min, 4 min, and 5 min. RESULTS: Evaporation of solvent components significantly increased with Nd:YAG laser irradiation for all adhesives investigated. Gluma Comfort Bond showed significantly higher evaporation of solvent components than Adper Single Bond 2 and XP Bond. All the adhesives lost weight quickly during the first min of Nd:YAG laser irradiation. CONCLUSION: The application of Nd:YAG laser on adhesives before light curing had a significant effect on the evaporation of the solvent components, and the ED of Gluma Comfort Bond one-step self-etch adhesive was significantly higher than with Adper Single Bond 2 and XP Bond total-etch adhesives. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of the Nd:YAG laser on the uncured adhesive technique can promote a greater ED of solvents, optimizing the longevity of the adhesive restorations.

Evaluation of the cohesive strength between resin composite and light-curing characterizing materials.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cohesive strength between composite and different light-curing characterizing materials (LCCM), which were prepared using the intrinsic technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred composite specimens were made by using a prefabricated Teflon device, and a layer of LCCM was applied at the interface. The specimens were divided into 5 groups (n = 20): group 1 (control), no LCCM was used; group 2: application of White Kolor Plus Pigment (Kerr) LCCM; group 3: White Tetric Color Pigment (Ivoclar/Vivadent) LCCM; group 4: Brown Kolor Plus Pigment (Kerr) LCCM; group 5: Black Tetric Color Pigment (Ivoclar/Vivadent) LCCM. All materials were used according to the manufacturers' instructions. Specimens were submitted to a tensile test in a universal testing machine (EMIC DL-200MF) to evaluate the cohesive strength at the composite interface. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%). RESULTS: ANOVA showed a p-value = 0.0001, indicating that there were significant differences among the groups. The mean values in MPa (± standard deviation) obtained for the groups were: G1: 28.5 (± 2.74)a; G2: 23.5 (± 2.47)b; G3: 20.3 (± 2.49)b; G4: 10.5 (± 2.40)c; G5: 9.66 (± 3.06)c. The groups with the same letters presented no significant differences. The control group presented statistically significantly higher cohesive strengths when compared to the other groups. The groups in which Brown Kolor Plus Pigment and Black Tetric Color Pigment LCCM were used showed significantly lower cohesive strengths when compared to the groups in which White Kolor Plus Pigment and White Tetric Color Pigment LCMM were used. CONCLUSION: The use of LCCM produced with the intrinsic technique reduced the cohesive strength of composite.

Durable bonds at the adhesive/dentin interface: an impossible mission or simply a moving target?

Composite restorations have higher failure rates, more recurrent caries and increased frequency of replacement as compared to dental amalgam. Penetration of bacterial enzymes, oral fluids, and bacteria into the crevices between the tooth and composite undermines the restoration and leads to recurrent decay and failure. The gingival margin of composite restora tions is particularly vulnerable to decay and at this margin, the adhesive and its seal to dentin provides the primary barrier between the prepared tooth and the environment. The intent of this article is to examine physico-chemical factors that affect the integrity and durability of the adhesive/dentin interfacial bond; and to explore how these factors act synergistically with mechanical forces to undermine the composite restoration. The article will examine the various avenues that have been pursued to address these problems and it will explore how alterations in material chemistry could address the detrimental impact of physico-chemical stresses on the bond formed at the adhesive/dentin interface.