Evaluation of different remineralization agents in the treatment of natural caries-affected dentin in permanent teeth.

BACKGROUND: In the preventive treatment protocol, providing remineralization of the tissue in demineralized dentin caries is an important step. OBJECTIVE: In this in vitro study, the effectiveness of remineralization agents in natural caries-affected dentin (NCAD) were investigated. METHODS: Forty caries slices were prepared from permanent molar dentin with International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS 2) (Code 3). The interventions with 8 days pH cycling were as follows: Deionized water (DW); 5% Sodium Fluoride (5% NaF) Varnish; Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Fluoride Phosphate (CPP-ACFP); Calcium Glyserophosphate (CaGP) + Magnesium (Mg) + Xylitol. DIAGNOdent (Laser Fluorescence, LF), Surface Microhardness (SMH), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy measurements were calculated before and after pH cycling. RESULTS: LF values decreased between 5% NaF, CCP-ACFP and CaGP. NCAD treated with 5% NaF, CaGP and CCP-ACFP exhibited statistically higher hardness compared to the control group. After 5% NaF application, SMH values were significantly higher than the others. There was no statistically significant difference between baseline and after pH cycling hardness of the control group. After cycling, XRF showed that Ca and P concentrations were increased in all groups. CONCLUSION: The application of agents used in the study could be recommended and promoted as a treatment option of caries dentin for conventional management of caries.

In vitro bioactivity of laser surface-treated Ti6Al4V alloy.

The effects of lasing parameters on the precipitation of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the commercial Ti6Al4V alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF) were investigated. Ti6Al4V plates were polished and ultrasonically cleaned in acetone and ethyl alcohol, respectively. The specimen surfaces were treated with Er:YAG laser using super short pulse (SSP, 50 µs) and very short pulse (VSP, 100 µs) modes. Surface roughness was measured before and after laser treatment. The specimens were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1, 3, and 7 days and, then the amount of Ca and P precipitation on specimens was determined using SEM/EDS analysis. An average roughness varying between 0.19 and 0.81 µm in surface roughness was detected in all laser-treated specimens depending on the lasing parameters. The highest surface roughness and Ca precipitation were found in VSP group (20 Hz and 5 W). Laser treatment of specimen surfaces has dramatically increased the HA precipitation due to the increasing surface roughness. It is also concluded that the immersion time was effective on the HA precipitation as well.

Effects of silane-modified fillers on properties of dental composite resin.

The effect of silanization on the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of dental composites was investigated. Silica fillers were obtained from colloidal silica solution, Ludox® HS-40 and they were silanized by using 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) in an acidic media. Mineralogical and chemical structures of unsilanized and silanized fillers were determined by using XRD and FT-IR analyses. The modification of unsilanized/silanized fillers were investigated by performing XPS and TGA analyses. The morphological evaluations, surface area, and particle size measurements were performed by using SEM, BET, and Zeta-Sizer, respectively. Eventually, pure and amorphous silica fillers were obtained. Furthermore, the weight percentage of the silane in silica/silane structure was compatible with theoretical values. SEM images, surface area, and particle size measurements showed that agglomeration tendencies of silanized fillers were lower compared to silanized fillers because of the MPTMS addition. Experimental composites (5/10/10/5BisGMA/HEMA/UDMA/TEGDMA resin reinforced with 70wt% silanized/unsilanized SiO2) were fabricated into 4mm diameter×6mm thick discs for compressive strength (CS), angular flexural strength (AFS), curing depth (CD), and polymerization shrinkage (PS) on a 25×2×2mm rectangular Teflon mold for flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (E) tests. The curing depth (CD) and degree of polymerization percentage (DP) of composites were determined. Consequently, results showed that mechanical properties and DP of composite resins can be greatly influenced by silanization as a result of the organic matrix-inorganic filler interface bonding formed by silane structures. Despite of these findings, silanization of the SiO2 was not effected DC and PS values.

The precursors effects on biomimetic hydroxyapatite ceramic powders.

In this study, effects of the starting material on chemical, physical, and biological properties of biomimetic hydroxyapatite ceramic powders (BHA) were investigated. Characterization and chemical analysis of BHA powders were performed by using XRD, FT-IR, and ICP-AES. Microstructural features such as size and morphology of the resulting BHA powders were characterized by using BET, nano particle sizer, pycnometer, and SEM. Additionally, biological properties of the BHA ceramic powders were also investigated by using water-soluble tetrazolium salts test (WST-1). According to the chemical analysis of BHA ceramic powders, chemical structures of ceramics which are prepared under different conditions and by using different starting materials show differences. Ceramic powders which are produced at 80°C are mainly composed of hydroxyapatite, dental hydroxyapatite (contain Na and Mg elements in addition to Ca), and calcium phosphate sulfide. However, these structures are altered at high temperatures such as 900°C depending on the features of starting materials and form various calcium phosphate ceramics and/or their mixtures such as Na-Mg-hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite, Mg-Whitlockit, and chloroapatite. In vitro cytotoxicity studies showed that amorphous ceramics produced at 80°C and ceramics containing chloroapatite structure as main or secondary phases were found to be extremely cytotoxic. Furthermore, cell culture studies showed that highly crystalline pure hydroxyapatite structures were extremely cytotoxic due to their high crystallinity values. Consequently, the current study indicates that the selection of starting materials which can be used in the production of calcium phosphate ceramics is very important. It is possible to produce calcium phosphate ceramics which have sufficient biocompatibility at physiological pH values and by using appropriate starting materials.

Evaluation of two different root-end cavity preparation techniques: A scanning electron microscope study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the dentinal walls of root-end cavities for the presence of cracks after cavity preparation using US retrotips and Er: YAG laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty single-rooted teeth were prepared by Protaper NiTi rotary system and obturated by lateral condensation. Three milimeters of root-end was resected. Twenty teeth were prepared with US retrotip (Group 1), 20 teeth with Er: YAG laser (Group 2), and 10 teeth without retropreparation (control group). The root-end surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Then the cracks of the resected root surfaces were evaluated on microphotographs. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was detected between US Group and Laser Group for complete, incomplete, intradentinal, and total number of cracks (P = 0.47, P = 0.80, P = 0.69, P = 0.869, respectively). CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis revealed no significant effect of retropreparation technique on the development of apical cracks (P > 0.05).