Effects of surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) eluate on Candida spp.: antifungal activity, anti-biofilm properties, and protective effects on Galleria mellonella against C. albicans infection.

Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) is a bioactive filler produced by PRG technology, which is applied to various dental materials. The inhibitory effects of S-PRG eluate against Candida, the most common fungal oral pathogen, were investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and anti-biofilm activities were tested against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis. For the in vivo study, Galleria mellonella was used as a model to evaluate the effects of S-PRG on toxicity, hemocyte counts and candidiasis. The MIC of S-PRG ranged from 5 to 40% (v/v). S-PRG eluate exhibited anti-biofilm activity for all the Candida species tested. Furthermore, injection of S-PRG eluate into G. mellonella was not toxic to the larvae and protected G. mellonella against experimental candidiasis. In addition, S-PRG eluate inhibited biofilm formation by C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis and exerted protective effects on G. mellonella against experimental candidiasis in vivo.

Application of a direct pulp capping cement containing S-PRG filler.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate new pulp capping cements containing surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler and to investigate ion release kinetics and pH shift of eluates from the cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Molars of Wistar rats were directly pulp capped using three kinds of cement containing S-PRG filler and mineral tri-oxide aggregate (MTA) was used as a control. After 1, 2, or 4 weeks, histological evaluation was performed and differences of tertiary dentin formation were analyzed. Release of Sr2+, BO33-, SiO32-, Na+, and Al3+ ions was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, and F- ion release was measured using a fluoride ion selective electrode. The pH of the eluate from each cement after mixing was measured with a pH electrode. RESULTS: One of S-PRG cements promoted tertiary dentin formation to the same extent as the control (p > 0.05) and it showed a tendency of less inflammatory response. This cement released more BO33- and SiO32-, but less Sr2+, Na+, and F- than other S-PRG specimens. Each cement recovered nearly neutral compared with glass ionomer cement. CONCLUSIONS: S-PRG cement induced tertiary dentin formation based on multiple ion releases, suggesting that it is suitable as a pulp capping material. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This new material can be an alternative pulp capping agent to MTA.

Multiple-Ion Releasing Bioactive Surface Pre-Reacted Glass-Ionomer (S-PRG) Filler: Innovative Technology for Dental Treatment and Care.

Surface Pre-Reacted Glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler, which releases strontium (Sr2+), borate (BO33-), fluoride (F-), sodium (Na+), silicate (SiO32-), and aluminum (Al3+) ions at high concentrations, is a unique glass filler that are utilized in dentistry. Because of its multiple-ion releasing characteristics, S-PRG filler exhibits several bioactivities such as tooth strengthening, acid neutralization, promotion of mineralization, inhibition of bacteria and fungi, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and enhancement of cell activity. Therefore, S-PRG filler per se and S-PRG filler-containing materials have the potential to be beneficial for various dental treatments and care. Those include restorative treatment, caries prevention/management, vital pulp therapy, endodontic treatment, prevention/treatment of periodontal disease, prevention of denture stomatitis, and perforation repair/root end filling. This review summarizes bioactive functions exhibited by S-PRG filler and its possible contribution to oral health.

Efficacy of S-PRG filler containing varnishes on enamel demineralization prevention.

This study evaluated the efficacy of S-PRG vanishes on preventing enamel demineralization. Bovine enamel specimens were obtained, polished and the baseline Knoop microhardness was evaluated. Specimens were stratified into six groups (n = 15), according to the varnish applied: S10-experimental varnish containing 10% of S-PRG fillers, S20-20% of S-PRG fillers, S30-30% of S-PRG fillers; S40-40% of S-PRG fillers; PC (positive control)-5% of NaF; NC (negative control)-no treatment was performed. Half of enamel surfaces were protected to work as a control and varnishes were applied over the unprotected area. A demineralizing pH-cycling was performed, and surface and cross-sectional microhardness were measured. The percentage of microhardness of the treated area was calculated comparing with the untreated area. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p = 5%). All experimental S-PRG varnishes protected against demineralization in relation to no treatment, but S40 was the most effective on the surface. For all depths, S30 and S40 were superior in enamel demineralization prevention than other S-PRG filler concentrations and 5% NaF. It was concluded that S-RPG filler containing varnishes were effective to prevent enamel demineralization. The higher concentrated products were more effective than 5% sodium fluoride on surface demineralization prevention.

Effect of double-layer application on bond quality of adhesive systems.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of double-layer application of universal adhesives on the bond quality and compare to other adhesive systems. METHODS: Two universal adhesives used were in this study: Scotchbond Universal (SU), [3M ESPE] and Prime & Bond elect (PE), [Dentsply Caulk]. The conventional single-step self-etch adhesives G-ӕnial Bond (GB), [GC Corporation.] and BeautiBond (BB), [Shofu Inc.], and a two-step self-etch adhesive, Optibond XTR (OX), [Kerr Corporation], were used as comparison adhesives. Shear bond strengths (SBS) and shear fatigue strengths (SFS) to human enamel and dentin were measured in single application mode and double application mode. For each test condition, 15 specimens were prepared for SBS testing and 30 specimens for SFS testing. RESULTS: Enamel and dentin SBS of the universal adhesives in the double application mode were significantly higher than those of the single application mode. In addition, the universal adhesives in the double application mode had significantly higher dentin SFS values than those of the single application mode. The two-step self-etch adhesive OX tended to have lower bond strengths in the double application mode, regardless of the test method or adherent substrate. CONCLUSION: The double application mode is effective in enhancing SBS and SFS of universal adhesives, but not conventional two-step self-etch adhesives. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that, although the double application mode may enhance the bonding quality of a universal adhesive, it may be counter-productive for two-step self-etch adhesives in clinical use.

Effects of a newly designed HEMA-free, multi-purpose, single-bottle, self-etching adhesive on bonding to dental hard tissues, zirconia-based ceramics, and gold alloy.

This study investigated the bonding effectiveness of newly designed self-etching adhesives to four types of adherends--enamel, dentin, zirconia, and gold (Au) alloy. Five experimental adhesives were prepared, which contained 3.0-5.0 wt% 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl phosphonoacetate (6-MHPA) or 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl 3-phosphonopropionate (6-MHPP), 3.0 wt% 4-acryloyloxyethoxycarbonylphthalic acid (4-AET) or 17.0 wt% 4-methacryloyloxyethoxycarbonylphthalic acid (4-MET), 0-0.5 wt% 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl 6,8-dithiooctanoate (6-MHDT) or 10-methacryloyloxydecyl 6,8-dithiooctanoate (10-MDDT), and varying contents of Bis-GMA, dimethacrylate monomers, water, acetone, and a photoinitiator system. After 2,000 times of thermal cycling, shear bond strengths (SBSs) between a resin composite (Beautifil II, Shofu Inc., Japan) and the four adherends, bonded using the experimental adhesives, were measured at 1.0 mm/min. No statistically significant differences in SBS for bonding to ground enamel, dentin, sandblasted zirconia and Au alloy (p>0.05) were found between experimental adhesives which contained 6-MHPA and/or 6-MHPP, 4-MET or 4-AET, 6-MHDT and/or 10-MDDT, Bis-GMA, and dimethacrylates. An adhesive layer of less than 5.0 µm thickness, by scanning electron microscopy observation, revealed strong adhesion to the four adherends. Therefore, the newly designed multi-purpose, self-etching adhesive strongly adhered to all the four adherend materials tested.

Detection of ions released from S-PRG fillers and their modulation effect.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ions released from a surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler in distilled water or lactic acid solution. S-PRG filler was mixed with either solution at 1000:1, 100:1, 10:1, and 1:1 ratios by weight. By means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and a fluoride electrode, elements released from S-PRG filler were identified to be Al, B, Na, Si, Sr, and F. To investigate the effect of solution pH on ion release, the pH values of the solutions before mixing and after 24 hours' mixing with S-PRG were measured. After 24 hours' mixing, the pH values of solutions at all ratios became more neutral or weakly alkaline regardless of their initial pH levels before mixing. In conclusion, results showed that S-PRG filler released several types of ions, and that ion release was influenced by the mixing ratio of the solution rather than the initial pH of the solution.

Neutralizing effect by resin-based materials containing silane-coated glass fillers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride release, neutralizing ability and inhibitory effect on secondary caries of resin-based materials containing a silane-coated glass filler. Resin-based materials containing fluoro-boro-alumino-silicate glass coated by 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane or 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane were used and resin material containing glass filler without coating was used as a control. The fluoride release and pH value after immersion were measured for 10 weeks. The inhibitory effect was also evaluated. During the initial period, the material with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane gave the greater amount of fluoride release and produced a higher pH value compared with the other materials. However, the neutralizing ability of the material with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane filler became weaker with ageing of the specimens. The mean depth of outer lesions was similar among the three materials. Within the limitations of this study, secondary caries around restorations could not be inhibited even for products showing high fluoride releasing and neutralizing ability.