Self-cleaning effects of acrylic resin containing fluoridated apatite-coated titanium dioxide.

OBJECTIVES: Specific materials when used in the manufacture of dentures can enhance the elimination of micro-organisms to promote oral hygiene. We used Candida albicans adhesion assays, methylene blue (MB)-decomposition tests and mechanical property tests to evaluate the photocatalytic properties of acrylic resin containing fluoridated apatite-coated titanium dioxide (FAp-TiO2 ) after treatment with ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation. BACKGROUND: Conventional denture cleaning methods are unable to completely eliminate micro-organisms from dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Test specimens were prepared using acrylic resin containing three types of TiO2 powder [FAp-TiO2, titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and hydroxyapatite-coated TiO2 (HAp-TiO2 )]; n = 96. In the adhesion assay, test specimens were incubated in a fungal suspension and subjected to UVA irradiation, and the number of attachments of C. albicans on the test specimens was counted. The MB-decomposition test and the three-point bending test were then performed to assess the photocatalytic effects of the FAp-TiO2 -containing acrylic resin. RESULTS: Fluoridated apatite-coated titanium dioxide-containing acrylic resin demonstrated superior effectiveness in inhibiting C. albicans adherence as well as in decomposing MB. In the three-point bending test, the resin showed a smaller decrease in flexural strength compared with TiO2 - or HAp-TiO2 -containing acrylic resin. Furthermore, UVA irradiation for 360 h did not significantly influence its flexural strength or elasticity modulus as compared with the control; this fulfils the requirements of International Organization for Standardization 1567:1999. CONCLUSION: Fluoridated apatite-coated titanium dioxide-containing acrylic resin is a clinically suitable material that promotes proper denture hygiene, particularly for elderly persons requiring nursing care or who have a decreased ability to perform normal activities of daily living.

Evaluation of Photocatalytic and Protein Adsorption Properties of Anodized Titanium Plate Immersed in Simulated Body Fluid.

Titanium-based materials are widely used for implant treatments such as artificial dental roots. Surface treatment has the potential to improve not only the biocompatibility but also the chemical and mechanical durability of the surface without changing the mechanical properties of the metal. A relatively thick titanium oxide film can be formed by the anodic oxidation method. Phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid electrolytic solution has previously been used for anodic oxidation. Such anodized films have excellent film hardness, abrasion resistance, and adhesion. In this study, titanium plate was anodized using an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid in which titanium oxide powder was suspended. A 2800-nm-thick titanium oxide film was formed, which was thicker than that obtained using phosphoric acid electrolyte. The titanium plate was immersed in simulated body fluid for 1 day to evaluate the photocatalytic activity and protein adsorption ability, and a homogeneous crack-free hydroxyapatite layer was formed. This titanium plate showed high methylene blue bleaching capacity. The adsorption ability of the acidic protein of the anodized titanium plate subjected to the above treatment was high. This suggests that this titanium plate has antimicrobial properties and protein adsorption ability. Thus, we report that a titanium plate, anodized with a sulfuric acid aqueous electrolyte solution containing suspended TiO2 powder and immersed in simulated body fluid, might behave as an antibacterial and highly biocompatible implant material.

Syntheses, structures and photophysical properties of iron containing hydroxyapatite prepared by a modified pseudo-body solution.

It is known that bones and teeth are mostly composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and iron is present in them as a trace element. In order to search for helpful information for understanding the behavior of trace iron element in bones and teeth, very small amounts of iron containing HAp(FeHAp) were synthesized from a modified pseudo-body solution at low temperature. The effects of iron on the structural and photo-absorption properties of FeHAp were characterized by XRD, the Rietveld structural refinement, TEM and UV-vis photo-absorption spectroscopy. The results suggested that Fe(III) ions with high spin could get into the apatite structure and FeHAp with a pure apatitic phase could be obtained. At the same time, iron could modify the photo-absorption property of FeHAp. Compared with the pure HAp material, the prepared iron containing materials showed obviously photo-absorption property in the UV light region.

ESR investigation of ROS generated by H2O2 bleaching with TiO2 coated HAp.

It is well known that clinical bleaching can be achieved with a solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or H2O2/titanium dioxide (TiO2) combination. This study examined the hypothesis that TiO2 coated with hydroxyapatite (HAp-TiO2) can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are generated via photocatalysis using electron spin resonance (ESR). The bleaching properties of HAp-TiO2 in the presence of H2O2 can be measured using hematoporphyrin litmus paper and extracted teeth. We demonstrate that superoxides (O2(•-)) and hydroxyl radicals (HO(•)) can be generated through excitation of anatase TiO2, rutile TiO2, anatase HAp-TiO2, and rutile HAp-TiO2 in the presence of H2O2. The combination of R HAp-TiO2 with H2O2 produced the highest level of HO(•) generation and the most marked bleaching effects of all the samples. The superior bleaching effects exhibited by R HAp-TiO2 with H2O2 suggest that this combination may lead to novel methods for the clinical application of bleaching treatments.

Response of human fibroblasts to implant surface coated with titanium dioxide photocatalytic films.

PURPOSE: This study was to develop a titanium dioxide (TiO(2))-coated implant abutment, surface with ultraviolet (UV) light-induced hydrophilicity and investigate the initial response of human, fibroblasts to the surface modification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commercially pure titanium (JIS 2 grade) disks were coated with TiO(2) to various, thicknesses (1, 2 or 3 µm) using peroxotitanium acid solution. The surface characteristics of each disk, were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface roughness equipment and scanning electron, microscopy (SEM). The hydrophilic change of each disk was determined by the contact angles at 0-24h, after 24-h UV irradiation. The biological response at the surface of each disk was examined by using, human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs). The data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple-comparison tests. RESULTS: The TiO(2)-coated disk surface had an anatase structure. Surface roughness did not differ, significantly among the disks; the surface morphology was smooth and had a hydrophilic or superhydrophilic, status. HPLF proliferation significantly increased on the TiO(2)-coated disks compared with the uncoated disks and depended upon the coated film thickness. CONCLUSION: An anatase TiO(2)-coated surface under UV irradiation markedly improves the initial response of human fibroblasts.