Surface Degradation of Ion-releasing Restorative Materials With Cariogenic Challenge.

This study examined the influence of cariogenic environments on the surface roughness of ion-releasing restorative materials (IRMs). Custom-made stainless steel molds with holes of 5 mm × 2mm were used to fabricate 60 disc-shaped specimens of each of the following materials: Activa Bioactive (AV), Beautifil Bulk Restorative (BB), Cention N (Bulk-fill) (CN), and Filtek Z350XT (FZ) (Control). Baseline surface roughness (Ra) measurements were obtained using an optical 3D measurement machine (Alicona Imaging GmbH, Graz, Austria). The specimens were then randomly divided into five subgroups (n=12) and exposed to 10 ml of the following mediums at 37°C: distilled water (DW), demineralization solution (DM), remineralization solution (RM), pH cycling (PC) and air (AR) (control). Ra measurements were again recorded after one week and one month, followed by statistical evaluations with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine interactions between materials and mediums. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Games Howell tests were performed for intergroup comparisons at a significance level of 0.05. Mean Ra values ranged from 0.085 ± 0.004 (µm) to 0.198 ± 0.001 µm for the various material-medium combinations. All IRMs showed significant differences in Ra values after exposure to the aqueous mediums. The smoothest surfaces were observed in the AR for all materials. When comparing materials, AV presented the roughest surfaces for all mediums. All IRM materials showed increased surface roughness over time in all cariogenic environments but were below the threshold value for bacterial adhesion, except for AV 1-month post immersion with pH cycling. Therefore, besides AV, the surface roughness of IRMs did not deteriorate to an extent that it is clinically relevant.

Flexural Properties of Contemporary Bioactive Restorative Materials: Effect of Environmental pH.

This study investigated the effects of environmental pH on the flexural properties of ion-releasing restorative materials (IRMs), including giomer (Beautifil-Bulk Restorative - BB), alkasite (Cention N - CN), bioactive composite (Activa - AB) and resin-modified glass ionomer (Riva Light Cure -RV) restoratives. A bio-inert resin-based composite (Filtek Bulk-fill Posterior - FB) served as the control. Stainless steel molds were used to fabricate 40 beam-shaped specimens (12mm × 2mm × 2mm) for each material. The specimens were finished, measured, and randomly distributed into four groups (n=10) and immersed in aqueous solutions of pH 3.0, pH 5.0, pH 6.8, and pH 10.0 at 37°C for 28 days. Specimens were then subjected to a uniaxial three-point bending flexural test with a load cell of 5 KN and a fixed deformation rate of 0.5 mm/min until fracture occurred. Flexural modulus and strength were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance/Dunnet T3's test (p=0.05). Mean flexural modulus varied from (2.40±0.41 to 9.65±1.21 GPa), while mean flexural strength ranged from (21.56±2.78 to 163.86±13.13 MPa). Significant differences in flexural properties were observed among the various pH values and materials. All materials immersed in artificial saliva (pH 6.8) presented the highest flexural properties, except AB. The flexural strength of AB was significantly better when exposed to acidic environments. FB had better flexural properties than IRMs after exposure to a range of environmental pH values.

Flexural Properties of Bioactive Restoratives in Cariogenic Environments.

This study determined the mechanical performance of bioactive restoratives in cariogenic environments and compared the flexural properties of various bioactive materials. The materials evaluated included a conventional resin-based composite (Filtek Z350 [FZ]) and 3 bioactive restoratives, namely an alkasite (Cention N [CN]), a giomer (Beautifil-bulk Restorative [BB]), and an enhanced resin-modified glass ionomer (Activa Bioactive Restorative [AV]). Beam-shaped specimens (12 x 2 x 2 mm) were produced, randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=10), and conditioned in deionized solution, remineralizing solution, demineralizing solution (DE), or pH cycled for 14 days at 37°C. After conditioning/pH cycling, the specimens were subjected to 3-point flexural testing. Flexural data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance or Tukey's test (α=0.05). Mean flexural modulus and strength ranged from 3.54 ± 0.33 to 7.44 ± 0.28 GPa, and 87.07 ± 8.99 to 123.54 ± 12.37 MPa, respectively. While the flexural modulus of the bioactive restoratives was not affected by cariogenic/acidic conditions, flexural strength usually decreased, with the exception of CN. The strength of BB was significantly reduced by DE and pH cycling, while that of AV was lowered by DE. For all conditioning mediums, AV had a significantly lower modulus than the other materials. Apart from conditioning in DE, where differences in flexural strength was insignificant, FZ and AV were generally significantly stronger than BB and CN. The effect of cariogenic environments on flexural strength was found to be material dependent, and aside from the alkasite material (CN), cariogenic conditions were observed to significantly decrease the strength of bioactive restoratives.

Effect of resin coating on highly viscous glass ionomer cements: A dynamic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the effects of self-adhesive resin coatings on viscoelastic properties of highly viscous glass ionomer cements (HVGICs) using dynamic mechanical analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HVGICs evaluated were Zirconomer [ZR] (Shofu), Equia Forte [EQ] (GC) and Riva [RV] (SDI). Sixty specimens (12mm x 2mm x 2mm) of each material were fabricated using customized Teflon molds. After initial set, the specimens were removed from their molds, finished, measured and randomly divided into 3 groups of 20. Half the specimens in each group were left uncoated while the remaining half was covered with the respective manufacturers' resin coating. The specimens were subsequently conditioned in distilled water, artificial saliva or citric acid at 37°C for 7 days. The uncoated and coated specimens (n=10) were then subjected to dynamic mechanical testing in flexure mode at 37°C with a frequency of 0.1 to 10Hz. Storage modulus, loss modulus and loss tangent data were subjected to normality testing and statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA/Scheffe's post-hoc test and Ttest at significance level p<0.05. RESULTS: Mean storage modulus ranged from 1.39 ± 0.36 to 10.80 ± 0.86 GPa while mean loss modulus varied from 0.13 ± 0.03 to 0.70 ± 0.14 GPa after conditioning in the different mediums. Values for loss tangent ranged from 39.4 ± 7.75 to 213.2 ± 20.11 (x10 -3 ). Significant differences in visco-elastic properties were observed between mediums and materials. When conditioned in distilled water and artificial saliva,storage modulus was significantly improved when ZR, EQ and RV were uncoated. Significantly higher values were, however, observed with resin coating when the materials were exposed to citric acid. CONCLUSION: The visco-elastic properties of HVGICs were influenced by both resin coating and chemical environment.

Degradation of Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing Composites by Dietary Solvents: An Optical Three-dimensional Surface Analysis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) composite resins are susceptible to degradation by dietary solvents. Dietary counselling is prudent when placing such CAD/CAM restorations. SUMMARY: This study determined the effect of dietary solvents on the surface roughness (Ra) of direct, indirect, and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dental composites. The materials evaluated were a direct composite (Filtek Z350 XT [FZ]), an indirect composite (Shofu Ceramage [CM]), and four CAD/CAM composites (Lava Ultimate [LU], Shofu Block HC [HC], Cerasmart [CS], and Vita Enamic [VE]). Specimens (12×14×1.5 mm) of each material were prepared, measured for baseline Ra, ranked, divided into six groups (n=12), and conditioned in the following media for 1 week at 37°C: air (control), distilled water, 0.02 N citric acid, 0.02 N lactic acid, heptane, and 50% ethanol-water solution. The composite specimens were then subjected to postconditioning Ra testing using an optical three-dimensional surface analyzer (G4e, Alicona Imaging GmbH, Raaba, Austria). Inter-medium and inter-material comparisons were performed with one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni test at a significance level of α=0.05. Mean Ra values ranged from 0.086 ± 0.004 µm to 0.153 ± 0.005 µm for the various material/medium combinations. For all materials, conditioning in air (control) and distilled water generally resulted in significantly lower mean Ra than exposure to other dietary solvents. Conditioning in citric acid presented the roughest surfaces for FZ, CM, and CS. For LU, HC, and VE, exposure to lactic acid, heptane, and ethanol solution resulted in the highest mean Ra. Regardless of conditioning media, FZ had the highest and VE the lowest mean Ra compared with other composites. The CAD/CAM composites remained susceptible to surface degradation by dietary solvents despite their industrial polymerization.

Dynamic Viscoelastic Characterization of Bulk-fill Resin-based Composites and Their Conventional Counterparts.

This study compared the viscoelastic properties of restorative and flowable bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBCs) with their conventional counterparts and evaluated the impact of aqueous solutions on viscoelastic properties. The materials examined included three conventional RBCs (Filtek Z350, Tetric N Ceram, and Beautifil II), three restorative bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-Fill Restorative, Tetric N Ceram Bulk-Fill, and Beautifil Bulk-Fill Restorative) in addition to three flowable bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-Fill Flowable, Tetric N Flow Bulk-Fill, and Beautifil Bulk-Fill Flowable). Beam-shaped specimens (12×2×2 mm) were fabricated using customized stainless-steel molds, finished, and measured. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups and conditioned in air (control), artificial saliva, 0.02 N citric acid, and 50% ethanol-water solution for seven days at 37°C. They were then subjected to dynamic mechanical analysis (n = 10) in flexure mode at 37°C with a frequency of 0.1 to 10 Hz. Storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss tangent data were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance/Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of α = 0.05. Viscoelastic properties of the RBCs were found to be product and conditioning medium dependent. For most RBCs, exposure to aqueous solutions, particularly an ethanol-water solution, degraded viscoelastic properties. With the exception of Filtek Bulk-Fill Restorative, bulk-fill restorative and flowable RBCs generally had significantly lower storage and loss modulus than their conventional counterparts regardless of conditioning medium. Conventional RBCs are thus favored over their bulk-fill counterparts, particularly for high-stress-bearing areas.

Comparison of Flexural Properties of Bulk-fill Restorative/Flowable Composites and Their Conventional Counterparts.

The objectives of the study were to compare the flexural modulus and strength of restorative and flowable bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBCs) to their conventional counterparts and to determine the effects of conditioning environment on their flexural properties. The materials evaluated included three conventional RBCs (Filtek Z350, Tetric N Ceram, and Beautifil II), three restorative bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-Fill Restorative, Tetric N Ceram Bulk-Fill, and Beautifil Bulk-fill Restorative), as well as three flowable bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-Fill Flowable, Tetric N Flow Bulk-Fill, and Beautifil Bulk-Fill Flowable). Specimens were fabricated using customized stainless-steel molds, finished, measured, and randomly divided into four groups. The various RBCs were conditioned in the following mediums (n=10) for seven days at 37°C: air, artificial saliva (SAGF), 0.02 N citric acid, and 50% ethanol-water solution. After conditioning, the specimens were rinsed, blotted dry, measured, and subjected to flexural testing using a universal testing machine. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance and the Tukey test at a significance level of α = 0.05. Significant differences in flexural properties were observed between materials and conditioning mediums. Bulk-fill restorative RBCs exhibited higher flexural modulus than their bulk-fill flowable and conventional counterparts. With the exception of Filtek Bulk-Fill Flowable, bulk-fill flowable RBCs had significantly higher flexural strength than bulk-fill restorative and conventional RBCs. Flexural properties were highest when RBCs were conditioned in air and generally the lowest after exposure to ethanol.

Dynamic and Static Flexural Appraisal of Resin-based Composites: Comparison of the ISO and Mini-flexural Tests.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of specimen dimension and conditioning medium on the dynamic and static flexural properties of resin-based composites (RBCs). One conventional (Filtek Z350) and two bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-fill and Beautifil-Bulk Restorative) were evaluated. Bar-shaped specimens with dimensions 25 × 2 × 2 mm (ISO flexural [IFT]) or 12 × 2 × 2 mm (mini-flexural [MFT]) were fabricated using customized stainless-steel molds, finished, measured, randomly divided into two groups, and conditioned in air or artificial saliva (SAGF) for seven days at 37°C. The specimens (n=10) were then subjected to dynamic and static three-point flexural testing. Data for storage modulus, loss modulus, loss tangent, flexural strength, and modulus were computed and subjected to t-test, analysis of variance/Tukey test, and Pearson correlation at a significance level of α = 0.05. For both IFT and MFT, significant differences in dynamic and static flexural properties were more prevalent between materials after storage in saliva. For both conditioning mediums, the strongest correlation between IFT and MFT was observed for flexural strength. While significant positive correlations were observed for all flexural properties with saliva, no significant correlations were detected for loss tangent and flexural modulus with air. For both IFT and MFT, storage in saliva appeared to be more discriminative than storage in air. As moderate to strong positive relationships exist between IFT and MFT for dynamic and static flexural properties, the mini-flexural test holds promise as a replacement for the ISO 4049 in view of its clinical relevance and greater efficiency.

Viscoelastic Properties of Contemporary Bulk-fill Restoratives: A Dynamic-mechanical Analysis.

This study investigated the viscoelastic properties of contemporary bulk-fill restoratives in distilled water and artificial saliva using dynamic mechanical analysis. The materials evaluated included a conventional composite (Filtek Z350), two bulk-fill composites (Filtek Bulk-fill and Tetric N Ceram), a bulk-fill giomer (Beautifil-Bulk Restorative), and two novel reinforced glass ionomer cements (Zirconomer [ZR] and Equia Forte [EQ]). The glass ionomer materials were also assessed with and without resin coating (Equia Forte Coat). Test specimens 12 × 2 × 2 mm of the various materials were fabricated using customized stainless-steel molds. After light polymerization/initial set, the specimens were removed from the molds, finished, measured, and conditioned in distilled water or artificial saliva at 37°C for seven days. The materials (n=10) were then subjected to dynamic mechanical testing in flexure mode at 37°C and a frequency of 0.1 to 10 Hz. Storage modulus, loss modulus, and loss tangent data were subjected to normality testing and statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance/Dunnett's test and t-test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Mean storage modulus ranged from 3.16 ± 0.25 to 8.98 ± 0.44 GPa, while mean loss modulus ranged from 0.24 ± 0.03 to 0.65 ± 0.12 GPa for distilled water and artificial saliva. Values for loss tangent ranged from 45.7 ± 7.33 to 134.2 ± 12.36 (10-3). Significant differences in storage/loss modulus and loss tangent were observed between the various bulk-fill restoratives and two conditioning mediums. Storage modulus was significantly improved when EQ and ZR was not coated with resin.

Mercury in dental amalgam: Are our health care workers at risk?

Dental amalgam in fillings exposes workers to mercury. The exposure to mercury was investigated among 1871 dental health care workers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of mercury exposure among dental compared to nondental health care workers and to determine other risk factors for mercury exposure. Respondents answered questionnaires to obtain demographic, personal, professional, and workplace information and were examined for their own amalgam fillings. Chronic mercury exposure was assessed through urinary mercury levels. In total, 1409 dental and 462 nondental health care workers participated in the study. Median urine mercury levels for dental and nondental health care workers were 2.75 µg/L (interquartile range [IQR] = 3.0175) and 2.66 µg/L (IQR = 3.04) respectively. For mercury exposure, there were no significant risk factor found among the workers involved within the dental care. The Mann-Whitney test showed that urine mercury levels were significantly different between respondents who eat seafood more than 5 times per week compared to those who eat it less frequently or not at all (p = 0.003). The urinary mercury levels indicated significant difference between dental workers in their practice using squeeze cloths (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.03). Multiple logistic regression showed that only the usage of cosmetic products that might contain mercury was found to be significantly associated with the urinary mercury levels (odds ratio [OR] = 15.237; CI: 3.612-64.276). Therefore, mean urinary mercury levels of health care workers were low. Exposure to dental amalgam is not associated with high mercury exposure. However, usage of cosmetic products containing mercury and high seafood consumption may lead to the increase of exposure to mercury. IMPLICATIONS: Exposure to the high levels of mercury from dental amalgam can lead to serious health effects among the dental health care workers. Nationwide chronic mercury exposure among dental personnel was assessed through urinary mercury levels. Findings suggest low urinary mercury levels of these health care workers. Exposure to dental amalgam is not associated with high mercury exposure. However, the usage of cosmetic products containing mercury and high seafood consumption may lead to the increase of exposure to mercury.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for confirming thin layer chromatography (TLC) findings in inborn errors of metabolism children in Malaysia.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) is recently used for confirming the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) especially amino acid disorders in Malaysian children. The method of HPLC used is a precolumn derivatization of amino acids with phenylisothiocyanate and is separated by reversed phase chromatography using 3.9 x 300 mm free amino acid columns and is detected by a UV/Vis detector. The samples are obtained from cases suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, especially of amino acid disorders, which are detected clinically by pediatricians. Initially, samples from patients suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, either urine or serum, are run on one-dimensional thin layer chromatography and supplementary chemical tests to detect the abnormal bands and associated abnormalities respectively. Positive samples are further run on HPLC to determine the specific amino acids abnormality. An examples of a case of maple syrup urine disease is discussed, based on the thin layer chromatography findings and HPLC findings.