Comparative evaluation of probiotic solutions on surface roughness and microhardness of different restorative materials and enamel.

This research study aimed to investigate the impact of probiotic mouthwash and kefir on the surface characteristics, specifically surface roughness and microhardness, of different restorative materials, as well as permanent and deciduous tooth enamels. Thirty disc-shaped specimens were prepared from composite resin (G-ænial Posterior (GP)), polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer) (Dyract-XP (DXP)), and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Ionoseal (IS)). Additionally, thirty specimens of enamel were obtained from permanent teeth (PT) and thirty from deciduous teeth (DT) by embedding buccal and lingual sections, acquired through vertical sectioning of 15 permanent and 15 deciduous human tooth crowns in the mesiodistal orientation within acrylic resin blocks. The specimens were then categorized into three distinct groups and immersed for 14 days in one of the following solutions: distilled water, kefir or probiotic mouthwash. The mean surface roughness values of all specimens were assessed using an atomic force microscope, while the mean surface microhardness was measured using a Vickers hardness measuring instrument. The results revealed a statistically significant difference in mean surface roughness among the various restorative materials (p < 0.001). Among the restorative materials, the IS material exhibited notably higher mean surface roughness values than other restorative materials and tooth enamel, while no significant differences were observed between the PT and DT groups. Importantly, the main effect of the solutions under investigation was not statistically significant (p = 0.208). No significant difference was found between the surface roughness values of specimens subjected to the different solutions. When evaluating the effects of materials and solutions on microhardness, the main effects of material and solution variables and the influence of material-solution interactions were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Taken together, these results indicate that consistent use of kefir or probiotic mouthwashes may impact the surface properties of various restorative materials and tooth enamel.

Effect of whitening concepts on surface roughness and optical characteristics of resin-based composites: An AFM study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various whitening agents on the surface roughness and optical characteristics of different types of resin composite restorations. Fifty specimens were prepared for each resin [G-aenial Posterior (GP), SonicFill-2 (SF), Solidex (SDX), and Nova Compo HF (NC)]. Following baseline color and surface roughness (Ra) measurements, the specimens were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10/group) according to whitening concepts: control (distilled water), in-office bleaching [OB-(Opalescence Boost)], at-home bleaching [HB-(Opalescence PF)], whitening toothpaste [WT-(Signal White Now)], and whitening mouthwash [WM-(Listerine Advanced White)]. ∆E00 , ∆TP00 , and ∆WID values were calculated before and after the whitening procedure with a spectrophotometer using the CIEDE2000 formula. Surface roughness measurements were repeated. The surface topography was determined using atomic force microscopy. Two- and three-way analyses of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test were performed, with p < 0.05 regarded as indicative of significance. No significant differences were detected among the resin composite materials in terms of the ΔE00 values (p > 0.05). Color change of all resin materials was above the AT threshold (>1.8) and the PT threshold (>0.8). All restorative materials presented acceptable (AT<2.62) TP00 values. Solidex specimens demonstrated the lowest WID values compared to the other composites. There were significant differences among the whitening procedures with respect to ΔE00 , ΔTP00 , and WID values (p < 0.001). SF/WT combination showed the highest and clinically unacceptable ΔE00 values. The highest roughness values were observed in the SDX specimens and the combination of SDX/OB. The effect of whitening agents on the optical characteristics and surface roughness of restorative materials depends on the type of material, agent, and time. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Clinicians should be aware that long-term use of over-the-counter products due to the abrasive effects of their ingredients and repeated bleaching session applications may affect the color stability and surface roughness of resin composites.

Effect of topical fluoride applications on residual monomer release from resin-based restorative materials.

BACKGROUND: The effects of topical fluoride applications on the release of monomer ingredients from resin-based dental materials by immersion in various extraction solutions are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical fluorides (APF and NaF) on the elution of residual monomers (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA, and HEMA) from resin-based materials. METHODS: Ninety specimens were prepared, 30 bulk-fill composite resin, 30 nanohybrid universal composite resin, and 30 polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer). These were randomly divided into three groups based on fluoride application procedures. Each specimen was kept in 75% ethanol solution, and residual monomers released from materials were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after 10 min, 1 h, 24 h, and 30 days. The groups were compared using the Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. Measurements were analyzed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Fluoride applications generally had no considerable effect on the amount of residual monomer released from resin-based restorative materials. The amount of monomer release after topical APF application was similar to the release in the control group and was lower than the release in the NaF group. The release of monomers from the resin-based material used in the study did not approach toxic levels at the applied time intervals. The compomer released lower amounts of monomer than other resin-based materials. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoride applications do not increase monomer release from resin-based restorative materials. However, compomers should be employed by clinicians due to their lower monomer release compared to other resin restorative materials. The release of monomers from all the resin-based materials did not approach toxic levels at the applied time intervals.

Clinical Performance of Diagnostic Methods in Third Molar Teeth with Early Occlusal Caries.

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of clinical visual examination (ICDAS II), digital periapical radiography (PR), near infrared light transillumination (NIR-LT), and laser fluorescence (LF) to microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) which is the reference standard for the detection of non-cavitated occlusal enamel and dentin caries in third molar teeth. Potential participants were consecutively recruited. In this prospective study, 101 third molars of 101 patients were examined; the molars had non-cavitated occlusal caries which required extraction. ICDAS II, PR, NIR-LT and LF examinations were carried out by two blinded examiners. Reference standard was determined by micro-CT imaging seven days after extraction. Accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (Az) were statistically analyzed. Nonparametric variables were subjected to the Kruskal−Wallis Test. Significance level was set as p < 0.05. NIR-LT had the highest sensitivity (99.67−99.67%) and accuracy (78.22−77.23%) for the determination of occlusal enamel caries according to examiners 1 and 2, respectively. LF method had the highest sensitivity (70.83−54.17%) and accuracy (66.34−59.41%) for determining occlusal dentin caries according to examiners 1 and 2, respectively. The ROC curve (Az) value ranged between 0.524 and 0.726 for the different methods tested. Most effective methods for the diagnosis of occlusal enamel and dentin caries were determined to be NIR-LT and LF pen methods, respectively. The present prospective clinical study showed that NIR-LT and LF-Pen were a reliable modality for the detection of occlusal enamel and dentin caries without ionizing radiation.

Evaluation of the quality of YouTube™ videos about pit and fissure sealant applications.

AIM: To evaluate the content and quality of YouTube™ï¸ videos about pit and fissure sealant application. METHODS: The keywords "fissure sealant" and "pit and fissure sealant" were used to search for YouTube™ï¸ content, after the first 300 video results were evaluated. Considering the exclusion criteria, a final sample of 110 videos was obtained, which were analysed in terms of the number of views, duration in minutes, the number of subscribers, the total number of "likes" and "dislikes," the number of comments, days elapsed since upload, the interaction index, and the viewing rate. Global Quality Scoring (GQS) index was also used as a second evaluation method and videos were classified according to the quality of information that it contained as follows: good, moderate, and poor. RESULTS: Most of the videos were uploaded by dentists/specialists. Among them, 14 videos had good quality, 63 were of moderate quality, and 33 were poor informative. The good-quality videos had statistically significantly higher interaction index and viewing rates, and the majority of the videos had a GQS-2 score. The viewing rate was positively correlated with duration and the number of views, "likes" and "dislikes," comments, and subscribers. CONCLUSION: There is considerable variability in the scientific accuracy and quality of health information on the Internet. While there are videos that provide sufficient health information, there are also videos that contain insufficient or even incorrect information. Dental care professionals should be aware of misinformation found on YouTube™ï¸ and ensure that patients always have access to accurate and reliable information.

The effect of bleaching applications on stained bulk-fill resin composites.

BACKGROUND: The structure of bulk-fill resin composites differs from that of their conventional counterparts, but how this difference affects the color stability of the former after staining and bleaching is unclear. Accordingly, this study was aimed at investigating color change in nine bulk-fill resin composites and one nanohybrid resin composite treated with hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide after staining with tea, coffee, and red wine. METHODS: Eighty specimens were prepared from each resins [Clearfil Majesty Posterior (CMP), SDR flow+ (SDR), FiltekTMBulk-Fill Flowable Restorative (FBF), Reveal HD Bulk (RHD), Beautifil-Bulk Restorative (BBR), Tetric EvoCeram® Bulk Fill (TEC), SonicFill™2 (SF2), everX Posterior™ (eXP), X-tra base (XB), and Venus® Bulk Fill (VBF)]. Following baseline color measurements, the specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups according to immersion solutions and distilled water as the control. At the end of a 30-day test period, color measurements were repeated, and color change values (∆E00) were calculated. Each resin group was then divided into 2 subgroups (with 10 specimens per group) on the basis of bleaching agent (Opalescence Boost 40%, Opalescence PF 16%). Following bleaching application, ∆E00 and changes of whiteness (∆WID1 = WIDbleaching-WIDbaseline, ΔWID2 = WIDbleaching-WIDstaining) values were recorded. Two- and three-way analyses of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were performed, with a P < 0.05 regarded as indicative of significance. RESULTS: After immersion in distilled water, tea, and red wine, the highest ΔE00 values were observed in eXP (P < 0.05). Resin materials immersed in coffee and tea exhibited statistically higher ∆E00 values than those immersed in red wine except for eXP, TEC, and FBF (P < 0.05). For eXP, the highest ∆E00 values were recorded in distilled water. For TEC and FBF, there was no statistically significant difference among the immersion solutions and distilled water (P > 0.05). For all the resins and staining beverages, no statistically significant difference in ∆WID1 and ∆WID2 values were detected between bleaching agents (P > 0.05). All the ΔWID1 values were above the whiteness perceptibility threshold. CONCLUSION: The bulk-fill materials were more resistant to discoloration and bleaching procedures than the conventional resin composites. Coffee and tea caused more staining than distilled water and red wine generally. The type of bleaching procedure had no effect on the whiteness of the tested materials.

Satisfaction and stress levels of dentistry students relating to distance education.

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected dentistry education. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the satisfaction and stress levels of dentistry students in Turkey regarding distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate their opinions on this matter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional research study was conducted from October to November 2020 with the use of a web-based questionnaire consisting of 3 sections. The 1st section focused on demographic data. The 2nd section evaluated dentistry students' opinions regarding distance education during the pandemic; it comprised 8 multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question. The 3rd section referred to the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), which is intended to assess the stress levels. The data was subjected to the descriptive statistical analysis, the χ2 tests and the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 919 dentistry students, reflecting a response rate of 84%. Of the total sample, 81.6% of the participants were studying at state universities and more than half were female. These students' perceived stress levels were significantly increased due to the following factors: education at a state school; insufficient technical opportunities at home/dormitory facilities; decreased support from the academic staff of the universities during distance education; and a low level of knowledge of online document usage (p < 0.05). The evaluation of the responses to the open-ended question indicated that the difficulties encountered by highly stressed students during distance education were mostly adaptationrelated (p = 0.011). The logistic regression analysis showed that gender was significantly associated with high stress levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that dentistry students preferred hybrid education and were unsatisfied with their experience with distance education.

The Effects of Mouthwashes on the Color Stability of Resin-Based Restorative Materials / Efecto de los enjuagues orales en la estabilidad del color de materiales restauradores a base de resina

Abstract: Objective: This study investigated the effects of three types of mouthwash on the color stability of three resin-based restorative materials (nanohybrid resin composite, sonic-activated bulk-fill material, and compomer). Materials and Methods: To this end, 120 cylindrical disc specimens were prepared and polished, after which they were incubated in distilled water for 24 hours for post-polymerization. The baseline color values of each specimen were measured with a spectrophotometer, then the specimens were randomly divided into four groups. Following immersion in the mouthwashes for 24 hours, the specimens were rinsed with distilled water and dried before the color measurement was repeated. The values of color change (ΔE₀₀) were subsequently calculated. A two-way analysis of variance and Duncan's post hoc multiple comparison tests were conducted to determine statistically significant differences among the restorative materials. Results: All samples showed discoloration after immersion, albeit some instances of discoloration were imperceptible. In this respect, a statistically significant difference was found among the restorative materials and mouthwashes (p<0.05). Imperceptible ΔE₀₀ values were derived on the nanohybrid resin composite and compomer, but perceptible and acceptable ΔE₀₀ values were detected on the sonic-activated bulk-fill materials (p<0.05). The clinically unacceptable discoloration was observed on the sonic-activated bulk-fill composite immersed in Listerine®. Conclusions: Clinicians should make recommendations based on the potential staining capacity of mouthwashes prescribed for daily use in restorative materials. In this way, the need for renewal of restorations due to discoloration could be avoided.

Resumen: Objetivo: Este estudio investigó los efectos de tres tipos de enjuague bucal en la estabilidad del color de tres materiales de restauración a base de resina (resina nanohíbrida, resina bulk-fill de activación sónica y compómero). Materiales y Métodos: Para ello se prepararon y pulieron 120 muestras de discos cilíndricos, después de lo cual se incubaron en agua destilada durante 24 horas pospolimerización. Los valores de color de base de cada muestra se midieron con un espectrofotómetro, después las muestras se dividieron aleatoriamente en cuatro grupos. Tras la inmersión en los enjuagues bucales durante 24 horas, los especímenes se enjuagaron con agua destilada y se secaron antes de repetir la medición del color. Posteriormente se calcularon los valores de cambio de color (ΔE₀₀). Se llevó a cabo un análisis bidireccional de la varianza y las pruebas de comparación múltiple post hoc de Duncan para determinar las diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los materiales de restauración. Resultados: Todas las muestras mostraron decoloración después de la inmersión, aunque algunos casos esta fue imperceptible. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los materiales de restauración y los enjuagues bucales (p<0,05). Se obtuvieron valores imperceptibles de ΔE₀₀ en el compuesto de resina nanohíbrida y el compómero, pero se detectaron valores perceptibles y aceptables de ΔE₀₀ en la resina bulk-fill activada sónicamente (p<0,05). Se observó una decoloración clínicamente inaceptable en la resina bulk-fill activada sónicamente inmersa en Listerine®. Conclusiones: Los clínicos deben hacer recomendaciones basadas en la capacidad potencial de coloración de los enjuagues bucales prescritos para uso diario en los materiales de restauración. De esta manera, se podría evitar la necesidad de renovar las restauraciones debido a la decoloración.