The Potential of a Bioactive, Pre-reacted, Glass-Ionomer Filler Resin Composite to Inhibit the Demineralization of Enamel in Vitro.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A prereacted, glass-ionomer filler fluoride-containing resin composite had lower remineralization potential than glass-ionomer cements but was able to inhibit enamel demineralization; thus, it may be an option for restoring dental surfaces for patients at high risk of caries. SUMMARY: Evidence is lacking on the use of surface prereacted glass-ionomer filler resin composites to inhibit demineralization and that simulate real clinical conditions. The present laboratory study evaluated the potential of such composites to prevent demineralization and quantified fluoride (F) and other ions released from restorative materials after a dynamic pH-cycling regimen applied to the tooth material interface in vitro. The pH-cycling regimen was assessed by measuring surface hardness (SH) along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ninety blocks of bovine enamel were subjected to composition analysis with EDX, and were further categorized based on SH. The blocks were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups (n=15 each): F IX (Fuji IX Extra; GC Corporation); IZ (Ion Z, FGM); F II (Fuji II LC, GC Corporation); B II (Beautifil II, Shofu); F250 (Filtek Z250 XT, 3M ESPE); and NT (control, no treatment). The blocks were subjected to a dynamic pH-cycling regimen at 37°C for 7 days concurrently with daily alternations of immersion in demineralizing/remineralizing solutions. EDX was conducted and a final SH was determined at standard distances from the restorative materials (150, 300, and 400 µm). RESULTS: The EDX findings revealed a significant increase in F concentration and a decrease in Ca2+ in the enamel blocks of group B II after the pH-cycling regimen (p<0.05). SH values for groups F IX, IZ, and F II were greater than those for groups B II, F250, and NT at all distances from the materials. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that each of 3 restorative materials, F IX, IZ, and F II, partially inhibited enamel demineralization under a dynamic pH-cycling regimen.

Effectiveness of LED/Laser Irradiation on In-Office Dental Bleaching after Three Years.

The present in vivo randomized, triple-blinded, and split-mouth clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of a hybrid light (HL) source on the color change, stability, and tooth sensitivity in patients submitted to different in-office bleaching techniques. Twenty volunteers were divided into two groups and four subgroups. A split-mouth design was conducted to compare two in-office bleaching techniques (with and without light activation): 35% Lase Peroxide Sensy (LPS) + HL: 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) + HL; 35% LPS: 35% HP; 25% LPS + HL: 25% HP + HL; and 35% Whiteness HP (WHP): 35% HP. For the groups activated with HL, the HP was applied on the enamel surface three consecutive times using a 3 × 2-minute protocol (three HL activations for two minutes each, with a 30-second interval for a total of seven minutes and 30 seconds) for each gel application, totaling 22 minutes and 30 seconds. For the other groups, HP was applied 3 × 15 minutes, totaling 45 minutes. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the color change (ΔE) before the treatment and 24 hours, one week, and one, 12, and 36 months after. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate the tooth sensitivity before the treatment, immediately following treatment, 24 hours, and one week after. Analysis of variance, Tukey's, Kruskall-Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests, all with α = 0.05 were performed. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences (ΔE) between the in-office bleaching techniques with or without HL in the periods evaluated; the activation with HL required 50% less time to achieve such results. The groups without HL presented statistical differences for ΔE when comparing 24 hours with the other follow-up times (intergroup) and an increase in tooth sensitivity in the initial periods. All techniques and bleaching agents were effective on bleaching during a 36-month evaluation of color stability. The groups activated with HL presented lower sensitivity and required a lower activation time.