Erosion-Protective Capacity of the Salivary Pellicle of Female and Male Subjects Is Not Different.

This study aimed to analyse if the erosion-protective potential of the salivary pellicle is different between female and male subjects. Bovine enamel and dentin specimens (each n = 3) were exposed to the oral cavity of healthy female or male volunteers (each n = 25, females: 25.8 ± 3.5 years, males: 26.7 ± 4.0 years) for 120 min to form a salivary pellicle. Subsequently, each 2 enamel and 2 dentin specimens were eroded with hydrochloric acid (pH 2.6, 60 s). Specimens of the control group (each n = 30) were eroded without presenting a salivary pellicle. Calcium release into the acid was determined photometrically. Additionally, total protein content in the pellicle (each n = 1 enamel and dentin specimen/volunteer) and different salivary parameters (flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, protein, albumin, calcium, phosphate, fluoride) were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, t tests, multiple linear regressions and Pearson correlations (p < 0.05). The erosion-protective capacity was not significantly different among female (calcium release [% of control]: enamel: 82.6 ± 28.1, dentin: 80.7 ± 24.0) and male (enamel: 76.0 ± 27.5, dentin: 87.1 ± 34.9) subjects. The protein content of the pellicle was not different between female and male subjects. The protein content and pH of unstimulated saliva were significantly reduced in female compared to male volunteers. Calcium release was neither correlated with the protein content of the salivary pellicle nor with salivary parameters. Under the conditions of the present study, the erosion-protective capacity of the salivary pellicle of female and male subjects is not different.

Bonding performance of self-adhesive flowable composites to enamel, dentin and a nano-hybrid composite.

This study aimed to analyze bond strengths of self-adhesive flowable composites on enamel, dentin and nano-hybrid composite. Enamel, dentin and nano-hybrid composite (Venus Diamond, Heraeus Kulzer, Germany) specimens were prepared. Three self-adhesive composites (Constic, DMG, Germany; Fusio Liquid Dentin, Pentron Clinical, USA; Vertise Flow, Kerr Dental, Italy) or a conventional flowable composite (Venus Diamond Flow, Heraeus Kulzer, Germany, etch&rinse technique) were applied to enamel and dentin. Nano-hybrid composite specimens were initially aged by thermal cycling (5000 cycles, 5-55 °C). Surfaces were left untreated or pretreated by mechanical roughening, Al2O3 air abrasion or silica coating/silanization. In half of the composite specimens, an adhesive (Optibond FL, Kerr Dental, Italy) was used prior to the application of the flowable composites. Following thermal cycling (5000 cycles, 5-55 °C) of all specimens, shear bond strengths (SBS) and failure modes were analyzed (each subgroup n = 16). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVAs/Bonferroni post hoc tests, Weibull statistics and χ 2-tests (p < 0.05). SBS (MPa) of the self-adhesive composites on enamel and dentin were significantly lower (enamel: < 5, dentin: < 3) than those of the conventional flowable composite (enamel: 13.0 ± 5.1, dentin: 11.2 ± 6.3), and merely adhesive failures could be observed. On the nano-hybrid composite, SBS were significantly related to the pretreatment. Adhesive application improved SBS of the conventional, but not of the self-adhesive composites. The self-adhesive composite groups showed less cohesive failures than the reference group; the occurence of cohesive failures increased after surface pretreatment. Bonding of self-adhesive flowable composites to enamel and dentin is lower than bonding to a nano-hybrid composite.