Bioactivity of human dental pulp-derived stem cells with boron-controlled S-PRG filler eluate by anion exchange.

Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler is a bioactive glass filler capable of releasing various ions. A culture medium to which was added an S-PRG filler eluate rich in boron was reported to enhance alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSC). To clarify the role of boron eluted from S-PRG fillers, the modified S-PRG filler eluate with different boron concentrations was prepared by using an anion exchange material. Therefore, elemental mapping analysis of anion exchange material, adsorption ratio, hDPSCs proliferation and ALP activity were evaluated. For statistical analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test was used, with statistical significance determined at p<0.05. ALP activity enhancement was not observed in hDPSC cultured in the medium that contained the S-PRG filler eluate from which boron had been removed. The result suggested the possibility that an S-PRG filler eluate with controlled boron release could be useful for the development of novel dental materials.

Bacterial adhesion and antibacterial property of coating materials containing theobromine and S-PRG filler.

Theobromine (TB) has been reported to promote tooth remineralization, strengthen tooth substance, and relieve dentin hypersensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate experimental tooth coating materials containing TB and surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) fillers by examining the effects on bacterial adhesion and antibacterial properties. In addition, the amount of TB eluted from the coating material was measured. There was no significant difference in bacterial adhesion depending on the presence or absence of TB in the coating material, however, a significant decrease in the amount of bacterial adhesion was observed when S-PRG fillers were added to the coating material. The amount of eluted TB did not differ depending on the type of the filler in the coating material. It was suggested that TB could be used to develop a new dental material with the potential ability to inhibit the initiation and progression of dental caries.

Color changes in bulk-fill resin composites as a result of visible light-curing.

We evaluated twelve commercially available bulk-fill resin composites to determine the colorimetric changes that occurred as a result of the photo-polymerization reaction. Samples of the resin composites were prepared as disks 8 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness. A colorimeter was used to measure the color of samples on a black background before and after the polymerization processed had been initiated. As results, each of the photo-initiated bulk-fill resin composites tested except for Beautifil Bulk A showed a significant color difference more than that of conventional resin composites. Bulk Base Flow became darker, whereas Beautifil Bulk Flow became clearly lighter. All resin composites except for Bulk Base Flow became less yellow. Thus, Beautifil Bulk A exhibited the least color change among all the bulk-fill resin composites. However, this color change showed a marked change (NBS units) as observed by the human naked eye.

Evaluation of bonding performance and multi-ion release of S-PRG fillercontaining self-adhesive resin composite.

The bonding performance of a surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler-containing self-adhesive flowable resin composites to enamel and dentin were evaluated using a tensile bond test with thermal cycling. Also, the quantities of various ions released from the materials were measured using ICP atomic emission spectrometry and a fluoride ion electrode. The initial bond strengths of the materials were approximately 6 MPa, and decreased after thermal cycling. The S-PRG filler-containing self-adhesive flowable resin composites materials exhibited much higher ion release compared with the commercial self-adhesive flowable resin composite possibly due to different acidic monomers contained. It was suggested that the S-PRG filler containing self-adhesive flowable resin composites should be limited as a lining material or to restore small cavities in non-stress bearing areas.

Effects of multi-components released from S-PRG filler on the activities of human dental pulp-derived stem cells.

Numerous studies have shown that the sustained release of ions from dental restorative materials have acid buffering capacity, prevents tooth enamel demineralization, and inhibits bacterial adhesion. Herein, the release behavior and bioresponsiveness of ions released from surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) fillers were investigated in different types of media based on human dental pulp-derived stem cell (hDPSC) responses. The hDPSCs were cultured for 1-7 days in S-PRG eluates diluted with varying amounts of cell culture media. S-PRG released several types of ions, such as F-, Sr2+, Na+, Al3+, BO33-, and SiO32-. The balance of eluted ions differed depending on the dilution and solvent, which in turn affected the cytotoxicity, cell morphology, cell proliferation, and alkane phosphatase activity of hDPSCs, among other properties. The results suggest that tailored S-PRG filler eluates could be designed and prepared for application in dental practice.

Use of new scratch test and tensile test for evaluation of bond strength of selfadhesive flowable resin composite for repair of artificial tooth erosion.

The purpose of this study was to use a new scratch test and tensile test to evaluate the bond strength between artificial erosive enamel or dentin and self-adhesive resin composites as a coating material. Coronal enamel or dentin surface was exposed to an erosive cycle (artificial saliva [AS], pH:7.0 for 6.5 h and acidic carbonated beverages for 5 min, alternated 3 times per day) for the eroded-surface or stored in AS for the remineralized-surface. Two self-adhesive flowable resin composites, Fusio and LLB-CR6 (prototype), and a conventional flowable resin composite, BEAUTIFIL FLOW with self-etching primer system, Clearfil Mega Bond, were applied to enamel or dentin surfaces; and then the bond strengths were measured. For the eroded-surface, there were no significant differences in bonding strength among all materials, as assessed by the new scratch test. Thus, these self-adhesive flowable resin composites might be useful for coating materials on acid-eroded tooth surfaces.

Relationship between thin-film bond strength as measured by a scratch test, and indentation hardness for bonding agents.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate thin-film bond strength between a bonding agent and human dentin, using a scratch test, and the characteristics and accuracy of measurement. METHODS: One-step bonding agents (BeautiBond; Bond Force; Adper Easy Bond; Clearfil tri-S Bond) and two-step bonding agents (Cleafil SE Bond; FL-Bond II) were investigated in this study. Flat dentin surfaces were prepared for extracted human molars. The dentin surfaces were ground and bonding agents were applied and light cured. The thin-film bond strength test of the specimens was evaluated by the critical load at which the coated bonding agent failed and dentin appeared. The scratch mark sections were then observed under a scanning electron microscope. Indentation hardness was evaluated by the variation in depth under an applied load of 10gf. Data were compared by one-way ANOVA with the Scheffé's post hoc multiple comparison test (p<0.05). In addition, thin-film bond strength and indentation hardness were analyzed using analysis of correlation and covariance. RESULTS: The thin-film bond strength of two-step bonding agents were found to be significantly higher than that of one-step bonding agents with small standard deviations. Scratch marks consistently showed adhesive failure in the vicinity of the bonding agent/dentin interface. The indentation hardness showed a trend that two-step bonding agents have greater hardness than one-step bonding agents. A moderately significant correlation (r(2)=0.31) was found between thin-film bond strength and indentation hardness. SIGNIFICANCE: Thin-film bond strength test is a valid and reliable means of evaluating bond strength in the vicinity of the adhesive interface and is more accurate than other methods currently in use. Further, the thin-film bond strength is influenced by the hardness of the cued bonding agent.

Adherence of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans to saliva-coated S-PRG resin blocks.

This in vitro study performed elemental analysis of the ions absorbed into the salivary coat covering the surfaces of S-PRG resin blocks and assessed the adherence of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans to these saliva-coated S-PRG resin blocks. Elemental analysis of ions absorbed into the salivary coat of resin blocks exposed to the saliva was performed using an inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer and the fluoride electrode method. Quantitative adherence of radio-labeled test bacteria to the resin blocks was determined. As the results, the saliva-coated S-PRG resin showed significantly greater amounts of absorbed B, Al, Si, Sr, and F than the saliva-coated unfilled resin. It was of particular significance that the salivary coating of the S-PRG resin reduced the adherence of S. mutans to this resin. However, in the case of S. sanguinis, no significant difference in adherence could be recognized between saliva-coated S-PRG resin and saliva-coated unfilled resin.

Antibacterial activity of composite resin with glass-ionomer filler particles.

The purpose of this study was to examine the antibacterial activity of composite resin with glass-ionomer filler particles versus that of contemporary commercial composite resins. Three composite resins were used: Beautifil II (containing S-PRG filler), Clearfil AP-X, and Filtek Z250. Resin blocks were bonded to maxillary first molars, and plaque accumulation on the resin block surface was examined after 8 hours. For the antibacterial test, the number of Streptococcus mutans in contact with the composite resin blocks after incubation for 12 hours was determined, and adherence of radiolabeled bacteria was evaluated. Less dental plaque was formed on Beautifil II resin block as compared to the other two materials. Antibacterial test revealed that there were no significant differences in the number of Streptococcus mutans among the three composite resins. However, the adherence of radiolabeled bacteria to the saliva-treated resin surface was significantly (p<0.01) lower in Beautifil II than in the other two materials. These results suggested that Beautifil II could reduce dental plaque formation and bacterial adherence, leading to prevention of secondary caries.

Artificial plaque removal from interproximal tooth surfaces (maxillary premolar and molar) of a jaw model.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the ability of the bristles of newly developed toothbrushes in removing artificial plaque deposits from the interproximal areas of a jaw model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four toothbrushes were evaluated in this study: A, two differences in level patterns, combination of flat and extremely high-tapered filaments; B, one difference in level pattern, combination of flat and extremely high-tapered filaments; C, rippled pattern and high-tapered filaments; and D, rippled pattern and tapered filaments. The brushing simulator was adjusted to provide a horizontal brushing stroke of 20 mm at a rate of 190 strokes per minute for a duration of 1 min. A 200-g force was applied to the brush head. A plaque-like substrate was placed in the facial and the interproximal sides of the artificial teeth that had the cross-sectional dimensions of mesial face in the maxillary right first molar and distal face in the second premolar. The results were photographed, and the area of penetration and the cleaning effectiveness were calculated for each picture by computer digital image analysis. This test was repeated five times for the toothbrush for each design that was evaluated. The resulting data were analysed using ANOVA and the Scheffe test. RESULTS: The rate of plaque removal was the highest with toothbrush A that gave a significantly greater removal of the artificial plaque than the other three toothbrushes on the maxillary right first molar mesial surface (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that toothbrush A was more effective in plaque removal in this in vitro model used for determining the interproximal penetration of the four bristle designs.

Comparative radiopacity of bonding agents.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to determine the content and the constituent elements of inorganic fillers as well as the radiopacity of 15 recently introduced bonding agents and to compare their radiodensities with those of enamel and dentin by using a transmission photodensitometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The content of inorganic fillers was determined by the ashing method. In addition, x-ray microanalysis was used to identify the constituent elements of the inorganic fillers. In the measurement of the radiopacity, specimens 10 mm in diameter and 0.9 mm in thickness were fabricated from the 15 different bonding agents (n = 3 each) for a total of 45 specimens. Human premolars were longitudinally sectioned into 1.0-mm-thick slices to include both enamel and dentin, then ground to final thickness of 0.9 mm. The optical densities of enamel, dentin, the bonding agents, and an aluminum (Al) step wedge were obtained from radiographic images by transmission photodensitometry. The Al equivalent (mm) for each material was calculated by using the linear regression equation of the log of the normalized optical density and Al thickness (mm) obtained from the step wedge. A linear regression of the logarithm of the normalized optical density and Al thickness (mm) was plotted. RESULTS: The inorganic filler content ranged from 0.0 wt% to 43.5 wt%. Silicon and aluminum were the main constituent elements of the inorganic fillers; however, the resins contained different kinds of inorganic fillers. These elements have high and low atomic numbers. The surface reaction type pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG)-filled bonding agent (FII) had a filler content of 43.5 wt% and contained B, Si, Sr, Na, F and Al as its elemental constituents. The relative radiopacities expressed as equivalent thickness of Al were ranked ordinally. Fourteen of the 15 adhesive resins had radiopacity values that fell below that value for dentin, whereas the FII resin showed a radiopacity that was equal to or greater than that of dentin but below that of enamel (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The radiopacity of bonding agents depended on their filler content and the presence of heavier atoms of elements in the filler.

Examination of composite resins with electron microscopy, microhardness tester and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer.

This study was conducted to examine the ultrastructures of eight recently improved light-cure restorative composite resins with scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). Additionally, Vickers hardness, volume/weight fraction of filler, and chemical composition were analyzed. Composite resins selected for evaluation were Beautifil II, Clearfil AP-X, Clearfil Majesty, Estelite sigma, Filtek Supreme, Filtek Z250, Solare, and Synergy. SEM and TEM images revealed a great diversity in ultrastructure, and Vickers hardness test showed significant differences amongst all the composite resins (except between Clearfil Majesty and Estelite sigma, and between Filtek Supreme and Filtek Z250). By means of EDX, similar elements such as C, O, and Si were detected, but the concentration was different in every composite resin. Results obtained in this study served to validate that the methods employed in this study SEM and TEM at high magnification--were useful in examining the ultrastructures of composite resins. It was also found that the ultrastructure, size of filler particles, volume/weight fraction of filler, and chemical composition of the composite resins had an effect on Vickers hardness. Given the great diversity of ultrastructures amongst the composite resins, which stemmed from the different revolutionary technologies used to manufacture them, further studies are warranted in the search of clinical applications that optimally match the differing properties of these materials.

Shear bond strength of a new fluoride-releasing orthodontic adhesive.

This study evaluated the shear bond strength of stainless steel brackets bonded to enamel with a new fluoride-releasing orthodontic adhesive system. A total of 140 extracted human bicuspids were randomly divided into four groups. Group I (Transbond XT) was a control group in which enamel was etched with phosphoric acid. For the remaining groups, enamel was conditioned with a self-etching primer (SEP): Group II (Transbond Plus), Group III (BeautyOrtho Bond), and Group IV (BeautyOrtho Bond + Salivatect). Stainless steel brackets were bonded to all tooth samples. After which, the samples were stored, thermocycled, tested, and statistically analyzed. Besides bond strength evaluation, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was also evaluated. The shear bond strengths of Groups II, III, and IV were significantly lower than Group I, and Group II was significantly greater than that of Group III. Concerning ARI scores, no significant differences were found between the groups. Further, no enamel fracture was observed during shear bond test with the new SEP. In conclusion, when enamel was conditioned with the new SEP, the mean values of shear bond strength yielded were lower than when it was etched with 37% phosphoric acid. Nonetheless, these mean values were higher than the average suggested by Reynolds as optimum for clinical treatment.

Stem durability testing of interdental brush.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of interdental brush to withstand repeated use and to relate this property to clinically observed fractures of such brushes. The stem durability test was conducted according to ISO (International Standards Organization) standard by using a bending at 90 degrees under a 500-g controlled load (ISO/TC106/SC7/ WG3). Two sizes (ss, m) of each of the five commercially available interdental brushes (D, B, P, I, S) were used. The cycle number at the time of fracture was noted for all interdental brushes. The fractured surfaces of the stem wire following the stem durability test were also observed under a scanning electron microscope. The specimens, when ranked in decreasing order of the number of cycles at which fracture occurred, were D-m, D-ss, B-ss, B-m > P-m, P-ss, I-ss, I-m, S-m, S-ss (P < 0.05). L-type interdental brushes (P-m, P-ss, I-ss, I-m, S-m, and S-ss) showed significantly decreased fracture resistance when compared with straight-type interdental brushes (D-m, D-ss, B-ss, B-m). In all cases, the fracture was found to be of ductile nature.

Shear bond strengths of laboratory-cured prosthetic composite to primed metal surfaces.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of using metal primers to enhance the shear bond strength of a laboratory-cured prosthetic composite to cast metal surfaces. METHODS: Cast discs (10 mm diam., 2.5 mm thick) were prepared from high gold-containing alloy, Ag-Au-Pd alloy, and commercially pure titanium (CP Ti). After casting, the surfaces of the discs were sandblasted with 50 microm Al2O3. Each surface to be bonded was treated with one of four types of metal primers: V-Primer (VP), Metal Primer II (MP), Cesead II Opaque Primer (OP), and an experimental primer (EP). Specimens without primer were prepared as controls. After tape with a circular hole (5 mm diam.) was fixed on the disc surface to define the bonding area, the opaque resin was applied within the hole and light-cured according to the manufacturer's instructions. After polymerization of the opaque resin, a layer (1 mm thick) of each dentin and enamel resin was applied separately using Teflon matrices (6 mm I. D.). The bonded specimens were immersed in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours (baseline) and were then thermocycled for 5,000 and 10,000 cycles. The shear bond strengths were determined at the baseline and after thermocycling. The results were analyzed using ANOVA/Bonferroni/Dunn's test (c = 0.05). RESULTS: There were no statistical differences (P > 0.05) in the shear bond strength among surface applications for the gold alloy at the baseline. After 5,000 and 10,000 thermocycles, the gold alloy specimens primed with OP and EP primers exhibited higher bond strength compared to those primed with VP and MP primers, and the non-primed control specimens. The Ag-Au-Pd alloy specimens tended to be similar to the gold alloy specimens after each number of thermocycles. The shear bond strengths to CP Ti primed with OP and EP were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the others after 5,000 and 10,000 thermocycles.

Evaluation of tapered-end toothbrush bristles regarding efficacy of access to occlusal fissures.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine how two toothbrushes, with a combination of a tapered-end and round-end bristle design (Group A), compared to a conventional toothbrush with only rounded-end bristles (Group B) for cleaning in simulated occlusal fissures on a brushing machine. The fissure width at the surface was 200 microns, and then tapered down to the fissure base depths of 230 and 400 microns. The toothbrushes were positioned 90 or 180 degrees to the fissure groove surface on the model, and a 200 g force was applied to the brush head. The fissure model received 190 strokes over one minute by the brushing machine. The removal of an artificial plaque substance in the fissure model was measured by a two-dimensional analyzing system. For each combination of the fissure depth versus bristle angle versus brush head configuration variables, five specimens were measured and means were determined. The results were statistically analyzed using a three-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test (alpha = 0.05). The results demonstrated that the combination of tapered and round-end bristles (Group A brush) was statistically significantly (p < 0.01) more effective in removing the artificial plaque material on the fissure area than the Group B brush for specific types and brush stroke directions.