Influence of Incorporating Zirconium- and Barium-based Radiopaque Filler Into Experimental and Commercial Infiltrants.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how adding different concentrations of particles (barium or zirconium oxide 25%/45% by weight) to a commercial infiltrant (Icon) and an experimental infiltrant influences cohesive strength (CS), degree of conversion (DC), water sorption (WS), solubility (SL), radiopacity, and penetration depth. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Microtensile CS (n=10) was evaluated using a universal testing machine. DC (n=5) was evaluated in a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Polymerized samples were dissected, weighed, and stored to obtain the final mass for WS and SL tests (n=10). Radiopacity analysis (n=5) was performed using a digital radiography system. Penetration depth analysis (n=5) was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Analyses were performed using the R program, with a significance level of 5%, except for the penetration depth analyses, which were evaluated only qualitatively. RESULTS: The groups with 45% zirconium showed greater CS values, regardless of the infiltrant. Among the groups with no particle addition, those of the experimental infiltrant presented higher DC than those of Icon. The experimental infiltrant presented lower WS than Icon. All groups had SL below the ISO recommended levels. Radiopacity higher than 2.24 mmAl (enamel radiopacity) was observed only in the groups with 45% zirconium. All the groups achieved similar penetration depth, but the groups containing experimental infiltrant appear to have had longer tag extensions. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of 45% of zirconium presented good results for CS and WS, as well as SL below the ISO recommended standard, adequate radiopacity, and penetration depth similar to the other groups.

Effect of Mouth Rinse Treatments on Bleached Enamel Properties, Surface Morphology, and Tooth Color.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate, in vitro, the effect of mouth rinse exposure on bleached enamel. METHODS:: Enamel/dentin bovine blocks (4×4×2 mm) were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and were submitted to immersion twice daily for 14 days with different rinses (n=10), including those involving: distilled water (C [control]), 225-ppm NaF (FM, Colgate Plax Classic), essential oil (EM, Listerine Tartar Control), 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (HPM, Colgate Plax Whitening), and 2% hydrogen peroxide, pyrophosphates, and 225-ppm NaF (HPM+P, Colgate® Luminous White). The specimens were stored in a remineralizing solution during all experiments. Analyses of color (ΔE, L*, a*, b*) and roughness (Ra) were performed at the baseline, after HP, and after exposure to the rinse. The cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) and images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were assessed at the end. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (ΔE), repeated measures ANOVA (Ra), and split-plot ANOVA (CSMH), followed by the Tukey test. The L*, a*, and b* values were analyzed by generalized linear models (α=0.05). RESULTS:: Color changes were not statistically different in the groups. Ra increased in all groups after bleaching; however, it was reestablished in C, FM, and HPM+F and increased in EM after 14 days of the rinse. EM and HPM reduced the CSMH values differing from C and promoted alterations on the enamel surface visualized by SEM. CONCLUSION:: The mouth rinses did not affect the whitening efficacy or promote benefits on bleached enamel properties. Moreover, the 1.5% hydrogen peroxide- or essential oil-based mouth rinses affected the bleached enamel properties, promoting an alteration in morphologic surface and mineral loss in depth.

Effect of Toothpaste Use Against Mineral Loss Promoted by Dental Bleaching.

AIM: To investigate the effect of different toothpaste formulations used prior to dental bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) on the mineral content and surface morphology of enamel. METHODS: Seventy bovine enamel blocks (4×4×2 mm) were submitted to in vitro treatment protocols using a toothbrushing machine prior to dental bleaching or a placebo procedure (n=10) as proposed in the following groups: unbleached control (PLA), bleached control (HP), and brushing with differing toothpastes prior to HP bleaching, including: potassium nitrate toothpaste containing sodium fluoride (PN), sodium monofluorophosphate/MFP toothpaste (FT), arginine-carbonate (8% arginine) (PA) or arginine-carbonate (1.5% arginine) toothpaste (SAN), and toothpaste containing bioactive glass (NM). Phosphorus concentration in gel ([P]) was evaluated (µg of P/mg of gel), and the elemental levels (wt%) of Ca, P, and Na as well as the proportion between Ca and P and spectra graphics were determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS: HP demonstrated the greatest [P] values in gel, being statistically different from PLA. The [P] of NM was statistically similar to PLA. HP showed a significant decrease in the Ca% and Ca/P values when compared to PLA in EDS analysis. PA showed Ca/P values statistically different from HP. In accordance with SEM analysis, the PA, SAN, and NM groups presented a smooth and uniform enamel surface, while HP and FT demonstrated some alterations in morphology. CONCLUSION: The toothpastes containing bioactive glass or arginine carbonate used prior to dental bleaching were effective in protecting enamel against mineral loss promoted by the whitening procedure.

Effect of Cigarette Smoke on Resin Composite Bond Strength to Enamel and Dentin Using Different Adhesive Systems.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the microshear bond strength of composite resin restorations in dental blocks with or without exposure to cigarette smoke. METHOD: Eighty bovine dental blocks were divided into eight groups (n=10) according to the type of adhesive (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, 3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA [SBMP]; Single Bond 2, 3M ESPE [SB]; Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray Medical Inc, Okayama, Japan [CSEB]; Single Bond Universal, 3M ESPE [SBU]) and exposure to smoke (no exposure; exposure for five days/20 cigarettes per day). The adhesive systems were applied to the tooth structure, and the blocks received a composite restoration made using a matrix of perforated pasta. Data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey test (α<0.05). RESULTS: For enamel, there was no difference between the presence or absence of cigarette smoke (p=0.1397); however, there were differences among the adhesive systems (p<0.001). CSEB showed higher values and did not differ from SBU, but both were statistically different from SB. The SBMP showed intermediate values, while SB demonstrated lower values. For dentin, specimens subjected to cigarette smoke presented bond strength values that were lower when compared with those not exposed to smoke (p<0.001). For the groups without exposure to cigarette smoke, CSEB showed higher values, differing from SBMP. SB and SBU showed intermediary values. For the groups with exposure to cigarette smoke, SBU showed values that were higher and statistically different from SB and CSEB, which presented lower values of bond strength. SBMP demonstrated an intermediate value of bond strength. CONCLUSION: The exposure of dentin to cigarette smoke influenced the bonding strength of adhesives, but no differences were noted in enamel.

Light-curing time and aging effects on the nanomechanical properties of methacrylate- and silorane-based restorations.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to assess the influence of light-curing time on the nanohardness (H) and reduced elastic modulus (Er) of components (underlying dentin, hybrid layer, adhesive, and composite) of methacrylate- and silorane-based restorations after 24 hours and six months of storage. Class II slot preparations were carried out in human molars (n=3) and restored with methacrylate (Clearfil SE Bond [Kuraray] + Filtek Z250 [3M ESPE]) or silorane (LS restorative system [3M ESPE]) restorative systems and light-cured using light-emitting diode at 1390 mW/cm(2) for the recommended manufacturers' time or double time. Restorations were sectioned, and bonded dentin-resin interfaces were embedded in epoxy resin and polished for evaluation with a Berkovich fluid cell tip (TI 700 Ubi-1 nanoindenter, Hysitron). Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Overall, the H and Er values were higher for methacrylate-based restorations than for silorane materials (p≤0.05), an increase in curing time did not improve the H and Er of the bonded interface components of either material (p>0.05), and aging significantly decreased the mechanical properties of interface components of both resin-based restorative systems (p≤0.05). In general, nanomechanical properties decreased after six months of storage, the methacrylate restorative system exhibited higher H and Er than silorane, and light-curing time did not influence the properties tested.