The influence of chlorhexidine on the remineralization of demineralized dentine.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the differences in the amounts of bound chlorhexidine (CHX) on demineralized dentine blocks and to investigate the different aspects of remineralization of demineralized dentine according to different concentrations of CHX. METHODS: Dentine blocks (2 mm × 7 mm × 0.9 m) were demineralized in 0.2 M formic acid solution. Amount of bound CHX on the dentine blocks was measured on a spectrophotometer after the dentine block was soaked in 0.02%, 0.2%, or 2% CHX solutions for 1 min. The change in elastic modulus of dentine block stored in simulated body fluids was measured at 0 (baseline), 2, 4, and 6 weeks after storage. The micromorphological aspects of the samples were observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope after 6 weeks of storage. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of CHX caused a greater amount of CHX to bind to the dentine blocks (p<0.05). The group treated with the higher concentration of CHX had a smaller decrease in the elastic modulus at 2 weeks and a greater increase at 4 and 6 weeks. Dentine specimens with the 0.2% and 2% CHX had a greater deposition of granular minerals along the collagen fibrils compared to the 0.02% CHX-treated group. CONCLUSION: The application of the 0.2% and 2% CHX seemed to be effective in promoting the remineralization of demineralized dentine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The application of the 0.2% and 2% CHX positively influences on the dentine remineralization.

Evaluation of silica-coating techniques for zirconia bonding.

PURPOSE: To evaluate silica-coating/silane treatment techniques for zirconia bonding. METHODS: 19 groups of zirconia disks were subjected to different surface treatments: polished or sandblasted by CoJet or alumina, and treatment with silane or zirconia primers (containing phosphate- or phosphonate-monomer). After surface treatments, the zirconia disks were cemented with resin cements and stored in deionized water for 2 hours at 370 degrees C prior to shear bond strength testing. Zirconia surface (polished and unpolished), CoJet sand, Cojet-treated zirconia surface (before and after water rinsing) and representative debonded surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The zirconia surface after silica-coating was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. RESULTS: A non-phosphate-containing resin cement (Choice 2) had almost no bond strength on polished zirconia, while MDP-containing cements (Panavia F2.0) had mild bond strength. After zirconia was sandblasted with CoJet or alumina, bond strengths were slightly increased. Silane treatment did not increase bond strength, while phosphate/carboxylate-based primer (i.e. Exp Z-Prime) doubled the bond strengths. Silica nanoparticles identified by FTIR-ATR spectra, were observed by SEM on the zirconia surface after CoJet treatment. However, these nanoparticles were removed by forceful water stream.

A chemical phosphorylation-inspired design for Type I collagen biomimetic remineralization.

OBJECTIVES: Type I collagen alone cannot initiate tissue mineralization. Sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) is frequently employed as a chemical phosphorylating reagent in the food industry. This study examined the feasibility of using STMP as a functional analog of matrix phosphoproteins for biomimetic remineralization of resin-bonded dentin. METHODS: Equilibrium adsorption and desorption studies of STMP were performed using demineralized dentin powder (DDP). Interaction between STMP and DDP was examined using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Based on those results, a bio-inspired mineralization scheme was developed for chemical phosphorylation of acid-etched dentin with STMP, followed by infiltration of the STMP-treated collagen matrix with two etch-and-rinse adhesives. Resin-dentin interfaces were remineralized in a Portland cement-simulated body fluid system, with or without the use of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a dual biomimetic analog. Remineralized resin-dentin interfaces were examined unstained using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Analysis of saturation binding curves revealed the presence of irreversible phosphate group binding sites on the surface of the DDP. FT-IR provided additional evidence of chemical interaction between STMP and DDP, with increased in the peak intensities of the PO and P-O-C stretching modes. Those peaks returned to their original intensities after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Evidence of intrafibrillar apatite formation could be seen in incompletely resin-infiltrated, STMP-phosphorylated collagen matrices only when PAA was present in the SBF. SIGNIFICANCE: These results reinforce the importance of PAA for sequestration of amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors in the biomimetic remineralization scheme. They also highlight the role of STMP as a templating analog of dentin matrix phosphoproteins for inducing intrafibrillar remineralization of apatite nanocrystals within the collagen matrix of incompletely resin-infiltrated dentin.

Chlorhexidine binding to mineralized versus demineralized dentin powder.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this work were to quantitate the affinity and binding capacity of chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate to mineralized versus demineralized dentin powder and to determine how much debinding would result from rinsing with water, ethanol, hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) or 0.5M NaCl in water. METHODS: Dentin powder was made from coronal dentin of extracted human third molars. Standard amounts of dentin powder were tumbled with increasing concentrations of CHX (0-30 mM) for 30 min at 37 degrees C. After centrifuging the tubes, the supernatant was removed and the decrease in CHX concentration quantitated by UV-spectroscopy. CHX-treated dentin powder was resuspended in one of the four debinding solutions for 3 min. The amount of debound CHX in the solvents was also quantitated by UV-spectroscopy. RESULTS: As the CHX concentration in the medium increased, the CHX binding to mineralized dentin powder also increased up to 6.8 micromol/g of dry dentin powder. Demineralized dentin powder took up significantly (p<0.01) more CHX, reaching 30.1 micromol CHX/g of dry dentin powder. Debinding of CHX was in the order: HEMA

Effect of vapor lock on root canal debridement by using a side-vented needle for positive-pressure irrigant delivery.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effect of vapor lock on canal debridement efficacy by testing the null hypothesis that there is no difference between a "closed" and an "open" system design in smear layer and debris removal by using a side-vented needle for irrigant delivery. METHODS: Roots in the closed system were sealed with hot glue and embedded in polyvinylsiloxane to restrict fluid flow through the apical foramen during cleaning and shaping. For the open system, the apical foramen was enlarged and connected to the external environment via a channel within the polyvinylsiloxane to permit unrestricted fluid flow. Smear and debris scores were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy and analyzed by using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic. RESULTS: No difference in smear scores was detected between the 2 systems at all canal levels. Significant differences in debris scores between the 2 systems were found at each canal level: coronal (P < .001), middle (P < .001), and apical (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was rejected; presence of an apical vapor lock effect adversely affects debridement efficacy. Thus, studies with unspecified or questionable mechanisms to restrict fluid flow through the apical foramen have to be interpreted with caution.

Functional biomimetic analogs help remineralize apatite-depleted demineralized resin-infiltrated dentin via a bottom-up approach.

Natural biominerals are formed through metastable amorphous precursor phases via a bottom-up, nanoparticle-mediated mineralization mechanism. Using an acid-etched human dentin model to create a layer of completely demineralized collagen matrix, a bio-inspired mineralization scheme has been developed based on the use of dual biomimetic analogs. These analogs help to sequester fluidic amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors and function as templates for guiding homogeneous apatite nucleation within the collagen fibrils. By adopting this scheme for remineralizing adhesive resin-bonded, completely demineralized dentin, we have been able to redeposit intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar apatites in completely demineralized collagen matrices that are imperfectly infiltrated by resins. This study utilizes a spectrum of completely and partially demineralized dentin collagen matrices to further validate the necessity for using a biomimetic analog-containing medium for remineralizing resin-infiltrated partially demineralized collagen matrices in which remnant seed crystallites are present. In control specimens in which biomimetic analogs are absent from the remineralization medium, remineralization could only be seen in partially demineralized collagen matrices, probably by epitaxial growth via a top-down crystallization approach. Conversely, in the presence of biomimetic analogs in the remineralization medium, intrafibrillar remineralization of completely demineralized collagen matrices via a bottom-up crystallization mechanism can additionally be identified. The latter is characterized by the transition of intrafibrillar minerals from an inchoate state of continuously braided microfibrillar electron-dense amorphous strands to discrete nanocrystals, and ultimately into larger crystalline platelets within the collagen fibrils. Biomimetic remineralization via dual biomimetic analogs has the potential to be translated into a functional delivery system for salvaging failing resin-dentin bonds.

Imperfect hybrid layers created by an aggressive one-step self-etch adhesive in primary dentin are amendable to biomimetic remineralization in vitro.

Degradation of hybrid layers created in primary dentin occurs as early as 6 months in vivo. Biomimetic remineralization utilizes "bottom-up" nanotechnology principles for interfibrillar and intrafibrillar remineralization of collagen matrices. This study examined whether imperfect hybrid layers created in primary dentin can be remineralized. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from extracted primary molars and bonded using Adper Prompt L-Pop and a composite. One-millimeter-thick specimen slabs of the resin-dentin interface were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs to mimic the sequestration and templating functions of dentin noncollagenous proteins. Specimens were retrieved after 1-6 months. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for evaluating the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the status of remineralization within hybrid layers. Remineralization at different locations of the hybrid layers corresponded with quenching of fluorescence within similar locations of those hybrid layers. Remineralization was predominantly intrafibrillar in nature as interfibrillar spaces were filled with adhesive resin. Biomimetic remineralization of imperfect hybrid layers in primary human dentin is a potential means for preserving bond integrity. The success of the current proof-of-concept, laterally diffusing remineralization protocol warrants development of a clinically applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system.

Bonding of self-adhesive (self-etching) root canal sealers to radicular dentin.

The latest generation of methacrylate resin-based sealers has eliminated the use of separate self-etching primers by incorporating acidic resin monomers in the sealers to render them self-adhesive to dentin. This study examined the adhesive strengths, interfacial ultrastructure, and tracer penetration of a nonetching (EndoREZ; Ultradent, South Jordan, UT) and two self-adhesive methacrylate resin-based sealers (MetaSEAL; Parkell, Farmington, NY, and RealSeal SE; SybronEndo, Orange, CA) when they were applied to radicular dentin following the manufacturers' recommended use of EDTA as the active final rinse. A modified push-out testing design was used to evaluate the dislodgement of core-free sealers. The mixed sealers were placed in dimensionally identical, artificially created canal spaces prepared in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of radicular dentin. After setting, each sealer-filled cavity was subjected to compressive loading until failure. Additional specimens were prepared for transmission electron microscopy to examine the ultrastructure and nanoleakage within the sealer-radicular dentin interface. The two self-adhesive sealers MetaSEAL and RealSeal SE exhibited higher push-out strengths than the nonetching sealer EndoREZ when EDTA was used as the active final rinse. All three sealers showed a 1- to 1.5-microm thick zone of partially demineralized dentin, with the EDTA dentin demineralization effect masking the true self-etching potential of MetaSEAL and RealSeal SE. The true self-etching potential of self-adhesive sealers is a clinically important attribute that should be further investigated. Incomplete smear layer removal from the apical third of instrumented canal walls may jeopardize the performance of self-adhesive sealers should they fail to self-etch without the adjunctive use of calcium chelating irrigants.

The synthesis and characterization of metal nanoparticles using a modified electrolysis method for conductive ink in ink-jet printing technology.

In the ink-jet patterning process, conductive ink composed of metal nanoparticles and solutions, is an important factor for improving properties of printed patterns and processes. In this study, metal (Cu) nanoparticles in conductive ink were synthesized using a modified electrolysis method that extracted to metal nanoparticles from bulk metal plates. The Cu nanoparticles were prepared with a narrow size distribution. The dispersion stability and oxidation properties in conductive inks were also studied. Cu nanoparticles were homogeneous and had a diameter of 15 approximately 20 nm. By addition of PVP, the dispersion and oxidation stability of the metal nanoparticles, which were not oxidized after 2 month, were improved.