Influence of Nd:YAG laser on the penetration of a bioceramic root canal sealer into dentinal tubules: A confocal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study, is to evaluate the penetration of a bioceramic root canal sealer into dentinal tubules at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex after Nd:YAG laser irradiation. METHODS: Forty freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were prepared using Reciproc® and irrigated with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Teeth were divided into 4 groups: group 1, obturated with control sealer (AH Plus®); group 2, obturated with bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC Sealer®); group 3, Nd:YAG laser + control sealer (AH Plus®); and group 4, Nd:YAG laser + bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC Sealer®). The samples were transversely sectioned 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex and examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two parameters were measured: 1) sealer penetration into dentinal tubules of the root canal and 2) sealer penetration into the perimeter of the root canal walls. RESULTS: Penetration analysis showed that bioceramic sealer had a higher penetration at depths of 3 and 5 mm than that of the control sealer, regardless of laser use (p <0.05). Perimeter analysis showed that there was no difference between both sealers at a depth of 3 mm (p <0.05), regardless of laser use. At a depth of 5 mm, bioceramic sealer and laser showed a greater perimeter of penetration (p <0.05) than the control sealer. CONCLUSION: The use of Nd:YAG laser did not compromise the penetration of bioceramic sealer into dentinal tubules of root canals at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex.

Effects of a bleaching agent on properties of commercial glass-ionomer cements.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of a bleaching agent on the composition, mechanical properties, and surface topography of 6 conventional glass-ionomer cements (GICs) and one resin-modified GIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 3 days, the specimens were subjected to three 20-minute applications of a 37% H2O2-based bleaching agent and evaluated for water uptake (WTK), weight loss (WL), compressive strength (CS), and Knoop hardness number (KHN). Changes in surface topography and chemical element distribution were also analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. For statistical evaluation, the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon paired tests (α = 0.05) were used to evaluate WTK and WL. CS specimens were subjected to 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05), and KH was evaluated by one-way ANOVA, the Holm-Sidak post hoc test (α = 0.05), and the t-test for independent samples (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The bleaching agent increased the WTK of Maxxion R, but did not affect the WL of any GICs. It had various effects on the CS, KHN, surface topography, and the chemical element distribution of the GICs. CONCLUSIONS: The bleaching agent with 37% H2O2 affected the mechanical and surface properties of GICs. The extent of the changes seemed to be dependent on exposure time and cement composition.

Effect of light curing protocol on degree of conversion of composites.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of two light-cured composites with different protocols of light curing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety two specimens (n = 8) were prepared (5 mm × 2 mm) according to experimental groups: two composite resins (Filtek Supreme and four seasons); three light curing protocols [20 s with the tip of the light curing unit (LCU) device touching composite surface (C); 20 s with the tip of the LCU at 8 mm distant from composite surface (D); and tip of the LCU at 8 mm distant from composite surface and polymerization time required to obtain a radiant exposure of 16 J/cm(2) (DS)]. Four LCUs (Bluephase 16i, Ultralume LED 5, XL 3000 and Optilux 501C) were used. DC of the bottom and top surface of specimens were measured using a FTIR spectrometer. Data were statistically analyzed by 3-way split splot ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that DC of the top surface was higher than the bottom at all experimental conditions (p < 0.0001). Overall, the curing at 8 mm of distance did not affect conversion rate on the top surface (p > 0.05), but bottom surfaces showed DC reduction (p < 0.05). The highest monomer conversion values were observed for C and DS situations. CONCLUSION: The distance between the LCU and material surface and radiant exposure can affect the DC. Polymerization at distance should be performed with curing units with higher light power and/or extended exposure time.

Cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of a carbamide peroxide bleaching gel on odontoblast-like cells MDPC-23.

This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of a carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching gel at different concentrations on odontoblast-like cells. Immortalized cells of the MDPC-23 cell line (30,000 cells/cm(2)) were incubated for 48 h. The bleaching gel was diluted in DMEM culture medium originating extracts with different CP concentrations. The amount (microg/mL) of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) released from each extract was measured by the leukocrystal violet/horseradish peroxidase enzyme assay. Five groups (n = 10) were formed according to the CP concentration in the extracts: G1-DMEM (control); G2-0.0001% CP (0.025 microg/mL H(2)O(2)); G3-0.001% CP (0.43 microg/mL H(2)O(2)); G4-0.01% CP (2.21 microg/mL H(2)O(2)); and G5-0.1% CP (29.74 microg/mL H(2)O(2)). MDPC-23 cells were exposed to the bleaching gel extracts for 60 min and cell metabolism was evaluated by the MTT assay. Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). Cell morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The percentages of viable cells were as follows: G1, 100%; G2, 89.41%; G3, 82.4%; G4, 61.5%; and G5, 23.0%. G2 and G3 did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from G1. The most severe cytotoxic effects were observed in G3 and G4. In conclusion, even at low concentrations, the CP gel extracts presented cytotoxic effects. This cytotoxicity was dose-dependent, and the 0.1% CP concentration caused the most intense cytopathic effects to the MDPC-23 cells.

Effect of surface treatments and bonding agents on the bond strength of repaired composites.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: An adequate repair procedure depends on high bond strength between the existing composite and the new composite. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of surface treatments and bonding procedures on the bond strength of repairs performed 24 hours after composite polymerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Composite specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Specimens were allocated into 12 groups (N=10) according to the combination of surface treatment (none, air abrasion, diamond bur) and bonding procedure (none, Single Bond after H(3)PO(4) cleansing, Clearfil SE Bond after H(3)PO(4) cleansing, Clearfil SE Bond without H(3)PO(4) cleansing). The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composite was tested in nonrepaired specimens. Twenty-four hours after repair, specimens were sectioned into three slabs and trimmed to an hourglass shape (1 mm(2) area). Slabs were tested under tension and mean bond strengths analyzed with two-way analysis of variance/Tukey and Dunnett tests (alpha=5%). RESULTS: Two groups resulted in repair bond strengths similar to composite UTS: air abrasion combined with Clearfil SE Bond after H(3)PO(4) cleansing, and air abrasion combined with Clearfil SE Bond without H(3)PO(4) cleansing. Combinations of surface treatments and bonding procedures were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: When repair procedure was performed 24 hours after composite polymerization, different combinations of surface treatments and bonding procedures affected repair bond strength similarly. There was no statistical difference between the repair bond strength of groups air-abraded and bonded with the self-etching system and composite UTS. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Only air abrasion associated with a self-etching system provided repair bond strength comparable to composite UTS.