Fluoride release, weight loss and erosive wear of modern aesthetic restoratives

Objective: In this investigation, the in vitro sustained fluoride release, weight loss and erosive wear of three conventional glass ionomer cements (Fuji IX, ChemFil Superior, Ketac-Silver), three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, Vitremer, Photac-Fil), a polyacid-modified resin composite (Dyract), and a resin composite control material (Z100) were compared. Methods: The amounts of fluoride released and weight changes were measured for 12 weeks using a fluoride electrode with TISAB III buffer. After 12 weeks, the specimens were recharged with fluoride using 2 mL of 1.23% APF gel. The recharged specimens were assessed for the amounts of fluoride released and weight changes over another 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the specimens were examined with SEM and surface profilometry. Results: All materials, with the exception of Z100, showed the highest initial fluoride release rates during the first 2 days, dropping quickly over 2 weeks and becoming largely stabilised after 5 weeks, in an exponential mode. The recharging of the specimens with APF gel caused a large increase in the amounts of fluoride released during the first 2 days only. Analyses for all cements showed strong correlations between mean weight loss and cumulative fluoride release over a 5-week period following the application of the APF gel. SEM and surface profilometry found that roughness increased from the polyacid-modified resin composite to the conventional glass ionomer cements. Conclusions: APF gel caused erosive wear of the glass ionomer cements especially, and the wear correlated well with the weight losses. To minimise surface erosion, APF gel should not be used on these cements, especially as the recharging effects are transitory. © British Dental Journal 1999.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

One-year clinical evaluation of tooth-colored materials in non-carious cervical lesions Avaliação clínica de restaurações de lesões cervicais não cariosas

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical performance of bonded composite (Excite/Tetric Ceram - Vivadent) versus a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer - 3M) for restoring non-carious cervical lesions. A total of 70 restorations (thirty-five per material) were placed in 30 patients, 18-50 aged, by one operator. Rubber dam was employed in all cases, lesions were pumiced, enamel margins were not beveled, and no mechanical retention was placed. The restorations were directly assessed by two independent evaluators using modified-USPHS criteria for six clinical categories. The ratings for clinical acceptability restorations (alfa plus bravo) were as follows (Tetric Ceram/Vitremer): retention (86%/100%), marginal integrity (100%/100%), marginal discoloration (100%/100%), wear (97%/100%), postoperative sensitivity (100%/100%) and recurrent caries (100%/100%). Statistical analysis was completed with Fisher's exact or Pearson Chi-square tests at a significance level of 5% (P<0.05). Results showed that almost all restorations were clinically satisfactory with no significant differences between materials groups. Five restorations of Excite/Tetric Ceram failed. No restorations of Vitremer have yet failed.<br>Avaliou-se o desempenho clínico de um sistema restaurador adesivo (Excite - Tetric Ceram/ Vivadent) e do cimento de ionômero de vidro modificado por resina (Vitremer/ 3M) na restauração de lesões cervicais não cariosas por meio do sistema de avaliação do USPHS modificado. Um total de setenta restaurações, trinta e cinco por material, foi realizado por um único operador em trinta pacientes voluntários com idades de 18 a 50 anos. Previamente à execução das restaurações, foi realizada uma profilaxia com pedra-pomes e água a fim de remover quaisquer resíduos. As lesões cervicais não foram submetidas a qualquer tipo de preparo cavitário, sendo restauradas sob isolamento absoluto e de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. Todas as restaurações foram avaliadas pelo método direto por dois examinadores usando os critérios de retenção (R), integridade marginal (IM), descoloração marginal (DM), desgaste (D), sensibilidade pós-operatória (S) e incidência de cárie (IC). Ao final de um ano, os resultados de restaurações clinicamente satisfatórios (escores Alfa e Bravo) obtidos para resina composta e cimento de ionômerto de vidro modificado por resina foram respectivamente: R (86%/100%), IM (100%/100%), DM (100%/100%), D (97%/100%), S (100%/100%) e IC (100%/100%). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística com o teste exato de Fisher ou o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson com o nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Com base na análise estatística dos resultados concluiu-se que não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos no período de tempo avaliado

Calcium ions promote osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human dental pulp cells: implications for pulp capping materials

Calcium (Ca) is the main element of most pulp capping materials and plays an essential role in mineralization. Different pulp capping materials can release various concentrations of Ca ions leading to different clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various concentrations of Ca ions on the growth and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Different concentrations of Ca ions were added to growth culture medium and osteogenic inductive culture medium. A Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the proliferation of hDPCs in growth culture medium. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, Alizarin red S/von kossa staining, calcium content quantitative assay. The selected osteogenic differentiation markers were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Within the range of 1.8–16.2 mM, increased concentrations of Ca ions had no effect on cell proliferation, but led to changes in osteogenic differentiation. It was noted that enhanced mineralized matrix nodule formation was found in higher Ca ions concentrations; however, ALP activity and gene expression were reduced. qRT-PCR results showed a trend towards down-regulated mRNA expression of type I collagen (COL1A2) and Runx2 at elevated concentrations of Ca ions, whereas osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated. Ca ions content in the culture media can significantly influence the osteogenic properties of hDPCs, indicating the importance of optimizing Ca ions release from dental pulp capping materials in order to achieve desirable clinical outcomes