Analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy of the MDPB bactericidal effect on S. mutans biofilm CLSM analysis of MDPB bactericidal effect on biofilm

Since bacteria remain in the dentin following caries removal, restorative materials with antibacterial properties are desirable to help maintaining the residual microorganisms inactive. The adhesive system Clearfil Protect Bond (PB) contains the antibacterial monomer 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB) in its primer, which has shown antimicrobial activity. However, its bactericidal effect against biofilm on the dentin has been little investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and viable bacteria counting (CFU) the MDPB bactericidal effect against S. mutans biofilm on the dentin surface. Material and methods: Bovine dentin surfaces were obtained and subjected to S. mutans biofilm formation in BHI broth supplemented with 1% (w/v) sucrose for 18 h. Samples were divided into three groups, according to the primer application (n=3): Clearfil Protect Bond (PB), Clearfil SE Bond, which does not contain MDPB, (SE) and saline (control group). After the biofilm formation, Live/ Dead stain was applied directly to the surface of each sample. Next, 10 µL of each primer were applied on the samples during 590 s for the real-time CLSM analysis. The experiment was conducted in triplicate. The primers and saline were also applied on the other dentin samples during 20, 90, 300 and 590 s (n=9 for each group and period evaluated) and the CFU were assessed by colonies counting. Results: The results of the CLSM showed that with the Se application, although non-viable bacteria were detected at 20 s, there was no increase in their count during 590 s. In contrast, after the PB application there was a gradual increase of non-viable bacteria over 590 s. Conclusions: The quantitative analysis demonstrated a significant decrease of S. mutans CFU at 90 s PB exposure and only after 300 s of Se application. Protect Bond showed an earlier antibacterial effect than Se Bond

Radiodensity evaluation of dental impression materials in comparison to tooth structures

In the most recent decades, several developments have been made on impression materials' composition, but there are very few radiodensity studies in the literature. It is expected that an acceptable degree of radiodensity would enable the detection of small fragments left inside gingival sulcus or root canals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the radiodensity of different impression materials, and to compare them to human and bovine enamel and dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five impression materials, from 5 classes, were studied: addition and condensation silicones, polyether, polysulfides and alginates. Five 1-mm-thick samples of each material and tooth structure were produced. Each sample was evaluated 3 times (N=15), being exposed to x-ray over a phosphor plate of Digora digital system, and radiodensity was obtained by the software Digora for Windows 2.5 Rev 0. An aluminum stepwedge served as a control. Data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's method (α=0.05). RESULTS: Different materials and respective classes had a different behavior with respect to radiodensity. Polysulfides showed high values of radiodensity, comparable to human enamel (p>0.05), but not to bovine enamel (

TiF4 varnish protects the retention of brackets to enamel after in vitro mild erosive challenge

The effect of fluoride agents on the retention of orthodontic brackets to enamel under erosive challenge is little investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and sodium fluoride (NaF) agents on the shear bond strength of brackets to enamel and on the enamel microhardness around brackets under erosive challenge. Methods: Brackets were bonded to bovine incisors. Five groups were formed according to fluoride application (n=10): TiF4 varnish, TiF4 solution, NaF varnish, NaF solution and control (without application). The specimens were submitted to erosive challenge (90 s cola drink/2h artificial saliva, 4x per day for 7 days). Solutions were applied before each erosive cycle and varnishes were applied once. Vickers Microhardness (VHN) was obtained before and after all cycles of erosion and the percentage of microhardness loss was calculated. Shear bond strength, adhesive remnant index and polarized light microscopy were conducted after erosion. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (α=0.05). Results: The %VHN had no statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. However, considering the comparisons of all groups with the control group, TiF4 varnish showed the highest protection from enamel demineralization (effect size of 2.94, while the effect size for the other groups was >2.4). The TiF4 varnish group had significantly higher shear bond strength compared to other groups. There was no difference among groups for adhesive remnant index. Polarized light microscopy showed higher demineralization depth for the control group. Conclusions: Application of NaF and TiF4 agents during mild erosive challenge minimized the enamel mineral loss around brackets, however only the experimental TiF4 varnish was able to prevent the reduction of shear bond strength of brackets to enamel.

Antimicrobial, mechanical and biocompatibility analysis of chlorhexidine digluconate-modified cements

The focus of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of glass ionomer (GICs) modified by Chlorhexidine (CHX). For biocompatibility, 105 male Wistar rats were used, divided into 7 groups (n=15): Group C (Control,Polyethylene), Groups M, M10, M18, and Groups RL, RL10, RL18 (M-Meron and RL-Riva Luting: conventional, and modified with 10%, and 18% CHX, respectively). The tissues were analyzed under optical microscope for different cellular events and time intervals. Antibacterial effect and Shear Bond Strength Test (SBST) were also analyzed. Biocompatibility was analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests; SBST one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (P<0.05). For the antibacterial effect, the Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman, followed by Dunn (P<0.05) tests were used. Morphological study of the tissues showed inflammatory infiltrate with significant differences between Groups C and RL18, in the time intervals of 7(P=0.013) and 15(P=0.032) days. The antimicrobial effects of the cements was shown to be CHX concentration-dependent (P=0.001). The SBST showed no significant difference between the Groups of Meron cement (P=0.385), however, there was difference between Group RL and Groups RL10 and RL18 (P=0.001). The addition of CHX did not negatively influence the SBST. Meron-CHX-10% was the most biocompatible, and Riva-CHX-18% had more influence on the inflammatory process and presented slower tissue repair

Effect of hydrochloric acid commercial presentation for microabrasion technique on loss of enamel structure and surface

Introdução: A técnica de microabrasão pode ser realizada através de pasta pronta para uso, disponível comercialmente, ou o profissional pode manipulá-la no consultório. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito da apresentação comercial do ácido clorídrico a 10% na manipulação de pasta para microabrasão sobre a superfície do esmalte. Metodologia: Foram selecionados incisivos bovinos e divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a apresentação comercial do ácido clorídrico (líquido ou em gel). O tratamento foi realizado através de dez aplicações com 10s de duração cada, intercaladas por lavagem de 10s. Vinte incisivos (n=10) foram utilizados para se determinar a perda de estrutura do esmalte. Cada amostra foi pesada, em balança analítica, antes e após submissão à microabrasão. Outras 20 amostras (n=10) foram utilizadas para determinação da rugosidade superficial média (Ra) utilizando-se um rugosímetro. Três amostras de cada grupo do experimento anterior foram selecionadas, aleatoriamente, e outras três amostras adicionais foram preparadas como controle (baseline) para análise em MEV. Resultados: Verificou-se diferença estatística significativa entre a massa final e a inicial e rugosidade superficial das amostras, independente da apresentação comercial do ácido. Nas imagens de MEV observou-se presença de superfície regular para o grupo controle (baseline). Nas demais imagens verificou-se superfície com considerável irregularidade e dissolução discreta do esmalte. Conclusões: O tratamento realizado causou perda significativa de estrutura e aumentou a rugosidade superficial dos espécimes, independente da apresentação comercial do ácido e sem apresentar diferença entre os grupos ao final. A apresentação comercial do ácido não parece ser um fator a interferir no tratamento.Introduction: The microabrasion technique can be performed using a commercially available paste, or the dentist can prepare it in his office. Objective: To verify the effect of hydrochloric acid commercial presentation in the handling of microabrasion paste on the enamel surface. Methodology: Bovine incisors were divided into two groups, according to the commercial presentation of 10% hydrochloric acid (liquid or gel). The treatment was carried out through ten applications of 10 s duration each, intercalated with a 10s wash. Twenty teeth (n=10) were used to determine the loss of enamel structure. Each sample was weighed on an analytical balance before and after submission to microabrasion. Another 20 teeth (n=10) were used to determine the average surface roughness (Ra) using a rugosimeter. Three samples from each group of the previous experiment were selected, randomly, and another three additional samples were prepared as a control (baseline) for SEM analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the final and initial mass and the surface roughness of the samples, regardless of the acid commercial presentation. In the SEM images, a regular surface was observed for the control group (baseline). In the other images, there was a surface with considerable irregularity and a slight dissolution of the enamel. Conclusions: The treatment carried out caused a significant loss of structure and increased the surface roughness of the specimens, regardless of the acid commercial presentation and without showing any difference between groups at the end of the treatment. The acid commercial presentation did not appear to be a factor interfering