SEM and FT-MIR Analysis of Human Demineralized Dentin Matrix: An In Vitro Study

Recently, the demineralized dentin matrix has been suggested as an alternative material to autologous bone grafts and xenografts for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different times of demineralization on the chemical composition and the surface morphology of dentinal particles. Extracted teeth were ground and divided into 5 groups based on demineralization time (T0 = 0 min, T2 = 2 min, T5 = 5 min, T10 = 10 min, and T60 = 60 min) with 12% EDTA. The analysis was performed using Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) (p < 0.05). The FT-MIR analysis showed a progressive reduction of the concentration of both PO43− and CO32− in the specimens (T0 > T2 > T5 > T10 > T60). On the contrary, the organic (protein) component did not undergo any change. The SEM examination showed that increasing the times of demineralization resulted in a smoother surface of the dentin particles and a higher number of dentinal tubules

Epithelial Biological Response to Machined Titanium vs. PVD Zirconium-Coated Titanium: An In Vitro Study

The aim of this study was to compare the epithelial biological response to machined titanium Ti-6Al-4V grade 5 and titanium Ti-6Al-4V grade 5 coated with zirconia (ZrN) by physical vapor deposition (PVD). Human keratinocytes were cultured in six-well plates. Machined titanium TiAl4V4 grade 5 (T1) and ZrN-coated titanium TiAl4V4 grade 5 (T2) discs were placed in two different wells. The remaining two wells served as control (C). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were performed to compare the T1 and T2 surfaces. Subsequent analyses were performed to explore the effect of T1 and T2 contact with human keratinocyte HUKE cell lines. Cell viability was evaluated using a trypan blue exclusion test and MTT assay. Cell lysates from C, T1, and T2 were Western blotted to evaluate E-cadherin and Integrin-α6β4 expression. SEM revealed that T2 was smoother and more homogeneous than T1. EDS showed homogeneous and uniform distribution of ZrN coating on T2. Cell viability analyses did not show significant differences between T1 and T2. Furthermore, E-cadherin and Integrin-α6β4 expressions of the epithelial cells cultured in T1 and T2 were similar. Therefore, titanium Ti-6Al-4V grade 5 surfaces coated with ZrN by PVD seem to be similar substrates to the uncoated surfaces for keratinocyte adhesion and proliferation

ATR-FTIR Analysis of Orthodontic Invisalign® Aligners Subjected to Various In Vitro Aging Treatments

Clear and removable tooth aligners for orthodontics treatments have become an increasingly popular alternative to fixed appliances. Even if protocols suggest removing aligners before eating or drinking, most patients retain them when they drink beverages. Alterations in the material during the daily use could determine a reduction in the application forces, affecting the desired orthodontic movement; the knowledge of how this material reacts when subjected to different aging processes is mandatory to establish the predictability of the orthodontic treatment. According to this, the aim of the present study was to assess a new objective approach, coupling spectroscopic and chemometric tools, to evaluate the changes occurring in Invisalign® aligners, the most widely used brand, exposed in vitro to coffee, tea, Coca Cola® and UV radiation for 24 and 48 h. In particular, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to characterize, at the molecular level, the chemical and color modifications in the surfaces of the appliances; the obtained data were submitted to PCA and one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Moreover, a colorimetry analysis was carried out to evaluate any changes in color and transparency. Coffee and tea samples displayed the major color changes between the tested groups. The differences highlighted in the spectral features of coffee, tea and UV-treated samples were mainly ascribable to color and transparency changes, because the chemical properties remained unaltered

Restoration of Severe Bone and Soft Tissue Atrophy by Means of a Xenogenic Bone Sheet (Flex Cortical Sheet): A Case Report

The use of xenogenic cortical bone laminas in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) has been well described in the literature over the past decade. These biomaterials present a very low degree of complications due to their nature (porcine or equine collagenated bone) and the fact that when they become exposed, they simply hydrolyze without major complications. One of the problems related to the first generation of these laminas was their extreme rigidity and return elasticity, often forcing clinicians to anchor them with pins and/or screws. A new generation of bone laminas called Flex Cortical Sheet (FCS) have recently been introduced with machine-made thicknesses of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.9 mm and increased flexibility and adaptability to ridge defects. This paper has the goal of presenting a case of vertical and horizontal reconstruction performed by means of a 0.5 mm FCS and showing the workflow necessary to successfully restore a complex situation. After 8 months of healing, the GBR resulted in a horizontal and vertical augmentation of 8 mm and 8 mm, respectively. The radiographic examination at 18 months demonstrated great stability of new bone around implants

Combining the Non-Surgical Treatment with Extracts of Croton Lechleri and Myrciaria Dubia to Solve Gingival Cleft

Nowadays, the “pink” aesthetic possesses a significant role in the success of a dental treatment. Extended or small recessions should be solved to achieve harmony between tooth and gingival tissue. Gingival cleft (GC) is a condition that can lead to unpleasant gingival recession in the anterior area. The etiology of GC is still not clear and is often resolved using surgical treatments that, although minimal, are still interventions which can cause risks and discomfort to the patient. Therefore, this case report aims to propose a non-invasive treatment for GC, consisting of a combination of a non-surgical technique with herbal extracts therapy. A non-smoker, healthy patient was subjected to professional oral hygiene treatment supported by Croton Lechleri resin application and at-home supplementation with natural vitamin C (Myrciaria Dubia). The patient entirely followed the instructions and, after 12 months, the GC almost disappeared. In spite of its limitations, since further clinical cases are needed, the proposed non-surgical periodontal technique combined with herbal extracts therapy can represent a promising way to solve or at least reduce GC, before considering surgical treatment

The ‘Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) Effect’ of Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) with the Use of Bone Lamina: A Report of Three Cases with More than 36 Months of Follow-Up

The world of dentistry knows the benefits and results of guided bone regeneration. One of the most successful techniques introduced a decade ago utilizes, as a barrier membrane, a sheet made of collagenated xenograft called bone lamina. Indications and applications with different surgical techniques have been well described by several authors. This technique not only presents a very low degree of complications, but also has some added benefits that this article will highlight. The so called ‘GTR effect’ means that the GBR not only reproduces the required bone volume for placing implants, but also improves attachment levels on the teeth adjacent to the augmented area. Bone lamina produces both GBR and GTR effects

SEM and FT-MIR Analysis of Human Demineralized Dentin Matrix: An In Vitro Study

Recently, the demineralized dentin matrix has been suggested as an alternative material to autologous bone grafts and xenografts for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different times of demineralization on the chemical composition and the surface morphology of dentinal particles. Extracted teeth were ground and divided into 5 groups based on demineralization time (T0 = 0 min, T2 = 2 min, T5 = 5 min, T10 = 10 min, and T60 = 60 min) with 12% EDTA. The analysis was performed using Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) (p 43− and CO32− in the specimens (T0 > T2 > T5 > T10 > T60). On the contrary, the organic (protein) component did not undergo any change. The SEM examination showed that increasing the times of demineralization resulted in a smoother surface of the dentin particles and a higher number of dentinal tubules

ATR-FTIR Analysis of Orthodontic Invisalign^® Aligners Subjected to Various In Vitro Aging Treatments

Clear and removable tooth aligners for orthodontics treatments have become an increasingly popular alternative to fixed appliances. Even if protocols suggest removing aligners before eating or drinking, most patients retain them when they drink beverages. Alterations in the material during the daily use could determine a reduction in the application forces, affecting the desired orthodontic movement; the knowledge of how this material reacts when subjected to different aging processes is mandatory to establish the predictability of the orthodontic treatment. According to this, the aim of the present study was to assess a new objective approach, coupling spectroscopic and chemometric tools, to evaluate the changes occurring in Invisalign® aligners, the most widely used brand, exposed in vitro to coffee, tea, Coca Cola® and UV radiation for 24 and 48 h. In particular, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to characterize, at the molecular level, the chemical and color modifications in the surfaces of the appliances; the obtained data were submitted to PCA and one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Moreover, a colorimetry analysis was carried out to evaluate any changes in color and transparency. Coffee and tea samples displayed the major color changes between the tested groups. The differences highlighted in the spectral features of coffee, tea and UV-treated samples were mainly ascribable to color and transparency changes, because the chemical properties remained unaltered

Photobiomodulation and Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners: A Case Report of Severe Crowding and Agenesis

This paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in accelerating orthodontic treatment with clear aligners in correcting an orthodontic malocclusion characterized by severe crowding and agenesis in an adult subject. An adult male patient with Class I malocclusion, a mild Class III skeletal base and severe crowding was treated with 88 Invisalign® (Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA) pairs of aligners replaced every 5 days in combination with an Orthopulse™ (Biolux Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada) photobiomodulation device for home use by the patient. The total orthodontic treatment time was 440 days. Orthopulse™ is a photobiomodulation device that generates continuous beams of near-infrared light (NIR—near-infrared) with a wavelength of 850 nm and a power of 42 mW/cm2 to produce an average energy density on the surface of the silicone impression of 9.3 J/cm2. The combined use of clear aligners and the Orthopulse™ device allowed the patient to replace the aligners according to an experimental 5-day protocol to speed up the orthodontic therapy and, thus, resolve the malocclusion in less time than the manufacturer’s standard

FT-IR analysis of the Interface between Universal Scotchbond and Oral Mucosa: a preliminary in-vitro study

BACKGROUND: The long-term success of implant therapy depends not only on proper osseointegration, but also on the healing of the epithelium and the quality of the biological seal on the abutment and on the implant neck. This study aims to evaluate the possible use of dentinal adhesives on the surface of the transmucosal path of dental implants in order to create a hermetic seal between keratinized epithelium and abutment.METHODS: Four sections of 12 mu m thickness were obtained from a sample of the oral mucosa. Scotchbond TM Uni-versal Adhesive (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) was carefully applied both to the samples and to the transmucosal path of titanium abutment (Win-Six, BioSAFin, Italy). The adhesives were polymerized. FT-IR analysis was performed on: 1) polymerized Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany); 2) the interface between the titanium abut-ment and the adhesive; 3) the interface between the adhesive and the mucosa; 4) the mucosa samples.RESULTS: Comparing the spectra, it emerged that the adhesive has established chemical bonds both on titanium and on the keratinized mucosa, involving different types of chemical interactions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this in-vitro study are encouraging. In the future biocompatibility and comparative study with other adhesives will be required.(Cite this article as: Spirito F, Meme L, Strappa EM, Gallusi G, Bambini F. FT-IR analysis of the Interface between Universal Scotchbond and Oral Mucosa: a preliminary in-vitro study. Minerva Dent Oral Sc 2023;72:45-53. DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6329.22.04749-0