Laiza Tatiana Poskus

This study evaluated the effectiveness of experimental composites containing antimicrobial agents such as nisin (N) and stannous fluoride (SnF ₂ ) against S. mutans , for orthodontic applications. First, the antimicrobial agents were added at varying concentrations (%) into a base material consisting of methacrylate monomers and inorganic particles, forming the groups: control (C), N4% (N4), N7% (N7), N10% (N10), SnF ₂ 0.6% (SnF ₂ 0.6), SnF ₂ 1.5% (SnF ₂ 1.5), SnF ₂ 3% (SnF ₂ 3), and N4% + SnF ₂ 0. 6% (N4SnF ₂ 0.6). The degree of conversion (DC%) and colony-forming units (CFU) were evaluated. Brackets were bonded onto the enamel of bovine incisors using these composites, and the enamel hardness was measured at distances of 500, 550, and 600 µm from the bracket, before and after the cariogenic challenge. The shear bond strength was also investigated, and the composite remnant on the enamel was assessed using the ARI score. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Of all the groups, only N10 led to lower DC% ( p < 0.05). CFU was significantly reduced for all groups when compared to C ( p < 0.05), with SnF ₂ showing the highest inhibition for all concentrations. After the cariogenic challenge, for all distances from the brackets, the decrease in hardness was lower for all experimental composites than for C ( p < 0.05). SBS was lower only for the N4SnF ₂ 0.6 when compared to C. Adhesive failure was more frequent, with the composite remnant covering less than 50% of the adhesive area. In conclusion, adding those antimicrobial agents effectively inhibited S. mutans and protected enamel around brackets without compromising most mechanical properties. However, the highest nisin concentration (10%) adversely affected the degree of conversion, and the combination of nisin and stannous fluoride reduced bond strength.

This study aimed to formulate and characterize experimental dental adhesives charged with different concentrations of nanofillers. Different concentrations (0, 7.5 wt%, and 15 wt%) of nanosized silica (50 nm) were added to the bond of a two-bottle experimental etch-and-rinse adhesive system (EA0, EA7.5, and EA15). The following physicomechanical properties were evaluated: degree of conversion (DC%), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), flexural strength (FS), static modulus of elasticity (SME), dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME), and glass transition temperature (Tg). Marginal integrity (%MG) was evaluated in standardized class I cavities hybridized with the EAs and restored using two dental composites (CON-conventional and OBF-bulk-fill): EA0CON, EA7.5CON, EA15CON, EA0OBF, EA7.5OBF, and EA15OBF. Gap formation was measured in the occlusal and mesial tooth-restoration interfaces using a 3D laser confocal microscope. Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was evaluated using dentin-composite beams (1 × 1 mm) obtained from restorations. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). For DC% and Tg, EA15 < EA0 = EA7.5 (p < 0.05). For UTS, EA0 < EA7.5 < EA15. For FS, SME, and DME, EA0 < EA7.5 = EA15 (p < 0.05). For the gap formation analysis, there were statistical differences only for the conventional composite (EA0CON > EA7.5CON = EA15CON). The lowest values (p < 0.05) of µTBS were observed for the groups restored with EAs without inorganic content. In conclusion, charging dental adhesives with nanofillers may be a suitable strategy for improving their properties as well as their interaction with dental substrates.

This study evaluated the biological behavior of the coffee compounds Trigonelline (T), chlorogenic acid (C), and nicotinic acid (N), correlating with their release from a resin matrix. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated againstStreptococcus mutansUA159, and cytotoxicity was assessed by methyl tetrazolium salt on OD-21 cells. Resin matrices (bisphenol A-glycidyl-dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol-dimethacrylate 70/30 wt%, camphorquinone/ethyl 4-dimethyl aminobenzoate 0.5/1 wt%) were doped with coffee compounds in different concentrations (10/20/30/40/50 wt%), performing 15 groups (T10-T50, C10-C50, N10-N50), and a control group with no coffee compound. Degree of conversion (DC%) was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated by bioluminescence (Luciferase assay). The release from loaded matrices was analyzed over time (24 hr, 6, 14, 21 and 28 days), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were submitted to ANOVA/Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). MIC for T and C was 6 mg/ml, and 4 mg/ml for N. None of them were cytotoxic. Only T50 and C50 showed lower DC% than control (alpha < 0.05). Some groups (T30/T40/T50/C40/C50/N50) were strongly antimicrobial, reducing bacterial activity approximately five times compared to control (alpha < 0.05). For T30, T40, T50, C40, and C50, the HPLC showed a release above or closer to MIC values mainly in 24 hr, but for N50, up to 28 days. In conclusion, the coffee compounds presented antimicrobial activity, depending on their concentration when added in resin matrices, being found a correlation with their release.

Purpose: To analyze the effect of a warm-air stream for solvent evaporation on the temperature rise in the pulp chamber during dentin hybridization. Materials and Methods: Dentin disks with thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm were obtained from extracted human molars. A model tooth was set up with the dentin disks between a molar with an exposed pulp chamber and a crown with an occlusal preparation. A K-type thermocouple connected to a digital thermometer was placed in the molar root until it entered the pulp chamber and made contact with the dentin disks. After 10 s of adhesive application, solvent evaporation was performed for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s and the increase in temperature was monitored for 200 s after the warm-air stream began. Results: The temperature increase was significantly influenced by the thickness of the dentin disks (0.5 mm = 1.0 mm > 1.5 mm). With respect to the duration of the warm-air stream, the temperature increase was as follows: 10 s < 20 s < 30 s < 40 s (p < 0.05). The highest temperature was found after 40 s with dentin disks that were 0.5 mm (16.6 degrees C) and 1.0 mm (15.8 degrees C) thick, whereas the lowest temperature increase occurred after 10 s with a dentin disk that was 1.5 mm thick (4.1 degrees C) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The temperature in the pulp chamber was strongly influenced by the dentin thickness and the duration of the warm-air stream. Thinner dentin and a longer duration of the warm-air stream both lead to a greater temperature increase in the pulp chamber.

Besides the effects on the health of individuals, cigarette smoking can also interfere with the appearance of their teeth.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Ca(OH)(2) concentration on pH neutralization, degree of conversion (DC%), and bonding performance of experimental self-etch adhesives (SEAs). Materials and Methods: Four different concentrations of Ca(OH)(2) (0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 4 wt%) were added to the bond of an experimental two-step SEA consisting of primer (10-MDP [30 wt%], TEG-DMA [30 wt%], ethanol [35 wt%], water [5 wt%], camphorquinone [0.5 wt%], and tertiary amine [0.5 wt%]) and bond (bis-GMA [50 wt%], TEG-DMA [30 wt%], HEMA [20 wt%], camphorquinone [0.5 wt%], and tertiary amine [0.5 wt%]) to form four groups: E0, E1, E2 and E4. pH neutralization was evaluated until it reached equilibrium, and DC% within the hybrid layer was analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Human molars were wet ground until the occlusal dentin was exposed, SEAs were applied, and composite buildups were constructed. After storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h, the teeth were cut into composite-dentin beams. Microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) was evaluated after 24 h of water storage at 37 degrees C. Nanoleakage was evaluated by SEM. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test (alpha = 0.05). Results: All the SEAs reached pH equilibrium after thirteen days, with E1 and E4 presenting the highest pH (p < 0.05). E0 and E1 presented lower DC% than did E2 and E4 (p < 0.05). All the SEAs showed statistically similar mTBS and nanoleakage (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The incorporation of Ca(OH)(2) endowed the SEAs with pH-neutralization ability and improved their DC%, without interfering with the bond strength to dentin or nanoleakage extent.

This study evaluated the potential of a tri-functional monomer (trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate -TMPTMA) for inclusion in a dental composite organic matrix. Initially, four ternary matrixes with different concentrations (wt%) of bi-functional monomers [BisGMA (G), Bis-EMA (E) and TEGDMA (T)] were analyzed: GET523, GET532, EGT523 and EGT532 (the numbers (n) represent n×10 wt% of each monomer). The following properties were evaluated: degree of conversion, flexural strength, elastic modulus, hardness, absorption, solubility, diffusion coefficient of water and crosslink density. Based on the best overall results obtained for EGT532, all properties were re-evaluated in a matrix where TEGDMA (T) was replaced by a tri-functional monomer, TMPTMA (A)-EGA532. EGA532 presented the best results for flexural strength, hardness, absorption and crosslink density. EGT523, EGT532 and EGA532 presented the lowest diffusion coefficients of water. The overall results indicated that TMPTMA could be useful in formulating organic matrixes suitable for dental restorative composites.

To evaluate the repair bond strength after storage in water, lactic and propionic acid after 7 days and 6 months and the sorption and solubility of resin composites used. Five cylinders of each resin composite (microhybrid, nanofilled and silorane-based composite) were prepared. Specimens were aged with thermocycling (5 and 55°C) 5,000 times. A repair procedure was performed using intraoral sandblasting with 50-µm aluminum oxide, application of an adhesive system and cylinder of composite was fabricated. Specimens were sectioned into beams and stored in three immersion media: water, propionic acid and lactic acid. The microtensile bond strength was measured after periods of 7 days and 6 months. Sorption and solubility were evaluated using 15 specimens (0 = 6 mm; h = 1 mm) of each resin composite, which were prepared and assigned into three groups (n = 5) according to the immersion media (water, propionic acid and lactic acid). Data were analyzed using one-way/two-way/three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The resin composites, immersion media and time of immersion did not affect the repair bond strength (microhybrid 38.3 to 40.9 MPa; nanofilled 38.7 to 42.2 MPa; silorane 41.2 to 51.1 MPa). Additionally, the immersion media did not affect the sorption and solubility. The silorane-based composite presented the lowest sorption (10.5 to 12.1 µg/mm3) and solubility (-2.4 to -2.7 µg/mm3), while the nanofilled methacrylate-based composite showed the highest sorption (32.1 to 33.6 µg/mm3). Regarding solubility, the nanofilled and microhybrid methacrylate-based composites did not present statistically significant differences.