Reactive methacrylate systems for dental bioadhesives

The procedure of restoring missing crown part of a human tooth with use of experimental materials, including new functional dimethacrylate monomers, is presented. The essential steps are precise evaluation of root canal cavities and providing a good adhesion of restorative materials to tooth structures. Magnetic resonance microscopy is considered to be a valuable supporting technique in restorative dentistry.     

Phytotherapeutic inhibition of supragingival dental plaque

Antimicrobial activities and biofilm-formation preventive properties of Mentha piperita and Cuminum cyminum essential oils and chlorhexidine were assessed against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis led to the identification of 26 and 32 compounds in the essential oils of M. piperita and C. cyminum, respectively. Minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the oils and chlorhexidine and microbial decimal reduction time (D value) were determined. Antibacterial and in vivo biofilm preventive efficacies of all the concentrations of M. piperita oil were significantly (p<0.001) higher. The biofilm inhibitory properties in planktonic cultures were in M. piperita > chlorhexidine > C. cyminum order. In vivo experiments conducted on male and female volunteers who brushed with essential oil blended toothpastes indicated that lower concentrations of the oils, in particular the M. piperita oil, were significantly higher (p<0.001) and effective during the course of the study as compared to chlorhexidine. In conclusion, there may be a potential role for essential oils in the development of novel anticaries treatments.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry revealed traces of dental problem associated with dental structure

Periodontal disease is a serious dental problem because it does not heal naturally and leads to tooth loss. In periodontal disease, inflammation at periodontal tissue is thought as predominant, and its effect against tooth itself remains unclear. In this study, we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to teeth for the first time. By comparing anatomical structure of tooth affected with periodontal disease with normal ones, we analyzed traces of the disease on tooth. We found signals characteristic of enamel, dentin, and dental pulp, respectively, in mass spectra obtained from normal teeth. Ion images reconstructed using these signals showed anatomical structures of the tooth clearly. Next, we performed IMS upon teeth of periodontal disease. Overall characteristic of the mass spectrum appeared similar to normal ones. However, ion images reconstructed using signals from the tooth of periodontal disease revealed loss of periodontal ligament visualized together with dental pulp in normal teeth. Moreover, ion image clearly depicted an accumulation of signal at m/z 496.3 at root surface. Such an accumulation that cannot be examined only from mass spectrum was revealed by utilization of IMS. Recent studies about inflammation revealed that the signal at m/z 496.3 reflects lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC). Infiltration of the signal is statistically significant, and its intensity profile exhibited the influence has reached deeply into the tooth. This suggests that influence of periodontal disease is not only inflammation of periodontal tissue but also infiltration of LPC to root surface, and therefore, anti-inflammatory treatment is required besides conventional treatments.     

Optimization of DNA extraction from dental remains

Efficient DNA extraction procedures is a critical step involved in the process of successful DNA analysis of such samples. Various protocols have been devised for the genomic DNA extraction from human tissues and forensic stains, such as dental tissue that is the skeletal part that better preserves DNA over time. However DNA recovery is low and protocols require labor‐intensive and time‐consuming step prior to isolating genetic material. Herein, we describe an extremely fast procedure of DNA extraction from teeth compared to classical method. Sixteen teeth of 100‐year‐old human remains were divided into two groups of 8 teeth and we compared DNA yield, in term of quantity and quality, starting from two different sample preparation steps. Specifically, teeth of group 1 were treated with a classic technique based on several steps of pulverization and decalcification, while teeth of group 2 were processed following a new procedure to withdraw dental pulp. In the next phase, the samples of both group underwent the same procedure of extraction, quantification and DNA profile analysis. Our findings provide an alternative protocol to obtain a higher amount of good quality DNA in a fast time procedure, helpful for forensic and anthropological studies.     

Isothermal dimensional changes of some dental materials

The isothermal dimensional changes of four types of dental amalgams during the setting and for the next 24 hours after condensation have been studied by means of a Heraeus TA 500 thermal analysis system. The four types of dental amalgams were the lathe-cut conventional lowcopper amalgam (Amalcap), the spherical conventional low-copper amalgam (Spheralloy), the ternary unicomposition high-copper amalgam (Sybralloy) and the admixed high-copper (Dispersalloy) amalgam.The dimensional changes of the four types of amalgams are explained on the basis of their particle sizes and shapes and their constitutions.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels eines Heraeus TA 500 Thermoanalysensystemes wurden isotherme Größenveränderungen von Dentalamalgamen während des Setting und der 24 Stunden nach der Kondensation untersucht. Die Größenveränderungen der vier Amalgamgrundtypen (am Beispiel von Amalcap, Spheralloy, Sybralloy und Dispersalloy) wurden auf der Grundlage ihrer Teilchengröße und -form sowie auf der Grundlage ihrer Zusammensetzung erklärt.

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Polymerization of photocurable commercial dental methacrylate-based composites

Due to their excellent aesthetics, photopolymers have been extensively used in several dentistry applications. However, several problems are reported, e.g. low mechanical and abrasion resistance, shrinkage during polymerization, etc. Properties of the final restorations are intrinsically related to the polymerization stage, which can be conveniently studied by photocalorimetry. In the present work the polymerization reaction and the filler content of different photocurable commercial dental methacrylate-based composites were studied by means of photocalorimetry and thermogravimetry, respectively. The results show that the values of curing rate, the heat of polymerization and the filler content vary significantly from one composite to another.     

Tin passivation by copper in dental amalgams

Odontologists have been using dental amalgams for more than a century. In the conventional amalgams, the important formation of a phase Sn_7–8Hg called γ₂ was considered to be responsible for the inferior resistance to corrosion of this first generation of materials. The progressive increase of the copper content in formulae corresponds to the recent improvement of the resistance to corrosion of the dental amalgams. The decrease of the content in γ₂-phase in the structure was only suggested to explain this phenomenon. We proposed a second reason, a chemical one. It was found by corrosion tests in a medium with a mineral composition similar to natural saliva (SAGF medium: Gal–Fovet artificial saliva). © 2000 Académie des sciences / Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SASamalgams / tin / copper / corrosion / thermodynamics / thiocyanates     

Preparation of new blocked diisocyanate for dental application

A novel two-stage method of preparing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methoxyphenol or cholorophenol blocked 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) was devised. The first stage reaction of TDI with HEMA was carried out in petroleum ether heterogeneously with the precipitation of the intermediate product, monoadduct, in the reaction solution, and followed by a second stage homogeneous reaction of monoadduct with the blocking agent, chlorophenol, or methoxyphenol, in ethyl acetate. In both reactions the inhibitor, chloranil, and the catalyst, dibutyltin dilaurate, were used. A total of eight products were achieved. Results of elemental analyses of these products along with their LC chromatograms, NMR, and IR spectra indicated that these materials were indeed the compounds expected. Testing results of these materials as dental adhesives will be reported in a separate paper.     

Fluorides-foundation for healthy teeth: a dental perspectives

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - The tooth cavity is the common problem in the enamel surface due to the predominance of the demineralization process. It can be controlled with different...     

The role of salivary peptides in dental caries

Dental caries is a complex disease, characterized by demineralization of tooth structure. With a protective role, several salivary phosphopeptides appear to be involved in remineralization processes, delaying the loss of tooth structure. In this work we have correlated peptide saliva composition with dental caries susceptibility through the analysis of saliva and hydroxyapatite-adsorbed salivary peptides samples. Saliva samples were obtained from two groups, a caries-free and a cariessusceptible group, and were analysed using HPLC-MS and a sequential extraction with 6 m of guanidine followed by tri fluoroacetate. Data analysis has allowed us to verify a strong correlation between large amounts phosphopeptides (PRP1/3, histatin 1 and statherin), and the absence of dental caries, which reinforces the importance of these peptides in the maintenance of tooth integrity. In addition, in the caries-susceptible group a high number of peptide fragments was observed, suggesting a high proteolytic activity.     

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy of dental calculus

The mid and far FTIR spectra of supragingival and subgingival calculus were measured, respectively. From the subtraction spectra of the two types of calculus, the protein components of calculus have been obtained. The results of photoacoustic spectroscopy indicated the presence of protein layer on the surface of early calculus.     

Linking microstructure and nanochemistry in human dental tissues

Mineralized dental tissues and dental pulp were characterized using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Quantitative X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy was employed to determine the Ca/P and Mg/P concentration ratios. Significantly lower Ca/P concentration ratios were measured in peritubular dentine compared to intertubular dentine, which is accompanied by higher and variable Mg/P concentration ratios. There is strong evidence that magnesium is partially substituting calcium in the hydroxyapatite structure. Electron energy-loss near-edge structures (ELNES) of C-K and O-K from enamel and dentine are noticeably different. We observe a strong influence of beam damage on mineralized dental tissues and dental pulp, causing changes of the composition and consequently also differences in the ELNES. In this article, the importance of TEM sample preparation and specimen damage through electron irradiation is demonstrated.     

Corrosion-stable nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for dental applications

In a comparative study the in vitro corrosion behavior of a selection of nickel- and cobalt-based alloys for application in dentistry containing no noble metals was studied with slow scan cyclic voltammetry. The obtained breakthrough potentials, the repassivation behavior and further typical features of the cyclic voltamograms are correlated with the chemical composition as measured with electron beam microanalysis. Surface inhomogenities detected with the latter method are discussed with respect to the electrochemical behavior. For all alloys stabilities in terms of breakthrough potential superior to previously reported data for nickel-base alloys are found.     

Antimicrobial modified hydroxyapatite composite dental bite by stereolithography

This study is aimed at the synthesis of antimicrobial hydroxyapatite (HAP)‐based composites for dental application by stereolithography (SLA). A micron‐sized commercial HAP was modified by methacrylate and quaternary ammonium salt, and, then, it was used in different amounts (namely 2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) as filler for a photocurable custom made resin for SLA. Thermal stability, microstructure, and particles size of the pristine (HAP) and modified HAP (mHAP) were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and particle size analyser (CILAS). The suitability of each formulation for stereolithography process was assessed by measuring viscosity, degree of conversion (DC%) by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), glass transition temperature, and thermal stability. Photo‐cured specimens for physical, mechanical, and antimicrobial testing were built by SLA. The flexural strength of the samples was measured using a 3‐point bending test method, and the fractured surface was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial activity of samples was investigated against some standard microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans), as representative Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungus, respectively. The flexural strength increased with a filler content up to 5% and slightly decreased for higher content. SEM analysis confirmed the presence of uniformly distributed HAP. The incorporation of mHAP reduced the bacterial and fungal growth in dose‐dependent manner in comparison with the neat samples. Finally, a prototype of dental bite was built by SLA.     

Inducing bioactivity in dental porcelain through bioglass®

Dental materials restore morphology and function of lost or destroyed teeth, but cannot completely rebuild the structural relationship with soft periodontal tissues. The induction of bioactivity on classic dental porcelain can be achieved through the addition of bioactive glass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bioglass^® on the thermal properties of dental porcelain in order to correlate the proportions of mixtures with the changes in thermal properties. Differential thermal analysis was performed in order to determine the characteristic temperatures of the mixtures. The increase of bioactive glass concentration in mixtures induces a shift to lower temperatures of the melting point temperature. This observation is attributed to the substitution of silicon ions by aluminium ions and to the formation of Al–O bond, which is weaker than Si–O bond. Mixtures heated at 950°C were examined also by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to be studied the microstructure of these samples at this critical temperature. The observed microstructural changes, confirm the process of substitution of Si ⁴⁺ ions by Al ³⁺ ions.     

Thermal studies on different classes of clinical dental composites

Various classes of dental composites have evolved over the years for various clinical applications, differing mainly in the relative proportions of their individual components (BisGMA, TEGDMA, UDMA, fillers, etc.). Four classes of composites have been investigated here via DSC and TG (after curing with blue light from a halogen light-curing unit): a ‘microhybrid’, a ‘nanocomposite’, a ‘flowable’ and a ‘fluoride-releasing’ variety. The aims were to compare various thermal properties amongst the four classes and also to compare the quality of polymerization of halogen light cure. We concluded that the DSC scans of all the polymers showed no exotherms, signifying the absence of any residual reactivity. However, the scans showed onset of endothermic regions before glass transition temperature (GTT), which may signify structural rearrangements within the polymers. The overall enthalpy ranged from ?1.4 to ?50 J g^?1, with significant differences between the ‘fluoride-releasing’ variety and the rest. The ‘fluoride-releasing’ variety showed the largest endotherm, signifying greater mass loss than the rest. The GTT (129 °C) did not differ significantly amongst the composite types. These same parameters, on a second DSC run of the same samples, followed a pattern similar to the first run, albeit to a lesser degree in magnitude. Hence, no benefit was gained by heating after the initial ‘light’ cure. The initial and total mass losses were higher for ‘fluoride-releasing’ (19 and 46%) and ‘flowable’ (12 and 38%) types compared to ‘microhybrid’ (3 and 24%) and ‘nanocomposite’ (4 and 20%). In a clinical scenario, the ‘fluoride-releasing’ composite may adequately photopolymerize, given its use in thin layers. The microhybrid and nanocomposites might also polymerize well in thinner layers without the need for a secondary heat treatment. The ‘flowable’ variety on the other hand, is not recommended to be subjected to a secondary heat treatment, due to its inferior thermal stability.     

Microscopic and electron spectroscopic characterization of dental enamel surfaces

 The effects of surface pretreatment on the topography and composition of dental enamel surfaces of extracted bovine teeth have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface pretreatment with a solution of benzoic acid in acetone does not change the topography of the surface; it leads to enrichment of calcium and, to a lesser extent, phosphorus at the enamel surface. The higher adhesion strength reported between enamel surfaces pretreated with benzoic acid in acetone and glass ionomer cement might be explained in terms of a greater number of chemical bonding sites due to the enrichment of calcium and phosphorus at the surface. Received: 6 November 1998 Accepted in revised form: 3 December 1998