This study evaluates the reinforcement of semi-interpenetrating network composites of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropyl)phenyl] propane (Bis-GMA)/ triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and 25% titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanofiller with surface treated Kevlar fibers for potential application as dental posts. The post material was subjected to thermo-cycling and flexural strength determined, characterised by dynamic mechanical analysis, water sorption, radiopacity and cytotoxicity tests. The results were compared with everStick^®POST. Kevlar pre-treatment with acetic acid and silane coupling agent demonstrated a clear effect on the flexural strength of the composites with a significant increase compared to composites with fibers without surface treatment. The inclusion of TiO₂ into the final formulation provided the desired radiopacity and improved both aesthetics and flexural strength, which exhibits a higher resistance on thermocycling. The ratios of fatigue limit to static flexural strength were about 0.73 for Kevlar and 0.58 for everStick^®POST; MTT assay confirmed the absence of any toxic eluents, indicating its feasibility as new intracanal post material.

This paper investigated the effects of different contents of negative ion powder on the antibacterial activity and mechanical properties of the alginate impression materials. The cytotoxicity of the negative ion powder was evaluated. The antibacterial rate was evaluated by the plate count method, and the mechanical properties, including the gelation time, elastic recovery, compressive strain and compressive strength were characterized by standards method. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the negative ion powder. When the content of negative ion powder was 1–2%, the antibacterial rate could be up to 90–100%. It had no significant effect on the mechanical properties of the alginate impression materials when the added content of negative ion powder was less than 2% (p>0.05). The results of the MTT assay indicated that the material is noncytotoxic. The optimal adding ratio of negative ion powder is 1–2%.

The aim of this study was to compare chemical properties and bioactivities of with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and EndoSequence Root Repair Material (ERRM). After setting, surfaces of test materials were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pH and cell viability of materials were tested. Osteoblastic differentiation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and ALP staining. MTA showed spindle-shaped crystals while ERRM showed round-shaped crystals of various sizes. ERRM presented lower pH than MTA. Both materials showed good cell viabilities compared to the control. Expression levels of osteoblastic genes and ALP staining were increased significantly (p<0.05) in ERRM and MTA groups compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, ERRM and MTA both had effects on osteoblastic differentiation. Therefore, ERRM can be used as a desirable alternative to MTA for root-end filling material.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) is supposed to be a promising candidate for apatite substitute in hard tissue engineering. We aimed to investigate the effect of nano-HAP particles on the proliferation of odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells compared with conventional hydroxyapatite (c-HAP). HAP in diameter of ~20 nm (np20), ~70 nm (np70) and ~200 nm (c-HAP) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Inverted microscope and MTT assay were used to detect the morphology and proliferation rate of MDPC-23 cells; TEM was used to reveal the internalization of HAP. We found that nano-HAP (np20 and np70), especially np20 expressed obvious growth-promoting effect on MDPC-23 cells compared with c-HAP, which caused the most vacuole in MDPC-23 cells. These results suggest that nano-HAP may be an optimal choice of apatite substitute for MDPC-23 cells on the aspect of cell proliferation.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of etching with potassium hydrogen difluoride (KHF₂) and ammonium hydrogen difluoride (NH₄HF₂) on the bond strength of a self-polymerizing methyl methacrylate resin (MMA-TBB) bonded to zirconia. Zirconia disks were prepared using the following surface treatment: no treatment, alumina blasting, and etching with KHF₂ or NH₄HF₂. The specimens were bonded with the MMA-TBB. The shear bond (Ø=5 mm) strength was measured. The surface free energies of the specimens were determined by measuring contact angles. The KHF₂ and NH₄HF₂ groups exhibited higher shear bond strength and surface free energy than did the alumina blasting and no treatment groups. Compared with alumina blasting, etching with KHF₂ and NH₄HF₂ exhibited superior bonding ability of mechanical retention to zirconia.

This study evaluated shear bond strengths of two gingiva-colored layering resin composites to zirconia frameworks coated with feldspathic porcelain. Airborne-particle abraded porcelain-coated zirconia disks were treated with one of the following primers: Clearfil Photo Bond, Clearfil Photo Bond with Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator (CPB+Activator), Estenia Opaque Primer, Porcelain Liner M Liquid B (PLB), or no primer. A light-polymerizing (CER) or a photo/heat-polymerizing gingiva-colored indirect resin composite (EST) was bonded to the porcelain-coated zirconia disks in each group (n=11). Shear bond strength was measured. For both CER and EST specimens, bond strengths in CPB+Act group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. In all priming groups, bond strength was significantly higher for EST specimens than for CER specimens. Combined application of a phosphate monomer and silane enhanced initial bond strength of light-polymerized and photo/heat-polymerized gingiva-colored layering resin composites to porcelain-coated zirconia ceramics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate water sorption and solubility of two series of experimental composites containing amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) or bioactive glass (BG). Water sorption and solubility were measured for up to 287 days. The surface precipitation of calcium phosphates was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The ACP-series showed higher water sorption (223–568 µg/mm³) than the BG-series (40–232 µg/mm³). In contrast, the ACP-series had generally lower solubility (37–106 µg/mm³) than the BG-series (1–506 µg/mm³). The constant specimen mass for the ACP-series was attained after 14 days of water immersion, while the mass decrease due to long-term solubility in the BG-series lasted beyond 287 days. Calcium phosphates precipitated in composites with the BG filler loading of 10 wt% or more, as well as in all of the ACP-containing composites. The experimental composite series showed water sorption and solubility considerably higher than commercial materials.

Modern adhesive systems have been developed for enhanced mechanical and antibacterial properties; however, no such systems contain a calcium source to enhance bond strength. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of an experimental calcium-containing primer (10 wt% CaCl₂) in two-step self-etching adhesive systems on micro-tensile bond strength (μ-TBS) and acid resistance in dentin adhesive interface observations after acid-challenge using scanning electron microscopy. Using two types of primers and bonding agents (Clearfil SE Bond primer (SEP), experimental calcium-containing primer (CaP), Clearfil SE Bond (SEB), and Clearfil Protect Bond), we prepared four experimental groups. The μ-TBS of CaP-SEB did not differ from that of SEP-SEB. Meanwhile, the CaP groups showed a thicker acid-base resistance zone. Thus, two-step self-etching adhesive system composed of experimental calciumcontaining primer can be used as an adhesive system with high acid resistance and acceptable bond strength.

Hydroxyapatite particles (HAp) have been widely used by many dental implant systems as an implant coating material because of their osteoconductive properties. This study aimed at improving the antibacterial effect of HAp as a substitute for antibiotic agents which can increase drug resistance. HAp/gray titania was selected as the coating material for on the titanium alloy substrate due to its antibacterial properties after photocatalytic reaction. When combined with amino acids, HAp can form a fluorescent complex which enhances this property. Before clinical application, this new coating should be examined for cytotoxic effects against biological cells or tissues. Therefore, L929 mouse fibroblasts were used to represent fibrous tissue surrounding dental implant. After performing a 6-day alamarBlue assay, the new coating method using hydroxyapatite-tyrosine complex with gray titania on titanium alloy surface can be said to have no influence on the growth of fibroblasts.

Methacrylate monomers found in many dental materials cause toxicity to dental pulp cells but the mechanism of the toxicity is poorly understood. We used cultured human dental pulp cells to test the effects of three commonly used monomers; bisphenol-A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). The order of toxicity was Bis-GMA>UDMA>TEGDMA. The toxicity correlated inversely with cystine uptake, with TEGDMA stimulating uptake and BisGMA and UDMA inhibiting uptake. Bis-GMA and UDMA induced oxidative stress, while TEGDMA did not. Toxicity correlated poorly with glutathione levels, as all compounds decreased cellular glutathione. TEGDMA is less toxic than Bis-GMA and UDMA likely because it stimulates cystine uptake and does not induce oxidative stress, the enhanced uptake of cystine appears to compensate for TEGDMA’s direct interaction with glutathione. Bis-GMA and UDMA both deplete glutathione and inhibit cystine uptake leading to oxidative stress and cell death.

Bioactivity of Bio-MA, a calcium chloride accerelator-containing calcium-silicate cement, as a pulp capping material was evaluated on mechanically exposed rat molar pulp. Sixty maxillary first molars from Wistar rats were mechanically exposed and assigned to two capping materials: Bio-MA or white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA), and three periods: 1, 7, or 30 days. Nine molars were exposed and covered with polytetrafluoroethylene tape, as positive controls. From histological examination, inflammatory cell infiltration and reparative dentin formation were evaluated using grading scores. No significant difference in pulpal responses between the two materials was observed at any period (p>0.05). At 1 day, all experimental groups showed localized mild inflammation. At 7 days, dentin bridge was partially observed at exposure sites with few inflammatory cells. At 30 days, pulp appeared normal with complete tubular dentin bridges. Bio-MA with accerelator was biocompatible similar to WMTA and could be used as a pulp-capping material.

Endodontic biofilm is a microbial community, enclosed in a polymeric matrix of polysaccharide origin where are found pathogens, like bacteria and opportunistic fungi responsible for various endodontic pathologies. As clinical importance is the fact, that biofilm is extremely resistant to common intracanal irrigants, antimicrobial drugs and host immune responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of a Cu/CaOH₂-based endodontic paste, against bacteria and fungi, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. We found that such compound significantly reduced microbial replication time and cell growth. Moreover, biofilm formation and persistence were also affected; treated biofilms showed both a reduced number of cells and levels of released pyoverdine. This study provides the first evidence on effectiveness of this endodontic compound against microbial biofilms. Given its wide range of action, its use in prevention and treatment of the main oral biofilm-associated infections will be discussed.

In order to fabricate the TiO₂ nano-structure coating on the Ti-free stainless steel with good adhesion, commercially obtained 316L stainless steel (316L SS) plates were chemically treated by KOH aqueous solution including TiH₂ powder at 60ºC for 3 days in an oil bath shaker, and subsequently heated up to 550–800ºC under the air atmosphere. The crystal structure, color, adhesive strength and cytotoxic effects of coating were investigated. Fiber-like hydrogen titanate nano-structures were formed on the 316L SS surface and made a fine network. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that hydrogen titanate phase converted to anatase and rutile after heat treatment above 550ºC. The heat treated sample at 800ºC for 1 h showed the highest adhesive strength and the lowest cytotoxicity. The alkali treatment method in this study is expected to be used on the other Ti-free metals with further research.

The objective of this work was to analyze the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of bismuth lipophilic nanoparticles (BisBAL NPs) incorporated into chitosan-based membranes. Chitosan-based membranes were homogeneously embedded with BisBAL NPs, confirming the bismuth presence by scanning electron microscopy. The tensile strength of chitosan-based membrane alone or with BisBAL NPs showed similar results as elongation, suggesting that BisBAL NP addition did not affect membrane mechanical properties. Chitosan-based membranes complemented with 100 µM of BisBAL NPs caused a complete inhibition of biofilm formation and a 90–98% growth inhibition of six different oral pathogens. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that 80% of human gingival fibroblasts were viable after a 24-h exposure to the chitosan-based membrane with 100 µM of BisBAL NPs and collagen. Altogether, we conclude that the biological properties of chitosan-based membranes supplemented with BisBAL NPs could be a very interesting option for tissue regeneration.

The aim of this study was to investigate volumetric polymerization shrinkage (VS), using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), of bulk-fill composites with different light-curing strategies; immediately after light-irradiation and after 24 h, and to evaluate their regional ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at different curing depths. The immediate VS after photo-polymerization decreased when the curing light-curing time was reduced from 20 to 10 to 5 s. On the other hand, their VS values after 24 h significantly increased due to the post-cure polymerization, resulting in similar VS values at all the light-curing times. Five seconds light-curing decreased the regional UTS of resin composites after the 24 h period compared with the 10 and 20 s light-curing regimes; therefore, the remarkable progress of post-cure polymerization after light-curing for a short time would not lead to an improvement in the mechanical properties of resin composites. The influence of the light-curing time on the curing depth was dependent upon the bulk-fill composite material.

The goal of this study was to investigate the chemical alteration of a dental alloy surface by alumina air-abrasion and its effect on bonding to resin cement. Alumina air-abrasion was carried out on an Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy. The surface morphology and chemical state of the abraded alloy were characterized. The effect of the air-abrasion on the shear bond strength between the alloy and a methyl methacrylate/tri-n-butyl borane (MMA/TBB) resin cement with some primers was evaluated. The surface characterization revealed that the alumina air-abrasion mechanically roughened and chemically altered the surface. The chemical alterations had two effects: (1) abraded alumina particles remained on the alloy surface and (2) copper ions were oxidized in the alloy surface. As the result, the shear bond strength test indicated that 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) contained primer worked with the abraded alloy surface, whereas it did not work with the non-abraded alloy surface.

Differences in the volumes of artifacts caused by variously shaped titanium objects on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. Spherical-, square cubic-, and regular tetrahedron-shaped isotropic, and elongated spherical-, elongated cubic-, and elongated tetrahedron-shaped anisotropic objects, with identical volumes, were prepared. Samples were placed on a nickel-doped agarose gel phantom and covered with nickel-nitrate hexahydrate solution. Three-Tesla MR images were obtained using turbo spin echo and gradient echo sequences. Areas with ±30% of the signal intensity of the standard background value were considered artifacts. Sample volumes were deducted from these volumes to calculate the total artifact volumes. Isotropic samples had similar artifact volumes. For anisotropic samples, the artifact volume increased in proportion with the normalized projection area. MRI artifact size can be reduced by high anisotropic designs, and by positioning the long axis of the metal device as parallel as possible to the magnetic field axis.

High-power light-curing units have emerged that reduce the time of procedures in dental clinical work. However, patients sometimes complain of pain during the polymerization of composite resin. In this experiment, we investigated how differences in light-curing mode affect the temperature rise during composite resin polymerization in vitro. Light-curing mode conditions were divided into four groups: 3 s in plasma mode (Plm3) and 5, 10, and 20 s in standard mode. The temperature curve under Plm3 exhibited a rapid increase during the first 3 s of light curing before reaching a maximum of around 55°C. In contrast, the temperature rose rapidly but less sharply for irradiation in each standard mode compared with Plm3. These results suggest that irradiation using a high-power mode increases the temperature at an excessively high rate, and this may raise concern about side effects on the pulp.

The development of effective methods to disinfect biofilms on dental materials is medically important. This study evaluated the bactericidal effects of peroxynitric acid (HOONO₂; PNA) on biofilms formed on titanium surfaces. Streptococcus gordonii was cultured on either machined or rough titanium discs that were then used to evaluate the bactericidal effects of seven reagents, i.e., normal saline, benzalkonium chloride disinfectant solution, chlorhexidine digluconate solution, three concentration types of PNA, and inactivated PNA. Using low concentration of PNA, the bacterial count based on a CFU assay reached an undetectable level within 10 s; this bactericidal effect was the strongest observed for the seven tested reagents. Thus, PNA may be more useful than other disinfectants for sterilizing biofilms on titanium surfaces that have been contaminated with bacteria.

In order to the preparation of biodegradable, bioactive and strongly adhered coating layer to the bioinert zirconia substrate, a bioactive glass (BG) was successfully coated on the zirconia plates. To achieve this goal, the zirconia plates dipped into the 45S5 BG sol in the vacuum chamber (vacuum sol-dipping method) followed by sintering to fabricate a strongly adhered BG coating on the zirconia plates. The parameters such as surface morphology and BG coating coverage ability on the zirconia plates have been assessed before and after coating with 45S5 BG. Phase structure of the BG coating based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) result could be indexed as Na₄Ca₄(Si₆O₁₈). The interfacial adhesive strength between the zirconia substrate and BG coating layer was higher than the measured adhesive strength (55±7 MPa). The viability results approved the satisfying conclusion for the offered coating method on the zirconia substrates.

Telescopic crowns made from zirconia/alumina can be manufactured using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing systems. For their successful clinical use, a suitable retentive force must be maintained over an extended period. However, it is unclear how retentive force and secondary crown settling change after repeated crown insertion and removal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in retentive force and secondary crown settling of telescopic crowns made from zirconia/alumina. Primary crowns with tapers of 2° and 4° were used. Repeated insertion and removal tests were performed for 10,000 cycles at a cyclic load of 50 N. The loads applied when measuring retentive force and settling were 50 and 100 N. The number of insertions and removals had a significant effect on retentive force and settling at both loads (p<0.01). Taper also had a significant effect on retentive force and settling at both loads (p<0.01).

To improve the flexural strength and flexural modulus of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), copolymerization of PMMA with 10, 20, 30, and 40% (v/v) of either ethyl-methacrylate, butyl-methacrylate (BMA), or isobutyl-methacrylate (IBMA) was carried out. Test specimens were fabricated from heat-cured resin. The flexural strength was measured using a 3-point bending test. The chemical characterization and the copolymerization mechanisms of the copolymer resins were confirmed by ¹H-NMR and FTIR. The flexural strength data were analyzed by applying two-way variance analysis. PMMA was reinforced by ethyl-methacrylate, BMA and IBMA copolymerization. Flexural strengths of the BMA and IBMA copolymers were significantly higher than those of the control group. Maximum flexural strength and modulus resulted from a 40% concentration of IBMA. The flexural strength and modulus values of all copolymer groups were found to be higher than those of the control group. The flexural moduli of the BMA and ethyl-methacrylate groups were similar to those of the control.