In dental practice, there are two major diseases: dental caries and periodontal disease. Although dental treatment techniques have advanced along with advances in dental materials, some diseases such as root surface caries and horizontal bone resorption have not yet achieved satisfactory treatment results. Since these diseases are infections caused by oral bacteria, we believe that materials with long-lasting antimicrobial properties would help control these diseases. In addition, materials that can adhere to wet hard tissues would contribute to treatment. In this review, new materials developed based on this idea, the antimicrobial material “cetylpyridinium chloride-montmorillonite” and the hard tissue adhesive implantable material “phosphorylated pullulan” was introduced.

Artificial bone, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, demonstrates a higher resorption rate than calcium phosphate-based counterparts, suggesting potential for early bone replacement. Animal experiments using porous calcium carbonate ceramics have demonstrated bone formation superior to commercially available artificial bone after short-term implantation. Long-term implantation has yielded suboptimal results owing to resorption of both newly formed bone and implantation material. We prepared calcium carbonate ceramics added with silica (Si-CaCO₃) to regulate the resorption rate. After 12 weeks of implantation, Si-CaCO₃ ceramics exhibited bone formation comparable to that of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) but less variability in the distribution of bone formation within the tissue. An in vitro dissolution test, serving as an indicator of in vivo resorption rate, revealed that Si-CaCO₃ ceramics exhibited an intermediate dissolution rate between high-purity calcium carbonate and β-TCP ceramics. Silica doping in CaCO₃ ceramics presents an effective approach for aligning material resorption with bone formation and growth.

This study evaluated the effects of HEMA and 10-MDP in the bonding agent in a 2-step self-etch adhesive system, Clearfil SE Bond 2, on water sorption (W_sp) and elastic modulus (E) of the polymerized bonding agent. The microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin was also evaluated initially and after 10,000 thermal cycles (TC10,000). Four bonding agents were tested: the original, H-free (excluding HEMA), M-free (excluding 10-MDP), and HM-free (excluding HEMA and 10-MDP). HEMA increased W_sp and decreased E. Initial µTBS (TC0) was highest for the original and lowest for HM-free. After TC10,000, the original maintained the highest µTBS, indicating the importance of HEMA and 10-MDP. TC10,000 did not reduce µTBS for any groups. HEMA and 10-MDP compromised mechanical property and increased water sorption, suggesting these components could potentially compromise adhesive stability.

The material concept of resin cements capable of disintegrating due to near-infrared (NIR) radiation was verified. The cements were prepared by adding silicon carbide (SiC), which heats upon absorbing NIR rays, and thermally expandable particles (TEPs) to 4-META/MMA-TBB resin cement. The microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and cytocompatibility of the cements were evaluated. The resin cements with 5 mass% SiC and 20–40 mass% TEPs had significantly lower µTBS after NIR radiation than before NIR radiation, and their cytocompatibility was not decreased by SiC and TEPs additions. Furthermore, in vitro thermal damage tests were performed using the resin cement with 5 mass% SiC and 20 mass% TEPs, a typical composition. The results demonstrated conditions that significantly reduced µTBS and minimized thermal damage by NIR radiation. Although these data are only proof of concept, the possibility that dental devices bonded with these cements could be detached by NIR radiation was demonstrated.

This study aimed to evaluate ionic release, flexural strength and water absorption of UDMA resins containing 0–30 wt% surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler fabricated by a DLP 3D printer. Release of Al, B, Na, Sr and F ions were measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and an ion meter. Flexural strength test and water absorption measurements were performed according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4049 standard and ISO 1567 standard, respectively. Sr ions were released the most, followed by F, B, Na and Al ions. The highest flexural strength was recorded with the S-PRG filler amount 0 wt%, followed by the S-PRG filler amounts 30, 20 and 10 wt%. Water absorption after one week was below the 32 µg/mm³ mark specified by ISO 1567. The release of ions was confirmed using UDMA-based photopolymerized resin containing S-PRG filler. Furthermore, the results suggest that this resin could be used for provisional restoration.

The aim was to compare different surface pretreatments on definitive resin crown materials manufactured additively or subtractively in terms of shear bond strength (SBS) values. Seven subgroups (n=10) were formed from additively manufactured VarseoSmile Crown Plus (VS) and subtractively manufactured Cerasmart270 blocks (CS) according to different surface pretreatments applied; sandblasting (subgroup SB), hydrofluoric acid (subgroup HF), Multi Primer (subgroup MP), subgroup SB-HF, subgroup SB-MP, subgroup SB-HF-MP, and control subgroup. A 3-mm-diameter composite was cemented onto each sample by self-adhesive resin cement. SBS values were measured and failure modes were analyzed after thermocycling. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The mean SBS value of VS was found significantly higher than CS (p<0.001). Subgroups SB-HF-MP, HF, SB-MP, and MP of VS exhibited the highest SBS values (p<0.001). The VS exhibited mostly cohesive failure, while CS exhibited mostly adhesive failure.

This study evaluated the influence of phosphoric acid and primer on enamel bonding performance using Panavia V5. Ground bovine enamels were assigned: using K-etchant syringe and Tooth Primer (CT), using K-etchant syringe (PA), using Tooth Primer (TP), neither K-etchant syringe nor Tooth Primer was used (NC). The micro-tensile bond strength values of CT and PA were significantly higher than TP. After thermal cycling, the values were higher in CT and PA. In the leakage test, line-shaped signal pattern at the adhesive interface was detected in NC, and the signal was partially detected in PA and TP. Observation of the adhesive interface after acid and base challenge confirmed tooth-like structures in groups except NC. Large spaces were observed between the enamel and cement in NC. Limited in this study, the lack of application of phosphoric acid or Tooth Primer may affect the enamel bonding performance.

Caries is a chronic oral disease causing a series of complications. This study aims to develop a material that could remineralize demineralized enamel and simultaneously exert antibacterial effects. A carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)/amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)/polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB) nanocomposite was synthesized for the first time, and its stability, remineralization ability, and antibacterial properties were investigated in this study. PHMB has excellent antibacterial properties, was used as an additive to stabilize ACP. The enamel surface covered with CMC/ACP/PHMB showed a uniform layer with a similar elemental ratio to that of natural hydroxyapatite and the ratio of crystal diffraction peaks was close to that of natural enamel. The mechanical properties, including hardness and elastic modulus, of the enamel in all experimental groups were restored. The antibacterial effect of 240 mg/L CMC/ACP/PHMB was comparable to that of 0.12% CMC/ACP/chlorhexidine. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the development of novel dual-function anticaries agent.

Enamel microcracks are often apparent in the teeth of elderly individuals. However, accurate clinical diagnosis of enamel microcracks is very difficult. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of inspections for enamel microcracks using a near-infrared light transillumination device with fluorescence staining. Human upper incisors with typical enamel microcracks were selected. Grayscale pictures of each tooth specimen were then taken by digital camera under visible light as control. Every tooth specimen was stained using indocyanine green solutions, then examined, and photographed under visible light. All digital images were compared with the background enamel surface and measured using image analysis software. Inspection using near-infrared light transillumination with indocyanine green solution was effective for detecting the presence of enamel microcracks. This method offers a non-invasive method of chair-side diagnosis and appears effective for detecting the presence of enamel microcracks.

This study investigates the moments generated when applying third-order bends to lingual brackets with different slot shapes and wires made of different materials. Three types of lingual brackets with different slot shapes: 0.018×0.018-inch square slot self-ligation bracket (AL-bracket); 0.018×0.025-inch slot self-ligation bracket (CL-bracket); 0.018×0.025-inch slot self-ligation bracket (ST-bracket). Wires of three different materials were measured. The torque value generated during torque application was measured using a torque gauge. The AL-bracket had a significantly larger torque moment than the CL- and ST-brackets at the same angles. The CL-bracket had the smallest torque moment of the three for the square wire; however, the CL-bracket revealed a larger torque moment than the ST-bracket for the rectangular wire. The torque moment of Ti-Ni wires was observed the smallest. In lingual orthodontic treatment, the results suggested the shape of the lingual bracket slot and the wire material should be considered when adjusting and applying third-order bends.

We aimed to evaluate whether Colocasia antiquorum var. esculenta (CA) mixed with experimental varnish inhibits inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a rat ligature-induced periodontitis model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were tested and cell viability of CA were also evaluated. The varnish mixed with CA (CAV) was applied to ligature site of Sprague-Dawley rats and alveolar bone loss and cytokines were measured. CA exhibited a MIC of 31.3 μg/mL and an MBC of 62.5 μg/mL against Porphyromonas gingivalis, with no cytotoxicity. The CAV group exhibited significantly lower levels of alveolar bone loss than the PC group (p<0.05). The expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 was significantly decreased, while that of Runx2 was significantly increased in the CAV than in the PC group (p<0.05). In conclusion, CAV demonstrated the potential to improve the symptoms of periodontitis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive removal/insertion and a load equivalent to the occlusal force on the retentive force of rest plate–I bar (RPI) clasps fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) on powder bed fusion. RPI clasp fabricated by SLM and casting were evaluated to the retentive force by repetitive removal/insertion (SLM-RI and Cast-RI), and the retentive force of RPI clasp by SLM was also evaluated by repetitive removal/insertion under load (SLM-L). SLM-RI group was kept superior retentive force during repetitive removal/insertion than Cast-RI group. SLM-L group showed the decrease of retentive force, and all specimens fractured during less than 7,000 repetitive removal/insertion. In SLM-L, the fracture of RPI clasp occurred at minor connector due to stress concentration. In conclusion, the RPI clasp by SLM demonstrated the superior retentive force and fitting for repetitive removal/insertion, yet improvements were necessary to withstand a load equivalent to occlusal force.

The purpose of this study was to construct an artificial intelligence object detection model to detect the articular disk from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) magnetic resonance (MR) images using YOLO series. The study included two experiments using datasets from different MR imaging machines. A total of 536 MR images were retrospectively examined. The performance of YOLOv5 and YOLOv8 in detecting the TMJ articular disk in both normal and displaced conditions was evaluated. The impact of image-processing techniques, such as histogram equalization (HE) and contrast-limited adaptive HE (CLAHE) on model performance, was also examined. The results showed that the YOLO series could detect the articular disk regardless of displacement, with superior performance on images of normal disk position. The results suggest the applicability of object detection models in improving the diagnosis of TMJ disorders.

This study aimed to apply finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the oral environment of a patient with an implant-supported overdenture prosthesis. A 3D mandibular model was created for a 45-year-old female patient from CT images, with mucosal thickness measured at 3 mm on average using ultrasonography. The overdenture prosthesis was scanned with an intraoral scanner and placed onto the 3D mandibular model. Displacement of the prosthesis and von Mises stress values of the implant, surrounding bone tissue, implant-prosthesis components, and mucosa were calculated under various masticatory loads. The study found that anterior mastication generated higher stress compared to unilateral and bilateral mastication. The addition of a third implant significantly reduced stress and improved prosthesis stability, particularly during bilateral mastication.

Dental titanium implants and their surface modifications markedly improve implant biocompatibility. However, studies evaluating the mechanical biocompatibility of implants are scarce. In particular, the analysis of mechanical biocompatibility deficiencies leading to stress shield-induced bone resorption. Recently, we focused on using PEEK as a dental material. This study explored the hypothesis that PEEK implants improve the stress shielding of titanium. In this study, artificial bone surfaces were examined to measure strains on the artificial bone surface under compressive loading with the implants in place. Additionally, 3D image analysis of the fracture state inside the bone tissue was performed using micro-CT (µCT). This hypothesis was supported by µCT imaging analysis of bone tissue changes under stress, which revealed that PEEK implants transfer greater loads than titanium implants. µCT imaging and statistical analysis showed that bone porosity had little effect on stress shielding.