Ana Maria Ionescu

Color and translucency of zirconia ceramics, human dentine and bovine dentine

OBJECTIVES Evaluate color and translucency of both non-colored and colored zirconia ceramics and compare them with corresponding properties of human dentine. METHODS 0.5mm thick samples of human (MSHD) and bovine (MSBD) dentine were obtained from 5 extracted human anterior maxillary teeth and 5 bovine incisors, respectively. The zirconia systems evaluated (0.5mm samples) were: (1) IPS e.max(®) ZirCAD sintered samples: (a) regular (ZC1); (b) colored - coloring liquid CL2 (ZC2); (2) LAVA™ Zirconia sintered samples: (a) regular (LV1); (b) colored - coloring liquid FS3 (LV2). Translucency parameter (TP) and ΔE(ab)(*) and ΔE(00) color differences (with respect to the MSHD) were calculated. Spectral reflectance curves were compared using the VAF coefficient. RESULTS Reflectance spectral behaviour of MSBD and MSHD were similar (VAF=99.3%). All zirconia samples showed higher spectral reflectance values than the MSHD. Lightness values obtained for all zirconia ceramics (especially LV) were higher than MSHD and MSBD. The range of color differences, with respect to MSHD, was 6.9-20.5 for ΔE(ab)(*) and 4.9-15.6 for ΔE(00). Colored samples showed lower color differences with respect to MSHD. The highest TP values were found for IPS e.max(®) ZirCAD system and the lowest for LAVA™ Zirconia system. In terms of translucency, MSHD, MSBD and zirconia ceramics showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS In terms of translucency, the studied zirconia systems could satisfactorily replace the human dentine within a dental restoration but, in order to produce a clinically acceptable match, it is necessary to carefully adjust the color of these systems.

Evaluation of Small Intestine Grafts Decellularization Methods for Corneal Tissue Engineering

Advances in the development of cornea substitutes by tissue engineering techniques have focused on the use of decellularized tissue scaffolds. In this work, we evaluated different chemical and physical decellularization methods on small intestine tissues to determine the most appropriate decellularization protocols for corneal applications. Our results revealed that the most efficient decellularization agents were the SDS and triton X-100 detergents, which were able to efficiently remove most cell nuclei and residual DNA. Histological and histochemical analyses revealed that collagen fibers were preserved upon decellularization with triton X-100, NaCl and sonication, whereas reticular fibers were properly preserved by decellularization with UV exposure. Extracellular matrix glycoproteins were preserved after decellularization with SDS, triton X-100 and sonication, whereas proteoglycans were not affected by any of the decellularization protocols. Tissue transparency was significantly higher than control non-decellularized tissues for all protocols, although the best light transmittance results were found in tissues decellularized with SDS and triton X-100. In conclusion, our results suggest that decellularized intestinal grafts could be used as biological scaffolds for cornea tissue engineering. Decellularization with triton X-100 was able to efficiently remove all cells from the tissues while preserving tissue structure and most fibrillar and non-fibrillar extracellular matrix components, suggesting that this specific decellularization agent could be safely used for efficient decellularization of SI tissues for cornea TE applications.

Optical behavior of dental zirconia and dentin analyzed by Kubelka–Munk theory

OBJECTIVES To use the Kubelka-Munk theory to evaluate the scattering (S), absorption (K) and transmittance (T) of non-colored and colored dental zirconia systems and human (HD) and bovine (BD) dentins. METHODS Two zirconia systems were used: ZC- ZirCAD (Ivoclar Vivadent) and LV-LAVA (3M ESPE). Specimens from each ceramic system were divided into 3 groups (n=5): ZC1 and LV1 (non-colored); ZC2 and LV2 colored to shade A1, and ZC3 and LV3 colored to shade A3. Five human and bovine anterior teeth were flattened and polished through 1200 grit SiC paper to expose the superficial buccal dentin. All samples were prepared to a final thickness of 0.5 mm. Diffuse reflectance was measured against white and black backgrounds, using a spectroradiometer in a viewing booth with D65 illuminant and d/0° geometry. S and K coefficients and T were calculated using Kubelka-Munks equations. Data was statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney tests, and VAF coefficient. RESULTS Spectral distributions of S, K and T were wavelength dependent. The spectral behavior of S and T was similar to HD (VAF≥96.80), even though they were statistically different (p≤0.05). The spectral behavior of K was also similar to HD, except for LV1 (VAF=38.62), yet all ceramics were statistically different from HD (p≤0.05). HD and BD showed similar values of S and T (p>0.05). SIGNIFICANCE The dental professional should consider the optical behavior differences between the zirconia systems evaluated and the human dentin to achieve optimal esthetics in restorative dentistry.

Controlling the 3D architecture of Self-Lifting Auto-generated Tissue Equivalents (SLATEs) for optimized corneal graft composition and stability

Ideally, biomaterials designed to play specific physical and physiological roles in vivo should comprise components and microarchitectures analogous to those of the native tissues they intend to replace. For that, implantable biomaterials need to be carefully designed to have the correct structural and compositional properties, which consequently impart their bio-function. In this study, we showed that the control of such properties can be defined from the bottom-up, using smart surface templates to modulate the structure, composition, and bio-mechanics of human transplantable tissues. Using multi-functional peptide amphiphile-coated surfaces with different anisotropies, we were able to control the phenotype of corneal stromal cells and instruct them to fabricate self-lifting tissues that closely emulated the native stromal lamellae of the human cornea. The type and arrangement of the extracellular matrix comprising these corneal stromal Self-Lifting Analogous Tissue Equivalents (SLATEs) were then evaluated in detail, and was shown to correlate with tissue function. Specifically, SLATEs comprising aligned collagen fibrils were shown to be significantly thicker, denser, and more resistant to proteolytic degradation compared to SLATEs formed with randomly-oriented constituents. In addition, SLATEs were highly transparent while providing increased absorption to near-UV radiation. Importantly, corneal stromal SLATEs were capable of constituting tissues with a higher-order complexity, either by creating thicker tissues through stacking or by serving as substrate to support a fully-differentiated, stratified corneal epithelium. SLATEs were also deemed safe as implants in a rabbit corneal model, being capable of integrating with the surrounding host tissue without provoking inflammation, neo-vascularization, or any other signs of rejection after a 9-months follow-up. This work thus paves the way for the de novo bio-fabrication of easy-retrievable, scaffold-free human tissues with controlled structural, compositional, and functional properties to replace corneal, as well as other, tissues.

Predictive algorithms for determination of reflectance data from quantity of pigments within experimental dental resin composites

BackgroundBeing able to estimate (predict) the final spectrum of reflectance of a biomaterial, especially when the final color and appearance are fundamental for their clinical success (as is the case of dental resin composites), could be a very useful tool for the industrial development of these type of materials. The main objective of this study was the development of predictive models which enable the determination of the reflectance spectrum of experimental dental resin composites based on type and quantity of pigments used in their chemical formulation.Methods49 types of experimental dental resin composites were formulated as a mixture of organic matrix, inorganic filler, photo activator and other components in minor quantities (accelerator, inhibitor, fluorescent agent and 4 types of pigments). Spectral reflectance of all samples were measured, before and after artificial chromatic aging, using a spectroradiometer. A Multiple Nonlinear Regression Model (MNLR) was used to predict the values of the Reflectance Factors values in the visible range (380 nm-780 nm), before and after aging, from % Pigment (%P1, %P2, %P3 and %P4) within the formulation.ResultsThe average value of the prediction error of the model was 3.46% (SD: 1.82) across all wavelengths for samples before aging and 3.54% (SD: 1.17) for samples after aging. The differences found between the predicted and measured values of the chromatic coordinates are smaller than the acceptability threshold and, in some cases, are even below the perceptibility threshold.ConclusionsWithin the framework of this pilot study, the nonlinear predictive models developed allow the prediction, with a high degree of accuracy, of the reflectance spectrum of the experimental dental resin composites.

Optical properties of supra-nano spherical filled resin composites compared to nanofilled, nano-hybrid and micro-hybrid composites.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the optical properties of supra-nano spherical filled resin composites and the nanofilled, nano-hybrid and microhybrid composites using the Kubelka-Munk Theory. Diffuse reflectance of samples (Shade A2) was measured against white and black backgrounds, using a spectroradiometer, using a viewing booth with D65 illuminant and d/0º geometry. S and K coefficients and T were calculated using Kubelka-Munks equations. The spectral behavior of S, K and T was similar for all dental resin composites analyzed (VAF close to 100%), even though they were, generally, statistically different (p≤0.05). The K-M T values overestimate the real value of Transmittance of the resin composites. Supra-nano spherical filled resin composites show the highest scattering and Transmittance when compared with the others materials, probably due to the shape and size of the filler. Such difference should be taken into consideration in a clinical situation to reproduce natural esthetic restorations.

Color difference thresholds for computer-simulated human Gingiva

OBJECTIVE To determine 50:50% perceptibility threshold (PT) and 50:50% acceptability threshold (AT) for computer-simulated samples of human gingiva using CIEDE2000 and CIELAB color difference formulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each of the 60 pairs of simulated human gingiva was displayed on a calibrated monitor, together with three pairs of upper central incisors of different lightness. The color of gingiva left and right from the midline was compared. A total of 30 observers (15 dentists, 15 laypersons) participated in the study. CIEDE2000 and CIELAB formulas were used to calculate the thresholds and a Takagi-Sugeno-Kang Fuzzy Approximation model was used as fitting procedure. Paired t-test (α = 0.05) was used in evaluation of statistical significance of differences. RESULTS The PT and AT for CIEDE2000 and 95% confidence intervals were 1.1 [0.4, 1.7] and 2.8 [1.8, 4.0], respectively. Corresponding CIELAB values were 1.7 [0.2, 2.6] and 3.7 [2.1, 5.7]. Significant differences (P < .01) were recorded between PT and AT, between the corresponding threshold values in CIEDE2000 and CIELAB formulas as well as between dentists and laypersons. CONCLUSIONS The difference between the perceptibility and acceptability threshold for gingiva was statistically significant in both CIEDE2000 and CIELAB. The same was true for differences between the corresponding thresholds using two color difference formulas, and between dentists and laypersons. Visual thresholds of human gingiva were not dependent upon lightness of adjacent teeth. Overall, CIEDE2000 color difference formula provided better fit than CIELAB formula in the evaluation of color difference thresholds of human gingiva. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The data on visual thresholds for healthy human gingiva can be used as quality control tool/guide for selection and evaluation of dental materials, interpretation of color-related findings in clinical dentistry and research, and for standardization in dentistry. It is of particular value that this study was designed based on in-vivo color evaluation of healthy keratinized gingiva of subjects of different ethnicities, age groups, and gender.

Optical properties of an anterior lamellar human cornea model based on fibrin-agarose

The optical evaluation carried out using the Inverse Adding-Doubling (IAD) method to determine the scattering and the absorption coefficients of the bioengineered human corneal stromas showed that this type of artificial biomaterials shared many similarities with native control cornea after four weeks of development in culture. Their absorption and reduced scattering coefficients values were higher than the ones of the control cornea, but their spectral behaviors of both coefficients were similar. Time of development in culture was an influencing factor on the results.

Photographic-Based Optical Evaluation of Tissues and Biomaterials Used for Corneal Surface Repair: A New Easy-Applied Method

Purpose Tissues and biomaterials used for corneal surface repair require fulfilling specific optical standards prior to implantation in the patient. However, there is not a feasible evaluation method to be applied in clinical or Good Manufacturing Practice settings. In this study, we describe and assess an innovative easy-applied photographic-based method (PBM) for measuring functional optical blurring and transparency in corneal surface grafts. Methods Plastic compressed collagen scaffolds (PCCS) and multilayered amniotic membranes (AM) samples were optically and histologically evaluated. Transparency and image blurring measures were obtained by PBM, analyzing photographic images of a standardized band pattern taken through the samples. These measures were compared and correlated to those obtained applying the Inverse Adding-Doubling (IAD) technique, which is the gold standard method. Results All the samples used for optical evaluation by PBM or IAD were histological suitable. PCCS samples presented transmittance values higher than 60%, values that increased with increasing wavelength as determined by IAD. The PBM indicated that PCCS had a transparency ratio (TR) value of 80.3±2.8%, with a blurring index (BI) of 50.6±4.2%. TR and BI obtained from the PBM showed a high correlation (ρ>|0.6|) with the diffuse transmittance and the diffuse reflectance, both determined using the IAD (p<0.005). The AM optical properties showed that there was a largely linear relationship between the blurring and the number of amnion layers, with more layers producing greater blurring. Conclusions This innovative proposed method represents an easy-applied technique for evaluating transparency and blurriness of tissues and biomaterials used for corneal surface repair.

Using Takagi-Sugeno-Kang approximation fuzzy logic for evaluating the performance of color difference formulas in dentistry

The present work carries out a novel study on the determination of color acceptability thresholds using a Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy approximation, performing an evaluation of the CIEDE2000(KL:KC:KH) color difference formula in dentistry. A total of 55 sample pairs were evaluated by a panel of 28 observers. The responses for each pair were processed, and data was fitted using a TSK Fuzzy Approximation, which in recent literature has proven to be a reliable and recommendable methodology for approximating color data in dentistry. 50:50% acceptability thresholds were calculated for both CIEDE2000(1:1:1) and CIEDE2000(2:1:1) formulas and the performance of these formulas was evaluated using the PF/3 and STRESS parameters. We obtained better values for all performance parameters for CIEDE2000(2:1:1), indicating the better agreement between this formula and the visual results. Our results suggest considering reviewing the parametric factors, so that the CIEDE2000 color difference formula can be properly used for further applications in dentistry.