Carolina Bosso André

Interfacial ultramorphology evaluation of resin luting cements to dentin: A correlative scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis

The objective of this study was to analyze the dentin‐resin cements interfacial ultramorphologies using two different methods: scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Four commercial products were evaluated: two conventional cementing system (RelyX ARC/Adper™ Scotchbond™ Multi‐Purpose Plus, 3M ESPE and Clearfil Esthetic Cement/DC Bond, Kuraray) and two self‐adhesive resin cements (RelyX Unicem, 3M ESPE and Clearfil SA Cement, Kuraray). Prepolymerized resin disks (Sinfony, 3M ESPE) were cemented on oclusal dentin surfaces of 24 third human molars, simulating the indirect restorations. After 24 h, teeth were sectioned into 0.9‐mm thick slabs and processed for microscopy analyses (SEM or TEM/ n = 3). Qualitative characterization of dentin‐resin cement interface was performed. Hybrid layer formation with long and dense resin tags was observed only for RelyX ARC cementing system. Clearfil Esthetic Cement/DC Bond system revealed few and short resin tags formation, whereas no hybridization and resin tags were detected for self‐adhesive resin cements. Some interfacial regions exhibited that the self‐adhesive resin cements were not bonded to dentin, presenting bubbles or voids at the interfaces. In conclusion, TEM and SEM bonding interface analyses showed ultramorphological variations among resin cements, which are directly related to dental bonding strategies used for each resin cement tested. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:1234–1239, 2013.

The Effect of Light Exposure on Water Sorption and Solubility of Self-Adhesive Resin Cements

Purpose. To investigate the effect of light activation on the water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL) of resin cements after 24 h and 7 days. Methods. Disk-shaped specimens were prepared using five dual-polymerized cements (four self-adhesive [RelyX Unicem, MaxCem, SeT and G-Cem] and one conventional [Panavia F 2.0]) and divided according to the curing mode (direct light exposure or self-cure) and water immersion period (24 h or 7 days). Specimens were dry-stored and weighed daily until a constant mass was recorded (M1). Then, specimens were stored in water for either 24 h or 7 days and immediately weighed (M2). After desiccation, specimens were weighed again until a constant mass was achieved (M3). WS and SL were calculated and statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn and Mann-Whitney U tests (α = 0.05%). Results. There was a significant increase in WS for all products after one-week immersion in water. The highest water uptake was observed for autopolymerized groups. Extended water immersion significantly affected the SL for most of autopolymerized cements. Significant differences between products were observed in both tests. Conclusions. The curing mode and the water immersion period may affect the mechanical stability of the resin cements, and these differences appear to be product-dependent.

Evaluation of three different decontamination techniques on biofilm formation, and on physical and chemical properties of resin composites

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated three different sterilization/disinfection techniques for resin composites on bacterial growth and surface modification after decontamination. METHODS Two resin composites were sterilized/disinfected with three different techniques: UV light, 1% chloramine T, and 70% ethanol. Four different times were used for each technique to determine the shortest time that the solution or UV light was effective. The influence of sterilization/disinfection technique on bacterial growth was evaluated by analyzing the metabolic activity, using the AlamarBlue™ assay, bacterial viability, and SEM images from biofilms of Streptococcus mutans. The surface change, after the process, was analyzed with ATR/FTIR and SEM images. The solutions used for decontamination (1% chloramine-T and 70% ethanol) were analyzed with 1 H-NMR to identify any resin compounds leached during the process. RESULTS One minute of decontamination was efficient for all three methods tested. Chloramine-T increased the surface porosity on resin composites, no changes were observed for UV light and 70% ethanol, however, 1 H-NMR identified leached monomers only when 70% ethanol was used. No chemical change of the materials was found under ATR/FTIR analyses after the decontamination process. Chloramine-T, with no previous wash, increased the bacterial viability for both resin composites and increased the bacterial metabolism for the resin composite without fluoride. CONCLUSION UV light had no interference on the resin composites properties tested using 1 min of exposure compared to the other decontamination methods.

Efeitos de unidades fotoativadoras e da escovação nas superfícies de compósitos do tipo

Resumo Este estudo avaliou os efeitos de unidades fotoativadoras e da escovação na perda de volume (PV), perfil de rugosidade (PR), rugosidade superficial (RS), morfologia (MO) e microdureza (MI) de compósitos do tipo “bulk-fill”. Os aparelhos fotoativadores (Valo e Demi Ultra) foram utilizados para polimerizar três compósitos: Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative (FBF), Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TET) e Surefil SDR Flow (SDR). Discos dessas resinas compostas foram preparados (n = 10) e submetidos à escovação (30.000 ciclos). Posteriormente, foram analisados em microscópio confocal para determinar a PV, PR, RS e MO. A MI foi analisada em microdurômetro e a MO também foi avaliada em microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os dados foram analisados por teste T-pareado (RS), ANOVA de dois (PV e PR), três fatores (MI) e teste de Tukey (α = 0,05).

Modulation of Streptococcus mutans virulence by dental adhesives containing anti-caries agents

OBJECTIVES The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the effect of the incorporation of two anti-caries agents into dental adhesives on the reduction of the virulence of Streptococcus mutans and on the adhesion to dentin. METHODS Apigenin (1mM) and tt-Farnesol (5mM) were added separately and in combination to a self-etch adhesive (CS3 - Clearfil S3 Bond Plus) and to an each-and-rinse adhesive (OPT - OptiBond S). Biofilm of S. mutans was grown on adhesive-coated hydroxyapatite disks for 115h and bacterial viability, dry-weight, alkali soluble, water soluble, intracellular polysaccharides and protein were quantified. Bond strength and dentin-adhesive interface were performed to analyze the effects of the incorporation on the physical properties and to identify changes in hybrid layer morphology. RESULTS Addition of Apigenin and Apigenin+tt-Farnesol to CS3, and Apigenin or tt-Farnesol to OPT reduced the dry-weight of S. mutans biofilm. Insoluble polysaccharide decreased with the addition of Apigenin to CS3 and tt-Farnesol to OPT. Intracellular polysaccharide decreased with addition of Apigenin and Apigenin+tt-Farnesol to CS3. No changes in dentin bond strength, resin-dentin interfacial morphology, total amount of protein and soluble polysaccharide were observed with the additions. SIGNIFICANCE Biofilms that are less cariogenic around dental restorations could decrease secondary caries formation; in addition, the reduction of virulence of S. mutans without necessarily killing the microorganism is more unlikely to induce antimicrobial resistance.