Nikolaos Vassilakos

In vitro interactions of anionic and cationic surfactants with salivary fractions on well-defined solid surfaces.

Ellipsometry was used to study the interaction of one anionic (SDS) and one cationic (CTAB) surfactant with films adsorbed from six different salivary fractions obtained after fractionation of whole unstimulated saliva on a Superdex 200 Hiload gel filtration column. Experiments were performed on both hydrophilic silica and hydrophobic methylated silica surfaces. The results of this study indicate that the adhesive and cohesive properties of the films adsorbed from the individual fractions were strongly dependent on the surface characteristics of the substrates and that the outcome of protein/surfactant interactions was dependent on factors such as protein composition, surfactant charge, and substrate characteristics. These interactions probably involve replacement of the adsorbed proteins by surfactants or protein/surfactant complex formation. The anionic surfactant seemed to be more efficient in removing adsorbed salivary proteins than the cationic one.

Accuracy, detail reproduction, and hardness of gypsum casts produced from silicone impressions treated with glow discharge

Plasma treatment has been reported to improve the wettability of silicone impression materials. This study investigated whether plasma treatment of silicone impressions influenced the linear dimensional accuracy, detail reproducibility, and surface hardness of models produced from a type IV dental die stone. Five silicone impressions materials were used in this study. Linear dimensional accuracy and detail reproduction were tested according to ISO standards. Surface hardness was evaluated with a Vickers hardness test. The results indicated that plasma-treated impressions from Xantopren and Provil silicone impression materials had significantly smaller dimensional change than their respective controls, and the other materials were not influenced. The detail reproduction was superior in casts produced from plasma-treated impressions from President silicone. Surface hardness was not influenced by the treatment. Plasma treatment of silicone impressions has no negative influence on the tested physical properties of die stone models.

Effect of a buffering sugar-free lozenge on intraoral pH and electrochemical action

Two double-blind crossover studies were performed to test a sugar-free lozenge containing bicarbonate and phosphate buffers (Profylin). The studies were performed in groups of 20 and 13 individuals. In Study I active buffering or placebo lozenge (not buffered) was given, and the pH of plaque and saliva was measured after 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min. In study II the lozenges were given 10 min after a sucrose rinse, and both the pH and the potential and polarization of amalgam restorations that made contact in the oral cavity were measured. In study I both lozenges increased the pH of plaque and saliva, but the values after sucking on the active lozenge were significantly higher than after placebo. In study II a pH recovery of plaque and saliva after the sucrose rinse was recorded for both types of lozenge, but it was most pronounced for the active, buffering lozenge. A statistically significant difference was, however, found only 5 min after sucking on the lozenge. No influence on the current magnitude was observed. The results thus indicate that the buffering sugar-free lozenge raises the pH of plaque and saliva and accelerates the pH recovery after a sucrose rinse but seems to have no influence on the galvanic current magnitude of amalgam restorations in contact.

Surface properties and castability of elastomeric impression materials after plasma cleaning

The wettability of impression materials is an important requirement for accurate reproduction of intraoral structures. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of plasma cleaning on critical surface tension and die stone castability of five silicone impression materials. Critical surface tension was calculated using a contact angle analysis according to Zisman (1964), before and after plasma cleaning. Die stone casts were produced from impressions of a master die and the area extension of the reproduction was measured planimetrically. The results showed a general increase in the critical surface tension and in the polar force component of the composite free energy for materials treated with plasma cleaning. An improvement in castability of all materials was also noted.

A simple flow cell system to evaluate in vitro bacterial adhesion on solids

Abstract A simple flow cell system was developed for studies of bacterial adhesion on hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces in the presence or absence of saliva. The system consists of flow cells made of borosilicate glass tubes (flow cell volume, 0.45 ml) that are connected to syringes mounted on an infusion pump. Hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces were obtained by treating the flow cells with acid or dichlorodimethylsilane, respectively. Liquids and bacterial suspensions were withdrawn directly into the flow cells and the flow rate was monitored through the infusion pump. The adhesion of 3H-labeled Streptococcus mutans cells to bare or saliva-coated surfaces was studied in this system by determining the radioactivity retained in the flow cells after rinsing with buffer at different flow rates. The results indicate that factors like the bacterial cell density, the surface properties, the presence of saliva pellicle and the rinsing flow rate significantly affect the adhesion of S. mutans. These results are in agreement with previous findings obtained with other flow cell systems. The present system has the advantages of using small volumes of liquids and allowing defined laminar flow conditions. Moreover, the entire cell, not only selected area spots, are used for the evaluation of bacterial adhesion. No part of the flow cell is re-used, thus avoiding the risk of contamination with other components. The system may therefore be suitable for assays testing the effect of different compounds on bacterial adhesion.