Pisol Senawongse

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus mutans strains containing the cnm gene encoding a collagen-binding adhesin.

OBJECTIVE Streptococcus mutans, known to be a major pathogen of dental caries, is also considered to cause infective endocarditis. Its 120-kDa Cnm protein binds to type I collagen, which may be a potential virulence factor. In this study, we characterized S. mutans clinical strains focusing on the cnm gene encoding Cnm. DESIGN A total of 528 S. mutans strains isolated from Japanese, Finnish, and Thai subjects were investigated. Using molecular techniques, the distribution frequency of cnm-positive strains and location of the inserted cnm were analyzed. Furthermore, isogenic mutant strains were constructed by inactivation of the cnm gene, then their biological properties of collagen-binding and glucan-binding were evaluated. Southern hybridization of the genes encoding glucan-binding proteins was also performed. RESULTS The distribution frequency of cnm-positive strains from Thai subjects was 12%, similar to that previously reported for Japanese and Finnish subjects. Furthermore, the location of insertion of cnm was the same in all cnm-positive clinical isolates. As for the cnm-inactivated mutant strains constructed from 28 clinical isolates, their collagen-binding activity was negligible. In addition, glucan-binding activity in the cnm-positive clinical isolates was significantly reduced and corresponded to a lack of gbpA encoding glucan-binding protein A. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that strains with cnm genes, the most crucial factor for the collagen-binding property of S. mutans, are detectable at similar frequencies over several different geographic locations. In addition, the common properties of these strains are a high level of collagen-binding activity and tendency for a low level of glucan-binding activity.

Effects of C-factor and resin volume on the bonding to root canal with and without fibre post insertion

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of C-factor and resin volume on the regional bond strength of dual-cure luting resin to root canal dentine. METHODS Twelve single-root human premolars were decoronated and post space prepared to a depth of 8 mm, with a diameter of 1.5 mm for six roots and 1.75 mm for the other six. Root canal dentine was treated with a dual-cure bonding system and light-cured for 20 s. Specimens were filled with a dual-cure resin composite with or without insertion of 1.4-mm-diameter light-transmitting glass fibre posts, followed by light-curing for 60s from the coronal direction. After 24 h water storage, each specimen was serially sliced into eight 0.6 mm × 0.6 mm thick beams for a microtensile bond strength test. Failure modes were observed using SEM. Bond strength data were divided into coronal and apical regions and statistically analysed. RESULTS For both sizes of post space, bond strengths dramatically decreased when fibre posts were inserted. There were no significant differences in microtensile bond strength between 1.5 mm and 1.75 mm canal width, regardless of fibre post insertion. Regional differences in bond strength were found only in the resin-filled canals. CONCLUSIONS The increase of C-factor of the root canal system by insertion of a fibre post had a detrimental effect on the bond strength to root canal dentine. On the other hand, the change of resin volume had no significant effect on bonding.

Bond strengths of two adhesive systems to dentin contaminated with a hemostatic agent.

This study evaluated the bond strength of a total-etch and a self-etch adhesive to dentin contaminated with a hemostatic agent containing aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Eighteen occlusal dentin discs were prepared from human molars. Each disc was ground and sectioned into two halves, one for normal dentin and the other for contaminated dentin. The specimens of both normal and contaminated dentin were randomly divided into three groups and treated with the following materials: (1) Excite (EX); (2) Clearfil SE Bond with 20-second primer application time (CB 20) and (3) Clearfil SE Bond with 40-second primer application time (CB 40). The microshear bond strength specimens were prepared using the resin composite Clearfil APX. The bond strengths were evaluated on a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed at alpha = 0.05. The surface micromorphology and aluminum content of the different dentin conditions were also examined. In EX, no significant difference was found between the bond strengths of normal dentin and contaminated dentin. The bond strength of CB20 to contaminated dentin was significantly lower than that to normal dentin. The extension of primer application time from 20 to 40 seconds significantly increased the bond strength of CB to contaminated dentin.

The elastic moduli across various types of resin/dentin interfaces.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the elastic moduli of an unfilled adhesive resin (Adper Single Bond) and a filled adhesive resin (Adper Single Bond 2) used with and without a low-viscosity resin (LVR) (Filtek Flow) as an elastic cavity wall in class V composite restorations, restored with a hybrid resin composite (Z250). METHODS Buccal class V cavities were prepared on extracted premolars and lined with (1) the unfilled adhesive resin, (2) the filled adhesive resin, (3) the unfilled adhesive resin and the flowable composite, and (4) the filled adhesive resin and the flowable composite. All cavities were restored with the hybrid resin composite. The specimens were cut bucco-lingually, embedded in epoxy resin and polished. The polished specimens were evaluated for the elastic modulus with nano-indentation test at the layer of dentin, hybrid layer, adhesive resin, low-viscosity resin and resin composite. RESULTS The elastic moduli were 25,111 MPa for dentin, 12,243 MPa for hybrid layer of Adper Single Bond, 11,765 MPa for hybrid layer of Adper Single Bond 2, 7595 MPa for Adper Single Bond, 8430 MPa for Adper Single Bond 2, 13,543 MPa for Filtek Flow and 24,494 MPa for Filtek Z250 resin composite. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the elastic moduli were significantly different among layers (p<0.05) except between hybrid layers of unfilled and filled adhesives (p=1.0). CONCLUSION The application of filled adhesive did not increase the elastic modulus of hybrid layer when compared with the unfilled adhesive resin. The modulus of filled adhesive resin was significantly higher than that of unfilled adhesive resin.

Effect of Elastic Cavity Wall and Occlusal Loading on Microleakage and Dentin Bond Strength

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effect of an unfilled-adhesive resin (Adper Single Bond) and a filled-adhesive resin (Adper Single Bond 2) with and without a low viscosity resin (Filtek Flow) as an elastic cavity wall on marginal leakage and dentin microtensile bond strength in Class V composite restorations under unloaded and loaded conditions. METHODS V-shaped cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 56 premolars lined with unfilled (Groups 1 and 3) or filled (Groups 2 and 4) adhesives with (Groups 3 and 4) and without (Groups 1 and 2) a low viscosity resin and restored with a resin composite. The restored teeth in each group were divided into two sub-groups for unloaded and loaded conditions with 50N loading force for 250,000 cycles parallel to the long-axis of the tooth. Five specimens from each group were cut bucco-lingually 0.7 mm thick and subjected to a dye leakage test for four hours using 2% methylene blue dye. The tested specimens were then trimmed into dumbbell shapes at the gingival margin and subjected to microtensile testing. The remaining two specimens were cut, embedded and observed for resin/dentin interfaces under a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS For the microleakage test, there were no significant differences in microleakage among the groups on both the enamel and dentin margin. No statistically significant differences were found between microleakage of the loaded and unloaded groups on enamel margins for all materials. There were statistically significant differences between microleakage of the loaded and unloaded groups on the dentin margin for Groups 3 and 4. For the microtensile test, the significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 4 for the unloaded groups. For the loaded groups, there were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2 and Groups 3 and 4. There were no statistically significant differences in microtensile bond strength between the loaded and unloaded groups except for Group 2. CONCLUSION The application of filled adhesive or low viscosity resin had no influence on marginal leakage at both the enamel and dentin margin but it had an influence on the microtensile bond strength to dentin of Class V restorations. Occlusal loading significantly increased the degree of marginal leakage at the dentin margin when low viscosity was applied in combination with either unfilled or filled-adhesives, but it decreased dentin bond strength in the group treated with only filled adhesive.

Dentin Bonding Testing Using a Mini-interfacial Fracture Toughness Approach

Measurement of interfacial fracture toughness (iFT) is considered a more valid method to assess bonding effectiveness as compared with conventional bond strength testing. Common fracture toughness tests are, however, laborious and require a relatively bulky specimen size. This study aimed to evaluate a new simplified and miniaturized iFT (mini-iFT) test. Four dentin adhesives, representing the main adhesive classes, and 1 glass ionomer cement were applied onto flat dentin. Mini-iFT (1.5 × 2.0 × 16 to 18 mm) and microtensile bond strength (µTBS; 1.5 × 1.5 × 16 to 18 mm) specimens were prepared from the same tooth. For the mini-iFT specimens, a single notch was cut at the adhesive-dentin interface with a 150-µm diamond blade under water cooling; the specimens were loaded until failure in a 4-point bending test setup. Finite element analysis was used to analyze stress distribution during mini-iFT testing. The correlation between the mean mini-iFT and µTBS was examined and found to be significant; a strong positive correlation was found (r2 = 0.94, P = 0.004). Weibull data analysis suggested the mini-iFT to vary less than the µTBS. Both the mini-iFT and the µTBS revealed the same performance order, with the 3-step etch-and-rinse adhesive outperforming the 2-step self-etch and 2-step etch-and-rinse adhesive, followed by the 1-step SE adhesive and, finally, the glass ionomer cement. Scanning electron microscopy failure analysis revealed the adhesive-dentin interface to fail more at the actual interface with the mini-iFT test, while µTBS specimens failed more within dentin and composite. This finding was corroborated by finite element analysis showing stress to concentrate at the interface during mini-iFT loading and crack propagation. In conclusion, the new mini-iFT test appeared more discriminative and valid than the µTBS to assess bonding effectiveness; the latter test nevertheless remains more versatile. Specimen size and workload were alike, making the mini-iFT test a valid alternative for the popular µTBS test.

Bond Strengths of Resin Cements to Astringent-contaminated Dentin

The current study evaluated the micro-shear bond strength of two resin cements to astringent-contaminated dentin. Twelve occlusal dentin discs were prepared from extracted caries-free human molars and divided into two groups subjected to two types of resin cements, Panavia F (PF) and Variolink II (VL). Each disc was ground with 600 grit SiC paper and sectioned into two semi-disks, one for the normal dentin surface and the other for the contaminated dentin surface. For contaminated dentin, an astringent containing aluminum chloride was applied for two minutes and rinsed before the bonding procedures. A micro tygon tube was placed on the dentin surface following the bonding application and then filled with a resin cement. After the resin was polymerized, the specimen was kept in water for 24 hours before the micro-shear bond strengths evaluation. The micro morphology of the treated surfaces and resin-dentin interfaces were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Aluminum content under different dentin conditions was also examined. No significant differences were found between the dentin bond strengths to normal dentin and contaminated dentin surfaces in both the PF and VL groups (p>0.05). PF showed similar bond strengths to VL on normal and contaminated dentin (p>0.05). SEM observations of the VL groups revealed no differences in the treated dentin surfaces and the resin-dentin interfaces between normal and contaminated dentin. However, for the PF group, an inconsistent etching pattern of the self-etching primer and gap formation at the interface of resin cement to contaminated dentin were observed.

Effect of dentine smear layer on the performance of self-etching adhesive systems: A micro-tensile bond strength study

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the smear layer on the micro-tensile bond strength when two self-etching adhesives were used with different techniques. Flat dentine surfaces were prepared using either medium grit diamond burs or tungsten carbide burs. Ten specimens from each prepared surfaces were subjected for smear layer evaluation under SEM. Forty specimens from each of the prepared surfaces were further divided into two groups, bonded with either Clearfil SE Bond (SE) or Clearfil S(3) Bond (S3) using one of four applications (as manufacturers instructions, agitation, reapplication, and increased application time), restored with composites and subjected to a micro-tensile bond strength test. Smear layers created with diamond burs were thicker than those created with tungsten carbide burs. Surfaces prepared with tungsten carbide burs produced a higher bond strength than those prepared with diamond burs and the same type of adhesive resin. SE demonstrated a higher bond strength than S3 for all surfaces. S3 applied with the agitation technique demonstrated a higher bond strength to dentine prepared with tungsten carbide and diamond burs than that applied with other techniques. SE applied with increased time on dentine treated with carbide burs produced the highest bond strength. In conclusion, a thick smear layer decreased bond strength to dentine, and this might be improved by modification of application technique.

Biodegradation of all-in-one self-etch adhesive systems at the resin-dentin interface.

This study evaluated the effects of two exogenous enzymes on the resin-dentin interface. Collagenase (Col) and acetylcholinesterase (Ach) were used to simulate salivary enzymes and accelerate the aging process of the bonding interfaces. Four adhesives, Adper Single Bond 2 (SB), Clearfil SE Bond (SE), Clearfil tri-S Bond (S3) and G-Bond (G), were bonded to the dentin surfaces. After storage in water with collagenase or acetylcholinesterase, the specimens were examined using a microtensile bond strength test (MTBS). Nanoleakage patterns were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The MTBS results demonstrated significantly lower bond strengths in the groups stored with either enzyme than in water. SB exhibited severe degradation after exposure to collagenase, while G showed severe degradation after exposure to acetylcholinesterase. All of the self-etch systems (SE, S3 and G) exhibited water-tree patterns within the adhesive layer when immersed in water for three months. The etch-and-rinse system (SB) showed nanoleakage within the hybrid layer and the adhesive.

Microtensile Bond Strengths of Two Adhesive Resins to Discolored Dentin after Amalgam Removal

Studies have reported the discoloration of dentin beneath amalgam restorations. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the bond strengths of adhesive resins to this discolored dentin are lower than those to normal dentin, and are related to the presence of metallic ions or corrosion products. Amalgam-filled extracted human teeth were used. After the removal of amalgam, the discolored dentin and surrounding normal dentin were bonded with Single Bond or Clearfil SE Bond and tested for microtensile bond strengths. The bond strengths of Single Bond and Clearfil SE Bond to normal dentin were greater than to discolored dentin. Clearfil SE Bond demonstrated higher bond strength to normal dentin than did Single Bond. However, no differences were found between the bond strengths to the discolored dentin of both adhesives. Elemental micro-analysis revealed various amounts of tin in all discolored dentin.