Sharukh S. Khajotia

Effect of pH on element release from dental casting alloys.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Dental casting alloys are subjected to transient acidity in the oral environment, yet most studies have not investigated the effects of these transient environments on elemental release from alloys. Elemental release is important because it plays a significant role in alloy biocompatibility. PURPOSE It was hypothesized that acidic environments would increase elemental release from dental alloys during exposure and after the acidic environment was removed. This hypothesis was based on the known increase in release of nickel from nickel-based alloys in an acidic environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS High-noble, noble, and base metal casting alloys were exposed for 30 minutes to solutions with pH ranging from 1 to 7. Elemental release of representative elements was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry during the exposure and in the week after the exposure. This release was compared with elemental release in the week before the exposure. RESULTS High-noble and noble alloys were resistant to acidic environments. A pH of 4 did not increase elemental release during or after exposure. A pH 1 environment slightly elevated release of Ag, Cu, and Pd in some alloys. However, a Ni-based alloy released large amounts of Ni during the acidic exposure of pH 1 or 4, and more importantly, in the week after the exposure as well. Increased time of exposure to acid did not alter elemental release from noble or high-noble alloys, but markedly increased release from the Ni-based alloy. CONCLUSIONS Transient exposure of casting alloys to an acidic oral environment is likely to significantly increase elemental release from Ni-based alloys, but not from high-noble or noble alloys.

A Radiographic Recall Evaluation of 894 Endodontic Cases Treated in a Dental School Setting

A radiographic recall evaluation of 894 endodontic cases treated by dental students at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry was conducted by faculty. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of standardized nonsurgical endodontic treatments by using radiographic techniques of determination and to compare the results to similar studies at other dental schools. Cases were labeled as successful, acceptable, questionable, and failing. Observations included time since treatment, age, gender, and tooth type. The combined percentage of successful and acceptable cases was 91.05%. Differences in percentage of success among recall time intervals were statistically significant (p < 0.01), as were the percentages of success between tooth types treated (p < 0.05). Success rate was not affected by age or gender (p > 0.05). The overall rate of successful and acceptable cases in this study was found to compare favorably with those from recall studies conducted at other dental schools.

Controlled release of metronidazole from composite poly-ε-caprolactone/alginate (PCL/alginate) rings for dental implants

OBJECTIVE Dental implants provide support for dental crowns and bridges by serving as abutments for the replacement of missing teeth. To prevent bacterial accumulation and growth at the site of implantation, solutions such as systemic antibiotics and localized delivery of bactericidal agents are often employed. The objective of this study was to demonstrate a novel method of controlled localized delivery of antibacterial agents to an implant site using a biodegradable custom fabricated ring. METHODS The study involved incorporating a model antibacterial agent (metronidazole) into custom designed poly-ε-caprolactone/alginate (PCL/alginate) composite rings to produce the intended controlled release profile. The rings can be designed to fit around the body of any root form dental implants of various diameters, shapes and sizes. RESULTS In vitro release studies indicate that pure (100%) alginate rings exhibited an expected burst release of metronidazole in the first few hours, whereas Alginate/PCL composite rings produced a medium burst release followed by a sustained release for a period greater than 4 weeks. By varying the PCL/alginate weight ratios, we have shown that we can control the amount of antibacterial agents released to provide the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) needed for adequate protection. The fabricated composite rings have achieved a 50% antibacterial agent release profile over the first 48 h and the remaining amount slowly released over the remainder of the study period. The PCL/alginate agent release characteristic fits the Ritger-Peppas model indicating a diffusion-based mechanism during the 30-day study period. SIGNIFICANCE The developed system demonstrates a controllable drug release profile and the potential for the ring to inhibit bacterial biofilm growth for the prevention of diseases such as peri-implantitis resulting from bacterial infection at the implant site.

Deactivation force-deflection behavior of multistranded stainless steel wires

This investigation measured the deactivation (unloading) force-deflection behavior of selected multistranded stainless steel orthodontic wires. The guidelines from the revised American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association Specification No. 32 for orthodontic wires (type 2, nonlinear elasticity) were used to perform a 3-point bending test to obtain data for the deactivation force levels at 3, 2, 1, and 0.5 mm, and permanent deformation values. The study tested 20 wire designs: triple-stranded twisted wires, 5- and 6-stranded coaxial wires, and 8- and 9-stranded braided rectangular wires of selected cross-sections. Twenty specimens were tested for each wire design. The specification guidelines for testing provided a means for obtaining comparative unloading force delivery data for the deflections tested. Multistranded wires of significantly different cross-section, weave, and strand number fell within relatively narrow ranges of force delivery at the 0.5-mm (1.7-42.7 grams-force [gmf]) and 1-mm (31.1-134.2 gmf) deflections and wider ranges of force levels at the 2-mm (57.0-320.5 gmf) and 3-mm (72.5-451.8 gmf) deflections. All wires exhibited some permanent deformation, but none averaged greater than 0.66 mm. The testing also showed that multistranded wires of significantly different design exhibit similar force levels. The guidelines of the revised Specification No. 32 yielded deactivation data with regard to force delivery and provided comparisons of the wire designs tested.

Fracture toughness and load relaxation of dentin bonding resin systems

OBJECTIVES The fracture toughness (KIC) and load relaxation of four dentin bonding resins were determined to characterize some of the mechanical properties of these materials after polymerization. METHODS A total of 40 single-edge notch bar specimens were fabricated, 10 each of four commercially available brands, and subjected to three-point bending until fracture, as described in ASTM Standard E399-83 (1991a). The critical stress intensification factor, KIC, was derived for each specimen and compared by analysis of variance and Scheffés multiple comparisons test (p < 0.01). To study the load relaxation characteristics, five rectangular specimens (without notches) of each brand were subjected to three-point loading until a predetermined limiting load value was reached. The test load was allowed to relax for 4 min, after which the specimen was unloaded to the zero load condition, and the load was allowed to build up on its own accord for 3 min. Load relaxation values were measured from the chart, and the mean percent load drop was calculated. The load relaxation data were compared using analysis of variance and Scheffés multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). RESULTS The fracture toughness (KIC) values of the four adhesive resins studied in this investigation ranged from 0.37-0.94 MPa.m0.5 and were statistically different from each other (p < 0.001). The load relaxation values were found to be greatest within the first 0.5 min, with the total load relaxation of the four bonding agents ranging from 16%-30%. Two of the materials studied showed significantly different short-term load relaxation behavior than the other two resins (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE Bonding agents can be implicated as one of the factors that weaken the interface between the dentin and the composite restorative material. These materials are capable of a rapid short-term response, demonstrating significant load relaxation in the first 0.5 min after loading.

Elimination, via high-rate laser dilatometry, of structural relaxation during thermal expansion measurement of dental porcelains

OBJECTIVES Thermal expansion measurement of glassy materials is complicated by thermal history effects. Excess volume--trapped in quenched dental porcelains after firing--collapses via structural relaxation on first slow heating during conventional dilatometry, making the thermal expansion coefficient (alpha) obtained on first heating unreliable. The purpose of this study was to determine whether porcelain thermal expansion measurement at high thermal rates could minimize the influence of thermal history. METHODS Eight thermal expansion specimens each of six body porcelains and the Component No. 1 (leucite-containing) frit prepared according to the patent by Weinstein et al. (US Patent No. 3,052,982) were subjected to three heat-cool conventional dilatometry runs at 3 degrees C/min, while eight thermal expansion specimens of each porcelain were reserved as untreated controls. Eight hollow, cylindrical specimens of the same brands were subjected to three heat-cool laser dilatometer thermal expansion runs at 600 degrees C/min, while eight cylindrical specimens of each porcelain were reserved as untreated controls. Thermal expansion data (25-500 degrees C) of all specimens were subjected to repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS The alpha obtained on first slow heating was significantly lower than values for succeeding slow heat and cool runs in all porcelains (P < 0.001). High-rate alpha obtained on first heating was not significantly different from values of succeeding heat and cool runs in all porcelains (P > 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE Conventional dilatometer measurements demonstrated occurrence of structural relaxation, as evidenced by the significant difference in the first heating and subsequent runs. High-rate laser dilatometry eliminated structural relaxation, thereby providing a thermal expansion measurement that is free of interference from thermal history effects.

Real-time assessment of Streptococcus mutans biofilm metabolism on resin composite

OBJECTIVE The release of unpolymerized monomers and by-products of resin composites influences biofilm growth and confounds the measurement of metabolic activity. Current assays to measure biofilm viability have critical limitations and are typically not performed on relevant substrates. The objective of the present study was to determine the utility of firefly luciferase assay for quantification of the viability of intact biofilms on a resin composite substrate, and correlate the results with a standard method (viable colony counts). METHODS Disk-shaped specimens of a dental resin composite were fabricated, wet-polished, UV-sterilized, and stored in water. Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (strain UA159 modified by insertion of constitutively expressed firefly luc gene) were grown (1:500 dilution; anaerobic conditions, 24h, 37°C) in two media concentrations (0.35x and 0.65x THY medium supplemented with 0.1% sucrose; n=15/group). An additional group of specimens with biofilms grown in 0.65x+sucrose media was treated with chlorhexidine gluconate solution to serve as the control group. Bioluminescence measurements of non-disrupted biofilms were obtained after addition of d-Luciferin substrate. The adherent biofilms were removed by sonication, and bioluminescence of sonicated bacteria was then measured. Viable colony counts were performed after plating sonicated bacteria on THY agar plates supplemented with spectinomycin. Bioluminescence values and cell counts were correlated using Spearman correlation tests (α=0.05). RESULTS Strong positive correlations between viable colony counts and bioluminescence values, both before- and after-sonication, validated the utility of this assay. SIGNIFICANCE A novel non-disruptive, real-time bioluminescence assay is presented for quantification of intact S. mutans biofilms grown on a resin composite, and potentially on antibacterial materials and other types of dental biomaterials.

Rnases J1 and J2 are critical pleiotropic regulators in streptococcus mutans

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that post-transcriptional control mechanisms are the principal source of gene regulation for a large number of prokaryotic genetic pathways, particularly those involved in virulence and environmental adaptation. Post-transcriptional regulation is largely governed by RNA stability, which itself is determined by target accessibility to RNase degradation. In most Firmicutes species, mRNA stability is strongly impacted by the activity of two recently discovered RNases referred to as RNase J1 and RNase J2. Little is known about RNase J1 function in bacteria and even less is known about RNase J2. In the current study, we mutated both RNase J orthologues in Streptococcus mutans to determine their functional roles in the cell. Single and double RNase J mutants were viable, but grew very slowly on agar plates. All of the mutants shared substantial defects in growth, morphology, acid tolerance, natural competence and biofilm formation. However, most of these defects were more severe in the RNase J2 mutant. Phenotypic suppression results also implicate a role for RNase J2 as a regulator of RNase J1 function. Unlike Bacillus subtilis, RNase J2 is a major pleiotropic regulator in S. mutans, which indicates some fundamental differences from B. subtilis in global gene regulation. Key conserved residues among the RNase J2 orthologues of lactic acid bacteria may hint at a greater role for RNase J2 in these species.

Synthesis and characterization of silver phosphate/calcium phosphate mixed particles capable of silver nanoparticle formation by photoreduction

Silver phosphate is a semi-conductor sensitive to UV-Vis radiation (<530nm). Exposure to radiation removes electrons from the oxygen valence shell, which are scavenged by silver cations (Ag+), forming metallic silver (Ag0) nanoparticles. The possibility of silver nanoparticle formation in situ by a photoreduction process was the basis for the application of mixed calcium phosphate/silver phosphate particles as remineralizing and antibacterial fillers in resin-based dental materials. Mixed phosphate particles were synthesized, characterized and added to a dimethacrylate resin in 20% or 30% mass fractions to investigate their efficacy as ion-releasing fillers for dental remineralization and antibacterial activity. The formation of metallic silver nanoparticles after exposure to visible radiation from a dental curing unit (peak emission: 470nm) was demonstrated by particle X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis of the composite fractured surface. Calcium and phosphate release from materials containing the mixed particles were similar to those containing pure CaP particles, whereas Streptococcus mutans colonies were reduced by three orders of magnitude in relation to the control, which can be attributed to silver release. As expected, the optical properties of the materials containing mixed phosphate particles were compromised by the presence of silver. Nevertheless, materials containing mixed phosphate particles presented higher fracture strength and elastic modulus than those with pure CaP particles.

Optical Dental Whitening Efficacy of Blue Covarine Toothpaste in Teeth Stained by Different Colors.

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the immediate and cumulative optical whitening efficacy of a blue covarine toothpaste. MATERIALS AND METHODS 180 bovine tooth specimens with similar shade (ΔE < 3.5) were staining of different beverage: black tea(BT), green tea (GT), red wine (RW), orange soda (OS), and brazilian açai juice (AJ), and then submitted to tooth brushing with a blue covarine toothpaste (Op) or a control abrasive toothpaste (Ab). The whitening effect was evaluated at baseline (B), after staining (S), after 1 day (1D) and 7 days of cumulative use of toothpastes (7D). The color shade chances were assessment by Vita Easyshade reflectance spectroscope and the data of CIELab color coordinates (L*, a*, and b*), color difference (ΔE) and the whiteness index optimized (WIO), were analyzed by two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures and Bonferroni-corrected t-tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS The analysis showed statistically significant differences before and after staining by colored beverages (p < 0.05), but no differences were found due to the action of toothpaste (p > 0.05), in the CIELab coordinates, ΔE and WIO index. CONCLUSIONS The use of toothpastes (Op or Ab) reduced the dental staining caused by different colored beverage, but the whitening effect of blue covarine toothpaste could not be confirmed (p > 0.05).