Remineralization of Natural Human Carious Dentin Lesions with an Experimental Whisker-Reinforced Atraumatic Restorative Treatment Composite.

Purpose: To evaluate the remineralization of natural human dentin caries with an experimental whisker-reinforced Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) composite.

Materials And Methods: Teeth with moderate active dentin caries were prepared with caries-disclosing dye and hand instruments, restored with ART or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC), and then wet sliced into 120-µm sections with 15 sections in each group. After taking transverse microradiographs and implementing digital image analysis to determine the "mineral-loss-before," each section was incubated in artificial saliva solution (pH = 7.

The narwhal (Monodon monoceros) cementum-dentin junction: a functionally graded biointerphase.

In nature, an interface between dissimilar tissues is often bridged by a graded zone, and provides functional properties at a whole organ level. A perfect example is a "biological interphase" between stratified cementum and dentin of a narwhal tooth. This study highlights the graded structural, mechanical, and chemical natural characteristics of a biological interphase known as the cementum-dentin junction layer and their effect in resisting mechanical loads.

Chipping fracture resistance of denture tooth materials.

Objective: The applicability of the edge chipping method to denture tooth materials was assessed. These are softer materials than those usually tested by edge chipping. The edge chipping fracture resistances of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based and two filled resin composite denture tooth materials were compared.

A calcium prerinse required to form calcium fluoride in plaque from a sodium fluoride rinse.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a calcium (Ca) prerinse used before a 228 µg/g (ppm) fluoride (F) rinse would induce the formation of 'calcium fluoride-like' (CaF2-like) deposits in human dental plaque. Sixty minutes after the use of the Ca prerinse/F rinse, plaque samples were collected from 10 volunteers, homogenized, and split into 2 aliquots. The plaque mass from one aliquot was then extracted with a 'plaque-like' solution that extracted all the CaF2-like deposits.

Strength and fracture origins of a feldspathic porcelain.

Objectives: To identify the strength limiting flaws in in vitro test specimens of a fine-grained feldspathic dental porcelain.

Methods: Four-point flexural strengths were measured for 26 test specimens. The fracture origin site of every test specimen was studied using stereoptical and scanning electron microscopy.

Bioactive polymeric composites for tooth mineral regeneration: physicochemical and cellular aspects.

Our studies of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-based dental materials are focused on the design of bioactive, non-degradable, biocompatible, polymeric composites derived from acrylic monomer systems and ACP by photochemical or chemically activated polymerization. Their intended uses include remineralizing bases/liners, orthodontic adhesives and/or endodontic sealers. The bioactivity of these materials originates from the propensity of ACP, once exposed to oral fluids, to release Ca and PO(4) ions (building blocks of tooth and bone mineral) in a sustained manner while spontaneously converting to thermodynamically stable apatite.

Improving performance of dental resins by adding titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Objective: The objective of this study is to improve the performance of dental resins by adding a small amount of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs), which have outstanding mechanical properties and unique photoactivities.

Methods: Acrylic acid modified TiO₂ NPs (AP25) were prepared and added to a mixture of bis-phenol-A-dimethacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (mass ratio 1:1) at seven mass fractions. Disks made of these resins were subjected to FTIR microspectroscopy, nanoindentation, microindentation, and 3-point bending to determine the degree of vinyl conversion (DC) modulus and hardness.

Effect of Calcium Hydroxide on the Fracture Resistance of Dentin.

An increased incidence of fracture has been reported in teeth where root canals were treated with calcium hydroxide. Edge chipping is one test used to measure the resistance of brittle materials to fracture. Presently, no studies have reported on edge chipping in teeth.

Oral fluoride reservoirs and the prevention of dental caries.

Current models for increasing the anti-caries effects of fluoride (F) agents emphasize the importance of maintaining a cariostatic concentration of F in oral fluids. The concentration of F in oral fluids is maintained by the release of this ion from bioavailable reservoirs on the teeth, oral mucosa and - most importantly, because of its association with the caries process - dental plaque. Oral F reservoirs appear to be of two types: (1) mineral reservoirs, in particular calcium fluoride or phosphate-contaminated 'calcium-fluoride-like' deposits; (2) biological reservoirs, in particular (with regard to dental plaque) F held to bacteria or bacterial fragments via calcium-fluoride bonds.

A new approach to prepare well-dispersed CaF(2) nanoparticles by spray drying technique.

Previously, nano-sized calcium fluoride (CaF₂) particles were prepared using a spray drying method by simultaneously feeding Ca(OH)₂ and NH₄F solutions to a two-liquid nozzle. The aim of the present study was to prepare better-dispersed nano-CaF₂ particles by co-forming a soluble salt, sodium chloride (NaCl). NaCl of various concentrations were added to the NH(4) F solution, leading to formation of (CaF₂ +NaCl) composites with CaF₂ /NaCl molar ratios of 4/1, 4/4, and 4/16.

In Vitro and in Vivo Characteristics of Fluorapatite-Forming Calcium Phosphate Cements.

This study reports for the first time in vitro and in vivo properties of fluorapatite (FA)-forming calcium phosphate cements (CPCs). The experimental cements contained from (0 to 3.1) mass % of F, corresponding to presence of FA at levels of approximately (0 to 87) mass %.

Remineralization of human natural caries and artificial caries-like lesions with an experimental whisker-reinforced ART composite.

This paper compares the remineralization of human natural caries and artificial caries-like dentin lesions treated with a novel whisker-reinforced experimental composite resin (ART composite) with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) as control. Ten molars with moderate natural dentin caries were prepared (N). Artificial caries-like dentin lesions were prepared in occlusal dentin of 10 caries-free molars and demineralized at pH 4.

Preparation and Properties of Nanoparticles of Calcium Phosphates With Various Ca/P Ratios.

This study aimed at preparing and studying the properties of nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (nCaP) with Ca/P ratios ranging from 1.0 to 1.67 using a spray-drying technique.

Diffusion of Ions Between Two Solutions Saturated With Respect to Hydroxyapatite: A Possible Mechanism for Subsurface Demineralization of Teeth.

Diffusion-controlled dissolution and precipitation reactions occur in many biological systems and some non-stirred in vitro systems. Previous studies have shown that differences in the diffusion rates of the ions involved in a dissolution/precipitation reaction can produce significant effects on the rate and course of the reaction. We report here results of a study that show inter-diffusion of ions between two solutions, both saturated with respect to hydroxyapatite but with dissimilar compositions, resulted in one solution becoming undersaturated and the other supersaturated.

Acid Neutralization Capacity of a Tricalcium Silicate-Containing Calcium Phosphate Cement as an Endodontic Material.

A calcium phosphate cement (CPC) was shown to have the necessary attributes for endodontic materials except adequate basicity needed for antimicrobial properties. To enhance its basicity, tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5), a highly alkaline compound, was added to CPC at a mass fraction of 0.25, 0.

An Octacalcium Phosphate Forming Cement.

The osteoconductive and possibly osteoinductive characteristics of OCP increased the interest in preparation of bone graft materials that contain OCP in its composition. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) were prepared using a mixture of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), with α-TCP / DCPA molar ratio of 1/1 and distilled water or 0.5 mol / L phosphate aqueous solution (pH = 6.

Exploring cellular contact guidance using gradient nanogratings.

Nanoscale surface features that mimic extracellular matrix are critical environmental cues for cell contact guidance and are vital in advanced medical devices in order to manipulate cell behaviors. Among them, nanogratings (line-and-space gratings) are common platforms to study geometric effects on cell contact guidance, especially cell alignment, but generally are one pattern height per platform. In this study, we developed a strategy to fabricate controlled substrates with a wide range of pattern shapes and surface chemistries and to separate surface chemistry and topography effects.

Degree of vinyl conversion, polymerization shrinkage and stress development in experimental endodontic composite.

This study explores degree of vinyl conversion (DVC), polymerization shrinkage (PS) and shrinkage stress (PSS) of the experimental amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composites intended for use as an endodontic sealer. Light-cure (LC), chemical cure (CC) or dual-cure (DC; combined light and chemical cure) resins comprised urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methacryloyloxyethyl phthalate (MEP) and a high molecular mass oligomeric co-monomer, poly(ethyleneglycol)-extended UDMA (PEG-U) (designated UPHM resin). To fabricate composites, a mass fraction of 60 % UPHM resin was blended with a mass fraction of 40 % as-made (am-ACP) or ground ACP (g-ACP).

Effects of adhesive, base and diluent monomers on water sorption and conversion of experimental resins.

Objectives: To establish the relationship of resin composition and resin hydrophilicity (indicated by solubility parameters and logP) to water sorption (WS), solubility, and degree of double bond conversion (DC) of resin mixtures designed for adhesive restoratives by varying the concentration of pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate (PMGDM) and various co-monomers.

Methods: Sixteen resin mixtures were prepared with (30-70) mass fraction % PMGDM. At given PMGDM concentrations there were up to five compositions with increasing logP.

Material properties and fractography of an indirect dental resin composite.

Objectives: Determination of material and fractographic properties of a dental indirect resin composite material.

Methods: A resin composite (Paradigm, 3M-ESPE, MN) was characterized by strength, static elastic modulus, Knoop hardness, fracture toughness and edge toughness. Fractographic analyses of the broken bar surfaces was accomplished with a combination of optical and SEM techniques, and included determination of the type and size of the failure origins, and fracture mirror and branching constants.

No calcium-fluoride-like deposits detected in plaque shortly after a sodium fluoride mouthrinse.

Plaque 'calcium-fluoride-like' (CaF(2)-like) and fluoride deposits held by biological/bacterial calcium fluoride (Ca-F) bonds appear to be the source of cariostatic concentrations of fluoride in plaque fluid. The aim of this study was to quantify the amounts of plaque fluoride held in these reservoirs after a sodium fluoride rinse. 30 and 60 min after a 228 microg/g fluoride rinse, plaque samples were collected from 11 volunteers.