Abstract Objective Dentin matrices release ICTP and CTX fragments during collagen degradation. ICTP fragments are known to be produced by MMPs. CTX fragments are thought to come from cathepsin K ...activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if quaternary methacrylates (QAMs) can inhibit matrix MMPs and cathepsins. Methods Dentin beams were demineralizated, and dried to constant weight. Beams were incubated with rh-cathepsin B, K, L or S for 24 h at pH 7.4 to identify which cathepsins release CTX at neutral pH. Beams were dipped in ATA, an antimicrobial QAM to determine if it can inhibit dentin matrix proteases. Other beams were dipped in another QAM (MDPB) to determine if it produced similar inhibition of dentin proteases. Results Only beams incubated with cathepsin K lost more dry mass than the controls and released CTX. Dentin beams dipped in ATA and incubated for 1 week at pH 7.4, showed a concentration-dependent reduction in weight-loss. There was no change in ICTP release from control values, meaning that ATA did not inhibit MMPs. Media concentrations of CTX fell significantly at 15 wt% ATA indicating that ATA inhibits capthesins. Beams dipped in increasing concentrations of MDPB lost progressively less mass, showing that MDPB is a protease-inhibitor. ICTP released from controls or beams exposed to low concentrations were the same, while 5 or 10% MDPB significantly lowered ICTP production. CTX levels were strongly inhibited by 2.5–10% MDPB, indicating that MDPB is a potent inhibitor of both MMPs and cathepsin K. Significance CTX seems to be released from dentin matrix only by cathepsin K. MMPs and cathepsin K and B may all contribute to matrix degradation.
Abstract Objective This work measured the amount of bound versus unbound water in completely-demineralized dentin. Methods Dentin beams prepared from extracted human teeth were completely ...demineralized, rinsed and dried to constant mass. They were rehydrated in 41% relative humidity (RH), while gravimetrically measuring their mass increase until the first plateau was reached at 0.064 (vacuum) or 0.116 g H2 O/g dry mass (Drierite). The specimens were then exposed to 60% RH until attaining the second plateau at 0.220 (vacuum) or 0.191 g H2 O/g dry mass (Drierite), and subsequently exposed to 99% RH until attaining the third plateau at 0.493 (vacuum) or 0.401 g H2 O/g dry mass (Drierite). Results Exposure of the first layer of bound water to 0% RH for 5 min produced a −0.3% loss of bound water; in the second layer of bound water it caused a −3.3% loss of bound water; in the third layer it caused a −6% loss of bound water. Immersion in 100% ethanol or acetone for 5 min produced a 2.8 and 1.9% loss of bound water from the first layer, respectively; it caused a −4 and −7% loss of bound water in the second layer, respectively; and a −17 and −23% loss of bound water in the third layer. Bound water represented 21–25% of total dentin water. Chemical dehydration of water-saturated dentin with ethanol/acetone for 1 min only removed between 25 and 35% of unbound water, respectively. Significance Attempts to remove bound water by evaporation were not very successful. Chemical dehydration with 100% acetone was more successful than 100% ethanol especially the third layer of bound water. Since unbound water represents between 75 and 79% of total matrix water, the more such water can be removed, the more resin can be infiltrated.
Objectives To define an expert Delphi consensus on when to intervene in the caries process and existing carious lesions.Methods Non-systematic literature synthesis, expert Delphi consensus process ...and expert panel conference.Results Lesion activity, cavitation and cleansability determine intervention thresholds. Inactive lesions do not require treatment (in some cases, restorations may be placed for form, function, aesthetics); active lesions do. Non-cavitated carious lesions should be managed non- or micro-invasively, as should most cavitated lesions which are cleansable. Cavitated lesions which are not cleansable usually require minimally invasive management. In specific circumstances, mixed interventions may be applicable. Occlusally, cavitated lesions confined to enamel/non-cavitated lesions extending radiographically into deep dentine may be exceptions. Proximally, cavitation is hard to assess tactile-visually. Most lesions extending radiographically into the middle/inner third of dentine are assumed to be cavitated. Those restricted to the enamel are not cavitated. For lesions extending radiographically into the outer third of dentine, cavitation is unlikely. These lesions should be managed as if they were non-cavitated unless otherwise indicated. Individual decisions should consider factors modifying these thresholds.Conclusions Comprehensive diagnosis is the basis for systematic decision-making on when to intervene in the caries process and existing lesions.
Abstract Objective The objective was to examine the effect of a solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on resin–dentin bond durability, as well as potential functional mechanisms behind the effect. ...Methods Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was evaluated in extracted human teeth in two separate experiments. Dentin specimens were acid-etched and assigned to pre-treatment with 0.5 mM (0.004%) DMSO as additional primer for 30 s and to controls with water pre-treatment. Two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive (Scotchbond 1XT, 3M ESPE) was applied and resin composite build-ups were created. Specimens were immediately tested for μTBS or stored in artificial saliva for 6 and 12 months prior to testing. Additional immediate and 6-month specimens were examined for interfacial nanoleakage analysis under SEM. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition by DMSO was examined with gelatin zymography. Demineralized dentin disks were incubated in 100% DMSO to observe the optical clearing effect. Results The use of 0.5 mM DMSO had no effect on immediate bond strength or nanoleakage. In controls, μTBS decreased significantly after storage, but increased significantly in DMSO-treated group. The control group had significantly lower μTBS than DMSO-group after 6 and 12 months. DMSO also eliminated the increase in nanoleakage seen in controls. 5% and higher DMSO concentrations significantly inhibited the gelatinases. DMSO induced optical clearing effect demonstrating collagen dissociation. Significance DMSO as a solvent may be useful in improving the preservation of long-term dentin–adhesive bond strength. The effect may relate to dentinal enzyme inhibition or improved wetting of collagen by adhesives. The collagen dissociation required much higher DMSO concentrations than the 0.5 mM DMSO used for bonding.
Stresses produced during the fabrication of copings and by chewing activity can induce a tetragonal-to-monoclinic (t⁻m) transformation of zirconia. As a consequence, in the m-phase, the material is ...not able to hinder possible cracks by the favorable mechanism known as "transformation toughening". This study aimed at evaluating if different marginal preparations of zirconia copings can cause a premature phase transformation immediately after manufacturing milling and after chewing simulation.
Ninety copings using three commercial zirconia ceramics (Nobel Procera Zirconia, Nobel Biocare Management AG; Lava Classic, 3M ESPE; Lava Plus, 3M ESPE) were prepared with deep-chamfer, slight-chamfer, or feather-edge finish lines (n = 10). Specimens were tested in a chewing simulator (CS-4.4, SD Mechatronik) under cyclic occlusal loads simulating one year of clinical service. Raman spectra were acquired and analyzed for each specimen along the finish lines and at the top of each coping before and after chewing simulation, respectively.
Raman analysis did not show any t⁻m transformation both before and after chewing simulation, as the typical monoclinic bands at 181 cm
and 192 cm
were not detected in any of the tested specimens.
After a one-year simulation of chewing activity, irrespective of preparation geometry, zirconia copings did not show any sign of t⁻m transformation, either in the load application areas or at the margins. Consequently, manufacturing milling even in thin thickness did not cause any structural modification of zirconia ceramics "as received by manufacturers" both before and after chewing simulation.
Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effect of EDC on elastic modulus (E), MMPs activity, hydroxyproline (HYP) release and thermal denaturation temperature of demineralized dentin collagen. Methods ...Dentin beams were obtained from human molars and completely demineralized in 10 wt% H3 PO4 for 18 h. The initial E and MMP activity were determined with three-point bending and microcolorimetric assay, respectively. Extra demineralized beams were dehydrated and the initial dry mass (DM) was determined. All the beams were distributed into groups ( n = 10) and treated for 30 s or 60 s with: water, 0.5 M, 1 M or 2 M EDC or 10% glutaraldehyde (GA). After treatment, the new E and MMP activity were redetermined. The beams submitted to DM measurements were storage for 1 week in artificial saliva, after that the mass loss and HYP release were evaluated. The collagen thermal denaturation temperature (TDT) was determined by DSC analysis. Data for E, MMP activity and HYP release were submitted to Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney tests. Mass loss and TDT data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests at the 5% of significance. Results EDC was able to significantly increase collagen stiffness in 60 s. 10% GA groups obtained the highest E values after both 30 and 60 s. All cross-linking agents decreased MMP activity and HYP release and increased TDT temperature. Significant differences were identified among EDC groups after 30 or 60 s of cross-linking, 1 M or 2 M EDC showed the lowest MMP activity. Significance Cross-linking agents are capable of preventing dentin collagen degradation. EDC treatment may be clinically useful to increase resin-dentin stability.
Mild acids are known to activate dentin matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). All self‐etching dental adhesives are acidic (pH 1.5–2.7) and may activate dentin MMPs. The purpose of this study was to ...compare the ability of several all‐in‐one adhesives to activate gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activities in powdered mineralized dentin. Powdered dentin made from human teeth was mixed with all‐in‐one adhesives (Clearfil Tri‐S Bond, G‐Bond, Adper Prompt L‐Pop) or a self‐etching primer (Clearfil SE Bond primer) for varying times and then the reaction was stopped by extracting the adhesives using acetone. Fresh untreated mineralized dentin powder had a gelatinolytic activity of 3.31 ± 0.39 relative fluorescent units (RFU) per mg dry weight (24 h) that increased, over storage time, to 87.5 RFU mg−1 (24 h) after 6–8 wk. When fresh powder was treated with acidic Tri‐S Bond, the gelatinolytic activity increased from 3.24 ± 0.70 RFU mg−1 to > 112.5 RFU mg−1 (24 h) after 20 min and then remained unchanged. Monomers with lower pH values produced less activity. There was a significant, direct correlation between gelatinolytic activity and pH, with Tri‐S giving the highest activity. Coating dentin powder with Tri‐S resin prevented fluorescent substrates from gaining access to the enzyme, even though it activated the enzyme. In conclusion, self‐etch adhesives may activate latent MMP and increase the activity to near‐maximum levels and contribute to the degradation of resin–dentin bonds over time.
Abstract Introduction This study examined the effect of different root canal irrigant agitation protocols in the penetration of an endodontic irrigant into dentinal tubules. Methods Fifty-six human ...single-rooted teeth were shaped with nickel-titanium instruments, and a final rinse of 5% sodium hypochlorite labeled with 0.2% alizarin red was performed. Specimens were assigned to 7 groups ( N = 8) and submitted to the following rinse activation protocols: no agitation (control group), K-File or gutta-percha agitation, or different sonic (EndoActivator Advanced Endodontics, Santa Barbara, CA and Plastic Endo, Lincolnshire, IL) and ultrasonic (Satelec Acteongroup, Merignac, France and EMS, Nyon, Switzerland) agitations. Specimens were sectioned at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex in 1-mm-thick slabs, ground, and prepared for fluorescence microscopy at 100× with a wavelength of 450 milliseconds. Irrigant penetration into dentinal tubules was analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance followed by post-hoc comparisons. Results Groups were ranked in the following order: control = K-file = gutta-percha < EndoActivator = Plastic Endo < Satelec = EMS. At 1 mm from the apex, the highest score was found for the EMS group compared with the control, K-file, gutta-percha, EndoActivator, and Plastic Endo groups, whereas no difference was found with the Satelec group. Conclusion The results support the use of an ultrasonic agitation to increase the effectiveness of the final rinse procedure in the apical third of the canal walls.
Abstract Objectives This study examined the use of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) as a biomimetic analog of matrix phosphoproteins for remineralization of artificial carious-affected dentin. Methods ...Artificial carious lesions with lesion depths of 300 ± 30 μm were created by pH-cycling. 2.5% hydrolyzed STMP was applied to the artificial carious lesions to phosphorylate the partially-demineralized collagen matrix. Half of the STMP-treated specimens were bonded with One-Step. The adhesive and non-adhesive infiltrated specimens were remineralized in a Portland cement-simulated body fluid system containing polyacrylic acid (PAA) to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate as nanoprecursors. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the results of remineralization after a 4-month period. Results In absence of PAA and STMP as biomimetic analogs (control groups), there was no remineralization irrespective of whether the lesions were infiltrated with adhesive. For the STMP-treated experimental groups immersed in PAA-containing simulated body fluid, specimens without adhesive infiltration were more heavily remineralized than those infiltrated with adhesive. Statistical analysis of the 4-month micro-CT data revealed significant differences in the lesion depth, relative mineral content along the lesion surface and changes in Δ Z between the non-adhesive and adhesive experimental groups ( p < 0.05 for all the three parameters). TEM examination indicated that collagen degradation occurred in both the non-adhesive and adhesive control and experimental groups after 4 months of remineralization. Significance Biomimetic remineralization using STMP is a promising method to remineralize artificial carious lesions particularly in areas devoid of seed crystallites. Future studies should consider the incorporation of MMP-inhibitors within the partially-demineralized collagen matrix to prevent collagen degradation during remineralization.
The aim of this study was to analyse the extent of polymerization of different adhesive films in relation to their permeability. One adhesive of each class was investigated: OptiBond FL; One‐Step; ...Clearfil Protect Bond; and Xeno III. Adhesive films were prepared and cured with XL‐2500 (3M ESPE) for 20, 40 or 60 s. Polymerization kinetic curves of the adhesives tested were obtained with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and data were correlated with microhardness. The permeability of the adhesives under the same experimental conditions was evaluated on human extracted teeth connected to a permeability device and analysed statistically. The results showed that the extent of polymerization obtained from DSC exotherms was directly correlated with microhardness. An increased level of polymerization after prolonged light‐curing was confirmed for all adhesives. Simplified adhesives exhibited a lower extent of polymerization and showed incomplete polymerization, even after 60 s. An inverse correlation was found between the degree of cure and the permeability. This study supports the hypothesis that the permeability of simplified adhesives is correlated with incomplete polymerization of resin monomers and the extent of light exposure. These adhesives may be rendered less permeable by using longer curing times than those recommended by the respective manufacturer.