Enamel microhardness after in vitro demineralization and role of different restorative materials

This study aimed to evaluate the extension of enamel demineralization around the margin of restorations after immersion in cariogenic solution, in an attempt to define the role of new restorative materials in preventing secondary caries formation. For this purpose, enamel microhardness was measured. Twelve class V restorations in human extracted third molars were prepared in vitro and immersed in a demineralizing solution (lactic acid, pH 4.5) at 37°C for 3 days to simulate the formation of secondary caries and its effect on the marginal integrity of composite restorations. The restorative systems tested in the study were Scotchbond 1 + Z 250 (group A), ABF + APX (group B), Fuji IX (group C), SE Bond + APX (group D), and Scotchbond 1 + F 2000 (group E). The microhardness was measured close to the margin of restoration (marginal exposed enamel), at 2.0 mm from the margin (exposed enamel), and at approximately 4 mm from the margin in a varnish-covered enamel area (protected enamel). Five measurements were made on each site at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μm depth from the external enamel surface. Exposed enamel and marginal exposed enamel were greatly affected by the cariogenic solution, as confirmed by the high rate of demineralization. The marginal exposed enamel showed a higher rate of demineralization than the exposed enamel, as demonstrated by the lowest microhardness values. The materials that claimed fluoride release did not prevent any type of enamel marginal alteration. This study revealed that enamel close to the margin of restoration may be rapidly affected by secondary caries formation when immersed in a demineralizing-cariogenic solution and that fluoride-releasing materials are unable to reduce the marginal demineralization processes. These demineralization processes may be responsible for marginal secondary caries and for restoration failures.     

Optimized Region Finding and Edge Detection of Knee Cartilage Surfaces from Magnetic Resonance Images

Expert hand-drawing of magnetic resonance image (MRI) features can be tedious and time consuming. MRI of the knee were acquired from eight subjects to develop an automated segmentation approach. The regions of interest (ROI) were femur, tibia, and patella cartilage. The Karhunen–Loève transformation was used to construct prototypical ROI with accentuated features and reduced noise level. Adaptive template matching was then used to translate the prototypical ROI locations for detection and optimal overlap of ROI in test images. Cartilage boundaries at the optimal overlap area were computed based on standard gradient methods. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8761-c, 8757Nk     

无创渗透树脂材料修复早期乳牙邻面龋

背景：乳牙早期邻面龋因解剖位置的原因菌斑不易去除,常规再矿化治疗疗效不佳。 目的：观察无创渗透树脂技术治疗乳牙早期邻面龋的临床疗效。 方法：选择乳牙邻面早期龋的患牙120颗,随机分为渗透树脂组和流动树脂组,每组60颗,分别应用渗透树脂和流动树脂进行治疗,治疗后1年随访,对患者邻面龋的牙体形态、去除釉质脱矿造成的白垩色斑和色泽稳定性、继发龋和治疗成功率方面进行临床评价。 结果与结论：两组患者在充填治疗后1年的疗效检查结果中发现,渗透树脂组邻面龋的牙体形态、去除釉质脱矿造成的白垩色斑以及色泽稳定性、继发龋方面均好于流动树脂组。渗透树脂组的治疗成功率96.7%远高于流动树脂组的76.7%,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。无创渗透树脂材料是目前阻断龋病发展简便高效的方法。     

Number and size spectra of non-myelinated axons of human premolars

The aim of this study was to determine the number and size of apical non-myelinated (C) axons of healthy human premolars. The material was derived from a large collection of specimens prepared for a previous quantitative investigation on the myelinated (A) axons of human premolars. A total of 16 teeth (six maxillary first and five each of mandibular first and second premolars), removed from adolescents for orthodontic reasons, were used. Root discs of about 0.6 mm thickness were prepared at about 2 mm cervical to the root apex and processed for light and electron microscopy. The number of non-myelinated axons was determined by taking a total census of such fibres that could be identified and reconstructed by standardized composite electron micrographs from each root disc. The measurement of axons was done on a statistically representative sample of axons (n=1810) using an electronic image processing unit. The 16 teeth had an average of 2000 ± 1023 non-myelinated axons at the juxta-apical level (range 534–3912). The average diameter of the non-myelinated axons was found to be 0.5 ± 0.4 m (range 0.05–2.4 m).     

Efficacy of bisphosphonates in detection of early enamel caries using NIR fluorescence imaging and inhibition of caries progression

NIR fluorescence imaging using bisphosphonate-Indocyanine green has been indicated for early interproximal caries detection. This study assessed diagnostic accuracy of caries detection by NIR fluorescence imaging with OsteoSense 750^® (OS750) in vitro and ex vivo, and to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of a bisphosphonate (Etidronate) in inhibiting enamel caries progression in vitro.Methods: Four experiments were conducted using extracted human teeth; 1) to calculate the infiltration rate of OS750 into interproximal white spot lesions using fluorescence microscope, 2) to assess diagnostic accuracy of interproximal natural white spot lesions using desktop NIR fluorescence imaging device in vitro setting, 3) to assess diagnostic accuracy of artificially created deeper enamel carious lesion (0.5 mm~1.0 mm) using NIR fluorescence image through the head-mount display in ex vivo setting, 4) to compare the progression on the enamel caries lesions treated by Etidronate, NaF and distilled-water. Diagnostic accuracy was analyzed using sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating curves (ROC). The caries progression was calculated with micro-CT and was statistically analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and the Tukey HDS post-hoc test.Results: 1) The infiltration rate of OS750 was 101.83% ± 8.66 (Min: 90.10%, Max: 133.94%). 2) The average of sensitivity and specificity in vitro setting experiments were 86.7% ± 4.4% and 70% ± 11%, respectively. The average of area under the ROC curves (AUC) was 0.883 ± 0.059 indicating excellent performance. 3) The mean sensitivity and specificity in ex vivo setting was 82.97% ± 15% and 76.78% ± 13.27% respectively. 4) The carious lesion volume treated by Etidronate was significantly smaller at post treatment-1 (p<0.05) and treatment-2 (p<0.01) than the control. There was no significant difference in lesion volume in the Etidronate and NaF group at the time point of post treatment-1.Conclusion: This study suggests that bisphosphonates contribute to both early diagnosis of enamel caries and inhibition of caries progression.     

Nanobacteria’s potential involvement in enamel repair in caries

Dental caries is the accumulation of numerous episodes of demineralization and remineralization, rather than a unidirectional demineralization process. Demineralization and remineralization occur constantly either simultaneously or alternately and whether a lesion will progress or be repaired depends upon the predominant process over periods. Even if fluoride has demonstrated the anti-caries effect by shifting the demineralization/remineralization balance favorably, little is known about non-fluoride action in favor of the balance and the effect of fluoride could not fully explain enamel repair in caries. Recently, in vitro experiments demonstrated enamel repair by synthetic apatite nanocrystals which showed the strong affinity, excellent biocompatibility, mechanical improvement, and a higher resistance to acids than apatite from teeth. This reminds us of a controversial microorganism called nanobacteria (NB) which form nanocrystalline apatite around themselves. Although NB have been detected in some pathological calcifications, epidemiologic literature suggests that they are widespread present in the healthy people blood. Considering the similarity of synthetic nanocrystalline apatite to that of NB and blood circulation communicating with saliva, we put forward a hypothesis that NB may act in enamel surface just like what the synthetic nanocrystalline apatite does in vitro to repair enamel in caries.     

自研全光纤光学相干计算机断层摄影术灵敏检测早期牙釉质龋

目的探索新型生物组织高分辨率成像技术——光学相干计算机断层摄影术（OCT）用于龋病早期诊断。方法选用化学酸蚀法在离体人恒牙釉质光滑面制备0、12、24、48、72、96、120h不同时间的早期脱矿人工龋模型,采用自行研发的口腔全光纤OCT（AF-OCT）进行离体人恒牙早期牙釉质人工龋的体外检测．并与同一牙齿样本的显微数码摄影、扫描电子显微镜和偏振光显微镜的检测结果进行比较．检验AF—OCT体外检测早期龋变的效能。结果AF—OCT可早期准确检测到脱矿12h以内的牙釉质表面组织学水平的改变．开窗区釉质表面脱矿深度与脱矿时间成正比。与3种常用体内外检测手段相比．AF—OCT可早于显微数码摄影观察到牙釉质表面的形貌改变．与扫描电子显微镜和偏振光显微镜检测结果高度相关。结论自研AF—OCT可早期、精确、无创地检测出脱矿12h以内的早期牙釉质表面人工龋变,并可实现量化测定和分析．获得的龋变深度量化测量数据与偏振光显微镜下组织学测量结果高度相关。     

Enamel microhardness after in vitro demineralization and role of different restorative materials

This study aimed to evaluate the extension of enamel demineralization around the margin of restorations after immersion in cariogenic solution, in an attempt to define the role of new restorative materials in preventing secondary caries formation. For this purpose, enamel microhardness was measured. Twelve class V restorations in human extracted third molars were prepared in vitro and immersed in a demineralizing solution (lactic acid, pH 4.5) at 37 degrees C for 3 days to simulate the formation of secondary caries and its effect on the marginal integrity of composite restorations. The restorative systems tested in the study were Scotchbond 1 + Z 250 (group A), ABF + APX (group B), Fuji IX (group C), SE Bond + APX (group D), and Scotchbond 1 + F 2000 (group E). The microhardness was measured close to the margin of restoration (marginal exposed enamel), at 2.0 mm from the margin (exposed enamel), and at approximately 4 mm from the margin in a varnish-covered enamel area (protected enamel). Five measurements were made on each site at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 microm depth from the external enamel surface. Exposed enamel and marginal exposed enamel were greatly affected by the cariogenic solution, as confirmed by the high rate of demineralization. The marginal exposed enamel showed a higher rate of demineralization than the exposed enamel, as demonstrated by the lowest microhardness values. The materials that claimed fluoride release did not prevent any type of enamel marginal alteration. This study revealed that enamel close to the margin of restoration may be rapidly affected by secondary caries formation when immersed in a demineralizing-cariogenic solution and that fluoride-releasing materials are unable to reduce the marginal demineralization processes. These demineralization processes may be responsible for marginal secondary caries and for restoration failures.     

The Effect of MIpaste Plus and Reminpro on Incipient Caries Using DIAGNOdent and SEM: An Invitro Study

Background

The remineralization of early caries lesion has an effective role on decreasing caries. For initial remineralization of caries lesion, using Compounds of Casein phosphopeptides (CPP) in different studies has been proposed. REMINPRO including Fluoride, Xylitol and Calcium phosphate has just been offered in the market. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Reminpro and MI paste plus in terms of remineralization of early enamel lesions.

酪蛋白磷酸多肽/无定形磷酸钙复合物与氟化钠预防正畸托槽周围的牙釉质脱矿

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, both casein phosphopeptides/amorphous calcium phosphate compound and fluoride can effectively prevent the occurrence of enamel demineralization and caries. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preventive effects of casein phosphopeptides/amorphous calcium phosphate compound and fluoride on enamel demineralization in the orthodontic treatment, so as to seek a remineralization agent with good effect. METHODS: Totally 40 human in vitro teeth which had been well bonded to brackets were randomly divided into four groups: control group (the surface was not coated with any substance), GC tooth mousse group (the surface was coated with casein phosphopeptides/amorphous calcium phosphate compound), duraphat group (the surface was coated with fluoride) and combined group (the surface was coated with casein phosphopeptides /amorphous calcium phosphate compound and fluoride). The enamel surface porosity was observed by scanning electron microscopy after the successive 14-day demineralization-remineralization experiments in these four groups. The change value of microhardness was measured before and after the experiment in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was obvious enamel demineralization in the control group, but not in the other three groups. The change value of microhardness in GC tooth mousse, duraphat and combined groups was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between GC tooth mousse, duraphat and combined groups. These results demonstrate that fluoride, casein phosphopeptides/amorphous calcium phosphate compound and their combination can prevent enamel demineralization, promote remineralization; however, their combination does not improve the effect of preventing enamel demineralization.         

基于光学相干断层成像量化评估平滑面早期牙釉质龋的研究进展

背景：平滑面早期牙釉质龋虽然已发生脱矿改变但无肉眼可见的龋洞形成,目前临床采用的常规检测方法难以对其准确诊断。 目的：应用光学相干断层成像技术对平滑面早期牙釉质龋的量化研究进展进行综述。 方法：由第一作者检索CNKI和EBSCO HOST数据库中1979/2011发表的关于光学相干断层成像技术定量研究平滑面早期龋的相关文献,以“光学相干断层成像,早期龋,平滑面,量化评估”和“optical coherence tomography, early caries, smooth surface,quantitative assessment”为检索词进行检索。纳入31篇进行综述。 结果与结论：新兴的光学相干断层成像技术能够检测龋变牙釉质的背向散射信号使脱矿牙釉质成像,并应用深度、反射率、衰减系数等定量指标对平滑面早期牙釉质龋进行量化评估,为牙釉质早期龋的诊断提供了新的方法。     

Quantitative light-induced fluorescence: a potential tool for general dental assessment

Current dental diagnostic methods can detect caries but cannot quantify the mineral status of a lesion. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) measures the percentage of fluorescence change of demineralized enamel with respect to surrounding sound enamel, and relates it directly to the amount of mineral lost during demineralization. Development of caries-like lesions and subsequent remineralization of the lesions were monitored by QLF. The results showed that the percentage of fluorescence change (Delta Q) increased linearly with the demineralization time and decreased with increased remineralization time. Stained teeth were whitened with a bleaching agent and the change in stain intensity (Delta E) was quantified using QLF. The results showed that Delta E decreased linearly as the tooth regained its natural color. Factors that might affect the use of QLF to detect and quantify caries were also examined. It was concluded that QLF could be used to detect and longitudinally monitor the progression or remineralization of incipient caries, however lesion detection may be limited by the presence of saliva or plaque and enhanced by staining. The change in shade of discolored teeth by whitening agents could be quantitatively measured by QLF.     

Light scattering properties of natural and artificially demineralized dental enamel at 1310 nm

A fundamental understanding of how near-IR light propagates through sound and carious dental hard tissues is essential for the development of clinically useful optical diagnostic systems, since image contrast is based on changes in the optical properties of these tissues on demineralization. During the caries (decay) process, micropores are formed in the lesion due to partial dissolution of the individual mineral crystals. Such small pores behave as scattering centers, strongly scattering visible and near-IR light. The optical properties of enamel can be quantitatively described by the absorption and scattering coefficients, and the scattering phase function. Our aim is to measure the optical scattering behavior of natural and artificial enamel caries. Near-IR attenuation measurements and angular-resolved goniometer measurements coupled with Monte Carlo simulations are used to determine changes in the scattering coefficient and the scattering anisotropy on demineralization at 1310 nm. An ultra-high resolution digital microradiography system is used to quantify the lesion severity by measurement of the relative mineral loss for comparison with optical scattering measurements. The scattering coefficient increases exponentially with increasing mineral loss. Natural and artificial demineralization increases the scattering coefficient more than two orders of magnitude at 1310 nm, and the scattering is highly forward directed.     

A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Enamel Surfaces of Incipient Caries

The surface changes of natural incipient caries in human teeth were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Numerous small round depressions due to dissolved prism ends are observed. The prism sheaths seem to be preferentially demineralized, followed by demineralization of prism cores. Perikymata are well-pronounced. Focal holes and relatively large dissolution areas can be present. A new prismatic pattern of destruction with an appearance of fish scales is found. Evidence of remineralization of the incipient carious lesions is seen on the surfaces of the lesions. This study disagrees with the concept of an intact enamel surface layer.     

生物活性玻璃对早期人工釉质龋的再矿化

背景：生物活性玻璃具有良好的生物相容性,且具有抑制口腔致龋细菌和牙周相关细菌及抗牙本质过敏的作用。 目的：评价生物活性玻璃促进早期人工釉质龋再矿化的作用。 方法：将新鲜拔除的30颗牛切牙制成人工龋模型,将标本在37 ℃人工脱矿液内脱矿72 h,用扫描电镜观察脱矿后釉质表面的平滑情况,用显微硬度仪测量脱矿后釉质的显微硬度。然后随机分为3组,每组10个。采用pH循环法模拟人口腔环境,将3组标本分别浸泡在生物活性玻璃溶液、氟化钠溶液及人工唾液内,3次/d,10 min/次,循环浸泡20 d,扫描电镜检测标本脱矿及再矿化情况,用显微硬度计检查牙釉质显微硬度。 结果与结论：浸泡在生物活性玻璃溶液中的牙釉质表面较浸泡在其他两溶液中的牙釉质表面光滑平整,无空隙存在;浸泡在生物活性玻璃溶液中的牙釉质表面显微硬度高于浸泡在其他两溶液中的牙釉质表面显微硬度(P < 0.05)。说明生物活性玻璃在体外实验中能促进早期釉质龋的再矿化。     

Histological validation of near-infrared reflectance multispectral imaging technique for caries detection and quantification

Near infrared (NIR) multispectral imaging is a novel noninvasive technique that maps and quantifies dental caries. The technique has the ability to reduce the confounding effect of stain present on teeth. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a quantitative NIR multispectral imaging system for caries detection and assessment against a histological reference standard. The proposed technique is based on spectral imaging at specific wavelengths in the range from 1000 to 1700 nm. A total of 112 extracted teeth (molars and premolars) were used and images of occlusal surfaces at different wavelengths were acquired. Three spectral reflectance images were combined to generate a quantitative lesion map of the tooth. The maximum value of the map at the corresponding histological section was used as the NIR caries score. The NIR caries score significantly correlated with the histological reference standard (Spearman's?Coefficient=0.774, p<0.01). Caries detection sensitivities and specificities of 72% and 91% for sound areas, 36% and 79% for lesions on the enamel, and 82% and 69% for lesions in dentin were found. These results suggest that NIR spectral imaging is a novel and promising method for the detection, quantification, and mapping of dental caries.     

全光纤OCT量化检出早期釉质龋的研究

目的评价全光纤光学相干断层成像（全光纤OCT）检出早期牙釉质人工龋的敏感性。方法在新鲜拔除的7颗离体人恒牙釉质光滑面制备2mm×3mm实验窗．选用pH4．5的化学酸蚀液在开窗区制备0～120h早期脱矿人工龋模型．采用自行研发的口腔全光纤OCT系统检测离体人恒牙早期牙釉质人工龋,以同一牙齿样本的显微数码摄影和偏光显微镜检测作为对照．比较和检验OCT有效检出早期龋变的敏感性和可行性。结果全光纤口腔OCT装置可早期准确检测到脱矿12h以内牙釉质表面组织学水平的微观改变,早于裸眼和临床显微摄影的观察结果：开窗区釉质表面完整度随脱矿作用时间出现递减变化;而釉质脱矿深度随脱矿作用时间而出现递增性变化,不同时段脱矿深度的OCT量化数据与偏光显微镜检出结果相吻合．统计学分析结果表明2者间无显著性差异（P〉0．05）,证实OCT可早期、敏感、精确地检出组织学水平的早期牙釉质人工龋。结论全光纤口腔OCT系统可无创准确检出早期牙釉质表面和表层下人工龋变．获得的龋变深度量化测量数据与偏光显微镜下组织学水平的测量结果高度相关。系统进一步完善后有望作为一种新型光学手段用于口腔临床龋病的早期诊断、量化监控以及干预效果的有效评估。     

Dental Defects as a Potential Indicator of Chronic Malnutrition in a Population of Fallow Deer (Dama dama) from Northwestern Germany

We studied enamel defects in mandibular cheek teeth of fallow deer from an enclosed population that had grown far beyond the carrying capacity of its habitat. Macroscopic inspection revealed a high frequency of pathological enamel alterations in the permanent premolars and the third molar, which form late during dental development, while earlier forming teeth (deciduous premolars and first molar) were generally not affected. Macroscopic enamel alterations comprised opacity and posteruptive discoloration, loss of occlusal enamel ridges, and presence of enamel surface lesions. Backscattered electron imaging in the SEM revealed a marked hypomineralization and related increased porosity of the outer compared to the central and inner enamel portions in the affected teeth. In contrast, the enamel of the unaffected first molars showed a homogeneous high degree of mineralization. Microindentation hardness testing demonstrated a significantly reduced and highly variable hardness of the outer enamel of the affected teeth. The recorded enamel alterations are indicative of a disturbance of enamel maturation. Based on findings of experimental studies by other authors that explored the effects of dietary deficiencies on the mineralization of dental hard tissues in different mammal species, we suggest a dietary calcium deficiency as the cause of the observed pathological enamel changes in the fallow deer. The supposed calcium deficiency only affected teeth whose crown mineralization takes place after weaning, while the deciduous premolars and the first molar, whose crown formation occurs prenatally or during the early postnatal period of intense milk feeding, were unaffected. Anat Rec, 299:1409–1423, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Perceptual distortion of face deletion by local anaesthesia of the human lips and teeth

As visual guidance of facial movements is impossible, accurate movements for speech and mastication require an established body image that is formed via the information from mechanoreceptors in the skin, mucosa, periodontium, and proprioceptors in the facial and masticatory muscles and in the jaw joints. In this study we aimed to investigate how the acute deafferentation of lips and teeth alters the established image of lips, teeth and the thumb. We used a psychophysical method to determine whether the perceived sizes of the upper lip and front teeth change when the sensory input from the lips and front teeth is fully blocked. We also examined the perceived size of the thumb to test for acute interactions between the thumb and facial structures. Local anaesthetic blocking of upper lip and upper front teeth significantly increased the perceived size of the upper lip by as much as 100% (range 21–100%) in ten out of eleven subjects tested (overall mean 52%; p=0.001). The perceived size of the upper teeth also significantly increased by as much as 155% (range 30–155%) in eight of the eleven subjects during anaesthesia (overall mean 41%; p=0.035). When the region of anaesthesia was increased and both upper and lower teeth and lips were anaesthetised, the perceived size of the upper lip again increased, by 53% (p=0.040), but the change in perceived size of the upper front teeth (18%) was not significant (p=0.206). In both studies there was no change in perceived size of the thumb. The results illustrate the labile central interaction between sensory inputs and the importance of feedback from peripheral afferents in generating the subjective facial image. The timing, level, and area of anaesthesia may be important modifiers of these interactions.     

Ability of laser fluorescence device associated with fluorescent dyes in detecting and quantifying early smooth surface caries lesions

A laser fluorescence (LF) device is a portable tool, but it does not measure minor mineral changes. Our in vitro study aim is to propose the association of an LF with two fluorescent dyes and to evaluate the performance in detecting and quantifying early demineralization. Artificial caries lesions are created in 40 primary canine teeth using a demineralizing solution (pH=4.8) for 12, 24, 48, and 96 h. LF measurements are performed with DIAGNOdent after demineralization in these samples and in 20 sound primary teeth. Measurements with LF with 0.2-mM tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (LF TMPyP) and with 4-mM protoporphyrin IX (LF PPIX) are made. The amount of calcium loss is determined by atomic emission spectrometry. A correlation between LF and LF with dyes and mineral loss and receiver operating characteristics analysis are performed, as well as comparisons of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values. Significant correlation is obtained with LF TMPyP and mineral loss of lesions demineralized for 24, 48, and 96 h. Better performance is achieved with LF TMPyP for all parameters than with LF alone. LF PPIX does not present good results. In conclusion, LF TMPyP provides good performance in detecting and quantifying very early enamel caries lesions.