Gradual surface degradation of restorative materials by acidic agents

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acidic agents on surface roughness and characteristics of four restorative materials. Fifty-two discs were created from each restorative material: metal-reinforced glass ionomer cement (Ketac-S), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC), resin composite (Filtek Z250), and amalgam (Valiant-PhD); each disc was 12 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick. The specimens were divided into four subgroups (n=13) and immersed for 168 hours in four storage media: deionized water (control); citrate buffer solution; green mango juice; and pineapple juice. Surface roughness measurements were performed with a profilometer, both before and after storage media immersion. Surface characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical significance among each group was analyzed using two-way repeated ANOVA and Tukey's tests. Ketac-S demonstrated the highest roughness changes after immersion in acidic agents (p<0.05), followed by Fuji II LC. Valiant-PhD and Filtek Z250 illustrated some minor changes over 168 hours. The mango juice produced the greatest degradation effect of all materials tested (p<0.05). SEM photographs demonstrated gradual surface changes of all materials tested after immersions. Of the materials evaluated, amalgam and resin composite may be the most suitable for restorations for patients with tooth surface loss.     

Interaction between GIC and S. sanguis biofilms: antibacterial properties and changes of surface hardness

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of Streptococcus sanguis with two glass-ionomer formulations (GIC:A containing fluoride and GIC:B without fluoride) with particular reference to bacterial growth and changes in hardness of the cement with respect to time.

Materials and methods

Discs of two water activated glass-ionomer cements were prepared according to the manufacturer's instruction. Hydroxyapatite discs (HA) were used as controls. 3D laser scanning technique was used to characterize surface roughness and area of the substrate prior to growing biofilms. Surface hardness was evaluated before and after biofilm growth. A constant depth film fermenter system (CDFF) was used to grow S. sanguis biofilms on the specimens in a similar manner to that described previously by Wilson et al. in 1995. For susceptibility measurement, specimens were removed from CDFF aseptically over periods up to 14 d after the first colonization with bacteria. Counts of viable bacterial in the accumulating biofilm layer on each surface were measured and converted to colony forming units per unit surface area. To determine the effect of storage media, hardness discs were exposed to distilled water, lactic acid pH 4, lactic acid pH 5, citric acid pH 5, artificial saliva and S. sanguis biofilms. Twenty-four hours after preparing and subsequent autoclaving, specimens were transferred to a vessel containing 40 ml storage medium. The specimens were investigated for periods up to 7 d.

Results

The viable counts of S. sanguis per mm² on GIC:A were significantly less than those on HA and GIC:B during the first 5 d (p < 0.05). The viable counts of bacteria on the surface of GIC:B were lower during the initial 5 d when compared to HA. Exposure of GIC:A and GIC:B to different medium produced softening to the surface of cement. It is apparent that the effects of the biofilms are significantly greater than storage in water but similar to storage in lactic acid pH 5.

Conclusions

This investigation showed that the growth of S. sanguis biofilms were significantly affected by both glass-ionomer formulations, the greater reduction being noted on the surface of the fluoride containing GIC. S. sanguis biofilms produced reduction on the surface hardness of the cement equivalent to that seen after immersion in lactic acid at pH 5. This indicates that while S. sanguis biofilm is affected by the GIC, there is also a decrease in hardness of the cement indicating some cement degradation.     

Flexural strength of fluorapatite-leucite and fluorapatite porcelains exposed to erosive agents in cyclic immersion

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of two porcelain materials (IPS d.SIGN and IPS e.max Ceram) exposed to erosive agents

Material and Methods

One hundred and twenty bar-shaped specimens were made from each of fluorapatite-leucite porcelain (IPS d.SIGN) and fluorapatite porcelain (IPS e.max Ceram) and divided into 8 groups of 15 specimens each. Six groups were alternately immersed in the following storage agents for 30 min: deionized water (control), citrate buffer solution, pineapple juice, green mango juice, cola soft drink and 4% acetic acid. Then, they were immersed for 5 min in deionized water at 37°C. Seven cycles were completed, totalizing 245 min. A 7^th group was continuously immersed in 4% acetic acid at 80°C for 16 h. The final, 8^th, group was stored dry at 37°C for 245 min. Three-point bending tests were performed in a universal testing machine. The data were analyzed statistically by 2-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test and t-test at significance level of 0.05.

Results

The flexural strengths of all groups of each porcelain after exposure to erosive agents in cyclic immersion did not differ significantly (p>0.05). For both types of porcelain, dry storage at 37°C yielded the highest flexural strength, though without significant difference from the other groups (p>0.05). The flexural strengths of all groups of fluorapatite porcelains were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the fluorapatite-leucite porcelains.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the erosive agents evaluated did not affect the flexural strength of the tested dental porcelains.     

Effect of novel chitosan-fluoroaluminosilicate glass ionomer cement with added transforming growth factor beta-1 on pulp cells

Introduction

Vital pulp therapy might benefit from the sustained release of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) from dental restorative materials. Chitosan has previously been shown to enable sustained release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from glass ionomer cement (GIC). Because BSA can prolong release of growth factor, chitosan-fluoroaluminosilicate GIC with albumin (BIO-GIC) should sustain the effect of growth factor. This study investigated the effect of BIO-GIC with added TGF-β1 on pulp cells.

Methods

BIO-GIC was prepared from GIC (conventional type) incorporated with 15% of chitosan and 10% of BSA. TGF-β1 (100 ng) was added in BIO-GIC+TGF-β1 and GIC+TGF-β1 groups during each disk specimen (10 mm diameter, 1 mm high) preparation. Two control groups were BIO-GIC and GIC. The effect of each specimen on pulp cells was investigated by using the Transwell plate technique. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay at 2 time periods (each period lasting 3 days). Pulp cell differentiation was examined by alkaline phosphatase activity and also by cell mineralization, which was measured by calculating the area of mineralization with von Kossa staining.

Results

Percentage of viable cells of GIC+TGF-β1 group was the highest after the first period. This might suggest an initial rapid release of TGF-β1 from GIC. After the second period, BIO-GIC, BIO-GIC+TGF-β1, and GIC+TGF-β1 had more than 90% cell survival. It was significantly greater than GIC (82% ± 2%). There was no significant difference in alkaline phosphatase activity. BIO-GIC+TGF-β1 had the highest mineralization area during 21 days.

Conclusions

BIO-GIC could retain the effect of TGF-β1.     

Bovine serum albumin release from novel chitosan-fluoro-aluminosilicate glass ionomer cement: Stability and cytotoxicity studies

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding chitosan (CS) to conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) on protein release and its cytotoxicity.

Methods

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the released protein from two glass ionomer formulations. One (GIC + BSA) contained fluoro-aluminosilicate glass mixed with BSA, and another (GIC:CS + BSA) used a similar glass and BSA with 20% chitosan. Six disc specimens per group (10 mm in diameter, 2 mm in height) were prepared and placed in phosphate buffer saline, which was replaced at various times over 2 weeks. The released protein was determined by a BCA assay. Cytotoxicity of the extracts from these materials for 1, 2 and 7 days to dental pulp cells was evaluated using MTT assay.

Results

The GIC:CS + BSA released a burst of BSA in the first 6 h, and slowly released at different rates over the 2 weeks. GIC + BSA showed a similar result, but protein could not be detected at the 12 h. The protein release rate of GIC:CS + BSA was significantly greater than GIC + BSA (P < 0.01); nearly three times higher. The released BSA had the same molecular weight as evaluated by SDS-PAGE. From the MTT assay, the percentages of viable cells were significantly different and can be arranged as: GIC:CS + BSA > GIC:CS > GI + BSA > GI and the cytotoxicity was increased by time of extraction.

Conclusion

Chitosan added in glass ionomer cement can prolong release of BSA as well as not increasing the toxicity to pulp cells. This material may be useful for protein delivery.     

Surface characteristic changes of dental ceramics after cyclic immersion in acidic agents and titratable acidity

The potential erosive effect of acidic food, sour fruits and drinks on all-ceramic restorations used in dentistry has not been clearly documented. Surface characteristic changes have been evaluated and compared for disc-shaped specimens (diameter 12.0 mm and thickness 2.0 mm) of fluorapatite-leucite and fluorapatite ceramics using various storage agents (deionized water, citrate buffer solution, pineapple juice, green mango juice, cola soft drink and 4% acetic acid). Immersion in pineapple juice, green mango juice, cola soft drink and 4% acetic acid for 16 hours produce significant increases in surface roughness for both types of ceramics investigated.