OBJECTIVEThe aim of this investigation was to examine the changes of the color stability, surface microstructure and chemical constitution of light-curing composite resin after accelerated aging, and the relations between them.

METHODSFour light-curing composite resin were aged in an accelerated aging instrument. The color was measured by CIE L*a*b* with a spectrophotometer after treatment for 24 h and 96 h. And the color differences were calculated. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrometer were used to examine the microstructure and chemical composition of the specimens before and after accelerated aging. The color differences were analyzed statistically by repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance and t-test after aging for 24 h and 96 h. The level of significance was defined as alpha=0.05.

RESULTSThe materials demonstrated statistically significant differences in color after aging between the 24 h and 96 h (P<0.05). There were significant influences on the microstructure and the chemical composition after aging. The matrix appeared some concaves and pores, the filler particles exposed after aging. The energy of chemical bonds were weaken or broken under the aging, and the unsaturated polymer reacted again.

CONCLUSIONThe color differences of the composite resin increase with the aging time and irradiation dose. The hybrid filled composites have the best color stability.

Color ; Composite Resins ; Curing Lights, Dental ; Dental Materials ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Spectrophotometry

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the power density and other relevant data of clinical curing-light units used in Changchun, and to provide practice recommendations to clinical dentists about maintaining of cuing-light units.

METHODSStomatology hospitals, departments of stomatology in general hospitals, and private dental offices in Changchun were randomly selected to participate in the Survey. The investigation analyzed 270 curing-light units. The following data of curing-light units were gathered: brand, type, operation ages, numbers and types of light guide, resin build-ups on light guides, damages of light guides, use frequency, monitor and maintenance of curing lights, and unit numbers/chair numbers.

RESULTSThere were 174 QTH and 96 LED units. The distribution of power density was from 0 to 1702 mW/cm(2). The mean power density was 413.2 mW/cm(2). The power densities of 73 lights were less than 200 mW/cm(2) and could not polymerize resin composites adequately. The mean number of operation age of the light units was 4.74 years. Most of clinical dentists didn't monitor the light-curing units and the situation of build-up from composite resin or damages on light guides was very severe.

CONCLUSIONSMost of the light-curing units used in Changchun were QTH. Some QTH units degenerate severely and need to be replaced with the new ones. Most of the clinical doctors lack the knowledge of how to properly monitor and maintain the light-curing units.

China ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Curing Lights, Dental ; classification ; statistics & numerical data ; Halogens ; Quartz ; Semiconductors ; Tungsten

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of the thickness and shade of 3 types of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 specimens of 2 shades (A1 and A3) and 2 thicknesses (1 and 2 mm) were fabricated using VITA Mark II (VM; VITA Zahnfabrik), IPS e.max CAD (IE; IvoclarVivadent), and VITA Suprinity (VS; VITA Zahnfabrik) (n = 10 per subgroup). The amount of light transmission through the ceramic specimens was measured by a radiometer (Optilux, Kerr). Light-cured resin cement samples (Choice 2, Bisco) were fabricated in a Teflon mold and activated through the various ceramics with different shades and thicknesses using an LED unit (Bluephase, IvoclarVivadent). In the control group, the resin cement sample was directly light-cured without any ceramic. Vickers microhardness indentations were made on the resin surfaces (KoopaPazhoohesh) after 24 hours of dark storage in a 37°C incubator. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Ceramic thickness and shade had significant effects on light transmission and the microhardness of all specimens (p < 0.05). The mean values of light transmittance and microhardness of the resin cement in the VM group were significantly higher than those observed in the IE and VS groups. The lowest microhardness was observed in the VS group, due to the lowest level of light transmission (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater thickness and darker shades of the 3 types of CAD/CAM ceramics significantly decreased the microhardness of the underlying resin cement.
Ceramics* ; Curing Lights, Dental ; Fungi ; Hardness ; In Vitro Techniques ; Incubators ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Resin Cements*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Radii barrier sleeves on the cure depth of composite resin. METHODS: Cylinder mold was prepared, and the resin was filled strictly into the mold. The surface was flattened and then cured with plastic engraver's knife.The depth of composite resin which was cured by QHL75TM with or without Radii barrier sleeves was compared. RESULTS: The cure depth of composite resin which were cured by QHL75TM with or without Radii barrier sleeves of photo-curing machine was 4.38 mm and 4.27 mm respectively,with no statistical difference. CONCLUSION The cure depth of composite resin is not influenced by Radii barrier sleeves under the same light condition.
Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Curing Lights, Dental ; Dental Equipment ; Disposable Equipment ; Equipment Contamination ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives ; instrumentation ; methods ; Technology, Dental ; instrumentation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the phototoxic effects of blue light exposure on periodontal pathogens in both planktonic and biofilm cultures. METHODS: Strains of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, in planktonic or biofilm states, were exposed to visible light at wavelengths of 400.520 nm. A quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp at a power density of 500 mW/cm2 was used for the light source. Each sample was exposed to 15, 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds of each bacterial strain in the planktonic or biofilm state. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to observe the distribution of live/dead bacterial cells in biofilms. After light exposure, the bacterial killing rates were calculated from colony forming unit (CFU) counts. RESULTS: CLSM images that were obtained from biofilms showed a mixture of dead and live bacterial cells extending to a depth of 30-45 microm. Obvious differences in the live-to-dead bacterial cell ratio were found in P. gingivalis biofilm according to light exposure time. In the planktonic state, almost all bacteria were killed with 60 seconds of light exposure to F. nucleatum (99.1%) and with 15 seconds to P. gingivalis (100%). In the biofilm state, however, only the CFU of P. gingivalis demonstrated a decreasing tendency with increasing light exposure time, and there was a lower efficacy of phototoxicity to P. gingivalis as biofilm than in the planktonic state. CONCLUSIONS: Blue light exposure using a dental halogen curing unit is effective in reducing periodontal pathogens in the planktonic state. It is recommended that an adjunctive exogenous photosensitizer be used and that pathogens be exposed to visible light for clinical antimicrobial periodontal therapy.
Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Curing Lights, Dental ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; Homicide ; Light ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plankton ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Sprains and Strains ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the F(-) releasing and recharging properties of six dental restorative materials.

METHODSDisc specimens 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness were prepared from 6 different dental restorative materials: Fuji VII [glass ionomer cement (GIC)], Fuji II LC (light-curing, GIC), Beautifil (giomer), Compoglass F (compomer), Charisma (composite) and Experimental I (a fluoride releasing composite), with 10 discs for each material. Specimens were dipped in 5 ml deionized water and F(-) release was detected using a fluoride-specific ion electrode every day from 1-7 days and every three days from 8-28 days. On day 28, specimens were exposed to a fluoride foam for 4 min and then dipped in water, then the F(-) concentration was detected every day for a week. The specimens were exposed to fluoride foam and fluoride release was detected repeatedly for three times.

RESULTSAll materials presented the highest F(-) release on the first day after dipping and the F(-) release sharply decreased after 24 h and slowly decreased after 3 days. On the first day, Fuji VII presented the highest F(-) release[(99.68±15.21) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], followed by Fuji II LC [(37.12±1.67) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Experimental I [(22.93±1.53) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Compoglass F[(15.28±0.70) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Beautifil[(2.40±0.52) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)] and Charisma[(0.11±0.02) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)]. Within 28 days of dipping, both Fuji VII and Fuji II LC released more F(-) than other materials did(P < 0.05), followed by Compoglass F and Experimental I, and Beautifil and Charisma released the least F(-)(P < 0.01). After F(-) uptake, all materials released the highest F- on the first day and presented sharply decrease after 24 h and slowly decrease after 2 days. On the first day after F(-) uptake, Fuji VII presented the highest F(-) release (>40 µg×cm(-2) ×d(-1)), much more than other materials(P < 0.01), followed by Fuji II LC(>25 µg×cm(-2) ×d(-1)). Beautifil, Compoglass F and Experimental I were close in F(-) release value(15- 20 µg × cm(-2) × d(-1)), and Charisma showed the lowest F(-) release.

CONCLUSIONSTwo glass ionomers were shown to have highest capacity in F(-) release and uptake, followed by compomer and fluoride releasing composite. Composite demonstrated the lowest F(-) release and uptake and Giomer was comparable to composite in F(-) release and to compomer and fluoride releasing composite in F(-) uptake.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Compomers ; chemistry ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Curing Lights, Dental ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Fluorides ; pharmacokinetics ; Glass Ionomer Cements ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry ; Time Factors

In this study, we evaluate the influence of post surface pre-treatments on the bond strength of four different cements to glass fiber posts. Eighty extracted human maxillary central incisors and canines were endodontically treated and standardized post spaces were prepared. Four post pre-treatments were tested: (i) no pre-treatment (NS, control), (ii) sandblasting (SA), (iii) silanization (SI) and (iv) sandblasting followed by silanization (SS). Per pre-treatment, four dual-cure resin cements were used for luting posts: DMG LUXACORE Smartmix Dual, Multilink Automix, RelyX Unicem and Panavia F2.0. All the specimens were subjected to micro push-out test. Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were performed (α=0.05) to analyze the data. Bond strength was significantly affected by the type of resin cement, and bond strengths of RelyX Unicem and Panavia F2.0 to the fiber posts were significantly higher than the other cement groups. Sandblasting significantly increased the bond strength of DMG group to the fiber posts.
Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Curing Lights, Dental ; classification ; Cuspid ; pathology ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Etching ; methods ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; instrumentation ; Glass ; chemistry ; Humans ; Incisor ; pathology ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polymerization ; Post and Core Technique ; instrumentation ; Resin Cements ; chemistry ; Root Canal Preparation ; methods ; Self-Curing of Dental Resins ; methods ; Silanes ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical ; Surface Properties ; Tooth, Nonvital ; therapy

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using erythrosine as a photosensitizing agent and a dental halogen curing unit as a light source, on Streptococcus mutans in a biofilm phase. The S. mutans biofilms were formed in a 24-well cell culture cluster. Test groups consisted of biofilms divided into four groups: group 1: no photosensitizer or light irradiation treatment (control group); group 2: photosensitizer treatment alone; group 3: light irradiation alone; group 4: photosensitizer treatment and light irradiation. After treatments, the numbers of colony-forming unit (CFU) were counted and samples were examined by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (CLSM). Only group 4 (combined treatment) resulted in significant increases in cell death, with rates of 75% and 55% after 8 h of incubation, and 74% and 42% at 12 h, for biofilms formed in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth supplemented with 0% or 0.1% sucrose, respectively. Therefore, PDT of S. mutans biofilms using a combination of erythrosine and a dental halogen curing unit, both widely used in dental clinics, resulted in a significant increase in cell death. The PDT effects are decreased in biofilms that form in the presence of sucrose.
Bacterial Load ; drug effects ; Bacteriological Techniques ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Curing Lights, Dental ; classification ; Erythrosine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Microbial Viability ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Photochemotherapy ; methods ; Photosensitizing Agents ; therapeutic use ; Sonication ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects ; Sucrose ; pharmacology ; Time Factors