Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver fluoride (AgF) on the formation of cariogenic biofilm and surface of dentin in vitro. Methods: Bovine dentin specimens with artificial caries were prepared and divided into 3 groups: untreated control, AgF-treated, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF)-treated. Streptococcus mutans cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth was used to induce biofilm. The specimens were placed in a well plate containing BHI broth and S. mutans bacterial suspension, and incubated under aerobic conditions supplemented with 5% CO2 at 37℃ for 24 hours. After the incubation, the specimens were washed twice with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and sonicated to obtain a bacterial suspension. The diluted bacterial suspension was then smeared on a blood agar plate and cultured for 72 hours at 5% CO2 and 37℃. Following this, the number of bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) was counted and converted into logarithms for analysis. Additional specimens of each group were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also performed for component analysis of the dentin surface. Results: The number of S. mutans bacterial CFUs was significantly lower in the AgF and SDF groups than in the untreated control group. It was shown that SDF inhibited biofilm formation more than AgF; however, there was no statistical significance. The SEM images showed particles formed after AgF and SDF application were deposited on the dentin. It is confirmed through EDS analysis that the particles contained silver and fluoride ions. Conclusions This study confirmed that AgF application effectively inhibited the formation of the early S. mutans biofilm. It is suggested that AgF solution may be effectively used in the clinical setting to prevent caries without occurrence of gingival irritation or bad odors.

Restoring composite resins with the optimal shades for all primary teeth is a great challenge for pediatric dentists. A newly developed single-shade composite resin can exhibit a color similar to that of the surrounding tooth structure based on the structural color phenomenon. This study aims to evaluate the color adjustment potential (CAP) of a single-shade composite resin compared to conventional multi-shade composite resins in primary teeth. A single-shade composite resin and two conventional multi-shade composite resins were included in this study. Two types of specimens, a single specimen and a dual specimen, were evaluated. For single specimens, duplications of the primary second molar denture teeth were made using experimental composite resins. For dual specimens, cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of extracted primary second molars and restored with experimental composite resins. The L*, a*, and b* values were measured using a colorimeter for the extracted teeth and specimens. The mean ΔEab* values for single and dual specimens and CAP were calculated. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis was performed to confirm the statistical significance between the ΔEab* and CAP values of the experimental resins. Among the single specimens, the single-shade composite resin showed significantly higher ΔESingle compared to other composite resins (p < 0.0167). There was no significant difference between ΔEDual for all experimental resins. The single-shade composite resin showed highest CAP compared to other multi-shade composite resins. A single-shade composite resin exhibited the most prominent color adaptability compared to other conventional multi-shade composite resins for primary second molars. A single-shade composite resin can simplify shade matching and provide esthetic outcomes for the restoration of primary second molars.

This study compared the surface roughness and microbial adhesion characteristics of Omnichroma, a novel composite resin developed using “smart chromatic technology”, with those of two other conventional composite resins with different filler compositions. A total of 144 specimens were fabricated using 3 types of composite resins: Omnichroma (nano-spherical), Filtek Z350XT (nanofill), and Tetric N-Ceram (nanohybrid) and, divided into 3 groups of 48. Finishing was performed using tungsten carbide burs. Specimens were then divided into 3 subgroups using different polishing methods: Control, SofLex, and PoGo. Surface roughness was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using an atomic force microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Microbial adhesion was assessed by culturing Streptococcus mutans on the specimens for 24 hours and then measuring colony-forming units attached to the upper surface. The surface roughness (Ra) of Omnichroma was 0.123 μm after finishing, and it exhibited a smooth surface compared to the other resins. However, after polishing, there were no significant differences in the surface roughness between the three composite groups, regardless of the polishing methods. The surfaces of the Control subgroups were significantly rougher than those of the SofLex subgroups in all 3 composite groups. However, except for Tetric N-Ceram, there were no significant differences between the Control and PoGo subgroups in the other composite groups. Microbial adhesion assessment showed no significant differences between any of the 3 composite resin subgroups; however, Omnichroma exhibited higher microbial adhesion than the other two composites. No significant correlation was observed between surface roughness and microbial adhesion.

The aim of this in-vitro study is to evaluate the effect of potassium iodide (KI) on erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans biofilms. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was cultured to form a biofilm on a hydroxyapatite disk. After diluting erythrosine to 20 μM and KI to 10, 50, and 100 mM, respectively, PDT was performed. The number of surviving bacteria was calculated as colony forming units (CFU)/mL and the statistical significance of the difference between groups was confirmed by Bonferroni post-hoc analysis. Cell viability was visually evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). As a result of the experiment, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in CFU was observed in the experimental groups in which PDT was performed after applying KI regardless of the concentration of KI. In addition, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in CFU was observed in the experimental group to which 100 mM KI was applied compared to 10 mM KI. The same results were confirmed when observing CLSM. KI significantly improved the efficacy of erythrosine-mediated PDT on S. mutans biofilms at all concentrations. This may compensate for the low sensitivity of PDT to biofilm-state bacteria strains, but it is necessary to establish an optimal clinical protocol through further research.

This study investigated the effects of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and potassium iodide (KI) treatments on the acid resistance of dentin exposed to secondary caries. Sixteen bovine dentin specimens with artificially induced caries were assigned to the following four groups: untreated negative control, untreated positive control, SDF-treated (SDF), and SDF and KI-treated (SDFKI). Multispecies cariogenic biofilms containing Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Candida albicans were cultured on the specimens for 28 days, except for the negative control group. Specimens from the negative control group were stored in phosphate-buffered saline for that period. After a cariogenic biofilm challenge, the degree of demineralization was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). As a result of data analysis using micro-CT, the demineralization depths of the negative control, positive control, SDF, and SDFKI groups were 149.0 ± 7 μm, 392.0 ± 11 μm, 206.0 ± 20 μm, and 230.0 ± 31 μm, respectively. The degree of demineralization was significantly reduced in the SDF and SDFKI groups compared with that in the untreated positive control group. There were no significant differences between the SDF and SDFKI groups. This study confirmed that SDF and SDFKI treatments increase the acid resistance of dentin to secondary caries. KI did not significantly affect the cariesarresting effect of the SDF.

Silver diamine fluoride, which can arrest dental caries, is alkaline and may cause mild soft tissue irritation. Water-based silver fluoride has a neutral pH, which is closer to the physiological range, and is biocompatible for use in the oral environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of water-based silver fluoride on remineralizing early enamel lesions by comparing it with other fluoride agents through microhardness and quantitative light-induced fluorescence measurements. An in vitro study with intact bovine incisors was performed. Artificial enamel lesions were induced and subjected to microhardness and quantitative light-induced fluorescence testing. Specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups for treatment. The specimens in group I were treated with water-based silver fluoride and potassium iodide, group II with silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide, group III with sodium fluoride varnish, and group IV with distilled water. After 8 days of pH cycling, the specimens were subjected to microhardness and quantitative light-induced fluorescence testing. Water-based silver fluoride and silver diamine fluoride showed the greatest increases in microhardness and quantitative light-induced fluorescence, with no significant differences between the two. Sodium fluoride varnish also exhibited a significant increase in microhardness and quantitative light-induced fluorescence, but the differences were smaller than those for water-based silver fluoride and silver diamine fluoride. Water-based silver fluoride is considered useful in a clinical setting for remineralizing enamel lesions, with the advantages of no risk of tissue burn and improved taste and smell.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and potassium iodide (KI) on the formation of cariogenic biofilm and surface roughness in vitro. A total of 48 bovine dentin specimens with artificially induced caries were prepared and divided into 3 groups of 16: untreated control, SDF-treated, and SDF-treated followed by KI (SDFKI). Ten specimens from each group were used to observe microbial adhesion. Multispecies cariogenic biofilms including Streptococcus mutans , Lactobacillus casei , and Candida albicans were cultured on the specimens. Microbes were cultured for 24 hours, and the colony-forming unit was calculated. The remaining specimens were observed by atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The number of bacteria was significantly lower in the SDF and SDFKI groups. KI did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of SDF significantly. SEM images showed particles generated after SDF and SDFKI application were deposited on the dentin, but there was no significant difference in surface roughness between the 3 groups. This study confirmed that SDF and SDFKI application did not have a significant effect on the surface roughness of dentin, but effectively inhibited the formation of the early cariogenic bacterial film after 24 hours compared to the control.

This study evaluated the fluoride release of alkasite restorative material (ARM) and giomer penetrating the dentin adhesive layer.
Twenty specimens were prepared for each restorative material, and dentin adhesive with uniform thickness was applied to half of them. The prepared specimens were placed in a polyethylene tube containing 2.0 mL of deionized water and deposited in a 37.0°C water bath for the study duration. The amount of fluoride release was measured on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after deposition.
The dentin adhesive applied to the ARM and giomer could not completely block the fluoride release; however, it significantly reduced its amount. The cumulative amount of fluoride release of the ARM after 28 days was higher than that of the giomer regardless of the application of dentin adhesive.

This study evaluated the additive impact of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm by measuring colony-forming units and applying confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fifty-six bovine incisors, free from dental caries or structural defects, were utilized in this study. Dentin specimens were created by cutting with a low-speed diamond disk under a continuous flow of water, resulting in dimensions of 6.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 2.0 mm. The specimens were categorized into 4 groups: Control, EDTA, PDT, and EDTA + PDT. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was employed to establish biofilm on the dentin specimens. A 17% EDTA solution was applied for 1 min. For PDT, erythrosine served as the photosensitizer. Finally, a light-emitting diode source (385 - 515 nm) was employed in this study. The PDT group exhibited a significantly lower bacterial count than both the control and EDTA groups (p < 0.001). The EDTA + PDT group demonstrated a significantly reduced bacterial count compared to the other 3 groups (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that EDTA enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of PDT on S. mutans biofilm. Even at a low concentration of photosensitizer, the combination of EDTA and PDT yields a significant antibacterial effect.

This study aimed to compare the fluoride-releasing ability and degree of microbial attachment of a newly developed glass-hybrid restorative material (GH) with those of a high-viscosity glass ionomer (HvGIC), resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI), and composite resin (CR). In addition, the correlation between fluoride-releasing ability and microbial attachment between materials was evaluated. Specimens were prepared in a disc shape and divided into 4 groups according to the materials (GH, HvGIC, RMGI, and CR). The fluoride release experiments were performed in each group (n = 15). The amount of fluoride released was measured on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 after storage. For the microbial attachment experiment, 12 specimens were produced per group using Mutans Streptococci (S.mutans ), a cariogenic microorganism. S. mutans was cultured on the specimens for 24 hours, and the number of bacteria was measured. GH had the highest cumulative fluoride release and showed a significant difference when compared with RMGI (p = 0.001) and CR (p < 0.0001). Microbial attachment was the lowest in GH; however, no significant difference was observed between the materials (p = 0.169). There was no significant correlation between fluoride release from materials and microbial attachment (p > 0.05). From this perspective, remineralization of low-mineralized areas could be expected due to the high fluoride release of GH, and the effect of delaying the progression of dental caries could be predicted from the low cariogenic microbial attachment. Therefore, GH might be a useful restorative material for treating immature permanent teeth with hypomineralized enamel. However, further studies are needed about the degree of remineralization of hypomineralized areas after restoration and the capacity to recharge fluoride.