OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of water storage on the flexural strength (FS) of low shrinkage composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 bar-shaped specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm) were fabricated of 2 low shrinkage composites (Filtek P90 [3M ESPE], GC Kalore [GC International]) and a conventional methacrylate-based composite (Filtek Z250 [3M ESPE]). The specimens were subjected to 3-point bending test at 6 time intervals, namely: immediately after curing, at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year following storage in wet and dry conditions. The FS of the specimens were measured by applying compressive load at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Data was analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. RESULTS: Three-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between time, type of composite, and storage condition (p = 0.001). Tukey's multiple comparison test revealed significant reductions in FS of all composites after 6 months and 1 year of storage in distilled water compared to dry condition. CONCLUSIONS: Filtek P90 showed the highest and GC Kalore showed the lowest FS after 1 year storage in distilled water. The immediate high strength of Filtek Z250 significantly decreased at 1 year and its final value was lower than that of Filtek P90.
Composite Resins* ; Polymers ; Silorane Resins* ; Water*

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of lithium disilicate ceramics to reproduce the A2 shade and to mask A4 substrates. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four discs (8 mm in diameter, shade A2) of high translucency (groups 1–3) and low translucency (groups 4–6) of IPS e.max ceramic with different thicknesses (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mm) were fabricated as monolithic structures. In addition, discs of medium opacity (group 7–8) with different core/veneer combinations (0.3 mm/0.7 mm and 0.5 mm/0.5 mm) were fabricated as bilayer structures. Specimens were superimposed on an A4 substrate (complex). The color changes of the complex were measured using a spectrophotometer on a black background, and the ΔE values of the complex were compared with either the A4 substrate or the A2 shade tab. One-way analysis of variance, the Tukey honest significant difference test, and the Fisher test were used to analyze the data (p < 0.05). Results: Significant between-group differences were found for comparisons to both the A4 substrate and the A2 shade (p < 0.05). When compared with the A4 substrate, the ΔE values in all groups were in the non-acceptable range. When compared with the A2 shade, the ΔE values in all groups, except groups 2 and 3, were in the clinically acceptable range. Conclusions All translucencies and thicknesses masked the underlying dark substrate.However, the low-translucency IPS e.max Press better reproduced the A2 shade.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of lithium disilicate ceramics to reproduce the A2 shade and to mask A4 substrates. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four discs (8 mm in diameter, shade A2) of high translucency (groups 1–3) and low translucency (groups 4–6) of IPS e.max ceramic with different thicknesses (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mm) were fabricated as monolithic structures. In addition, discs of medium opacity (group 7–8) with different core/veneer combinations (0.3 mm/0.7 mm and 0.5 mm/0.5 mm) were fabricated as bilayer structures. Specimens were superimposed on an A4 substrate (complex). The color changes of the complex were measured using a spectrophotometer on a black background, and the ΔE values of the complex were compared with either the A4 substrate or the A2 shade tab. One-way analysis of variance, the Tukey honest significant difference test, and the Fisher test were used to analyze the data (p < 0.05). Results: Significant between-group differences were found for comparisons to both the A4 substrate and the A2 shade (p < 0.05). When compared with the A4 substrate, the ΔE values in all groups were in the non-acceptable range. When compared with the A2 shade, the ΔE values in all groups, except groups 2 and 3, were in the clinically acceptable range. Conclusions All translucencies and thicknesses masked the underlying dark substrate.However, the low-translucency IPS e.max Press better reproduced the A2 shade.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the indirect effect of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), as 2 calcium silicate-based hydraulic cements, on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) through different dentin thicknesses.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-chamber setups were designed to simulate indirect pulp capping (IPC). Human molars were sectioned to obtain 0.1-, 0.3-, and 0.5-mm-thick dentin discs, which were placed between the 2 chambers to simulate an IPC procedure. Then, MTA and CEM were applied on one side of the discs, while hDPSCs were cultured on the other side. After 2 weeks of incubation, the cells were removed, and cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment to the discs were evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDXA) spectroscopy was performed for elemental analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed quantitatively. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.RESULTS: SEM micrographs revealed elongated cells, collagen fibers, and calcified nucleations in all samples. EDXA verified that the calcified nucleations consisted of calcium phosphate. The largest calcifications were seen in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroups. There was no significant difference in ALP activity across the CEM subgroups; however, ALP activity was significantly lower in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroup than in the other MTA subgroups (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The employed capping biomaterials exerted biological activity on hDPSCs, as shown by cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment and calcific precipitations, through 0.1- to 0.5-mm-thick layers of dentin. In IPC, the bioactivity of these endodontic biomaterials is probably beneficial.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biocompatible Materials ; Calcium ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Dental Pulp Capping ; Dental Pulp ; Dentin ; Endodontics ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Miners ; Molar ; Pemetrexed ; Spectrum Analysis ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the indirect effect of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), as 2 calcium silicate-based hydraulic cements, on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) through different dentin thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-chamber setups were designed to simulate indirect pulp capping (IPC). Human molars were sectioned to obtain 0.1-, 0.3-, and 0.5-mm-thick dentin discs, which were placed between the 2 chambers to simulate an IPC procedure. Then, MTA and CEM were applied on one side of the discs, while hDPSCs were cultured on the other side. After 2 weeks of incubation, the cells were removed, and cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment to the discs were evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDXA) spectroscopy was performed for elemental analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed quantitatively. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: SEM micrographs revealed elongated cells, collagen fibers, and calcified nucleations in all samples. EDXA verified that the calcified nucleations consisted of calcium phosphate. The largest calcifications were seen in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroups. There was no significant difference in ALP activity across the CEM subgroups; however, ALP activity was significantly lower in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroup than in the other MTA subgroups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The employed capping biomaterials exerted biological activity on hDPSCs, as shown by cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment and calcific precipitations, through 0.1- to 0.5-mm-thick layers of dentin. In IPC, the bioactivity of these endodontic biomaterials is probably beneficial.