Objectives: This study investigated the effects of physically damaged and resin-contaminated tips on radiant emittance, comparing them with new undamaged, non-contaminated tips using 3 pieces of spectrophotometric laboratory equipment. Materials and Methods: Nine tips with damage and/or resin contaminants from actual clinical situations were compared with a new tip without damage or contamination (control group). The radiant emittance was recorded using 3 spectrophotometric methods: a laboratory-grade thermopile, a laboratory-grade integrating sphere, and a portable light collector (checkMARC). Results: A significant difference between the laboratory-grade thermopile and the laboratory-grade integrating sphere was found when the radiant emittance values of the control or damaged/contaminated tips were investigated (p < 0.05), but both methods were comparable to checkMARC (p > 0.05). Regardless of the method used to quantify the light output, the mean radiant emittance values of the damaged/contaminated tips were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.05). The beam profile of the damaged/ contaminated tips was less homogeneous than that of the control. Conclusions Damaged/contaminated tips can reduce the radiant emittance output and the homogeneity of the beam, which may affect the energy delivered to composite restorations.The checkMARC spectrophotometer device can be used in dental offices, as it provided values close to those produced by a laboratory-grade integrated sphere spectrophotometer. Dentists should assess the radiant emittance of their light-curing units to ensure optimal curing in photoactivated, resin-based materials.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of dual-cure resin cement in CAD-CAM zirconia after different cleaning techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty discs of zirconia-based ceramic from Ivoclar Vivadent were embedded in acrylic resin. The discs were divided into five groups according to the cleaning methods: used: Group 1: drying with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 ; Group 2: washed with water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O 3 ; Group 3: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + zirconium oxide (Ivoclean); Group 4: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + potassium hydroxide (Zirclean); and Group 5: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + 1% NaClO. All of the groups were contaminated with artificial saliva for 1 minute and then cleaned. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among all groups for µSBS (P < .05). The group treated with zirconium oxide (Group 3) showed the highest µSBS (18.75 ± 0.23 MPa). CONCLUSION When applied to zirconia, the cleaning methods affected the bonding with resin cement differently.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of physically damaged and resin-contaminated tips on radiant emittance, comparing them with new undamaged, non-contaminated tips using 3 pieces of spectrophotometric laboratory equipment. Materials and Methods: Nine tips with damage and/or resin contaminants from actual clinical situations were compared with a new tip without damage or contamination (control group). The radiant emittance was recorded using 3 spectrophotometric methods: a laboratory-grade thermopile, a laboratory-grade integrating sphere, and a portable light collector (checkMARC). Results: A significant difference between the laboratory-grade thermopile and the laboratory-grade integrating sphere was found when the radiant emittance values of the control or damaged/contaminated tips were investigated (p < 0.05), but both methods were comparable to checkMARC (p > 0.05). Regardless of the method used to quantify the light output, the mean radiant emittance values of the damaged/contaminated tips were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.05). The beam profile of the damaged/ contaminated tips was less homogeneous than that of the control. Conclusions Damaged/contaminated tips can reduce the radiant emittance output and the homogeneity of the beam, which may affect the energy delivered to composite restorations.The checkMARC spectrophotometer device can be used in dental offices, as it provided values close to those produced by a laboratory-grade integrated sphere spectrophotometer. Dentists should assess the radiant emittance of their light-curing units to ensure optimal curing in photoactivated, resin-based materials.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of dual-cure resin cement in CAD-CAM zirconia after different cleaning techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty discs of zirconia-based ceramic from Ivoclar Vivadent were embedded in acrylic resin. The discs were divided into five groups according to the cleaning methods: used: Group 1: drying with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 ; Group 2: washed with water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O 3 ; Group 3: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + zirconium oxide (Ivoclean); Group 4: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + potassium hydroxide (Zirclean); and Group 5: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + 1% NaClO. All of the groups were contaminated with artificial saliva for 1 minute and then cleaned. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among all groups for µSBS (P < .05). The group treated with zirconium oxide (Group 3) showed the highest µSBS (18.75 ± 0.23 MPa). CONCLUSION When applied to zirconia, the cleaning methods affected the bonding with resin cement differently.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the potential of amoxicillin-loaded polymeric microspheres to be delivered to tooth root infection sites via a bioactive reparative cement. Materials and Methods: Amoxicillin-loaded microspheres were synthesized by a spray-dray method and incorporated at 2.5% and 5% into a mineral trioxide aggregate cement clinically used to induce a mineralized barrier at the root tip of young permanent teeth with incomplete root development and necrotic pulp. The formulations were modified in liquid:powder ratios and in composition by the microspheres. The optimized formulations were evaluated in vitro for physical and mechanical eligibility. The morphology of microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy. Results: The optimized cement formulation containing microspheres at 5% exhibited a delayed-release response and maintained its fundamental functional properties. When mixed with amoxicillin-loaded microspheres, the setting times of both test materials significantly increased. The diametral tensile strength of cement containing microspheres at 5% was similar to control. However, phytic acid had no effect on this outcome (p > 0.05). When mixed with modified liquid:powder ratio, the setting time was significantly longer than that original liquid:powder ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions Lack of optimal concentrations of antibiotics at anatomical sites of the dental tissues is a hallmark of recurrent endodontic infections. Therefore, targeting the controlled release of broad-spectrum antibiotics may improve the therapeutic outcomes of current treatments. Overall, these results indicate that the carry of amoxicillin by microspheres could provide an alternative strategy for the local delivery of antibiotics for the management of tooth infections.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the potential of amoxicillin-loaded polymeric microspheres to be delivered to tooth root infection sites via a bioactive reparative cement. Materials and Methods: Amoxicillin-loaded microspheres were synthesized by a spray-dray method and incorporated at 2.5% and 5% into a mineral trioxide aggregate cement clinically used to induce a mineralized barrier at the root tip of young permanent teeth with incomplete root development and necrotic pulp. The formulations were modified in liquid:powder ratios and in composition by the microspheres. The optimized formulations were evaluated in vitro for physical and mechanical eligibility. The morphology of microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy. Results: The optimized cement formulation containing microspheres at 5% exhibited a delayed-release response and maintained its fundamental functional properties. When mixed with amoxicillin-loaded microspheres, the setting times of both test materials significantly increased. The diametral tensile strength of cement containing microspheres at 5% was similar to control. However, phytic acid had no effect on this outcome (p > 0.05). When mixed with modified liquid:powder ratio, the setting time was significantly longer than that original liquid:powder ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions Lack of optimal concentrations of antibiotics at anatomical sites of the dental tissues is a hallmark of recurrent endodontic infections. Therefore, targeting the controlled release of broad-spectrum antibiotics may improve the therapeutic outcomes of current treatments. Overall, these results indicate that the carry of amoxicillin by microspheres could provide an alternative strategy for the local delivery of antibiotics for the management of tooth infections.