OBJECTIVES: Although the coating of surface sealants to dental composite resin may potentially reduce bacterial adhesion, there seems to be little information regarding this issue. This preliminary in vitro study investigated the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on the dental composite resins coated with three commercial surface sealants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Composite resin (Filtek Z250) discs (8 mm in diameter, 1 mm in thickness) were fabricated in a mold covered with a Mylar strip (control). In group PoGo, the surfaces were polished with PoGo. In groups PS, OG, and FP, the surfaces polished with PoGo were coated with the corresponding surface sealants (PermaSeal, PS; OptiGuard, OG; Fortify Plus, FP). The surfaces of the materials and S. mutans cells were characterized by various methods. S. mutans adhesion to the surfaces was quantitatively evaluated using flow cytometry (n = 9). RESULTS: Group OG achieved the lowest water contact angle among all groups tested (p < 0.001). The cell surface of S. mutans tested showed hydrophobic characteristics. Group PoGo exhibited the greatest bacterial adhesion among all groups tested (p < 0.001). The sealant-coated groups showed statistically similar (groups PS and FP, p > 0.05) or significantly lower (group OG, p < 0.001) bacterial adhesion when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the surface sealants significantly reduced S. mutans adhesion to the composite resin polished with the PoGo.
Bacterial Adhesion ; Composite Resins ; Flow Cytometry ; Fungi ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Streptococcus* ; Surface Properties ; Water

Sufficient bonding between the framework of the cast alloy and the denture base resin is essential for the clinical success of removable partial dentures. In this study, we investigated whether the silane and alkali treatments improve the chemical bonding between two nickel-chromium alloys and acrylic resin and thus the shear bond strength. A silane solution was prepared using 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The alloy specimens were treated with silane and alkali, preparing four experimental groups: untreated (UT), silane treated (ST), alkali treated (AT), and alkali/silane treated (AST) groups. In addition, the contact angles and surface roughness of the alloy surfaces of the four groups were measured. The acrylic resin was bonded to the alloy specimens, and then the resin was polymerized to form a bonded specimen. After measuring the shear bond strength, the failure modes were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Results for all groups were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test at a significance level of 0.05. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences in Ra value for all groups (p>.05). In the two alloys, the contact angle of the AT group was significantly lower than that of the other groups (p<.05), and that of the AST group was significantly higher than that of the ST group (p<.05). In both alloys, the ST and AST groups showed the higher shear bond strengths (p<.05), while the UT and AT groups showed the lower values. The UT and AT groups showed complete adhesive failure at the fractured surfaces. In this study, the silane treatment was effective to improve the shear bond strength, but the alkali treatment did not show any significant effect.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether extension of the custom base is necessary for enhancement of bond strength, by comparing the debonding forces and residual adhesives of 3 different lingual bracket systems. METHODS: A total of 42 extracted upper premolars were randomly divided into 3 groups of 14 each for bonding with brackets having (1) a conventional limited resin custom base; (2) an extended gold alloy custom base: Incognito(TM); and (3) an extended resin custom base: KommonBase(TM). The bonding area was measured by scanning the bracket bases with a 3-dimensional digital scanner. The debonding force was measured with an Instron universal testing machine, which applied an occlusogingival shear force. RESULTS: The mean debonding forces were 60.83 N (standard deviation [SD] 10.12), 69.29 N (SD 9.59), and 104.35 N (SD17.84) for the limited resin custom base, extended gold alloy custom base, and extended resin custom base, respectively. The debonding force observed with the extended resin custom base was significantly different from that observed with the other bases. In addition, the adhesive remnant index was significantly higher with the extended gold alloy custom base. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 custom-base lingual brackets can withstand occlusal and orthodontic forces. We conclude that effective bonding of lingual brackets can be obtained without extension of the custom base.
Adhesives* ; Alloys ; Bicuspid ; Collodion* ; Dental Bonding* ; Orthodontic Brackets*

OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimal timing for post space preparation of root canals sealed with epoxy resin-based AH Plus sealer in terms of its polymerization and influence on apical leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epoxy polymerization of AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey) as a function of time after mixing (8, 24, and 72 hours, and 1 week) was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microhardness measurements. The change in the glass transition temperature (Tg ) of the material with time was also investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fifty extracted human single-rooted premolars were filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus, and randomly separated into five groups (n = 10) based on post space preparation timing (immediately after root canal obturation and 8, 24, and 72 hours, and 1 week after root canal obturation). The extent of apical leakage (mm) of the five groups was compared using a dye leakage test. Each dataset was statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Continuous epoxy polymerization of the material with time was observed. Although the T(g) values of the material gradually increased with time, the specimens presented no clear T(g) value at 1 week after mixing. When the post space was prepared 1 week after root canal obturation, the leakage was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05), among which there was no significant difference in leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Poor apical seal was detected when post space preparation was delayed until 1 week after root canal obturation.
Bicuspid ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Dataset ; Dental Pulp Cavity* ; Fourier Analysis ; Glass ; Gutta-Percha ; Humans ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Post and Core Technique ; Root Canal Obturation ; Root Canal Preparation ; Spectrum Analysis ; Transition Temperature

OBJECTIVE: We compared the shear bond strength (SBS) of lingual retainers bonded to bovine enamel with three different resins using direct and indirect methods. METHODS: Both ends of pre-fabricated twisted ligature wires were bonded to bovine enamel surfaces using Light-Core, Tetric N-Flow, or Transbond XT. Phosphoric acid-etched enamel surfaces were primed with One-Step prior to bonding with Light-Core or Tetric N-Flow. Transbond XT primer was used prior to bonding with Transbond XT. After 24 hours in water at 37degrees C, we performed SBS tests on the samples. We also assigned adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores after debonding and predicted the clinical performance of materials and bonding techniques from Weibull analyses. RESULTS: Direct bonding produced significantly higher SBS values than indirect bonding for all materials. The SBS for Light-Core was significantly higher than that for Tetric N-Flow, and there was no significant difference between the direct bonding SBS of Transbond XT and that of Light-Core. Weibull analysis indicated Light-Core performed better than other indirectly bonded resins. CONCLUSIONS: When the SBS of a wire retainer is of primary concern, direct bonding methods are superior to indirect bonding methods. Light-Core may perform better than Transbond XT or Tetric N-Flow when bonded indirectly.
Adhesives ; Composite Resins ; Dental Enamel ; Ligation ; Resin Cements ; Water

This study aimed to investigate whether pre-curing the universal adhesives affect the resin bonding to zirconia ceramic. Two commercial universal adhesives (All-Bond Universal, ABU; Single Bond Universal Adhesive, SBU) were tested in comparison with a conventional zirconia primer (Z-Prime Plus, ZPP). Air-abraded zirconia specimens were divided into six groups, to which different priming agents were applied with or without photo-polymerization. After resin cylinders were built on the primed zirconia surface using a resin cement (Duo-Link), all bonded specimens were stored in water at 37℃ for 24 hours and half of them (n = 12) were additionally thermocycled 5,000 times. A shear bond strength test was performed at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute and failure modes were assessed using an optical microscope at 25× magnification. Before thermocycling, the light-cured specimens of ABU and SBU showed higher bond strengths than the uncured ones of the materials (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between the pre-cured and uncured specimens of ZPP (p > 0.05). After thermal aging, there were significant decreases in the bond strength for all specimens treated with the universal adhesives (p<0.05). However, ZPP produced no significant difference after aging (p > 0.05) and attained higher bond strength values for both the pre-cured and uncured specimens when compared to the two universal adhesives (p<0.05). Adhesive failures were predominant in all test groups and thermocycling resulted in the higher incidences of adhesive failures for the uncured groups, which was not shown in the pre-cured groups.
Adhesives ; Aging ; Ceramics ; Incidence ; Resin Cements ; Water

Although many techniques are available to assess enamel erosion in vitro, a simple, non-destructive method with sufficient sensitivity for quantifying dental erosion is required. This study characterized the bovine dental enamel erosion induced by various acidic beverages in vitro using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Deionized water (control) and 10 acidic beverages were selected to study erosion, and the pH and neutralizable acidity were measured. Bovine anterior teeth (110) were polished with up to 1 200-grit silicon carbide paper to produce flat enamel surfaces, which were then immersed in 20 mL of the beverages for 30 min at 37 °C. The degree of erosion was evaluated using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and Vickers’ microhardness measurements. The spectra obtained were interpreted in two ways that focused on the ν1, ν3 phosphate contour: the ratio of the height amplitude of ν3 PO4 to that of ν1 PO4 (Method 1) and the shift of the ν3 PO4 peak to a higher wavenumber (Method 2). The percentage changes in microhardness after the erosion treatments were primarily affected by the pH of the immersion media. Regression analyses revealed highly significant correlations between the surface hardness change and the degree of erosion, as detected by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy (Po0.001). Method 1 was the most sensitive to these changes, followed by surface hardness change measurements and Method 2. This study suggests that ATRFTIR spectroscopy is potentially advantageous over the microhardness test as a simple, non-destructive, sensitive technique for the quantification of enamel erosion.

PURPOSE: The aim of this Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic study was to measure the degree of conversion (DC) of dual-cured resin cements light-irradiated through zirconia ceramic disks with different thicknesses using various light-curing methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia ceramic disks (KT12) with three different thicknesses (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mm) were prepared. The light transmittance of the disks was measured using ultraviolet visible near-infrared spectroscopy. Four different light-curing protocols were used by combining two curing light modes (Elipar TriLight (standard mode) and bluephase G2 (high power mode)) with light-exposure times of 40 and 120 seconds. The DCs of the two dual-cured resin cements (Duo-Link and Panavia F2.0) light-irradiated through the disks was analyzed at three time intervals (3, 7, and 10 minutes) by FTIR spectroscopy. The data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (alpha=.05).Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the 10 minute DC results. RESULTS: The 1.0 mm thick disk exhibited low light transmittance (<25%), and the transmittance decreased considerably with increasing disk thickness. All groups exhibited significantly higher 10 minute DC values than the 3 or 7 minute values (P<.05), but some exceptions were observed in Duo-Link. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the influence of the zirconia disk thickness on the 10 minute DC was dependent on the light-curing methods (P<.001). This finding was still valid even at 4.0 mm thickness, where substantial light attenuation took place. CONCLUSION: The curing of the dual-cured resin cements was affected significantly by the light-curing technique, even though the additional chemical polymerization mechanism worked effectively.
Ceramics* ; Fourier Analysis ; Methods ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Resin Cements* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of different surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of orthodontic brackets to glazed full-zirconia surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glazed zirconia (except for the control, Zirkonzahn Prettau) disc surfaces were pre-treated: PO (control), polishing; BR, bur roughening; PP, cleaning with a prophy cup and pumice; HF, hydrofluoric acid etching; AA, air abrasion with aluminum oxide; CJ, CoJet-Sand. The surfaces were examined using profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and electron dispersive spectroscopy. A zirconia primer (Z-Prime Plus, Z) or a silane primer (Monobond-S, S) was then applied to the surfaces, yielding 7 groups (PO-Z, BR-Z, PP-S, HF-S, AA-S, AA-Z, and CJ-S). Metal bracket-bonded specimens were stored in water for 24 hr at 37℃, and thermocycled for 1,000 cycles. Their bond strengths were measured using the wire loop method (n = 10). RESULTS: Except for BR, the surface pre-treatments failed to expose the zirconia substructure. A significant difference in bond strengths was found between AA-Z (4.60 ± 1.08 MPa) and all other groups (13.38 ± 2.57 - 15.78 ± 2.39 MPa, p < 0.05). For AA-Z, most of the adhesive remained on the bracket. CONCLUSIONS: For bracket bonding to glazed zirconia, a simple application of silane to the cleaned surface is recommended. A zirconia primer should be used only when the zirconia substructure is definitely exposed.
Adhesives ; Aluminum Oxide ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Orthodontic Brackets* ; Spectrum Analysis ; Water

PURPOSE: The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the effects of adding 4,4'-bis(N,N-diethylamino) benzophenone (DEABP) as a co-initiator to a binary photoinitiating system (camphorquinone-amine) to analyze on the degree of conversion (DC) of a light-cured resin for dental 3D printing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cylindrical specimens (N=60, n=30 per group, o5 mm x 1 mm) were fabricated using bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA) both with and without DEABP. The freshly mixed resins were exposed to light in a custom-made closed chamber with nine light-emitting diode lamps (wavelength: 405 nm; power: 840 mW/cm2) for polymerization at each incidence of light-irradiation at 10, 30, 60, 180, and 300 seconds, while five specimens at a time were evaluated at each given irradiation point. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to measure the DC values of the resins. Two-way analysis of variance and the Duncan post hoc test were used to analyze statistically significant differences between the groups and given times (alpha=.05). RESULTS: In the DEABP-containing resin, the DC values were significantly higher at all points in time (P<.001), and also the initial polymerization velocity was faster than in the DEABP-free resin. CONCLUSION: The addition of DEABP significantly enhanced the DC values and, thus, could potentially become an efficient photoinitiator when combined with a camphorquinone-amine system and may be utilized as a more advanced photopolymerization system for dental 3D printing.
Glycerol ; Incidence ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Spectrum Analysis