Dental Materials最新文献

Objectives: Oral biofilms, including pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, are involved in the initiation and progression of various periodontal diseases. However, the treatment of these diseases is hindered by the limited efficacy of many antimicrobial materials in removing biofilms under the harsh conditions of the oral cavity. Our objective is to develop a gel-type antimicrobial agent with optimal physicochemical properties, strong tissue adhesion, prolonged antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility to serve as an adjunctive treatment for periodontal diseases.

Methods: Phenylboronic acid-conjugated alginate (Alg-PBA) was synthesized using a carbodiimide coupling agent. Alg-PBA was then combined with tannic acid (TA) to create an Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel. The composition of the hydrogel was optimized to enhance its mechanical strength and tissue adhesiveness. Additionally, the hydrogel's self-healing ability, erosion and release profile, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis were thoroughly characterized.

Results: The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogels, with a final concentration of 5 wt% TA, exhibited both mechanical properties comparable to conventional Minocycline gel and strong tissue adhesiveness. In contrast, the Minocycline gel demonstrated negligible tissue adhesion. The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel also retained its rheological properties under repeated 5 kPa stress owing to its self-healing capability, whereas the Minocycline gel showed irreversible changes in rheology after just one stress cycle. Additionally, Alg-PBA/TA hydrogels displayed a sustained erosion and TA release profile with minimal impact on the surrounding pH. Additionally, the hydrogels exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis, effectively eliminating its biofilm without compromising the viability of MG-63 cells.

Significance: The Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel demonstrates an optimal combination of mechanical strength, self-healing ability, tissue adhesiveness, excellent biocompatibility, and sustained antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis. These attributes make it superior to conventional Minocycline gel. Thus, the Alg-PBA/TA hydrogel is a promising antiseptic candidate for adjunctive treatment of various periodontal diseases.

Objectives: This study was to investigate the effects of optimized microstructured surfaces on bond strength and bond durability of the latest nanoparticle jetting (NPJ)-printed zirconia.

Methods: Zirconia microstructured surfaces with different geometries and void volume were analyzed through three-dimensional finite element analysis for surface micromorphology optimization. Zirconia disks and cylinders were additively manufactured by an NPJ 3D printer (N = 128). They were randomly divided into four groups based on surface micromorphology optimization and airborne-particle abrasion (APA) treatment before they were bonded using 10-methacryloloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) containing resin cement (Clearfil SA luting cement). The shear bond strengths (SBSs) were tested before and after 10,000 thermocycles and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA analysis. Failure modes were determined by optical microscopy. Zirconia surfaces were analyzed with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and three-dimensional interference microscopy.

Results: The optimized microstructured surface was characterized by circular microstructures with 60 % void volume, about 20 µm of depths, about 10 µm of undercuts, and consistent beam widths. The optimized microstructured surface combined with APA treatment and MDP-containing resin cement possessed the highest SBSs both before and after thermocycling aging (P＜0.05). The greater reductions of zirconia bond strengths occurred when the zirconia were not treated with APA (P＜0.05).

Significance: The optimized microstructured zirconia surface with circular microstructures and 60 % void volume fabricated by the latest NPJ printing technology could greatly enhance the zirconia bond strength and durability in combination with APA treatment and application of MDP-containing resin cement, which might be promising for adhesively bonded indirect restorations of NPJ-printed zirconia.

Objectives: The goal of this study is to develop a novel drug delivery platform for the pH-responsive delivery of biofilm inhibitors as a potential avenue to prevent and treat dental caries.

Methods: Biofilm and growth inhibition assays were performed in polystyrene microtiter 96-well plates. Docking analysis was performed using the reported GtfB + HA5 co-crystal structure (PDB code: 8fg8) in SeeSAR 13.0.1 software. Polymersome vesicles were assembled from poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)₈-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane)₆₄-block-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)₈ (PVPON₈-PDMS₆₄-PVPON₈) triblock copolymer using a nanoprecipitation method. Microbiome analysis of biofilm inhibitors and the in vivo drug release and antivirulence activities of polymersome encapsulated inhibitors have been carried out in a S. mutans induced rat caries model.

Results: Biofilm inhibitors for HA5 and HA6 have shown species-specific selectivity towards S. mutans and the ability to preserve the oral microbiome in a S. mutans induced dental caries model. The inhibitors were encapsulated into pH-responsive block copolymer vesicles to generate polymersome-encapsulated biofilm inhibitors, and their biofilm and growth inhibitory activities against S. mutans and representative strains of oral commensal streptococci have been assessed. A 4-week treatment of S. mutans UA159 infected gnotobiotic rats with 100 µM of polymersome-encapsulated biofilm inhibitor, PEHA5 showed significant reductions in buccal, sulcal, and proximal caries scores compared to an untreated control group.

Significance: Taken together, our data suggests that the biofilm-selective therapy using the polymersome-encapsulated biofilm inhibitors is a viable approach for the prevention and treatment of dental caries while preserving the oral microbiome.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of microstructure and chemical composition on the optical properties of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramics.

Methods: Samples (n = 5; 1.0 mm thickness) of shades A1, A2, and A3 were fabricated from CAD-CAM ceramic blocks (Ivoclar Vivadent): IPS e.max® CAD LT (emLT) and HT (emHT). Samples were polished to 1.0 ± 0.01 mm in thickness. The optical properties (R- reflectance; T- transmittance; μ_s^'- reduced scattering and μ_a- absorption coefficients) from the post-crystallized samples were determined using the inverse adding-doubling (IAD) method based on integrating-sphere measurements. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to evaluate the microstructural properties. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) was employed to analyze the chemical composition. The chemical and structural characterization were performed before and after crystallization of the ceramic samples.

Results: emLT showed higher values of μ_s^'and lower values of μ_a and T than emHT for each shade in all wavelengths (p < 0.003). Considering T for emHT, there were no statistical differences for shades A1 and A2 at 488 nm and 514.5 nm (p > 0.003) and shades A1 and A3 at 457.9 nm (p > 0.003). emLT showed particle length ranging from 0.74 to 2.78 µm (mean = 1.57 µm and RF-relative frequency = 28 %) and particle width ranging from 0.21 to 0.74 µm (mean = 0.30 µm and RF = 31 %). emHT showed particle length ranging from 0.83 to 3.08 µm (mean = 1.86 µm and RF = 21 %) and particle width ranging from 0.24 to 1.12 µm (mean = 0.56 µm and RF = 28 %). In comparison with emHT, emLT showed greater vol% for C, K, and Zr and lower vol% for O and Al.

Significance: The optical properties of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramics are influenced by the chemical composition and, consequently, by the material microstructure.

Objectives: This study assessed the fatigue lifetime of reduced-diameter implants placed in either bovine rib or polymer-based bone model.

Methods: Bovine ribs were classified according to the criteria proposed by Lekholm and Zarb and were analyzed for bone fraction. Fourteen dental implants (3.25 mm in diameter × 15 mm in length) were placed in bovine ribs used as a bone model. They were subjected to resonance frequency analysis. Stainless steel loading hemisphere caps were bonded on the abutments position at 30-degree angle and with a moment arm of 11 mm. Accelerated life testing using the step-stress method was conducted at 2 Hz with a stress ratio of 0.1 until fracture on a servo-hydraulic load frames machine (MTS). Results were compared with those of a previous study wherein implants were placed in a polymer-based bone model. Fatigue lifetime statistics (characteristic lifetime and Weibull modulus) of physical specimens were estimated in a reliability analysis software (ALTA PRO). Fractured specimens were examined under an electron scanning microscope to determine the failure mode.

Result: The implants exhibited high stability quotient values (75.07 ± 3.81). Implants placed in bovine ribs showed better data dispersion and longer fatigue lifetime than those placed in polymer-based bone models, with no significant difference between groups. All fractures occurred in the implant body near the bone level and were indicative of fatigue fractures.

Significance: Bovine ribs appear to be a more suitable material for accelerated life testing than the polymer-based material because of better data dispersion.

Background: Dental resin composites' performance is intricately linked to their polymerisation shrinkage characteristics. This study compares polymerisation shrinkage using advanced 3D micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and traditional 2D linear assessments. It delves into the crucial role of filler content on shrinkage and the degree of conversion in dental resin composites, providing valuable insights for the field.

Methods: Five experimental dental composite materials were prepared with increasing filler contents (55-75 wt%) and analysed using either 3D micro-CT for volumetric shrinkage or a custom-designed linometer for 2D linear shrinkage. The degree of conversion was assessed using Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Light transmittance through a 2-mm layer was evaluated using a NIST-calibrated spectrometer. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) examined surface morphology and elemental distribution. Correlation between the investigated parameters was determined using Spearman correlation analyses.

Results: The study found significant differences in polymerisation-related properties among different filler content categories, with volumetric shrinkage consistently demonstrating higher mean values than linear shrinkage across most groups. Volumetric shrinkage decreased with increasing curing depth, showing no direct correlation between filler content and shrinkage levels at different curing depths. The results highlighted a strong negative correlation between filler content and degree of conversion, volumetric and linear shrinkage, as well as maximum shrinkage rate. Light transmittance showed a moderate correlation with the filler content and a weak correlation with other tested parameters.

Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of considering both volumetric and linear shrinkage in the design and analysis of dental composite materials. The findings advocate optimising filler content to minimise shrinkage and enhance material performance. Integrating micro-CT and O-PTIR techniques offers novel insights into dental composites' polymerisation behaviour, providing a foundation for future research to develop materials with improved clinical outcomes.

Background: This study presents a novel multi-technique approach that integrates micro-CT and optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR) to evaluate polymerisation differences, so-called spatio-temporal polymerisation properties, between flowable and sculptable dental resin-based composites.

Methods: Ten commercially available dental composites were investigated, including flowable and sculptable counterparts from the same manufacturer. Eight parameters were evaluated: short-term polymerisation characteristics (degree of conversion after 5 min, maximum polymerisation rate, time to reach maximum polymerisation rate) was measured using ATR-FTIR with real-time monitoring; changes in the degree of conversion with depth were evaluated with O-PTIR, 3D visualisation of shrinkage patterns, overall volumetric shrinkage, depth-specific shrinkage, and porosity were measured using micro-CT; surface morphology with detailed measurements of elemental composition was characterised using SEM/EDX; light transmittance was analysed with a NIST-referenced spectrometer.

Results: The study found that the increase in filler weight and volume ratio reduced the degree of conversion and polymerisation shrinkage, while moderately influencing the maximum polymerisation rates. The time to reach maximum polymerisation rates and light transmittance were not dependent on the filler amount. O-PTIR assessed a depth-dependent decrease in the degree of conversion for both composite types, with flowable composites generally showing a greater decrease in the degree of conversion than sculptable composites, except for bulk-fill composites. Micro-CT scans showed significantly higher flowable shrinkage values than their sculptable counterparts, highlighting the performance differences between the two types of composites.

Conclusions: The findings of this study have practical implications for the selection and use of dental composites. Flowable composites, despite their higher degrees of conversion and polymerisation rates, also exhibit higher volumetric shrinkage, which can be detrimental for clinical applications. The new measurement methods used in this study provide a comprehensive overview of the polymerisation behaviour of commercially available dental composites, offering valuable insights for material optimisation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the viscoelastic performance and energy dissipation of conditioned dentin infiltrated with polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) doped with tideglusib (TDg) (TDg-NPs).

Methods: Dentin conditioned surfaces were infiltrated with NPs and TDg-NPs. Bonded interfaces were created, stored for 24 h and submitted to mechanical and thermal challenging. Resin-dentin interfaces were evaluated through nano-DMA/complex-loss-storage moduli-tan delta assessment and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis.

Results: Dentin infiltrated with NPs and load cycled attained the highest complex modulus at hybrid layer and bottom of hybrid layer. Intertubular dentin treated with undoped NPs showed higher complex modulus than peritubular dentin, after load cycling, provoking energy concentration and breakdown at the interface. After infiltrating with TDg-NPs, complex modulus was similar between peri-intertubular dentin and energy dissipated homogeneously. Tan delta at intertubular dentin was higher than at peritubular dentin, after using TDg-NPs and load cycling. This generated the widest bandwidth of the collagen fibrils and bridge-like mineral structures that, as sight of energy dissipation, fastened active dentin remodeling. TDg-NPs inducted scarce mineralization after thermo-cycling, but these bridging processes limited breakdown zones at the interface.

Significance: TDg-based NPs are then proposed for effective dentin remineralization and tubular seal, from a viscoelastic approach.

Objectives: To determine the short-term (5 min) initial effects of a high-irradiance light-curing (LC) protocol on light transmission (LT%), radiant exposure (RE) and degree of conversion (DC%) of different bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBCs).

Materials and methods: Six bulk-fill composites with different viscosities were investigated: OBF (One Bulk Fill, 3 M), EB (Estelite bulkfill,Tokuyama), PFill, PFlow, ECeram and EFlow (PowerFill, Poweflow, Tetric EvoCeram bulkfill, Tetric Evoflow bulkfill, Ivoclar), subjected to different LC protocols: one ultra-high-intensity (3 W/cm² -3 s via PowerCure LCU) and two conventional (1.2 W/cm² -10 s and 20 s via PowerCure and Elipar S10 LCUs). Specimens (n = 5) were polymerized within their molds (ϕ5 mm × 4 mm depth) to determine LT% and RE at 4 mm using a MARC-LC spectrometer. For real-time DC% measurements by FTIR, similar molds were utilized. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests at 5 % significance.

Results: Regardless of the applied LC protocols, OBF and low-viscosity RBCs (EB, PFlow and EFlow) had the lowest and highest LT%, RE, DC% and RPmax, respectively. RE results of all RBCs were in the same sequence: Elipar-20 s > PCure-10 s > PCure-3 s. DC% of PFill and PFlow displayed no significant difference between the applied LC protocols (p > 0.05). The polymerization kinetic in all materials was well described by an exponential sum function (r² varied between 0.85 and 0.98), showing a faster polymerization with the PCure-3 s protocol.

Significance: The measurement of LT% and DC% at 5 min gave an insight into the developing polymerization process. The initial response of these bulk-fill composite to a high-irradiation protocol varied depending on their composition and viscosity, being faster for low viscosity materials. Nevertheless, even though multiple resin composites are designed to be efficient during photopolymerization, care should be taken when selecting materials/curing protocol.

Objectives: Develop a sustainable bovine hydroxyapatite dental ceramic with the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (5 % and 8 % by weight), analyzing the outcome of this addition to the microstructure, as well as its mechanical and chemical properties, in order to evaluate whether they satisfy the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6872:2015 for dental ceramics or not.

Methods: Disks were obtained through uniaxial followed by isostatic pressing from bovine hydroxyapatite powder and TiO₂ nanoparticles and sintered at 1300ºC for 2 h. Three experimental groups were developed (HA, HA+5 %TiO₂ and HA+8 %TiO₂) and subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), indentation fracture (IF), biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and chemical solubility test.

Results: XRD revealed, for HA group, the appearance of a peak corresponding to b-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP). For HA+ 5 %TiO₂ and HA+ 8 %TiO_2, the entire composition was converted into ß-TCP and calcium titanate (CaTiO₃). The SEM images showed a dense ceramic matrix and a uniform distribution of another phase in groups with TiO₂ nanoparticles. HA+ 5 %TiO₂ (1.40 ± 0.18 MPa.m^1/2) and HA+ 8 %TiO₂ (1.32 ± 0.18 MPa.m^1/2) showed significantly higher fracture toughness values than HA (0.67 ± 0.09 MPa.m^1/2). HA showed significantly higher characteristic stress (295.8 MPa) in comparison to groups with 5 % (235.1 MPa) and 8 % (214.4 MPa) TiO₂ nanoparticles. Differences were not observed between the Weibull modulus values. The solubility results indicated that all experimental ceramics were above the 2000 ug/cm² limit set by the ISO 6872:2015.

Significance: This study proposed the development and characterization of a new ceramic for dental prosthesis made from HA extracted from bovine bones, with the intention of reusing these solids waste and transforming them into a sustainable and low-cost material. Although the experimental calcium phosphate ceramic with additions of 5 % and 8 % of TiO₂ achieved desirable mechanical properties, the chemical solubility values were very high.