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Periodontitis is a common type of inflammatory bone loss and a risk factor for systemic diseases. The pathogenesis of periodontitis involves inflammatory dysregulation, which represents a target for new therapeutic strategies to treat periodontitis. After establishing the correlation of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) level with periodontitis in patient samples, we test the hypothesis that the cfDNA-scavenging approach will benefit periodontitis treatment. We create a nanoparticulate cfDNA scavenger specific for periodontitis by coating selenium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (SeHANs) with cationic polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM-G3), namely G3@SeHANs, and compare the activities of G3@SeHANs with those of soluble PAMAM-G3 polymer. Both G3@SeHANs and PAMAM-G3 inhibit periodontitis-related proinflammation in vitro by scavenging cfDNA and alleviate inflammatory bone loss in a mouse model of ligature-induced periodontitis. G3@SeHANs also regulate the mononuclear phagocyte system in a periodontitis environment, promoting the M2 over the M1 macrophage phenotype. G3@SeHANs show greater therapeutic effects than PAMAM-G3 in reducing proinflammation and alveolar bone loss in vivo. Our findings demonstrate the importance of cfDNA in periodontitis and the potential for using hydroxyapatite-based nanoparticulate cfDNA scavengers to ameliorate periodontitis. Periodontitis is a common type of inflammatory bone loss, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can be a major source that enhances the periodontal tissue destruction. Here, the authors show that a cfDNA-scavenging approach is able to ameliorate periodontitis by using nanoparticulate cfDNA scavenger.

This study aimed at assessing the mechanical properties and degradation of commercial bioactive materials. The bioactive materials (Activa Bioactive Restorative, Beautifil Flow Plus F00, F03, Predicta Bulk Bioactive) and composite resin Filtek Supreme Flow were submitted to flexural and diametral tensile strength tests (FS, DTS), modulus of elasticity (ME) evaluation, and analysis of aging in 70% ethanol and saliva on their hardness and sorption. The results for DTS ranged from 33.16 MPa (Beautifil Flow Plus F03) to 47.74 MPa (Filtek Supreme Flow). The highest FS was 120.40 MPa (Predicta Bulk Bioactive), while the lowest values were 86.55 MPa (Activa Bioactive Restorative). Activa Bioactive Restorative showed the lowest ME, as well as the highest water sorption both in alcohol and artificial saliva. Moreover, aging in saliva induced a significant decrease in hardness for Activa Restorative ( p  < .01). Alcohol storage caused a significant decrease in hardness for all materials ( p  < .0001). All tested materials met the basic requirements for light-curing materials in terms of DTS and FS. However, all materials showed higher sorption in alcohol than in saliva, while hardness decreased significantly after 30 days. Predicta Bulk Bioactive presented the highest mechanical parameters, initial hardness, and the lowest sorption of alcohol and saliva.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is gaining popularity in manufacturing due to environmental concerns. When comparing to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), PLA exhibits low melting and glass transition temperature (T g ). To enhance the properties of these polymers, a PMMA/PLA blend has been introduced. This study aimed to investigate the optimal ratio of PMMA/PLA blends for potential dental applications based on their mechanical properties, physical properties, and biocompatibility. The PMMA/PLA blends were manufactured by melting and mixing using twin screw extruder and prepared into thermoplastic polymer beads. The specimens of neat PMMA (M100), three different ratios of PMMA/PLA blends (M75, M50, and M25), and neat PLA (M0) were fabricated with injection molding technique. The neat polymers and polymer blends were investigated in terms of flexural properties, T g , miscibility, residual monomer, water sorption, water solubility, degradation, and biocompatibility. The data was statistically analyzed. The results indicated that T g of PMMA/PLA blends was increased with increasing PMMA content. PMMA/PLA blends were miscible in all composition ratios. The flexural properties of polymer blends were superior to those of neat PMMA and neat PLA. The biocompatibility was not different among different composition ratios. Additionally, the other parameters of PMMA/PLA blends were improved as the PMMA ratio decreased. Thus, the optimum ratio of PMMA/PLA blends have the potential to serve as novel sustainable biomaterial for extensive dental applications.

Rapid high-intensity light-curing of dental resin composites is attractive from a clinical standpoint due to the prospect of time-savings. This study compared the effect of high-intensity (3 s with 3,440 mW/cm 2 ) and conventional (10 s with 1,340 mW/cm 2 ) light-curing on micromechanical properties of conventional and bulk-fill resin composites, including two composites specifically designed for high-intensity curing. Composite specimens were prepared in clinically realistic layer thicknesses. Microhardness (MH) was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of composite specimens 24 h after light-curing (initial MH), and after subsequent immersion for 24 h in absolute ethanol (ethanol MH). Bottom/top ratio for initial MH was calculated as a measure of depth-dependent curing effectiveness, whereas ethanol/initial MH ratio was calculated as a measure of crosslinking density. High-intensity light-curing showed a complex material-dependent effect on micromechanical properties. Most of the sculptable composites showed no effect of the curing protocol on initial MH, whereas flowable composites showed 11–48% lower initial MH for high-intensity curing. Ethanol/initial MH ratios were improved by high-intensity curing in flowable composites (up to 30%) but diminished in sculptable composites (up to 15%). Due to its mixed effect on MH and crosslinking density in flowable composites, high-intensity curing should be used with caution in clinical work.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of calcium-silicate based sealers and comparing them with a gold standard—an epoxy-based sealant. Two experimental cell lines were used, gingival fibroblasts (hGF) and monocyte/macrophage peripheral blood cell line (SC). The cytotoxicity (XTT assay) and genotoxicity (comet assay) were evaluated both after 24-h and 48-h incubation. Additionally, after 48-h incubation, the cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression was detected. BioRoot Flow induced a significant decrease in hGF cells viability compared to the negative control groups both after 24-h ( p  < 0.001) and 48-h incubation ( p  < 0.01). In group with SC cells, after 24-h incubation significant increase in cells viability was detected for AH Plus Bioceramic Sealer in comparison to negative control ( p  < 0.05). BioRoot Flow and BioRoot RCS can be considered potentially genotoxic for the hGF cells after 48-h incubation (> 20% DNA damage). BioRoot Flow and BioRoot RCS, may have potential genotoxic effects and induce apoptosis in hGF cells which may irritate periapical tissues, resulting in a delayed healing. The findings of the study would be useful in selection of an appropriate sealant for root canal filling without causing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

The effects of the incorporation of sodium-free bioactive glass into glass ionomer cement (GIC) on the demineralized dentin are studied. Four experimental groups with various amounts of BAG in GIC were considered: BG0 group: 0 wt% (control); BG5 group: 5 wt%; BG10 group: 10 wt%; BG20 group: 20 wt%. The GIC surface and GIC-approximated demineralized dentin surfaces were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to evaluate the chemical changes in the GIC-approximated dentin surface. In addition, a shear bond strength test was performed to evaluate the effects of BAG incorporation on the bond strength of GIC. FE–SEM analysis indicated that BAG-incorporated GICs formed distinct precipitates on their surface. Precipitates were also formed on the GIC-approximated demineralized dentin surface. It was more obvious when the amount of BAG increased. In the XRD analysis, fluorapatitie (FAP) peaks were detected in the BG5, BG10, and BG20 groups. There was no significant difference in the shear bond strength among all experimental groups. BAG-incorporated GIC precipitated FAP crystals underlying demineralized dentin surface without affecting bond strength. This study suggests the possibility of BAG as a beneficial additive in GIC.

This study investigated the potential of adhesive coating for hindering the reactivity of ion-releasing dental restorative materials. Experimental composites were prepared by replacing 10 or 20 wt% of reinforcing fillers with two types of bioactive glass. A glass ionomer, a giomer, and an alkasite were used as representatives of commercial ion-releasing materials. Restorative material specimens were coated with an etch-and-rinse adhesive, 1-step self-etch adhesive, 2-step self-etch adhesive, or left uncoated. The specimens were immersed in a lactic acid solution and ion concentrations were measured in 4 days intervals for 32 days (atomic absorption spectrometry for calcium, UV–Vis spectrometry for phosphate, ion-selective electrode for fluoride, and pH-meter for pH values). The adhesive coating reduced ion release between 0.3 and 307 times, in a significantly material- and adhesive-dependent manner. Fluoride release was most highly impaired, with the reduction of up to 307 times, followed by phosphate and calcium release, which were reduced up to 90 and 45 times, respectively. The effect of different adhesive systems was most pronounced for phosphate release, with the following rankings: uncoated ≥ 2-step self-etch adhesive ≥ 1-step self-etch adhesive ≥ etch-and-rinse adhesive. The differences among adhesives were less pronounced for calcium and fluoride. It was concluded that the resinous adhesive layer can act as a barrier for ion release and diminish the beneficial effects of remineralizing restorative materials.

Regulatory testing of hydraulic cements used in dentistry and standard test methods for root-end filling materials do not exist. The aim of this study was to identify a simple, reproducible method for testing the solubility of materials that set with water (hydraulic) used as root-end filling materials in dentistry. Commercial and prototype hydraulic cements were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses and their solubilities were determined using ISO 6876; 2012 standard, a modified ISO 6876 method with media alternative to water and a new method measuring the percentage mass loss and volume change of materials (micro-CT method) from a single surface exposed to three solutions. The solubility testing was performed by three operators to enable an intra-laboratory comparison. The solubility data obtained from the two commercial and two prototype materials varied depending on the method used, with the ISO 6876 method identifying differences in solubility of the materials (p < 0.05) but when modified with alternative solutions, no differences were found (p > 0.05). The changes in solution thus effected the solubility of the tested materials. Inter-operator differences were observed with the weight changes determined from the new method indicating this method was not robust. The weight and volume assessments using the new method were not solution-dependent. The advantage of the proposed method compared with the ISO standard is its simplicity, enabling a number of tests to be performed on the same set of samples that also more closely mimics the clinical environment.

Dental resin composites (DRCs) are popular materials for repairing caries or dental defect, requiring excellent properties to cope with the complex oral environment. Filler/resin interface interaction has a significant impact on the physicochemical/biological properties and service life of DRCs. Various chemical and physical modification methods on filler/resin interface have been introduced and studied, and the physical micromechanical interlocking caused by the modification of fillers morphology and structure is a promising method. This paper firstly introduces the composition and development of DRCs, then reviews the chemical and physical modification methods of the filler/resin interface, mainly discusses the interface micromechanical interlocking structures and their enhancement mechanism for DRCs, finally give a summary on the existing problems and development potential.

This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of zirconia fabricated using additive manufacturing technology and compare them to those of zirconia fabricated using subtractive manufacturing technology. Sixty disc-shaped specimens were fabricated for the additive (n = 30) and subtractive manufacturing groups (n = 30), and each group was divided into two subgroups according to their air-abrasion surface treatment: control (n = 15) and air-abrasion groups (n = 15). Mechanical properties including the flexural strength (FS), Vickers hardness, and surface roughness were determined, and the values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used for phase analysis and surface topography evaluation, respectively. The SMA group exhibited the highest FS (1144.97 ± 168.1 MPa), followed by the SMC (944.58 ± 141.38 MPa), AMA (905.02 ± 111.38 MPa), and AMC groups (763.55 ± 68.69 MPa). The Weibull distribution showed the highest scale value (1213.55 MPa) in the SMA group, with the highest shape value in the AMA group (11.69). A monoclinic peak was not detected in both the AMC and SMC groups, but after air abrasion, the monoclinic phase content ( X m ) reached 9% in the AMA group, exceeding that in the SMA group (7%). The AM groups exhibited statistically lower FS values than those of the SM groups under the same surface treatment (p < 0.05). Air-abrasion surface treatment increased the monoclinic phase content and FS (p < 0.05) in both the additive and subtractive groups, while it increased the surface roughness (p < 0.05) only in the additive group and did not affect the Vickers hardness in either group. For zirconia manufactured using additive technology, the mechanical properties are comparable to those of zirconia manufactured using subtractive technology.