Are bovine teeth a suitable substitute for human teeth in in vitro studies to assess endotoxin load in root canals?

[Histological characteristics of bovine dentin using Masson's Trichrome staining]

Objectives

Identify the histological characteristics of bovine dentin using histological technique by decalcification with Masson's Trichrome staining.

Materials and Methods

This was an observational and descriptive study using units of analysis. Bovine teeth were used, which were subjected to a decalcification technique and Masson's trichrome staining. Microscopic observation and registration of the structures was carried out.

Results

In the microscopic observation of the teeth subjected to decalcification, dentin, predentin and the structural organization of the tubular and peritubular dentin were observed. The odontoblasts arranged in a palisade with the odontoblastic process included within the dentinal tubule and the periprocedural space. The presence of interglobular dentin is not observed in areas of coronary dentin. The histomorphological pattern corresponding to dentin-predentin-pulp is arranged in a similar way to human teeth.

Conclusions

Bovine dentin constitutes an ideal substrate for in vitro research work with dental biomaterials, since it presents histological characteristics similar to bovine teeth; the absence of interglobular dentin would not represent a significant difference according to what was observed in this study.

Adhesion of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles to Dental Materials under Oral Conditions

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAP) are receiving considerable attention for dental applications, and their adhesion to enamel is well established. However, there are no reports concerning the effects of HAP on other dental materials, and most of the studies in this field are based on in vitro designs, neglecting the salivary pellicle-apatite interactions. Thus, this in situ pilot study aims to evaluate the effects of three hydroxyapatite-based solutions and their interactions with different dental material surfaces under oral conditions. Hence, two volunteers carried intraoral splints with mounted samples from enamel and from three dental materials: titanium, ceramics, and polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA). Three HAP watery solutions (5%) were prepared with different shapes and sizes of nano-HAP (HAP I, HAP II, HAP III). After 3 min of pellicle formation, 10 ml rinse was performed during 30 sec. Rinsing with water served as control. Samples were accessed immediately after rinsing, 30 min and 2 h after rinsing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the particles, and SEM evaluated the pellicle-HAP interactions. SEM and TEM results showed a high variation in the size range of the particles applied. A heterogeneous HAP layer was present after 2 h on enamel, titanium, ceramics, and PMMA surfaces under oral conditions. Bridge-like structures were visible between the nano-HAP and the pellicle formed on enamel, titanium, and PMMA surfaces. In conclusion, nano-HAP can adhere not only to enamel but also to artificial dental surfaces under oral conditions. The experiment showed that the acquired pellicle act as a bridge between the nano-HAP and the materials' surface.