In Situ Zymography Analysis of Matrix Metalloproteinases Activity Following Endodontic Irrigation Protocols and Correlation to Root Dentine Bond Strength

Antibiofilm properties, cytotoxicity, and effect on protease activity of antibiotics and EGCG-based medications for endodontic purposes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of two intracanal medications (IM) containing epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with fosfomycin (FOSFO) and a triantibiotic combination of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin (TRI), compared to controls calcium hydroxide (CH), all dissolved in polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG) on multispecies biofilms, fibroblast toxicity and on collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activities detected in radicular dentin.

METHODS

The antibiofilm effect and cytotoxicity of medications containing EGCG + FOSFO, TRI or CH were evaluated on multispecies biofilms formed in bovine root dentin specimens by confocal microscopy and on fibroblasts by resazurin assays, respectively. The inhibition of protease activity of each IM was evaluated by measuring collagenolytic enzyme activity by ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and gelatinolytic activity by metalloproteinases (MMPs) using in situ zymography in radicular dentin specimens.

RESULTS

PEG containing EGCG+FOSFO, PEG+TRI, and PEG+CH significantly reduced multispecies biofilms in radicular dentin tubules. At the concentrations tested, those IM were not toxic to fibroblasts. Additionally, all IM presented anti-collagenolytic activity by reducing telopeptide fragments released from radicular dentin compared to PEG carrier and water controls. In situ gelatinolytic activity, assessed via fluorescence levels, was significantly lower in radicular dentin adjacent to PEG containing CH, EGCG+FOSFO, or TRI compared to PEG and water controls.

CONCLUSION

EGCG+FOSFO and TRI in PEG-400 exhibited antibiofilm, anti-collagenolytic and anti-gelatinolytic properties at concentrations that were non-toxic to fibroblasts, making them feasible intracanal medications for endodontic applications.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

EGCG-based medications enhance the efficacy of endodontic treatment by providing antibiofilm, anti-collagenolytic, and anti-gelatinolytic properties, contributing to the preservation of root structure and improved treatment outcomes.

Matrix metalloproteinases in dentin: Assessing their presence, activity, and inhibitors - a review of current trends

INTRODUCTION

Dentin integrity is a critical aspect of tooth structure, with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) playing a crucial role in dentinogenesis, caries formation, and dental bonding. It is crucial to accurately assess MMP activity to understand dentin pathophysiology and develop effective clinical strategies.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to conduct a thorough review and comprehensive summary of diverse techniques employed in assessing MMPs in dentin.

DATA AND SOURCES

To conduct the research, electronic databases were systematically searched and manual citation searches were performed. A total of 621 articles were identified. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant studies, 70 articles were included in the review. 25 articles with overlapping methodologies were also excluded.

STUDY SELECTION

The selection criteria were based on the relevance of the studies to MMPs and MMP inhibitors in dentin without regard to the study design. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English were included. The search was restricted to studies published until November 2022.

CONCLUSION

The comprehensive analysis of various studies has yielded 37 techniques for evaluating MMPs and MMP inhibitors, which hold significant promise in creating diagnostic markers and devising targeted therapeutic interventions.

Effect of irrigation acid solutions on cleaning and bond strength to post-space dentin

This study evaluated the effects of irrigating solutions containing 5% boric acid + 1% citric acid or 1% peracetic acid + high concentration hydrogen peroxide on root cleaning and bond strength of cementation systems after 24 h and 6 months of glass fiber post cementation. One hundred and twenty roots were endodontically treated. The specimens were randomized into one of four treatments (n = 10): DW (distilled water); NaOCl2.5% + EDTA17% (2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution + 17% EDTA); PA1% + HP (1% peracetic acid solution + high concentration of hydrogen peroxide); BA5% + CA1% (5% boric acid associated with 1% citric acid). The cleaning efficacy in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds of the post-space, and the push-out bond strength at 24 h and 6 months after post cementation were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis and two-way ANOVA tests, respectively. BA5% + CA1% showed statistically significantly superior cleaning efficacy compared to the other solutions. This irrigation protocol also resulted in higher bond strength at 24 h and 6 months, regardless of the root third considered, and this was statistically significantly higher than those seen for DW and PA1% + HP. For BA5% + CA1% irrigation protocol, type 1 adhesive failure was the most prevalent. Post-space irrigation with BA5% + CA1% provided both higher cleaning efficacy and better bond strength.

The Effect of Antioxidants on Dentin Bond Strength after Application of Common Endodontic Irrigants: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate how an antioxidant treatment would influence the immediate bond strength of dental adhesives to endodontically treated dentine. Scientific evidence was researched in five databases using selected descriptors. Two independent reviewers conducted the investigation and assessed the data and methodological quality of the studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were specified for article selection; only studies in English and published between 2001 and 2022 were evaluated. A total of 18 studies were selected and analysed. According to most studies, the irrigation procedure and substrate preparation in endodontic therapy may affect the immediate bond strength. Antioxidants can improve bond strength and adhesion following the use of the most frequently used irrigants in root canal treatments. Therefore, antioxidant treatment can be considered a proper technique to enhance the bond strength of endodontically treated teeth.

Novel Dental Restorative Solutions for Natural Teeth and Implants

The long-term survival of restorations in the oral cavity has always been one of the most significant challenges in modern dental practice [...].

Effect of Endodontic Irrigating Solutions on Radicular Dentine Structure and Matrix Metalloproteinases-A Comprehensive Review

Irrigating solutions play an important role in the eradication of intracanal microbes and debris dissolution during endodontic treatment. Different combinations of solutions and protocols have been advocated, with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), and chlorhexidine (CHX) remaining the most widely used ones by many clinicians. Although these solutions provide efficient inorganic dissolution and antimicrobial capacity, their use has also been reported to cause undesired effects on root dentin composition and mechanical and biomechanical properties, such as microhardness, surface roughness, bond strength, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Several corroborating studies attribute these changes in mechanical properties of dentine to the use of irrigating solutions, and there are limited reports on how the solutions affect the expression of MMPs, which may be a correlating link to understanding the role of these enzymes in dentin collagen and changes in the mechanical properties of dentin. Hence, using the basis of several studies from the literature, the objective is to comprehensively review the influence of individual and combined irrigating solutions on root dentine structure and the activity of the MMPs.