Aesthetically improved and efficient tannin–metal chelates for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

Tannin–metal chelates for the efficient nucleation of hydroxyapatite and an aesthetically improved solution for the dentinal hypersensitivity treatment.

Fracture Strength After Fatigue Loading of Lithium Disilicate Pressed Zirconia Crowns

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of fatigued lithium disilicate pressed zirconia crowns versus other ceramic crowns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lithium disilicate pressed zirconia, fluorapatite pressed zirconia, monolithic lithium disilicate, and monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated. Cyclic and static loadings were applied to the mesiobuccal cusp tip after thermocycling and fracture strengths were recorded.

RESULTS

Fatigued lithium disilicate pressed zirconia crowns were found to have a fracture resistance of 9,117.81 ± 727.04 N, compared with 9,240.61 ± 887.21 N for monolithic zirconia crowns, 3,030.18 ± 1,505.83 N for fluorapatite pressed zirconia crowns, and 4,173.94 ± 877.46 N for monolithic lithium disilicate crowns (P = .001).

CONCLUSION

This in vitro study shows that fatigued lithium disilicate pressed zirconia and monolithic zirconia crowns have better fracture resistance than fluorapatite pressed zirconia and monolithic lithium disilicate crowns.

Tunicate-Inspired Gallic Acid/Metal Ion Complex for Instant and Efficient Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity is sharp and unpleasant pains caused by exposed dentinal tubules when enamel outside of the tooth wears away. The occlusion of dentinal tubules via in situ remineralization of hydroxyapatite is the best method to alleviate the symptoms caused by dentin hypersensitivity. Commercially available dental desensitizers are generally effective only on a specific area and are relatively toxic, and their performance usually depends on the skill of the clinician. Here, a facile and efficient dentin hypersensitivity treatment with remarkable aesthetic improvement inspired by the tunicate-self-healing process is reported. As pyrogallol groups in tunicate proteins conjugate with metal ions to heal the torn body armor of a tunicate, the ingenious mechanism by introducing gallic acid (GA) as a cheap, abundant, and edible alternative to the pyrogallol groups of the tunicate combined with a varied daily intake of metal ion sources is mimicked. In particular, the GA/Fe(3+) complex exhibits the most promising results, to the instant ≈52% blockage in tubules within 4 min and ≈87% after 7 d of immersion in artificial saliva. Overall, the GA/metal ion complex-mediated coating is facile, instant, and effective, and is suggested as an aesthetic solution for treating dentin hypersensitivity.

Wear of primary teeth caused by opposed all-ceramic or stainless steel crowns

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of full-coverage all-ceramic zirconia, lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, leucite glass-ceramic, or stainless steel crowns on antagonistic primary tooth wear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were four study groups: the stainless steel (Steel) group, the leucite glass-ceramic (Leucite) group, the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (Lithium) group, and the monolithic zirconia (Zirconia) group. Ten flat crown specimens were prepared per group; opposing teeth were prepared using primary canines. A wear test was conducted over 100,000 chewing cycles using a dual-axis chewing simulator and a 50 N masticating force, and wear losses of antagonistic teeth and restorative materials were calculated using a three-dimensional profiling system and an electronic scale, respectively. Statistical significance was determined using One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (P<.05).

RESULTS

The Leucite group (2.670±1.471 mm³) showed the greatest amount of antagonist tooth wear, followed by in decreasing order by the Lithium (2.042±0.696 mm³), Zirconia (1.426±0.477 mm³), and Steel groups (0.397±0.192 mm³). Mean volume losses in the Leucite and Lithium groups were significantly greater than in the Steel group (P<.05). No significant difference was observed between mean volume losses in the Zirconia and Steel groups (P>.05).

CONCLUSION

Leucite glass-ceramic and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic cause more primary tooth wear than stainless steel or zirconia.

A rapid, efficient, and facile solution for dental hypersensitivity: The tannin-iron complex

Dental hypersensitivity due to exposure of dentinal tubules under the enamel layer to saliva is a very popular and highly elusive technology priority in dentistry. Blocking water flow within exposed dentinal tubules is a key principle for curing dental hypersensitivity. Some salts used in "at home" solutions remineralize the tubules inside by concentrating saliva ingredients. An "in-office" option of applying dense resin sealants on the tubule entrance has only localized effects on well-defined sore spots. We report a self-assembled film that was formed by facile, rapid (4 min), and efficient (approximately 0.5 g/L concentration) dip-coating of teeth in an aqueous solution containing a tannic acid-iron(III) complex. It quickly and effectively occluded the dentinal tubules of human teeth. It withstood intense tooth brushing and induced hydroxyapatite remineralisation within the dentinal tubules. This strategy holds great promise for future applications as an effective and user-friendly desensitizer for managing dental hypersensitivity.

Cytotoxicity of four denture adhesives on human gingival fibroblast cells

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of four denture adhesives on human gingival fibroblast cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immortalized human gingival fibroblasts were cultured with one of four different denture adhesives, Polident, Protefix, Staydent or Denfix-A, which was placed in insert dishes (10% w/v concentration) for 48 h. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and flow cytometric apoptosis assay were used to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis rates. The fibroblasts were also examined under a scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

The MTT assay showed that all denture adhesives resulted in a significantly lower cell viability compared to the control cells propagated in normal culture medium (p < 0.05), with Staydent demonstrating the lowest cell viability. According to the flow cytometric apoptosis assay, Staydent and Protefix showed significantly higher apoptosis rates than the control group (p < 0.05), whereas Polident and Denfix-A did not demonstrate any significant differences (p > 0.05). Staydent showed the highest apoptosis rate. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells of the Staydent group underwent cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage, with cell free areas containing residual fragments of the membrane of dead cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The four denture adhesives evaluated in this study imparted cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblast cells. Staydent showed the highest toxicity.

The influence of a continuous increase in thickness of opaque-shade composite resin on masking ability and translucency

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine the minimum thickness of opaque-shade composite resin required to mask discolored tooth structures or darkness of the oral cavity and to determine the effect of the brand and shade of composite resins on masking ability and translucency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Discs and beveled specimens were manufactured using six opaque-shade light-curing composite resins (Charisma, Heraeus Kulzer; Estelite Sigma Quick, Tokuyama; Gradia Direct Anterior, GC). The discolored tooth structures and darkness of the oral cavity were reproduced using background tiles. The disc specimen colors were measured using a spectroradiometer by increasing the thickness of the beveled specimens on the backing by 0.05 mm in series, and color difference (ΔE*(ab)) and translucency parameter (TP) were calculated.

RESULTS

The thicknesses of opaque-shade composite resins that masked the C4 shade and black backings were 0.80-1.45 and 1.85-2.00 mm, respectively. Overall, the ΔE*(ab) and TP values decreased as the thickness of the opaque-shade composite resins increased. When the shades of the composite resins were identical, the TP decreased in the order of Charisma, Estelite Sigma Quick and Gradia Direct Anterior. When the brand was fixed, the TP was higher in the OA3 shade than in the OA2 shade. A significant correlation was seen between ΔE*(ab) and TP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The brands and shades of the composite resins were shown to have a clear effect on TP, but an inconsistent tendency for ΔE*(ab).