The effect of dental restorative materials on dental biofilm

To investigate the arrangement of biofilms formed in vivo, volunteers wore splints with slabs of six different dental materials inserted to collect smooth surface plaque. After 5 d of undisturbed plaque accumulation, the specimens were vital stained and analyzed by the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to evaluate the percentage of vital biofilm microflora (VF percentage). Further parameters were the area of the specimens covered by plaque (surface coating; SC, %) and the height of the biofilms (BH, pm). The metals amalgam and gold, the compomer, as well as the glass-ionomer cement harboured an almost entirely dead biofilm (VF <8%). Resin composite led to vitality values between 4 and 21%, while a very thin biofilm on ceramic revealed the highest vitality values (34-86%). SC varied from 6% on glass-ionomer cement to 100% on amalgam. BH reached its highest value on amalgam and gold of 17 and 11 microm, respectively, while heights of between 1 and 6 microm were found on the ceramic, resin composite, compomer and the glass-ionomer cement. Within their limits, the present findings indicate that amalgam, gold, compomer and glass-ionomer cement exert an influence against the adhering biofilm. No general relationship could be established between the different parameters VF percentage, SC percentage and BH (microm).     

Wear of dental restorative and prosthetic materials in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wear of some modern materials for fixed crown and bridge restorations and fillings in vitro. Eighteen commercial materials (8 composites, 4 alloys, 4 fa?ade materials, and 2 denture-base resins) were tested. Enamel was used as the control. Test specimens were abraded on abrasion discs under water or in artificial saliva. There was a great variation in the wear rates of the tested materials. The greatest wear was shown by resins used for base material and the smallest by gold and Cr-Co alloys and porcelain. Most of the composites had a wear rate near that of enamel. The wear for amalgam was slightly greater than for most of the composites. When one is using several different materials for reconstructing occlusion, differences in wear resistance should be taken into account.     

The effect of a mouthrinse containing essential oils on dental restorative materials

Mouthrinses that contain essential oils are effective for controlling plaque and periodontal disease. Recent studies have shown that such mouthrinses are effective at preventing the formation of biofilm in dental unit waterlines. However, there is no information in the literature regarding the effect of such mouthrinses on restorative materials used within the oral cavity. Specimens of three common restorative materials (a glass ionomer, a composite resin, and amalgam) were subjected to continuous exposure to Listerine and distilled water for 10 days; at that time, the strength, fluid sorption, and surface appearance of the specimens were compared. Specimens of the test materials also were placed in intraoral devices; volunteer patients wore these devices for 12 hours per day for a period of 10 days. During that time, the patients were instructed to rinse twice daily for 30 seconds with Listerine Cool Mint or a non-active mouthrinse. After 10 days, the specimens were salvaged from the devices and inspected by visible and SEM examination. This study indicates that routine use of mouthrinses containing essential oils (or even prolonged exposure to such mouthrinses) has no adverse effects on restorative materials that might be expected to react to such mixtures because of their chemical compositions. It was concluded that active mouthrinses do not appear to have any adverse effects on a variety of restorative biomaterials.     

The effect of bleaching agents on the microhardness of dental aesthetic restorative materials

This study investigated the effects of three home bleaching agents on the microhardness of various dental aesthetic restorative materials. The restorative materials were: feldspatic porcelain, microfilled composite resin and light-cured modified glass-ionomer cement and the bleaching agents Nite-White (16% carbamide peroxide), Opalescence (10% carbamide peroxide and carbapol jel) and Rembrandt (10% carbamide peroxide jel). A total of 90 restorative material samples were prepared 1 cm diameter and 6 mm thick and kept in distilled water for 24 h before commencing bleaching which was carried out for 8 h day-1 for 4 weeks. Microhardness measurements were then made using a Tukon tester. Statistically significant differences with respect to unbleached controls were found only for the feldspatic porcelain and microfilled composite resins (P <0.05) for Nite-White and Opalescence. All the bleaching agents decreased the microhardness of the porcelain and increased that of the light cured modified glass-ionomer cement. For the composite resin, whereas Nite-White increased its microhardness, the other bleaching agents decreased it. There were no significant differences between the bleaching agents for any of the restorative materials.     

Plaque growth on dental restorative materials

Assessments were made of plaque growth and retention on 6 restorative materials placed in denture teeth. Aspa retained the most plaque and also had the roughest surface. Isopast had the least plaque although its surface was slightly rougher than the amalgams. Leachable elements present in some of the materials did not result in any less plaque than on the other materials.     

Radiopacity of dental restorative materials

Objectives

Radiopacity of dental materials enables clinician to radiographically diagnose secondary caries and marginal defects which are usually located on the proximal gingival margin. The aim of this study was to measure the radiopacity of 33 conventional resin composites, 16 flowable resin composites, and 7 glass ionomer cements and to compare the results with the radiopacity values declared by the manufacturers.

Materials and methods

From each restorative material, six 2-mm-thick disk-shaped specimens were fabricated and eight 2-mm-thick sections of teeth were made and used as reference. The material samples and tooth sections were digitally radiographed together with the aluminum stepwedge. Gray values were obtained from the radiographic images and radiopacity values were calculated and statistically analyzed. Post hoc Tukey’s honestly significant difference test was used to calculate significant differences in radiopacity values between materials and reference dentin and enamel values.

Results

The radiopacity values of all 56 restorative materials were above the dentin reference radiopacity value; however, 4 out of 33 conventional composites and 3 out of 16 flowable resin composites had significantly lower radiopacity than enamel (p?<?0.05). There were up to 1.53 mm eq Al differences between the measured and the manufacturers’ declared radiopacity values of some materials.

Conclusions

Majority of the materials exceed enamel radiopacity and would not hamper radiographic diagnosis of secondary caries. However, manufacturers’ data are not always reliable.

Clinical relevance

Materials with radiopacity lower than enamel might be misinterpreted as secondary enamel caries on radiographic images, especially when applied as initial increment on the proximal gingival margin.     

The effect of curing with plasma light on the shrinkage of dental restorative materials

Commercially available light activated dental composites were used in this study to compare the shrinkage following curing with plasma light (Apollo95E, DMDS) and a convention halogen dental curing light (Prismetics Lite II, Dentsply). Polymerization shrinkage was determined by measuring the strain in one dimension by means of a contacting transducer. The percentage linear shrinkage were: Spectrum H = 1.84 + 0.31, P = 1.49 + 0.35*; Ana aesthetic H = 2.04 + 0.38, P = 1.85 + 0.27; Esthet.x H = 1.66 + 0.28, P = 1.69 + 0.25; Dyract AP H = 2.39 + 0.33, P = 2.18 + 0.35*; Apollo Restore H = 1.88 + 0.36, P = 1.42 + 0.33*; Surefil H = 0.88 + 0.28, P = 0.99 + 0.30 where * = significantly different, t-test at P < 0.05. The results suggested that there was less shrinkage when curing some, but not all, materials using the plasma light, although this could be attributed to a reduced level of polymerization.     

The effect of dentifrices on restorative materials

The possible interactions between dentifrices and frequently-used dental materials is discussed. A review is included of the usual constituents of commercial tooth cleaning preparations. Consideration is given to the relevance of certain experimental procedures used for dentifrice abrasion studies.     

Biological testing of dental restorative materials

The problems discussed are those inherent in standardizing test procedures for dental materials, where the pulp response is studied after the materials have been placed in cavities in teeth. The advantages of cell culture methods are stressed. Standardization is only possible with in vitro methods and the development of these methods is advocated.     

Changing trends of dental restorative materials

Esthetic dentistry evolved through advancements in dental materials and techniques. This article cites these trends, particularly the adhesive systems such as dentin bonding agents and polyacrylic acid based materials. In particular, the expanding role of glass ionomer cements is explored with attention to the various formulations and manipulative factors that influence performance. Also, a classification system for composite resins is offered with suggestions for proper selection.