Effect of different filling materials in combination with intraradicular posts on the resistance to fracture of weakened roots

The preservation and restoration of severely weakened pulpless teeth is a difficult and relatively unpredictable procedure. This study evaluated the resistance to fracture of experimentally weakened bovine roots internally reconstructed with different filling materials in combination with prefabricated post compared with restored roots that were relatively intact. The roots of 75 mandibular bovine incisors with similar bulks were selected. Of these, 60 were internally prepared to standardized dimensions, thereby simulating weakness. All roots were filled with different restorative materials. The specimens were submitted to the fracture resistance testing with the application of a tangential compressive loading at an angle of 135 degrees in relation to the long axes of the roots. Results indicated statistically significant differences in relation to the root conditions. Weakened roots were less resistant to fracture than were controls. The roots restored with the resin cement demonstrated the lowest fracture resistance values, but statistically significant differences were observed only when compared with those restored by the resin-modified glass-ionomer cement. Resin-modified glass-ionomer cement, polyacid-modified resin composite and resin composite behaved similarly without statistically significant differences among them. None of the materials evaluated were capable of achieving the fracture resistance recorded for unweakened controls.     

Presence and antibiotic resistance of Porphyromonas gingivalis,Prevotella intermedia,and Prevotella nigrescens in children

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Only limited information exists about the prevalence in children of pathogens associated with periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to determine by culture whether 8-11-year-old children carry Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and/or P. nigrescens in samples from the gingiva and/or the buccal mucosa taken before, and after caries treatment and oral hygiene instruction. A second aim was to assess the proportion of subjects who had gram-negative anaerobes carrying the tet(Q) and erm(F) genes, suggesting antibiotic resistance to tetracycline or erythromycin. METHOD: A total of 150 children provided gingival and buccal swab bacterial samples that were cultured for P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and P. nigrescens. The species was verified using DNA-DNA hybridization with species-specific probes made from the variable region of the 16S rRNA sequences. Antibiotic-resistant genes, tet(Q) and erm(F), were identified using specific DNA-DNA hybridization with specific DNA probes. RESULTS: A total of 116 isolates of black-pigmented bacteria were cultured from 47 (31%) of 150 children. Five isolates were identified as P. gingivalis, 29 as P. intermedia, 33 as P. nigrescens, and 49 as other species. In general, the bacteria were not culturable at more than one time period. We found that 55% of these 47 children harbored black pigmented bacteria that carried either one or both of the two antibiotic-resistant genes studied (tet(Q), and erm(F)). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that children not exposed to regular dental treatment carry bacteria outside the gingival sulcus that have been associated with periodontitis, and that standard treatment procedures may not clear the presence of the putative pathogens. In addition, antibiotic-resistant genes are common in identifiable gram-negative anaerobes, including putative pathogens.     

Metabolic syndrome: pathogenesis, medical care and dental implications

BACKGROUND: The dental literature contains little information about metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its dental implications. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors conducted a MEDLINE search for the period 2000 through 2005, using the term "metabolic syndrome" to define its pathophysiology, medical treatment and dental implications. RESULTS: MetS is the co-occurrence of abdominal obesity, hyper-triglyceridemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertension and impaired fasting glucose, which results from consumption of a high-calorie diet and decreased levels of physical activity superimposed on the appropriate genetic setting. Components of MetS synergistically promote the development of atherosclerosis, resulting in myocardial infarction and stroke. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Deteriorating oral health status is associated with worsening of the atherogenic profile. Tooth loss often results in chewing difficulties because of inadequate occlusive surfaces and may lead to alterations in food selection and dietary quality. This, in turn, adversely affects body composition and nutritional status, both of which are related to vascular health. Dentists should develop treatment plans that preserve and restore the dentition, thus ensuring maximum masticatory efficiency and affording patients the optimum opportunity to consume food that will not foster atherogenesis.     

Isolation of silver- and antibiotic-resistant Enterobacter cloacae from teeth

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat to human health; hence the mechanisms that lead to their selection need to be investigated. One possible mechanism is that the silver and mercury in amalgam dental restorations may select for bacteria that contain heavy metal and antibiotic-resistance determinants, leading to the spread of these resistances, particularly if they are contained on the same mobile genetic element. The incidence of silver-resistant bacteria on teeth is investigated in this work. Two silver-resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates were isolated from infected teeth containing dental restorations. Both isolates were also resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. The silE gene, which is encoded on the silver resistance operon, has been sequenced from both isolates. Results suggest that the silver resistance operon is encoded on plasmid DNA.     

Development of dental Pd-Ti alloys

Alloys, in which the main constituents are palladium and titanium, have the following potential advantages for dental application: corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and acceptable casting temperatures for porcelainfused-to-metal dental prostheses. Alloy compositions chosen for investigation were as follows: 30 w/o Ti which lies in the 5% single-phase region near TiPd, 50 w/o Ti which lies near the 1120°C melting temperature minimum of the Pd?Ti system, and 70% Ti which minimizes Pd content while still in a relatively low melting range (1300°C). Analysis of the X-ray diffraction of 70%Pd30%Ti showed mostly PdTi with some Pd₅Ti₃; in 50%Pd50%Ti mostly PdTi₂ was observed with some PdTi; in 30%Pd70%Ti mostly PdTi₂ was found with some alpha Ti and PdTi₄. The amounts of the minor phases in each of the 3 alloys depended on heat treatment. The Knoop hardness of the alloys ranged from 300–500 KHN for the as-melted condition; after heat treatment the maximum hardness values were 400 KHN. After centrifugal casting, hardness values increased to a range of 350 to 560 KHN, depending on composition. These values exceed those obtained for the pure metals which were in the neighborhood of 100 KHN. From anodic potentiodynamic scans the breakdown potentials in Ringer's solution for 70%Pd30%Ti, 50%Pd50%Ti and 30%Pd70%Ti were 600, 650 and 500 (SCE); the repassivation potentials for the same alloys are 450, 300 and 350 (SCE), respectively. These are all above oral potential. The Pd?Ti system investigated was, thus, found to have adequate corrosion resistance and hardness. Therefore, it can be considered of good potential as a dental prosthetic alloy.     

Influence of residual bacteria on periapical tissue healing after chemomechanical treatment and root filling of experimentally infected monkey teeth

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to determine the influence on the healing of the periapical tissues when selected bacterial strains and combinations thereof remain after root canal treatment; and, second, the relationship to healing of the quality of the root filling. In eight monkeys, 175 root canals, previously infected with combinations of four or five bacterial strains and with radiographically verified apical periodontitis, were endodontically treated, bacteriologically controlled, and permanently obturated. After 2-2.5 yr, the periapical regions were radiographically and histologically examined. Of these teeth, 48 root canals were also examined for bacteria remaining after removal of the root fillings. When bacteria remained after the endodontic treatment, 79% of the root canals showed non-healed periapical lesions, compared with 28% where no bacteria were found. Combinations of residual bacterial species were more frequently related to non-healed lesions than were single strains. When no bacteria remained, healing occurred independently of the quality of the root filling. In contrast, when bacteria remained, there was a greater correlation with non-healing in poor-quality root fillings than in technically well-performed fillings. In root canals where bacteria were found after removal of the root filling, 97% had not healed, compared with 18% for those root canals with no bacteria detected. The present study demonstrates the importance of obtaining a bacteria-free root canal system before permanent root filling in order to achieve optimal healing conditions for the periapical tissues.     

Mechanical Properties of Various Glide Path Preparation Nickel-titanium Rotary Instruments

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue, torsional resistance, and bending stiffness of single-file glide path preparation nickel-titanium instruments.

Antifungal susceptibility of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis> biofilms on titanium discs with different surface roughness

Although it is well known that fungal biofilms have increased resistance to antimicrobial agents, limited information is available on the formation of candidal biofilms on implant surfaces with different surface roughness and their resistance to conventional antifungal therapy. In the current study, the effect of increasing the surface roughness of titanium discs on the susceptibility of Candida albicans biofilms to amphotericin B was determined. Grade I commercially pure titanium discs were sandblasted with 99.6% aluminium oxide of different grit sizes, producing surface roughness of 0.90, 1.88 and 3.82 μm (Groups A, B and C), respectively (P < 0.001). The antifungal susceptibility of C. albicans biofilm grown on different Ti discs was determined using XTT assay. The 50% reduction in metabolic activity (50% RMA) of planktonic C. albicans (0.5 μg/mL) was much lower than those from Groups A, B and C (2, 16, 2 μg/mL, respectively), while the 50% RMA from Group B was three-fold higher than those from Groups A and C. In conclusion, difference in titanium surface roughness was associated with variations in the antifungal resistance of the candidal biofilm. Group C appeared to have an optimum surface roughness for biofilm resistance.     

Influence of the irradiation distance and the use of cooling to increase enamel-acid resistance with Er:YAG laser

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of irradiation distance and the use of cooling in the Er:YAG laser efficacy in preventing enamel demineralization.

Methods

84 enamel blocks were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 12): G1: control group – no treatment, G2–G7: experimental groups treated with Er:YAG laser (80 mJ/2 Hz) at different irradiation distances with or without cooling: G2: 4 mm/2 mL; G3: 4 mm/no cooling; G4: 8 mm/2 mL; G5: 8 mm/no cooling; G6: 16 mm/2 mL; G7: 16 mm/no cooling. The samples were submitted to an in vitro pH cycles for 14 days. Next, the specimens were sectioned in sections of 80–100 μm in thickness and the demineralization patterns of prepared slices were assessed using a polarized light microscope. Three samples from each group were analyzed with scanning electronic microscopy. Analysis of variance and the Fisher test were performed for the statistical analysis of the data obtained from the caries-lesion-depth measurements (CLDM) (alpha = 5%).

Results

The control group (CLDM = 0.67 mm) was statistically different from group 2 (CLDM = 0.42 mm), which presented a smaller lesion depth, and group 6 (0.91 mm), which presented a greater lesion depth. The results of groups 3 (CLDM = 0.74 mm), 4 (CLDM = 0.70 mm), 5 (CLDM = 0.67 mm) and 7 (CLDM = 0.89 mm) presented statistical similarity. The scanning electronic microscopy analysis showed ablation areas in the samples from groups 4, 5, 6 and 7, and a slightly demineralized area in group 2.

Conclusions

It was possible to conclude that Er:YAG laser was efficient in preventing enamel demineralization at a 4-mm irradiation distance using cooling.     

减阻牵张正畸牙移动过程中牙周组织超微结构变化的研究

目的：研究减阻牵张正畸牙移动过程中牙周组织超微结构的变化，为此方法矫治正畸牙提供理论依据。方法：将6只杂种犬随机分为2周、3周、6周二组，拔除下颌两侧第二前磨牙，随机选择一侧为实验侧，实施减阻牵张措施加快牙齿移动速度，另一侧为空白对照侧，实验侧加力2周、固定保持1周、4周时，制备移动牙标本，进行透射电镜观察。结果：对照侧无明显成骨及破骨迹象；加力2周组张力侧成骨细胞、成纤维细胞的胞浆内高尔基体、内质网等细胞器非常丰富，分泌功能旺盛；压力侧破骨细胞增多，高尔基体发达，线粒体、溶酶体增多，成纤维细胞细胞器发达，间充质细胞、活跃的巨噬细胞增多；随着固定保持时间的延长，实验侧与对照侧超微结构的差异变小。结论：正畸牙压力侧减阻后，在强、高频率加力方式作片用下，牙周组织细胞功能旺盛、改建活跃，无不可逆的细胞变性坏死变化。