JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH, DENTAL CLINICS, DENTAL PROSPECTS
Year:2024 | Volume:18 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background. Tomato, renowned for its tooth-whitening properties due to its hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase enzyme content, requires formulation for enhanced applicability. This study assessed the dental whitening efficacy of a patch containing tomato juice as the active ingredient. Methods. Tomato juice patches were formulated at concentrations of 55%, 60%, and 65%. A control group (C) containing a 12% hydrogen peroxide patch was also included. A matrix layer of the patches was prepared using the solvent casting method at 40 for 18 h, with Tegaderm™ applied as the backing layer. For the dental whitening procedure, each group of patches was applied to the labial surface of anterior stained teeth (n=6/group) for 3 h, repeated 14 times. Tooth brightness was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using digital dental photo CIEL*a*b* analysis. Meanwhile, enamel surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for statistical analysis. Results. The application of tomato juice patches led to enhanced tooth brightness. The patch containing 65% tomato juice significantly improved stained tooth brightness (P<0. 05). SEM analysis revealed less enamel erosion with the 65% tomato juice patch compared to the 12% hydrogen peroxide patch. Conclusion. Tomato juice patches effectively increased tooth brightness while minimizing demineralization. Further research is needed to optimize formulation and explore its potential.

Background. This research assessed the compressive strength and microhardness of glass-ionomer cement (GIC) after incorporating seashell nanoparticles and evaluated the inert fluoride-releasing ability. Methods. Seashell nanoparticles were synthesized by a mechanical grinding protocol. These particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray and added to the glass-ionomer powder in a weight-to-weight ratio. Seventy-five study samples were distributed into eight samples for each study group (control, 5%, and 10% seashell) to have 24 samples for each test of the study (compressive strength, microhardness, and fluoride release). One sample per group was prepared for the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test. The fluoride ion release was measured after one and four weeks of incubation period at 37 ºC, while other tests were conducted after 24 hours of incubation. Results. In all the test variables, the 10% seashell group showed the highest significant mean, followed by the 5% seashell and the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the 5% and 10% seashell groups in the first week of fluoride release. Conclusion. According to the results, 10% seashell nanoparticles were the best to improve the mechanical properties of GIC and boost the fluoride-releasing potential.

Background. An esthetically acceptable ceramic restoration should have optical properties like the teeth and reflect, transmit, and absorb light. The present investigation compared how hydrothermal aging affected the properties of two types of zirconia and lithium disilicate. Methods. Thirty rectangular samples (12×14×1 mm) were prepared and sectioned from three different ceramic blocks/blanks (n=10), then assigned into three groups according to the ceramic type: group Z: IPS e. max ZirCAD prime, gradient zirconia (3Y/5Y-TZP),group K: Katana UTML (5Y-TZP),and group E: IPS e. max CAD (lithium disilicate). Color analysis of samples was performed before and after hydrothermal aging (1, 3, and 5 hours) using a spectrophotometer. Color difference (∆E00), translucency parameter (TP00), and contrast ratio (CR) were evaluated. The microstructural analysis was performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD). Data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of P<0. 05. Results. A statistically significant variation was observed across means of ∆E00, TP00, and CR at different times. Group Z displayed the highest statistically significant mean ∆E00. Group E demonstrated the greatest statistically significant mean TP00. Group K exhibited the most statistically significant mean CR. Conclusion. Hydrothermal aging significantly affected the optical characteristics of lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramics. The translucency of samples increased with aging.

Background. This study evaluated the efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE) on the remineralization of primary tooth enamel alone or in combination with remineralizing agents. Methods. The initial microhardness value of 90 primary tooth enamel samples was calculated,then, the samples were demineralized. The post-demineralization hardness of the samples was measured and the samples were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: G1: negative control, G2: GSE, G3: NaF, G4: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), G5: GSE+NaF, and G6: GSE+CPP-ACP (n=15). Oral environment pH cycle was applied and hardness measurements were repeated after treatments. The samples were stained with 1% rhodamine B dye and sectioned, and the lesion depth was measured. Statistical significance was set at P<0. 05. Results. The hardness decrease of the GSE and GSE+NaF groups was less than the other groups (P<0. 05). The decrease was also less in the other groups than in the control group (P>0. 05). GSE showed a positive effect when combined with NaF in maintaining microhardness but did not show the same effect when combined with CPP-ACP (P<0. 05). Concerning penetration depth, all the groups had statistically lower values than the control group (P<0. 05). The lowest penetration rates were observed in the GSE+NaF and GSE+CPP-ACP groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion. The lowest hardness decrease was observed in the GSE and GSE+NaF groups, and the lowest penetration rates were observed in the GSE+NaF and GSE+CPP-ACP groups. It has been determined that a 15% GSE solution might be used as an alternative to fluoride in primary tooth remineralization and can increase the effectiveness of fluoride when used together.

Background. The present study assessed the impact of thermomechanical aging on the marginal fit of hybrid ceramic, reinforced composite resin, and lithium disilicate ceramic. Methods. Eighteen human upper first premolars freshly extracted for orthodontic purposes were used to fabricate 18 CAD-CAM veneers and divided into three groups based on materials used: group H (n=6): hybrid ceramics (Vita Enamic), group R (n=6): reinforced composite resin (Brilliant crios), and group L (n=6): lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e-max CAD). Each material’s cementation procedure was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The vertical marginal gap between the laminate veneer margin and the prepared tooth finish line was measured to assess the specimens by digital microscopy. Subsequently, all the samples were thermomechanically cycled (TMC) (5 °C to 55 °C, 30 seconds, 75000 cycles). Then, the vertical marginal gap was re-evaluated. Results. The Brilliant crios group displayed a significantly lower vertical marginal gap mean score (31. 36±2. 82 µm) followed by Vita Enamic (39. 27±6. 54 µm) and E max (41. 39±3. 97 µm) groups. Similarly, after thermomechanical aging, the Brilliant crios group displayed a significantly lower vertical marginal gap mean score (41. 83±8. 28 µm) followed by Vita Enamic (55. 47±18. 65 µm), and the E max group showed the greatest vertical marginal gap mean score (59. 43±16. 27 µm). Conclusion. Thermomechanical aging affected the marginal fit of different materials employed in the current research, and these changes were under the established clinical limit.

Background. This investigation assessed the impact of irrigation activation systems on the depth of penetration of intracanal medicaments into dentinal tubules. Methods. Ninety-six mandibular premolar teeth were prepared using ProTaper Next up to size X3. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups based on the final irrigation activation systems (n=24): group 1: EndoActivator, group 2: XP-Endo Finisher, group 3: Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and group 4: control. After the final irrigation, all the samples were divided into two subgroups (n=12): subgroup A: calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 ) and subgroup B: modified triple antibiotic paste (mTAP). Statistical analysis involved three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results. EndoActivator, XP-Endo Finisher, and PUI activation methods significantly increased the penetration of intracanal medicaments compared to conventional needle irrigation (P<0. 05). The XP-Endo Finisher group exhibited the highest penetration percentage and maximum penetration depth, showing a statistically significant difference from the EndoActivator group (P<0. 001). No significant difference was observed between XP-Endo Finisher and PUI, nor between PUI and EndoActivator (P>0. 05). mTAP showed a higher percentage of dentinal tubule penetration than Ca(OH)2, although no significant difference was found in maximum penetration depth. The coronal region demonstrated the highest penetration percentage and depth, while the apical region showed the lowest. Conclusion. This study showed the effectiveness of XP-Endo Finisher in improving the penetration of intracanal medicaments into dentinal tubules. The findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate irrigation activation systems to improve treatment outcomes in endodontics. By demonstrating the effectiveness of advanced systems like XP-Endo Finisher, this research supports their integration into routine clinical practice for better endodontic success.

Background. This study examined the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and etidronic acid (HEDP) in retrograde cavities on the bond strength of MTA Angelus and NeoPutty. Methods. Sixty-six teeth with single roots and canals were decoronated and enlarged up to F3 using the ProTaper Universal file system. After removing the apical 3 mm within the scope of endodontic surgery procedures, retrograde cavities were prepared with ultrasonic tips. The teeth were divided into three main groups according to the irrigation solution used: saline, 17% EDTA, and 9% HEDP. Following the irrigation of retrograde cavities, each main group was further divided into two subgroups in terms of using MTA Angelus and NeoPutty as retrograde filling materials. Bond strength values of hydraulic cements were measured by the push-out test. Fracture modes were examined under a stereo microscope. Two dentin sections from each group were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe dentinal tubules. Two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests were used to analyze the data. Results. Irrigation solutions similarly affected the bond strength values of hydraulic cements (P=0. 115). MTA Angelus showed significantly higher values than NeoPutty in all the solution groups (P=0. 34). Adhesive and cohesive fracture modes were mostly observed in the MTA Angelus and NeoPutty groups, respectively. Conclusion. EDTA, HEDP, and saline had a similar effect on the bond strength of hydraulic cements. The higher bond values of MTA Angelus compared to NeoPutty could support its safe use in endodontic surgery procedures.

Background. Although the benefits of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in soft tissue healing have been demonstrated, the effects of laser on bone have remained controversial. This study investigated the impact of postoperative 660-nm LLLT on the radiographic crestal bone loss of fresh-socket dental implants. Methods. Thirty patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for tooth extraction and placement of fresh-socket implants were selected and assigned to two groups: laser (intervention) and no-laser (control) groups. Immediately after tooth extraction, the implant was inserted into the tooth socket. 660-nm LLLT was immediately started after surgery and was repeated three times per week for two weeks. Bone quantification at the implant site was assessed using periapical intraoral radiographs and computerized software immediately after surgery and after six months. Results. This study showed a statistically significant difference in mean bone resorption between the mesial and distal aspects of the two groups, with lower bone resorption in the laser group compared to the no-laser group. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that LLLT can effectively reduce bone resorption in fresh-socket implant placement. This might indicate the positive effect of LLLT on bone resorption reduction.

Background. This in vivo study assessed the accuracy of single-tooth monolithic zirconia crowns made using an intraoral scanner (IOS) and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Methods. Thirty patients requiring single posterior crowns were selected. The teeth were prepared with a deep chamfer finish line with a 1-mm extension subgingivally and a 1-mm reduction in all surfaces by one prosthodontist. The gingival margins were retracted using a gingival retraction paste before making impressions using a Trios scanner. All the digital impression files were sent to one laboratory using the dental designer software (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). After completing the milling and sintering processes, the crowns were dyed and glazed. After removing the temporary crown, the qualitative assessment of proximal contacts of definitive monolithic zirconia crowns was performed according to the CDA criteria. Data were analyzed with Friedman’s two-way analysis and independent t-test at α=0. 05. Results. The difference in axial and total gaps between premolar and molar teeth was not significant,however, the mean marginal gap of molars was higher than that of the premolars (P=0. 043). Furthermore, the comparison of the axial, total, and marginal gaps between the upper and lower jaws showed no significant difference (P>0. 05). The distribution of occlusal and proximal contacts indicated 60% and 66. 7% proper contacts and no contacts in 6. 7% and 10% of cases, respectively. Conclusion. Using IOSs could result in accurate monolithic zirconia crowns in terms of adaptation. Also, most occlusal and proximal contacts did not need any adjustments.

Background. With advancements in orthodontic technology, treatment durations have shortened, often concluding at earlier ages. This shift prompts scrutiny of contemporary retention and post-treatment protocols. The study aimed to assess current professional preferences, compare them against patient age and treatment duration, and investigate the potential impacts of reduced treatment times on professional protocols, particularly when treatment concludes before pubertal growth. Methods. A questionnaire comprising 12 multiple-choice questions focused on active treatment and retention phases was developed using an online survey platform. It was distributed to licensed orthodontists engaged in patient treatment. Bivariate analysis was conducted using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test, with pairwise comparisons facilitated by the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner method. Results. Of 743 respondents, representing a 32% response rate, approximately 70% reported initiating treatment with fixed appliances in pre-pubertal patients. The most prevalent treatment combination involved commencing treatment during early permanent dentition and lasting between 12 to 24 months, resulting in treatment completion before full growth maturation. No discernible individualization was observed in retention protocols or post-retention follow-ups. Traditional retainer prescription post-orthodontic therapy was unanimous among respondents. Notably, experienced orthodontists tended to prefer regular patient visits for follow-up, while less experienced counterparts discharged patients after 12 months. Conclusion. Contemporary orthodontic treatments are characterized by shorter durations, yet orthodontists have not adopted retention and post-treatment follow-up practices accordingly. There is a pressing need for evidence-based guidelines to develop protocols tailored to the shorter treatment durations and the increasing prevalence of younger patients completing treatment.