Effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) on the viability, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells cultured on a chemically modified titanium surface

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the chemical characteristics and roughness of titanium surfaces on the viability, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells cultured in a medium supplemented with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7). Material and methods: Osteo-1 cells were grown on titanium disks presenting with the following surfaces: (1) machined, (2) coarse grit-blasted and acid-attacked (SLA) and (3) chemically modified SLA (SLAmod) in the absence or presence of 20 ng/ml rhBMP-7 in culture medium. The viability and number of osteo-1 cells were evaluated after 24 h. Analyses of total protein content (TP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity at 7, 14 and 21 days, collagen content at 7 and 21 days and mineralized matrix formation at 21 days were performed. Results: Cell viability (P=0.5516), cell number (P=0.3485), collagen content (P=0.1165) and mineralized matrix formation (P=0.5319) were not affected by the different surface configurations or by the addition of rhBMP-7 to the medium. Osteo-1 cells cultured on SLA surfaces showed a significant increase in TP at 21 days. The ALPase/TP ratio (P=0.00001) was affected by treatment and time. Conclusion: The results suggest that the addition of rhBMP-7 to the culture medium did not exert any effect on the viability, proliferation or differentiation of osteoblast-like cells grown on the different surfaces tested. All titanium surfaces analyzed allowed the complete expression of the osteoblast phenotype such as matrix mineralization by osteo-1 cells.

Effects of adhesive temperature on the early and 6-month dentin bonding

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the effect of adhesive temperature on the bond strength to dentin (mu TBS) and silver nitrate uptake (SNU) of an ethanol/water (Adper Single Bond 2 [SB]) and an acetone-based (Prime&Bond 2.1 [PB]) etch-and-rinse adhesive system. Methods: The bottles of each adhesive were kept in various temperatures (5 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C) for 1 h previously to its application in the occlusal demineralized dentin of 40 molars. Bonded sticks (0.8 mm(2)) were tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) immediately (IM) or after 6 months (6 M) of water storage. Two bonded sticks from each hemi-tooth were immersed in silver nitrate and analyzed by SEM. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results: No significant difference in mu TBS was detected for both adhesives at 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C. The highest bond strength for PB was observed in the 37 degrees C group while for SB it was in the 50 degrees C. Significant reductions of bond strengths were observed for PB at 37 degrees C and SB at 50 degrees C after 6 M of water storage. Silver nitrate deposition was seen in all hybrid layers, irrespective of the group. Lower silver nitrate deposition (water trees) in the adhesive layer was seen for PB and SB at higher temperatures. Conclusions: The heating or refrigeration of the adhesives did not improve their resin-dentin bond resistance to water degradation over time. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of prolonged application times on the durability of resin-dentin bonds

Objectives. To examine the effect of prolonged application time on the early and 3-year resin-dentin microtensile bond strength. Methods. Water/ethanol (Single Bond [SB]) and acetone-based systems (One Step [OS]) were employed. A flat superficial dentin surface was exposed in third human molars by wet abrasion. The adhesives were applied to a delimited area of 52 mm(2) on wet surfaces, for 40, 90, 150 and 300s. Four teeth were assigned for each experimental condition. Composite build-ups were constructed incrementally After water storage at 37 degrees C for 24 h, teeth were sectioned to obtain sticks with cross-sectional areas of 0.8 mm(2) to be tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) either immediately (IM) or after 3 years (3Y) of water storage. The microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) values were analyzed by two way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results. The 90- and 150-s groups achieved the highest IM mu TBS for OS (p < 0.01). For SB, the highest IM mu TBS values were observed after 300-s application (p < 0.01). Significant decreases in mu TBS were observed for OS in the 40- and 90-s groups after 3Y, except for the 150-s group. With regard to SB, after 3Y significant drops in mu TBS values were observed for the 40- and 150-s groups, except for the 300-s group. Significance. Prolonged application times can increase the immediate LTBS of two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive systems and make the adhesive layer more stable over time. (c) 2007 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of temperature and heating rate on the sintering of leucite-based dental porcelains

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of temperature and heating rate on the densification of four leucite-based dental porcelains: two low-fusion (Dentsply Ceramco and Ivoclar) and two high-fusion commercial porcelains (Dentsply Ceramco). Porcelain powders were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size distribution, helium picnometry, and by scanning electron microscopy. Test specimens were sintered from 600 to 1050 degrees C, with heating rates of 55 degrees C/min and 10 degrees C/min. The bulk density of the specimens was measured by the Archimedes method in water, and microstructures of fracture surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that densification of specimens increased with the increase in temperature. The increase in the heating rate had no effect on the densification of the porcelains studied. Both high-fusion materials and one of the low-fusing porcelains reached the maximum densification at a temperature that was 50 degrees C lower than that recommended by the manufactures. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Scanning Electron Microscopy In Vitro Study on the Effect of Carisolv Application on Periodontally Diseased Root Surfaces

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of diseased root surfaces treated by the association of scaling and the application of Carisolv. Twenty-four uniradicular periodontally involved teeth were used in this study The teeth were divided randomly into three groups: eight teeth were scaled and root planed until there was a complete visible removal of calculus (group 1), Carisolv was applied on the root surfaces of eight teeth twice for 30 seconds before scaling with a sharp curette (group 2), and eight teeth received the same treatment as in group 2 but with a blunt curette (group 3). Specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy The superficial aspect of the roots from group 1 presented scratches that mirrored the curette cutting edge, and the smear layer completely covered the surface. Root surfaces from groups 2 and 3 also presented a smear layer that covered the surface completely but it was somewhat smoother than group 1. The use of Carisolv as an adjunct to scaling and root planing presented no advantage for smear layer removal over scaling alone, suggesting that no benefit is obtained by the use of Carisolv during periodontal mechanical treatment. (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2011;31:91-95.)

Effect of processing induced particle alignment on the fracture toughness and fracture behavior of multiphase dental ceramics

Objective. To investigate the processing induced particle alignment on fracture behavior of four multiphase dental ceramics (one porcelain, two glass-ceramics and a glass-infiltrated-alumina composite). Methods. Disks (empty set12mm x 1.1 mm-thick) and bars (3 mm x 4 mm x 20 mm) of each material were processed according to manufacturer instructions, machined and polished. Fracture toughness (K(IC)) was determined by the indentation strength method using 3-point bending and biaxial flexure fixtures for the fracture of bars and disks, respectively. Microstructural and fractographic analyses were performed with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results. The isotropic microstructure of the porcelain and the leucite-based glass-ceramic resulted in similar fracture toughness values regardless of the specimen geometry. On the other hand, materials containing second-phase particles with high aspect ratio (lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and glass-infiltrated-alumina composite) showed lower fracture toughness for disk specimens compared to bars. For the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic disks, it was demonstrated that the occurrence of particle alignment during the heat-pressing procedure resulted in an unfavorable pattern that created weak microstructural paths during the biaxial test. For the glass-infiltrated-alumina composite, the microstructural analysis showed that the large alumina platelets tended to align their large surfaces perpendicularly to the direction of particle deposition during slip casting of green preforms. Significance. The fracture toughness of dental ceramics with anisotropic microstructure should be determined by means of biaxial testing, since it results in lower values. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of the microstructure on the lifetime of dental ceramics

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of the microstructure on the Weibull and slow crack growth (SCG) parameters and on the lifetime of three ceramics used as framework materials for fixed partial dentures (FPDs) (YZ - Vita In-Ceram YZ; IZ - Vita In-Ceram Zirconia; AL - Vita In-Ceram AL) and of two veneering porcelains (VM7 and VM9). Methods. Bar-shaped specimens were fabricated according to the manufacturer`s instructions. Specimens were tested in three-point flexure in 37 degrees C artificial saliva. Weibull analysis (n = 30) and a constant stress-rate test (n = 10) were used to determine the Weibull modulus (m) and SCG coefficient (n), respectively. Microstructural and fractographic analyzes were performed using SEM. ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05) were used to statistically analyze data obtained with both microstructural and fractographic analyzes. Results. YZ and AL presented high crystalline content and low porosity (0.1-0.2%). YZ had the highest characteristic strength (sigma(0)) value (911 MPa) followed by AL (488 MPa) and IZ (423 MPa). Lower sigma(0) values were observed for the porcelains (68-75 MPa). Except for IZ and VM7, m values were similar among the ceramic materials. Higher n values were found for YZ (76) and AL (72), followed by IZ (54) and the veneering materials (36-44). Lifetime predictions showed that YZ was the material with the best mechanical performance. The size of the critical flaw was similar among the framework materials (34-48 mu m) and among the porcelains (75-86 mu m). Significance. The microstructure influenced the mechanical and SCG behavior of the studied materials and, consequently, the lifetime predictions. (C) 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Test Environment and Microstructure on the Flexural Strength of Dental Porcelains

Purpose: The objective of this study was to verify the influence of test environment on the flexural strength of dental porcelains with distinct microstructures. Material and Methods: Disk-shaped specimens from three dental porcelains with distinct leucite content (VM: zero; CE: 12; NS: 22 vol%) were manufactured and tested for biaxial flexural strength in air and immersed in artificial saliva. The results were analyzed by means of two-way ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results: The flexural strength (MPa) obtained for ambient air and artificial saliva environments, respectively, were: 110.0 +/- 16.0 and 81.5 +/- 10.8 for VM; 51.9 +/- 4.0 and 42.0 +/- 4.7 for CE; 72.0 +/- 11.5 and 63.6 +/- 5.8 for NS. A numerical decrease in the mean flexural strength was observed for all groups when specimens were tested under artificial saliva; however, the difference was only statistically significant for VM. Conclusions: The results indicate that the effect of water immersion on the flexural strength of dental porcelains varies according to their leucite content, as only the material without leucite in its microstructure (VM) showed significant strength degradation when tested under water.

Effect of Iron on Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition and on the Prevention of Dentine Erosion

It is known that some metal salts can inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, but the effect of iron has not been tested yet. On the other hand, it has recently been suggested that MMP inhibition might influence dentine erosion. Based on this, the aims of this study were: (1) to test in vitro the effect of FeSO(4) on MMP-2 and -9 activity, and (2) to evaluate in situ the effect of FeSO(4) gel on dentine erosion. MMP-2 and -9 activities were analysed zymographically in buffers containing FeSO(4) in concentrations ranging between 0.05 and 1.5 mmol/l or not. Volunteers (n = 10) wore devices containing bovine dentine blocks (n = 60) previously treated with the following gel treatments: FeSO(4) (1 mmol/l FeSO(4)), F (NaF 1.23%; positive control) and placebo (negative control). The gels were applied once and removed after 1 min. Erosion was performed extraorally with Coca-Cola 4 times per day for 5 min over 5 days. Dentine wear was evaluated by profilometry. The data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn`s tests (p < 0.05). FeSO(4) inhibited both MMP-2 (IC(50) = 0.75 mmol/l) and MMP-9 (IC(50) = 0.50 mmol/l) activities. In the in situ experiment, the mean wear (+/- SD) found for the F gel (0.79 8 +/- 0.08 mu m) was significantly reduced in more than 50% when compared to the placebo gel (1.77 +/- 0.33 mu m), but the FeSO(4) gel completely inhibited the wear (0.05 +/- 0.02 mu m). Since FeSO(4) was able to inhibit MMP in vitro, it is possible that the prevention of dentine wear by the FeSO(4) gel in situ might be due to MMP inhibition, which should be investigated in further studies. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel