Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of typified propolis and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on gingival health in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Material and Methods Sixty participants were randomized to 3 mouthrinse study groups: 1) 2% typified propolis (n = 20); 2) 0.12% chlorhexidine (n = 20), and 3) placebo (n = 20). Participants rinsed unsupervised twice a day for 28 days. The Papillary Bleeding Score (PBS) was measured on the mesio-buccal surfaces of all teeth at baseline and 28 days thereafter. Co-variance analysis was employed to compare PBS average values and the number of sites with PBS ≥ 2 among study groups. Sub-group analysis was further applied to participants who were < 40 years-old. Results The results show efficacy of propolis mouthrinse when comparing before and after treatment protocols significantly for a reduction of mean PBS scores. For younger participants propolis mouthrinse was superior to all groups in reducing mean PBS scores and significant when compared to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. conclusion The efficacy of 2% typified propolis mouthrinse was demonstrated in reducing the levels of gingival inflammation. These results need to be duplicated by other investigators under similar study protocols.

Objectives:To evaluate the influence of various photoactivation techniques on the internal gap, Knoop-hardness, and polymerization depth of silorane- and methacrylate-based composites in Class II restorations.Methods:Preparations were made in third molars (n = 10), according to composites (Filtek P60: methacrylate; Filtek P90: silorane) and photoactivation techniques (OC: occlusal photoactivation (control); OBL: occlusal+buccal+lingual photoactivation; and BLO: buccal+lingual+occlusal photoactivation (transdental)). Composites were inserted in two increments, both individually photoactivated for 20s. After 24h, specimens were sectioned and the ratio of internal gaps to interface length (%) recorded. Hardness was tested across the transversal section of restorations (1–4 mm below the surface).Results:Silorane restorations showed significantly lower gaps compared with methacrylate, regardless of polymerization technique (P<.05). Supplementary energy dose in OBL and BLO protocols caused significant increase in gaps in silorane restorations (P<.05). For methacrylate restorations, OBL activation caused significantly higher gap formation (P<.05). Significantly lower hardness values were seen for silorane than for methacrylate composites (P<.05), regardless of depth and photoactivation. Significantly higher hardness values were seen in BLO activation for methacrylate restorations compared with control (P<.05); for silorane, no differences were observed. Significantly higher hardness values were observed at 1 and 3 mm compared to 2 and 4 mm for both composites.Conclusions:Internal gaps and hardness are affected by composite type and photoactivation. Despite the reduced values, hardness of silorane is not influenced by photoactivation or by depth. Internal gaps are dependent on the energy dose for both composites, with silorane showing lower internal gaps.

Clinical RelevanceDespite oxalate desensitizer showing a decrease in the rate of resin-dentin bond degradation over time, it compromised the baseline bond strength of etch-and-rinse adhesives to dentin. Further investigation regarding reliability of the combination of oxalate desensitizers and etch-and-rinse adhesives is required prior to implementation of this approach in the clinical routine. SUMMARYPotassium oxalate desensitizers were previously shown to effectively reduce the immediate permeability of resin-bonded dentin. The current study evaluated whether the effect of the combined application of oxalate with etch-and-rinse adhesives interferes with the durability of resindentin bonds when using etch-and-rinse adhesives. The bond strength of resin-bonded dentin specimens composed of two-step or three-step etch-and-rinse adhesives (Single Bond, One-Step and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, respectively) BISCO, Inc). The treatment of dentin with potassium oxalate was shown to negatively affect the baseline bond strength of resin-bonded dentin specimens, regardless of the adhesive used (p<0.05). After storage, the bond strength of the resin-bonded interfaces was significantly reduced for all the tested groups (p<0.001). Nevertheless, the rate of decreasing bond strength was significantly lower for oxalatetreated specimens than for the controls (p<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine on the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin collected from patients. Sound dentin from freshly extracted human teeth was used as a control. Dentin fragments were mixed with a synthetic substrate for proteolytic enzymes (N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide – BANA) and the suspensions mixed with either 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate or distilled water. These mixtures were incubated for 18 h at 37°C, color was developed by the addition of 0.1% Fast Garnet and their optical density was recorded spectrophotometrically. BANA hydrolysis measured by the optical density of incubated specimens was detected in all tested groups, but was significantly higher for carious than for sound dentin (p < 0.05). The proteolytic activity was reduced for carious coronal and root dentin by chlorhexidine (p < 0.05; 50 and 30%, respectively). Chlorhexidine also reduced the proteolytic activity in sound root dentin (p < 0.05; 20%). Conversely, changes in the proteolytic activity of sound coronal dentin were not observed in the presence of chlorhexidine. The reduction in proteolytic activity by chlorhexidine was significantly higher in carious coronal dentin than in carious root dentin (p < 0.05). In conclusion, part of the effect of chlorhexidine in controlling caries progression in humans may be due to a decrease in the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin. Because of the prolonged incubation time in the present study, similar results may be obtained clinically with prolonged dentin exposure to chlorhexidine, e.g. chlorhexidine-containing varnishes.