F/P procedures of RBCs may unexpectedly play a minor role compared to that of the restoration material itself in bacterial colonization.

Demineralization of dental hard tissue is a widespread problem and the main responsible for dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity. The most promising strategies to induce the precipitation of new mineral phase are the application of materials releasing gradually Ca2+ and PO43− ions or mimicking the mineral phase of the host tissue. However, the design of formulations covering both processes is so far a challenge in preventive dentistry. In this work, we have synthesized innovative biomimetic amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), which has been, for the first time, doped with fluoride ions (FACP) to obtain materials with enhanced anti-caries and remineralizing properties. Significantly, the doping with fluoride (F) did not vary the physico-chemical features of ACP but resulted in a faster conversion to the crystalline apatite phase in water, as observed by in-situ time-dependent Raman experiments. The efficacy of the as synthesized ACP and FACP samples to occlude dentinal tubules and induce enamel remineralization has been tested in vitro in human molar teeth. The samples showed good ability to partially occlude the tubules of acid-etched dentin and to restore demineralized enamel into its native structure. Results demonstrate that ACP and FACP are promising biomimetic materials in preventive dentistry to hinder demineralization of dental hard tissues.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of physicochemical surface properties of resin-based composites on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation. Specimens were prepared from each of four resin-based composites by polymerization against Mylar strips. Half of the number of specimens received no further surface treatment, whereas the other half were subjected to a polishing treatment. Surface roughness (SR) and topography were assessed using profilometry and atomic force microscopy. Surface free-energy (SFE) was determined, and the chemical surface composition was analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). S. mutans biofilms were formed on the surface of the resin-based composite specimens for either 48 or 96 h using an artificial mouth system (AMS). Polishing caused a significant decrease in SFE, and XPS analysis indicated an increase of surface silicon and a decrease of surface carbon. Only for Grandio was a significant increase in SR identified after polishing, which was probably related to the higher concentration of filler particles on its surface. Significantly less S. mutans biofilm formation was observed on polished resin-based composites than on unpolished resin-based composites. These results indicate that the proportions of resin matrix and filler particles on the surface of resin-based composites strongly influence S. mutans biofilm formation in vitro, suggesting that minimization of resin matrix exposure might be useful to reduce biofilm formation on the surface of resin-based composites.