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Objectives This study reports on the synthesis, materials characterization, antimicrobial capacity, and cytocompatibility of novel ZnO-loaded membranes for guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR). Methods Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and PCL/gelatin (PCL/GEL) were dissolved in hexafluoropropanol and loaded with ZnO at distinct concentrations: 0 (control), 5, 15, and 30 wt.%. Electrospinning was performed using optimized parameters and the fibres were characterized via scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM/TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle (CA), mechanical testing, antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogens, and cytotoxicity test using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey (α=5%). Results ZnO nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the overall submicron fibres, which showed fairly good morphology and microstructure. Upon ZnO nanoparticles’ incorporation, the PCL and PCL/GEL fibres became thicker and thinner, respectively. All GEL-containing membranes showed lower CA than the PCL-based membranes, which were highly hydrophobic. Overall, the mechanical properties of the membranes were reduced upon ZnO incorporation, except for PCL-based membranes containing ZnO at the 30 wt.% concentration. The presence of GEL enhanced the stretching ability of membranes under wet conditions. All ZnO-containing membranes displayed antibacterial activity against the bacteria tested, which was generally more pronounced with increased ZnO content. All membranes synthesized in this study demonstrated satisfactory cytocompatibility, although the presence of 30 wt.% ZnO led to decreased viability. Significance Collectively, this study suggests that PCL- and PCL/GEL-based membranes containing a low content of ZnO nanoparticles can potentially function as a biologically safe antimicrobial GTR/GBR membrane.

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Composite resins may undergo wear by the action of chemical substances (e.g., saliva, alcohol, bacterial acids) of the oral environment, which may affect the material's structure and surface properties. This study evaluated the effect of acidic substances on the surface properties of a micro-hybrid composite resin (Filtek Z-250). Eighty specimens were prepared, and baseline hardness and surface roughness (KMN0 and Ra0, respectively) were measured. The specimens were subjected to sorption (SO) and solubility (SL) tests according to ISO 4049:2009, but using different storage solutions: deionized water; 75/25 vol% ethanol/water solution; lactic acid; propionic acid; and acetic acid. The acids were used in two concentrations: PA and 0.02 N. pH was measured for all solutions and final hardness (KMN1) and surface roughness (Ra1) were measured. Data were analyzed with paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=5%). All solutions decreased hardness and increased the Ra values, except for the specimens stored in water and 0.02 N lactic acid, which maintained the hardness. All solutions produced similar SO and SL phenomena, except for the 0.02 N lactic acid, which caused lower solubility than the other solutions. Ethanol showed the highest pH (6.6) and the 0.02 N lactic acid the lowest one (2.5). The solutions affected negatively the surface properties of the composite resin; in addition, an acidic pH did not seem to be a significant factor that intensifies the surface degradation phenomena.

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Introduction Actinomyces naeslundii has been recovered from traumatized permanent teeth diagnosed with necrotic pulps. In this work, a triple antibiotic paste (TAP)–mimic scaffold is proposed as a drug-delivery strategy to eliminate A. naeslundii dentin biofilm. Methods Metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline were added to a polydioxanone (PDS) polymer solution and spun into fibrous scaffolds. Fiber morphology, mechanical properties, and drug release were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, microtensile testing, and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Human dentin specimens (4 × 4 × 1 mm3, n = 4/group) were inoculated with A. naeslundii (ATCC 43146) for 7 days for biofilm formation. The infected dentin specimens were exposed to TAP-mimic scaffolds, TAP solution (positive control), and pure PDS (drug-free scaffold). Dentin infected (7-day biofilm) specimens were used for comparison (negative control). Confocal laser scanning microscopy was done to determine bacterial viability. Results Scaffolds displayed a submicron mean fiber diameter (PDS = 689 ± 312 nm and TAP-mimic = 718 ± 125 nm). Overall, TAP-mimic scaffolds showed significantly (P ≤ .040) lower mechanical properties than PDS. Within the first 24 hours, a burst release for all drugs was seen. A sustained maintenance of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin was observed over 4 weeks, but not for minocycline. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated complete elimination of all viable bacteria exposed to the TAP solution. Meanwhile, TAP-mimic scaffolds led to a significant (P < .05) reduction in the percentage of viable bacteria compared with the negative control and PDS. Conclusions Our findings suggest that TAP-mimic scaffolds hold significant potential in the eradication/elimination of bacterial biofilm, a critical step in regenerative endodontics.

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The aim of this study was to compare the bonding ability of a universal dental adhesive (Scotchbond Universal/SBU, 3 M ESPE) and other contemporary dental bonding agents applied to different substrates: enamel, dentin, resin composite, and porcelain. SBU was tested using both the etch-and-rinse/ER and self-etch/SE bonding approaches. The other adhesives tested were Scotchbond Multipurpose/SBMP (3 M ESPE), Single Bond 2/SB (3 M ESPE), and Clearfil SE Bond/CLSE (Kuraray). Specimens of each substrate were prepared for microtensile bond strength test/μTBS (dentin and composite) or shear/SBS test (enamel and porcelain). In composite and porcelain, negative (no treatment) and positive (silane + SB) control groups were tested. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). In enamel, SBU resulted in similar SBS (p ≥ 0.458) compared to all other adhesives