This study evaluated the immediate and 6-month dentin bond strength of universal adhesives used in etch-and-rinse or self-etch bonding strategies. The adhesives tested were Ambar Universal, G-Bond, Single Bond Universal, Tetric N-Bond Universal, and Ybond Universal. Gold standard adhesives (Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus and Clearfil SE Bond) were controls. Microtensile dentin bond strength (n=5 teeth), pH, and C=C conversion (n=3) were evaluated. Data were analyzed at α=0.05. All adhesives showed differences in pH. Ybond had intermediately strong aggressiveness, whereas the others were ultra-mild. The C=C conversion was different in most adhesives. In the etch-and-rinse strategy, all adhesives showed similar results generally except for G-Bond, which had lower bond strength than most adhesives. G-Bond and Tetric-N-Bond showed lower bond strengths after 6 months compared with 24 h, whereas the other adhesives had stable dentin bonds. In the self-etch strategy, G-Bond had lower bond strength than most adhesives. After 6 months, Ambar was the only adhesive showing lower dentin bond strength compared with 24 h. Most adhesives had discreet drops in bond strength during aging when used in the self-etch strategy. The failure modes were also material dependent, with a general pattern of increased adhesive and/or pre-testing failures after storage. In conclusion, the bonding performance of universal adhesives to dentin is material dependent. Most adhesives had stable dentin bonds with results comparable to the gold standard materials, particularly when applied in the self-etch mode. In general, it seems the use of universal adhesives in dentin should not be preceded by phosphoric acid etching.

This study evaluated the effect of different adhesive protocols on the shear bond strength (SBS) of bulk-fill resin composite repaired with bulk-fill or conventional composite. Cylindrical bulk-fill resin composite specimens were prepared and allocated into groups according to the bonding strategy: no treatment, Silane+Scotch Bond Multipurpose (S+SBMP), Tetric N Bond Universal, and Single Bond Universal. Following bonding strategy, bulk-fill or conventional composite buildups were performed. After 24 h of storage in distilled water at 37°C, shear force was applied to the interface using a universal testing machine. The data were analyzed by twoway ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). SBS was influenced by the bonding strategy and the composite used (p<0.001). Irrespective of the composite used, the group S+SBMP yielded the highest SBS values (p<0.001). Repair bond strength of bulk-fill composites can be improved by using a silane coupling agent followed by a hydrophobic resin.

Some dynamic biofilm models for dental caries development are limited as they require multiple experiments and do not allow independent biofilm growth units, making them expensive and time-consuming. This study aimed to develop and test an in vitro dynamic microcosm biofilm model for caries lesion development and for dose-response to chlorhexidine. Microcosm biofilms were grown under two different protocols from saliva on bovine enamel discs for up to 21 days. The study outcomes were as follows: the percentage of enamel surface hardness change, integrated hardness loss, and the CFU counts from the biofilms formed. The measured outcomes, mineral loss and CFU counts showed dose-response effects as a result of the treatment with chlorhexidine. Overall, the findings suggest that biofilm growth for seven days with 0.06 ml min(-1) salivary flow under exposure to 5% sucrose (3 × daily, 0.25 ml min(-1), 6 min) was suitable as a pre-clinical model for enamel demineralization and antimicrobial studies.

Objectives: Zirconia and alumina nanoparticles were coated with a silica-rich layer (ALSI and ZRSI) and used to prepare experimental nanohybrid resin composites, which were characterized and compared to a control commercial resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT).Methods: Silica nanoparticles with sizes compatible to ALSI (Aerosil 150) and ZRSI (Aerosil OX 50) were tested as references. The volume of nanoparticles was equivalent across the composites, which also had consistent content of glass microparticles. C=C conversion, viscosity, depth of cure, surface topography, hardness, opacity, radio-opacity, and edge chipping resistance (ReA) were tested after 24 h. Flexural strength (σ f ) and fracture toughness (K IC ) were also tested after 15K thermal cycles. Data were analyzed using one-way or two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05).Results: ALSI and ZRSI yielded resin composites with lower viscosity and more irregular nanoagglomerates compared to nanosilica-based composites. C=C conversio and depth of cure were lower for ZRSI composite, which had higher opacity, radio-opacity, and hardness. ReA was higher for ALSI composite. Composites with ALSI and ZRSI showed stable σ f after aging, whereas the control and Aerosil 150 resin composites showed significant degradation. The commercial and nanosilica-based composites showed up to 42% reduction in K IC after aging, whereas resin composites with ZRSI and ALSI showed a more stable K IC .Significance: ALSI and ZRSI generated nanohybrid resin composites with improved and/or more stable physical properties compared with nanosilica-based and commercial composites. This

Objectives This study analyzed the physical-chemical behavior of 2 bulk fill resin composites (BFCs; Filtek Bulk Fill [FBF], and Tetric-N-Ceram Bulk Fill [TBF]) used in 2- and 4-mm increments and compared them with a conventional resin composite (Filtek Z250). Materials and Methods Flexural strength and elastic modulus were evaluated by using a 3-point bending test. Knoop hardness was measured at depth areas 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4 mm. The translucency parameter was measured using an optical spectrophotometer. Real-time polymerization kinetics was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results Flexural strength was similar among the materials, while TBF showed lower elastic modulus (Z250: 6.6 ± 1.3, FBF: 6.4 ± 0.9, TBF: 4.3 ± 1.3). The hardness of Z250 was similar only between 0–1 mm and 1–2 mm. Both BFCs had similar hardness until 2–3 mm, and showed significant decreases at 3–4 mm (FBF: 33.45 ± 1.95 at 0–1 mm to 23.19 ± 4.32 at 3–4 mm, TBF: 23.17 ± 2.51 at 0–1 mm to 15.11 ± 1.94 at 3–4 mm). The BFCs showed higher translucency than Z250. The polymerization kinetics of all the materials were similar at 2-mm increments. At 4-mm, only TBF had a similar degree of conversion compared with 2 mm. Conclusions The BFCs tested had similar performance compared to the conventional composite when used in up to 2-mm increments. When the increment was thicker, the BFCs were properly polymerized only up to 3 mm.