We aimed to evaluate the color stability of bulk-fill and conventional composite resin with respect to thickness and storage media. Twenty specimens of a conventional composite resin (6 mm diameter and 2 mm thick) and 40 specimens of the bulk-fill Tetric EvoCeram composite resin at two different thicknesses (6 mm diameter and 2 mm thick or 4 mm thick, n = 20) were prepared. The specimens were stored in distilled water during the study period (28 d). Half of the specimens were remained in distilled water and the other half were immersed in coffee solution 20 min/d and kept in distilled water between the cycles. Color changes (ΔE) were measured using the CIE L ⁎ a ⁎ b ⁎ color space and a digital imaging system at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days of storage. Data were analyzed using Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post hoc test (P < 0.05). Composite resins showed significant increase in color changes by time (bulk-fill > conventional; P < 0.001). Coffee exhibited significantly more staining susceptibility than that of distilled water (P < 0.001). There was greater color changes with increasing the increment thickness, which was significant at 14 (P < 0.001) and 28 d (P < 0.01). Color change of bulk-fill composite resin was greater than that of the conventional one after coffee staining and is also a function of increment thicknesses.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of lithium disilicate ceramics to reproduce the A2 shade and to mask A4 substrates. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four discs (8 mm in diameter, shade A2) of high translucency (groups 1-3) and low translucency (groups 4-6) of IPS e.max ceramic with different thicknesses (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mm) were fabricated as monolithic structures. In addition, discs of medium opacity (group 7-8) with different core/veneer combinations (0.3 mm/0.7 mm and 0.5 mm/0.5 mm) were fabricated as bilayer structures. Specimens were superimposed on an A4 substrate (complex). The color changes of the complex were measured using a spectrophotometer on a black background, and the ΔE values of the complex were compared with either the A4 substrate or the A2 shade tab. One-way analysis of variance, the Tukey honest significant difference test, and the Fisher test were used to analyze the data (p < 0.05). Results: Significant between-group differences were found for comparisons to both the A4 substrate and the A2 shade (p < 0.05). When compared with the A4 substrate, the ΔE values in all groups were in the non-acceptable range. When compared with the A2 shade, the ΔE values in all groups, except groups 2 and 3, were in the clinically acceptable range. Conclusions: All translucencies and thicknesses masked the underlying dark substrate. However, the low-translucency IPS e.max Press better reproduced the A2 shade.

Aim:The aim of this study is to investigate the physical properties of conventional and resin-modified glass ionomer cements (GICs) compared to GICs supplemented with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofiller particles at 5% (w/w).Methods:In this in vitro study, ZnO nanoparticles of different morphologies (nanospherical, nanorod, and nanoflower) were incorporated to glass ionomer powder. The samples were subjected to the flexural strength (n = 20) and surface hardness test (n = 12) using a universal testing machine and a Vickers hardness machine, respectively. Surface analysis and crystal structure of samples were performed with scanning electron microscope and X-radiation diffraction, respectively. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Shapiro–Wilk, and Tukey's tests (P < 0.05).Results:Flexural strength of glass ionomer containing nanoparticles was not significantly different from the control group (P > 0.05). The surface hardness of the glass ionomer containing nanospherical or nanoflower ZnO was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). However, the surface hardness of glass ionomer containing nanorod ZnO was not significantly different from the control group (P = 0.868).Conclusions:Incorporation of nanospherical and nanoflower ZnO to glass ionomer decreased their surface hardness, without any changes on their flexural strength. Incorporation of nanorod ZnO particles caused no effect on the mechanical properties.

Aim. Several new bioactive compounds were recently introduced to the market with favorable ion release, tooth remineralization, and alkalizing potential. This study sought to compare the phosphate ion release and alkalizing potential of three bioactive materials in comparison with composite resin. Methods. Thirty-six discs (2 × 6 mm) were fabricated from Fuji II LC resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI), Activa BioActive, Cention N, and Z250 composite in plastic molds. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 and 48 h and 6 months. Half of the specimens were used to assess the phosphate ion release while the other half were used to assess the alkalizing potential 1 h after pH drop from 6.8 to 4. Phosphate ion release was quantified by a spectrophotometer while the pH value was measured by a pH meter. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD test (for pairwise comparisons) at 0.05 level of significance. Results. At 24 h, the maximum phosphate ion release in distilled water occurred in the Fuji II LC group followed by Cention N, Activa BioActive, and Z250. At 6 months, Cention N followed by Activa BioActive showed higher phosphate ion release than Fuji II LC and Z250. No significant difference was noted between Activa BioActive and Cention N at any time point. All materials, except for Z250, increased the pH of the environment. Fuji II LC had maximum alkalizing effect at all time points followed by Cention N and Activa BioActive. Conclusion. Use of bioactive compounds is a promising method to ensure phosphate ion release, and can have a positive effect on tooth remineralization over time. Also, bioactive compounds can alkalize an acidic environment.

Introduction: It has been suggested that the application of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate paste (CPP-ACP) and CO2 laser irradiation on enamel could increase the resistance of enamel to caries and acid attacks. The aim of the current study was to compare the influence of CPP-ACP paste application and irradiation of CO2 laser on microhardness of demineralized enamel. Methods: Thirty sound maxillary extracted premolars were selected. The crowns were cut at the cervical line and were split into facial and palatal halves. Specimens were mounted in selfcure acrylic blocks in such way that the enamel surface was exposed to 4×4 mm. After a pH cycling of the specimens, they were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15), as follows: CG: Control group, LAS: CO2 laser, CP: CPP-ACP and LASCP: laser combined CPP-ACP treatment. The Vickers microhardness of the specimens was measured (500 g load, 5 seconds, 3 points). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests (α = 0.05). ). There were significant differences between groups (P < 0.001). The pairwise comparison of the groups revealed that there were significant differences between these groups: CG versus LAS, CP, LASCP (P < 0.05) and LASCP versus LAS and CP (P < 0.05). No significant difference between LAS group versus CP group (P > 0.05) was observed. Results Conclusion:The results of the current study revealed that CO2 laser and CCP-ACP were effective for improvement of enamel hardness value after demineralization. Incorporation of CO2 laser irradiation and CCP-ACP paste application provides additional remineralizing potential for demineralized enamel.

Objectives: This study investigated the indirect effect of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), as 2 calcium silicate-based hydraulic cements, on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) through different dentin thicknesses. Materials and Methods: Two-chamber setups were designed to simulate indirect pulp capping (IPC). Human molars were sectioned to obtain 0.1-, 0.3-, and 0.5-mm-thick dentin discs, which were placed between the 2 chambers to simulate an IPC procedure. Then, MTA and CEM were applied on one side of the discs, while hDPSCs were cultured on the other side. After 2 weeks of incubation, the cells were removed, and cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment to the discs were evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDXA) spectroscopy was performed for elemental analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed quantitatively. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: SEM micrographs revealed elongated cells, collagen fibers, and calcified nucleations in all samples. EDXA verified that the calcified nucleations consisted of calcium phosphate. The largest calcifications were seen in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroups. There was no significant difference in ALP activity across the CEM subgroups; however, ALP activity was significantly lower in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroup than in the other MTA subgroups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The employed capping biomaterials exerted biological activity on hDPSCs, as shown by cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment and calcific precipitations, through 0.1-to 0.5-mm-thick layers of dentin. In IPC, the bioactivity of these endodontic biomaterials is probably beneficial.

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ObjectivesThis study assessed the effect of water storage on the flexural strength (FS) of low shrinkage composites.Materials and MethodsA total of 165 bar-shaped specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm) were fabricated of 2 low shrinkage composites (Filtek P90 [3M ESPE], GC Kalore [GC International]) and a conventional methacrylate-based composite (Filtek Z250 [3M ESPE]). The specimens were subjected to 3-point bending test at 6 time intervals, namely: immediately after curing, at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year following storage in wet and dry conditions. The FS of the specimens were measured by applying compressive load at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Data was analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.ResultsThree-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between time, type of composite, and storage condition (p = 0.001). Tukey's multiple comparison test revealed significant reductions in FS of all composites after 6 months and 1 year of storage in distilled water compared to dry condition.ConclusionsFiltek P90 showed the highest and GC Kalore showed the lowest FS after 1 year storage in distilled water. The immediate high strength of Filtek Z250 significantly decreased at 1 year and its final value was lower than that of Filtek P90.