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The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of green tea on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to bleached enamel. Forty-two human third molars were randomly divided into six experimental groups (n = 7 each group): group 1, no treatment; group 2, bleaching (10% carbamide peroxide); group 3, bleaching + 10% sodium ascorbate gel (SA); group 4, bleaching + 10% green tea gel (GT); group 5, SA; and group 6, GT. In groups 2, 3, and 4, bleach was applied onto the enamel surface for 6 h, every day for 14 d. In groups 3 and 5, SA was applied for 1 h; and in groups 4 and 6, GT was applied for 1 h. Immediately after treatment, the specimens were bonded with Adper Single Bond 2 and Filtek Z350 XT. The μTBS of the specimens was tested using a universal testing machine. Fracture mode analysis of the bonded enamel surface was performed using scanning electron microscopy. The mean μTBS values for each group were: group 1, 33.2 ± 5.8 MPa; group 2, 22.6 ± 5.5 MPa; group 3, 30.0 ± 5.2 MPa; group 4, 31.6 ± 3.8 MPa; group 5, 29.1 ± 4.2 MPa; and group 6, 32.2 ± 4.5 MPa. All groups had a higher percentage of mixed failures. In conclusion, green tea can be used as an alternative antioxidant on bleached enamel before bonding procedures.

Microwave energy has been used as an alternative method for disinfection and sterilization of dental prostheses. This study evaluated the influence of microwave treatment on dimensional accuracy along the posterior palatal border of maxillary acrylic resin denture bases processed by water-bath curing. Thirty maxillary acrylic bases (3-mm-thick) were made on cast models with Clássico acrylic resin using routine technique. After polymerization and cooling, the sets were deflasked and the bases were stored in water for 30 days. Thereafter, the specimens were assigned to 3 groups (n=10), as follows: group I (control) was not submitted to any disinfection cycle; group II was submitted to microwave disinfection for 3 min at 500 W; and in group III microwaving was done for 10 min at 604 W. The acrylic bases were fixed on their respective casts with instant adhesive (Super Bonder ® ) and the base/cast sets were sectioned transversally in the posterior palatal zone. The existence of gaps between the casts and acrylic bases was assessed using a profile projector at 5 points. No statistically significant differences were observed between the control group and group II. However, group III differed statistically from the others (p<0.05). Treatment in microwave oven at 604 W for 10 min produced the greatest discrepancies in the adaptation of maxillary acrylic resin denture bases to the stone casts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of bleaching agents on sound enamel (SE) and enamel with early artificial caries lesions (CL) using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Eighty blocks (4 x 5 x 5 mm) of bovine enamel were used and half of them were submitted to a pH cycling model to induce CL. Eight experimental groups were obtained from the treatments and mineralization level of the enamel (SE or CL) (n=10). SE groups: G1 -unbleached (control); G2 -4% hydrogen peroxide (4 HP); G3 -4 HP containing 0.05% Ca (Ca); G4 -7.5% hydrogen peroxide (7.5 HP) containing amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). CL groups: G5 -unbleached; G6 -4 HP; G7 -4 HP containing Ca; G8 -7.5 HP ACP. G2, G3, G6, G7 were treated with the bleaching agents for 8 h/day during 14 days, while G4 and G8 were exposed to the bleaching agents for 30 min twice a day during 14 days. The enamel blocks were stained with 0.1 mM rhodamine B solution and the demineralization was quantified using fluorescence intensity detected by CLSM. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's tests (α=0.05). For the SE groups, the bleaching treatments increased significantly the demineralization area when compared with the unbleached group. In the CL groups, no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). The addition of ACP or Ca in the composition of the whitening products did not overcome the effects caused by bleaching treatments on SE and neither was able to promote remineralization of CL.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (GSE) on the in vitro demineralization of root dentine. Root fragments were obtained from sound human teeth. The fragments were randomly assigned to different treatments solutions: GSE, fluoride (F), GSE+F and distilled water (control). Samples were treated daily for 30 min and subjected to a pH cycling artificial caries protocol using demineralization cycles (2.2 mM CaCl₂×H₂O, 2.2 mM KH₂PO₄, 50 mM acetic acid, pH 4.3) for 6 h and remineralization cycles (20 mM HEPES, 2.25 mM CaCl₂×H₂O, 1.35 mM KH₂PO₄, 130 mM KCl, pH 7.0) for 17.5 h. Mineral loss (ΔZ) and lesion depth (LD) were determined after 18 days of treatment/pH cycling, by transverse microradiography. GSE was able to minimize ΔZ and LD compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). The GSE+F and F groups showed the lowest values of ΔZ and LD (p < 0.05), with no statistically significant differences between them (p = 0.554 and p = 0.726, respectively). A biomimetic approach to strengthen root dentine using GSE results in decreased rates of root demineralization and may be used in conjunction with F to prevent root caries.