Abstract: This study aimed to screen the public procurement for dental adhesives in a public health system and evaluate the variables associated with the type and cost of purchased materials. A time series was conducted with secondary data collated from the Brazilian Databank of Healthcare Prices (BDHP). All public procurements for adhesive systems registered from 2010 to 2019 were collated. The frequency of purchase was described, and a multiple linear regression model was used to assess the influence of unit price on predictor variables. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to describe the influence of selected variables on the probability of purchase for different classes of adhesive systems. A total of 2,752 purchases were analyzed, and the total cost of these materials reached US$ 7,022,659.00 in the 10 analyzed years. The 3-step Etch & Rinse adhesives corresponded to 45.63% of the processes, with increased probability of being purchased over time. The process conducted by public universities in recent years, using the auction modality, presented lower unit prices. The year of purchase, the type of institutions, the institution's location, and the procurement modality influenced the procurement process. The performed analyses contribute to the understanding of the variables associated with the procurements for adhesive systems, providing valuable information for rationalizing public expenditure and for implementing evidence-based practices to guarantee cost-effective and clinically effective procedures for users of the Brazilian public healthcare system.

Aim This study analyzed public procurements for different endodontic materials used in the Brazilian public health system and evaluated the variables related to their cost. Methods A time-series study was performed by screening materials for endodontic application in the public Brazilian Databank of Healthcare Prices from 2010 to 2019. Data were categorized according to material composition and clinical application. The collated variables were used in a multiple linear regression model to predict the impact of unit price in procurement processes. Results A total of 5,973 procurement processes (1,524,693 items) were evaluated. Calcium hydroxides were found in 79% of the observations (4,669 processes). Prices drop each year by US$1.87 while MTAs and epoxy resins are increasingly purchased at higher prices (US$50.87; US$67.69, respectively). The microregion, the procurement modality, and the type of institution had no influence on unit prices in the adjusted model (p > 0.05). Conclusions Calcium hydroxide-based materials were the cheapest and most frequently purchased endodontic materials in the public health care system. Novel formulations are being implemented into clinical practice over time and their cost may be a barrier to the broad application of materials such as MTAs, despite their effectiveness.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different calcium phosphates (CaPs) on the physical, biological, and remineralizing properties of experimental resin-based sealants (RBSs). Triethylene-glycol dimethacrylate (90wt%) and bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (10wt%) were used to produce resin-based sealants. Hydroxyapatite (SHAp), α-tricalcium phosphate (Sα-TCP) and octacalcium phosphate (SOCP) were added to the sealants in a 10wt% concentration. One group without CaPs was used as the control group (SCG). The degree of conversion (DC) was assessed with Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, whereas cytotoxicity was tested with the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was used to assess the mechanical strength of the experimental RBSs. Sealed enamel was used for colorimetric assay. Mineral deposition was assessed with Raman spectroscopy after 7, 14, and 28 days of sample immersion in artificial saliva. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the surface morphology after 28 days of immersion. The addition of 10wt% of fillers significantly reduced the DC of sealants. SOCP groups showed reduced cell viability. Higher UTS was found for Sα-TCP and SHAp. The color analysis showed that SGC and demineralized teeth presented higher mismatches with the sound tissue. Mineral deposition was observed for SHAp and Sα-TCP after 7 days, with increased phosphate content and mineral deposits for SHAp after 28 days. RBS with the addition of 10% HAp promoted increased mineralization in vitro after 28 days, and did not affect cell viability, DC, mechanical properties, or RBS color in the enamel.

Objective: To verify the influence of radiopaque fillers on an epoxy resin-based sealer. Material and Methods: Experimental sealers were formulated by adding 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% and 120% of calcium tungstate, ytterbium trifluoride or barium sulphate by weight to an epoxy-resin-base. Setting time, flow, film thickness, radiopacity, sorption, solubility, pH and push-out bond strength were evaluated. Results: The setting time ranged from 373 to 612.66 min, the flow varied from 13.81±0.49 to 22.49±0.37 mm, and the film thickness ranged from 16.67±5.77 to 33.33±11.54 µm. The lowest pH was 5.47±0.53, and the highest was 6.99±0.03. Radiopacity varied from 0.38±0.04 to 2.57±0.21 mmAl and increased with the amount of filler. Calcium tungstate sealers had a higher sorption and solubility than other sealers. There was no significant difference in the push-out bond strength among the fillers at the 120% concentration. CONCLUSION: The inorganic fillers evaluated and their concentrations affect the physicochemical properties of an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer.