ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare the structural and antibacterial properties of a Laser - treated commercial dental implant (No-Itis®) with those of a traditional sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) implant. Materials and Methods: Surface topography and elemental composition of the implant surfaces were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to dispersive X - ray spectrometry (EDX). The antibacterial properties of the implants were tested against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Protein adsorption capacity and bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF) of the implant surfaces were also analyzed. Results: The Laser - treated implant presents a topography constituted by smooth and uniform concavities of ~ 30 µm in diameter, free of Laser - induced alterations, and impurity elements. The Laser - textured surface demonstrated to significantly (p = 0.0132) reduce by up to around 61% the bacterial growth as compared with the SLA implant, which was found to be associated to a reduced adhesion of proteins on the Laser surface. No apatite - related mineral deposits were detected on the SBF - incubated surfaces. Conclusion: The smooth Laser - designed surface exhibits an antimicrobial effect that decreases the growth of bacterial biofilm on its surface, which could contribute to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and radiopacity of new calcium-silicatebased cements. Discs of 10 mm x 1 ± 0.1mm were prepared of BiodentineTM, TheraCal, Dycal and GC Fuji IX (n=5). The samples were radiographed directly on an PSP occlusal plate adjacent to an aluminium step wedge. The radiopacity of each specimen was determined according to ISO 9917/2007. Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and Tukey’s test at a significance level of 5 %. The chemical constitution of materials was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray element mapping. The radiopacities of the materials in decreasing order were: GC Fuji IX (3.45 ± 0.16 mm), Dycal (3.18 ± 0.17), BiodentineTM (2.79 ± 0.22), and TheraCal (2.17 ± 0.17). TheraCal showed the lowest radiopacity compared to the other materials, followed by BiodentineTM. Dycal and GC Fuji IX radiopacity values did not present significant statistical differences. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the presence of zirconium in BiodentineTM; and strontium, barium and zirconium in TheraCal as radiopacifying elements. The new calcium silicate cements present distinctive chemical composition. BiodentineTM contains zirconium as a radiopacifying element and has higher radiopacity values than TheraCal, which contains barium and strontium as radiopacifiers.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición química y la radiopacidad de nuevos cementos en base a silicato de calcio. Discos de 10 mm x 1 ± 0,1 mm fueron preparados con BiodentineTM, TheraCal, Dycal y GC Fuji IX (n=5). Las muestras fueron radiografiadas directamente en una película PSP oclusal adyacente a una cuña escalonada de aluminio. La radiopacidad de cada espécimen fue determinada de acuerdo a la norma ISO 9917/ 2007. Se realizaron los análisis estadísticos con las pruebas ANOVA y test de Tukey con un nivel de significancia de 5 %. La constitución química de los materiales fue determinada con microscopía electrónica de barrido y con mapeo por análisis con dispersión de energía de rayos X. La radiopacidad de los materiales en orden decreciente fue: GC Fuji IX (3,45 ± 0,16 mm), Dycal (3,18 ± 0,7 mm), BiodentineTM (2,79 ± 0,22 mm), y TheraCal (2,17 ± 0,17 mm). TheraCal mostró la menor radiopacidad comparada con los otros materiales, seguido de BiodentineTM. Los valores de radiopacidad de Dycal y GC Fuji IX no presentaron diferencias estadísticas significativas. Los análisis de microscopía electrónica de barrido y mapeo por análisis con dispersión de energía de rayos X revelaron la presencia de zirconio en BiodentineTM; y de estroncio, bario y zirconio en TheraCal, como elementos radiopacos. Los nuevos cementos en base a silicato de calcio presentan una composición química distintiva. BiodentineTM contienen zirconio como elemento que provee radiopacidad y tiene mayor valor de radiopacidad que TheraCal, el cual contiene bario y estroncio como agente radiopaco.

Abstract Objective To prepare nanocomposite cements based on the incorporation of bioactive glass nanoparticles (nBGs) into BiodentineTM (BD, Septodent, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses Cedex, France) and to assess their bioactive properties. Material and Methods nBGs were synthesised by the sol-gel method. BD nanocomposites (nBG/BD) were prepared with 1 and 2% nBGs by weight; unmodified BD and GC Fuji IX (GIC, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were used as references. The in vitro ability of the materials to induce apatite formation was assessed in SBF by X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. BD and nBG/BD were also applied to dentine discs for seven days; the morphology and elemental composition of the dentine-cement interface were analysed using SEM-EDX. Results One and two percent nBG/BD composites accelerated apatite formation on the disc surface after short-term immersion in SBF. Apatite was detected on the nBG/BD nanocomposites after three days, compared with seven days for unmodified BD. No apatite formation was detected on the GIC surface. nBG/BD formed a wider interfacial area with dentine than BD, showing blockage of dentine tubules and Si incorporation, suggesting intratubular precipitation. Conclusions The incorporation of nBGs into BD improves its in vitro bioactivity, accelerating the formation of a crystalline apatite layer on its surface after immersion in SBF. Compared with unmodified BD, nBG/BD showed a wider interfacial area with greater Si incorporation and intratubular precipitation of deposits when immersed in SBF.