Abstract This in vitro study evaluated the biocompatibility and abrasivity of whitening and conventional toothpastes. Samples of conventional (non-whitening) - Edel White Infant (EWI) - and whitening toothpastes - Edel White Whitening (EWW), Edel White CAREFORTE (EWC), Colgate Total 12 Ò Professional (C), and Oral-B Whitening (OB) - were dissolved in culture medium (0.2 g sample weight per mL). Human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) were placed in contact with different dilutions of culture media that had been previously exposed to these toothpastes. Cytotoxicity was then assessed using the methyl tetrazolium test (MTT) and the cell survival rate was determined. Genotoxicity was assessed by the micronucleus test (MNT) and the number of micronuclei was determined before and after exposure to the toothpaste solutions. The enamel surface roughness was evaluated in specimens of bovine teeth (n = 10 per group) before and after 10,000 brushing cycles, using the investigated toothpastes. The results were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). According to the MTT assay, EWW and OB presented significant cytotoxicity (p < 0.01), but no genotoxic (MNT) effects (p > 0.05). C toothpaste was statistically significantly abrasive to the enamel surface (p < 0.01). The findings of this study may be helpful for individualized selection of commercial toothpastes, as some whitening toothpastes present significant cytotoxicity and conventional toothpaste cause significant surface changes.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used for medical and dental fields due to their excellent biocompatibility, high corrosion resistance, high specific strength and excellent mechanical properties. Different methods have been developed to improve the surface properties of titanium-based implant materials, and consequently the bone-bonding ability. The Ti-7.5Mo alloy was activated by an alkaline treatment with 5M NaOH, heat treatment and subsequent immersion in SBFx5 to investigate the in vitro response of osteoblastic-like cells MG-G3 on altered biomimetic surfaces. Sample surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and mineralized bone-like nodule formation. It was shown the que alkali treatment led to the formation of sodium titanate and immersion in SBFx5 formed a film of calcium phosphate. The alkaline treatment and heat treatment of 7.5 Ti-Mo alloys followed by soaking them in SBFx5 for 24 hours is a suitable technique once the final samples were biocompatible, allowed the attachment of the osteoblastic-like cells (MG-G3), and increased the mineralized like-bone nodules formation by these cells.

Resumo Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar a citotoxicidade, genotoxicidade, atividade antimicrobiana de dentifrícios dessensibilizantes em comparação com um comum e também a rugosidade superficial do esmalte dentário submetido à escovação com esses dentifrícios. Amostras de três dentifrícios dessensibilizantes (Colgate Sensitive, Sensodyne e Oral B Sensitive) e um dentifrício comum (Colgate) foram colocadas em contato com fibroblastos gengivais humanos e a citotoxicidade e genotoxidade foram mensuradas pelo ensaio MTT e teste do micronúcleo. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos dos dentifrícios contra C. albicans, S. mutans e S. aureus foi determinada. Para a avaliação da rugosidade superficial, espécimes de dentes bovinos foram submetidas à 10.000 ciclos de escovação. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente usando os testes Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA e Teste Z (P<0,05). Todos os dentifrícios causaram efeito citotóxico às células (P<0,05), exceto o Colgate Sensitive. Os dentifrícios não aumentaram o número de micronúcleos em comparação com o grupo não tratado. O Colgate foi capaz de eliminar todos os microorganismos avaliados em concentrações mais baixas em comparação com Colgate Sensitive e Oral B Sensitive, que não foram capazes de eliminar os S. aureus. O Sensodyne não atingiu a concentração microbicida mínima para qualquer microorganismo. A rugosidade superficial do esmalte dentário aumentou após a escovação com Colgate Sensitive e Oral B Sensitive, porém a comparação entre os grupos não mostrou diferença na rugosidade superficial do esmalte apresentada por dentifrícios dessensibilizantes quando comparados ao comum (p>0,05). Com base nesses resultados, podemos concluir que, embora nenhum dentifrício tenha induzido genotoxicidade, o Colgate Sensitive também não foi citotóxico. O Colgate foi o mais eficaz contra os microorganismos, e não houve diferença na rugosidade superficial do esmalte entre os grupos.

Abstract The aims of this study were evaluate cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antimicrobial activity of desensitizing toothpastes compared to a common one and the surface roughness of tooth enamel submitted to brushing with these toothpastes. Samples of three desensitizing toothpastes (Colgate Sensitive, Sensodyne and Oral B Sensitive) and common toothpaste (Colgate) were placed in contact with gingival human fibroblasts. Cytotoxicity and genotoxocity were measured by MTT assay and micronucleus test. Antimicrobial activity of the toothpastes extracts against C. albicans, S. mutans and S. aureus were assessed. For surface roughness evaluation, bovine teeth were submitted to 10.000 brushing cycles. The results were analyzed statically using Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA and Z tests (p<0.05). All toothpastes caused cytotoxic effect to the cells (p<0.05), except Colgate Sensitive. The toothpastes did not increase the number of micronuclei compared to the untreated control group. Colgate eliminated all the evaluated microorganisms at lower concentrations compared to Colgate Sensitive and Oral B Sensitive, which were not able to eliminate S. aureus. Sensodyne did not reach the minimum microbicidal concentration. The surface roughness of tooth enamel increased after brushing with Colgate Sensitive and Oral B Sensitive, however the comparison between groups showed no difference on the enamel surface roughness presented by desensitizing toothpastes when compared with the common one (p>0.05). Based on these results, we can conclude that although none toothpaste has induced genotoxicity, Colgate Sensitive was also not cytotoxic. Colgate was the most effective against the microorganisms, and there were no differences on the enamel surface roughness between the groups.

Replacement tissues for tissue engineering can be produced by seeding human cells onto scaffolds. In order to guarantee adequate bio-compatibility, porosity and mechanical resistance for promoting cellular growth, proliferation and differentiation within scaffold structures, it is necessary to investigate and improve materials and processing routes. β-tricalcium phosphate can be considered a very suitable bio-ceramic material for bone therapy because of its biocompatibility, osteo-conductivity and neo-vascularization potential. Alumina is commonly used as a sintering additive. In this study, β-TCP and β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds were obtained by gel-casting method. The scaffolds showed high porosity (86-88%) and pore sizes ranging from 200 to 500 µm. Even though alumina did not promote improvement in β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds in terms of mechanical performance, they showed great cytocompatibility as there was no cytotoxic and genotoxic effect. Therefore, β-TCP and β-TCP/Al2O3 scaffolds are good candidates for application in tissue engineering.

Dentin wall structural changes caused by 810-nm-diode laser irradiation can influence the sealing ability of endodontic sealers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the apical leakage of AH Plus and RealSeal resin-based sealers with and without prior diode laser irradiation. Fifty-two single-rooted mandibular premolars were prepared and divided into 4 groups, according to the endodontic sealer used and the use or non-use of laser irradiation. The protocol for laser irradiation was 2.5W, continuous wave in scanning mode, with 4 exposures per tooth. After sample preparation, apical leakage of 50% ammoniacal silver nitrate impregnation was analyzed. When the teeth were not exposed to irradiation, the RealSeal sealer achieved the highest scores, showing the least leakage, with significant differences at the 5% level (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.0004), compared with AH Plus. When the teeth were exposed to the 810-nm-diode laser irradiation, the sealing ability of AH Plus sealer was improved (p = 0282). In the RealSeal groups, the intracanal laser irradiation did not interfere with the leakage index, showing similar results in the GRS and GRSd groups (p = 0.1009).

Castor oil bean cement (COB) is a new material that has been used as an endodontic sealer, and is a candidate material for direct pulp capping. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a new formulation of COB compared to calcium hydroxide cement (CH) and a control group without any material, in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The materials were prepared, packed into polyethylene tubes, and implanted in the rat dorsal subcutaneous tissue. Animals were sacrificed at the 7th and 50th days after implantation. A quantitative analysis of inflammatory cells was performed and data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5% significance level. RESULTS: Comparing the mean number of inflammatory cells between the two experimental groups (COB and CH) and the control group, statistically significant difference (p=0.0001) was observed at 7 and 50 days. There were no significant differences (p=0.111) between tissue reaction to CH (382 inflammatory cells) and COB (330 inflammatory cells) after 7 days. After 50 days, significantly more inflammatory cells (p=0.02) were observed in the CH group (404 inflammatory cells) than in the COB group (177 inflammatory cells). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the COB cement induces less inflammatory response within long periods.

O presente estudo avaliou a alteração dimensional e solubilidade de 2 cimentos experimentais (à base de resina do óleo de Copaíba - Biosealer e cimento do polímero da mamona - Poliquil), mantidos em diferentes meios de armazenamento. Foram confeccionados 20 espécimes de cada cimento com 3 mm de diâmetro e 2 mm de altura os quais foram divididos em 2 grupos (n=10) de acordo com o meio de armazenamento (fluido tissular simulado ou água destilada). Os espécimes foram atidos nas soluções durante 90 dias, sendo removidos a cada 30 dias para pesagem das amostras, no entanto as soluções foram trocadas a cada 15 dias. Os resultados foram submetidos aos testes de Dunn (5%) e Mann-Whitney. Os meios de armazenamento causaram influência no comportamento dos cimentos em relação ao peso (p=0,0001). Poliquil apresentou alta variação de peso independente da solução (p=0,239). Biosealer também apresentou alta variação de peso independente da solução (p=0,0001). A solubilidade do Biosealer foi diferente do Poliquil, entretanto, ambos cimentos mostraram baixa solubilidade no fluido tissular simulado. Nas condições do experimento, nenhum cimento está de acordo com a especificação da ADA.

This study evaluated the dimensional alterations and the solubility of two experimental endodontic sealers based on Copaifera multijuga oil-resin (Biosealer) and castor oil bean cement (Poliquil), maintained in different storage solutions. Twenty specimens (3 mm diameter and 2 mm height) of each sealer were assigned to 2 groups (n=10) according to the storage solution: simulated tissue fluid (STF) or distilled water (DW). The specimens were stored in these solutions during 90 days, being removed every 30 days for weighting. The solutions were renewed every 15 days. The results were subjected to statistical analysis by Dunn's and Mann-Whitney tests (a=0.05). The solubility of Poliquil was higher in STF (38.4 ± 36.0) than in DW (28.4 ± 15.0), while Biosealer showed higher solubility in DW (34.61 ± 6.0) than in STF (18.59 ± 8.0). The storage solution influenced the behavior of sealers in relation to the weight variation (p=0.0001). Poliquil presented higher variation of weight independent of the solution (p=0.239). Biosealer also presented higher variation of weight regardless of the solution (p=0.0001). The solubility of Biosealer was different from that of Poliquil, but both sealers showed low solubility in STF. Under the tested conditions, neither of the materials were according to the ADA'S specification.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of 16% carbamide peroxide gel (CP16%), tetrahydrate sodium perborate (SP) and mixture (CP16% + SP), in walking bleaching of non-vital discolored teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty single-rooted human premolars with intact crowns were used and initial color was assessed using Vita shade guide and standardized photos. The teeth were stained using rabbit fresh blood for 18 days and photos of discolored teeth and color evaluation were performed. The teeth were divided into 4 groups (n= 15), according to bleaching agent used: G1) CP16% gel; G2) CP16% gel + SP; G3) SP + distilled water; G4: control. The bleaching agents were replaced twice at 7-day intervals for 21 days. All teeth were evaluated by two endodontists at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 and the color changes were assessed using Vita shade guide and standardized photos. The results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests (p=0.05). RESULTS: The experimental groups presented statistically similar bleaching results (p>0.05) at the end of 7, 14 and 21 days. These groups presented significantly higher bleaching efficacy than control group (G4) (p<0.05). The mixture CP16% + SP promoted return of original color in 100% of teeth at the end of 21 days. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that three bleaching agents were effective in bleaching of stained teeth with blood products, especially at the end of 21 days.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify, in vivo and in vitro, the prevalence of root canal bifurcation in mandibular incisors by digital radiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four hundred teeth were analyzed for the in vivo study. Digital radiographs were taken in an orthoradial direction from the mandibular incisor and canine regions. The digital radiographs of the canine region allowed visualizing the incisors in a distoradial direction using 20º deviation. All individuals agreed to participate by signing an informed consent form. The in vitro study was conducted on 200 mandibular incisors positioned on a model, simulating the mandibular dental arch. Digital radiographs were taken from the mandibular incisors in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions. RESULTS: The digital radiography showed presence of bifurcation in 20% of teeth evaluated in vitro in the mesiodistal direction. In the buccolingual direction, 17.5% of teeth evaluated in vivo and 15% evaluated in vitro presented bifurcation or characteristics indicating bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS: Digital radiography associated with X-ray beam distally allowed detection of a larger number of cases of bifurcated root canals or characteristics of bifurcation.