ABSTRACT Introduction: Dentin permeability is defined as the passage of fluids, ions, particles, molecules and bacteria through the dentin under certain conditions. Objective: Determine the effect of the active application of a dentin adhesive with an improved applicator on human dentin hydraulic conductance in vitro. Methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted of 40 caries-free third molars with an indication of exodontia from healthy patients aged 15-30 years, prior informed consent. The molars were cleaned, disinfected and preserved to be included in epoxy resin blocks. Cross-sectional cuts were then made to obtain dentin discs 1.5 mm thick and 25 mm in diameter. These were divided into two 20-unit groups, were subjected to etching with 37 % orthophosphoric acid, and were washed and dried. On a precision scale photopolymerizable dentin adhesive was applied, recording the force exerted. Application was performed with a Microbrush applicator in Group 1 and with an improved dedicated applicator in Group 2. The samples were then placed in a diffusion chamber to determine flow rate and subsequently estimate hydraulic conductance, thus obtaining information about dentin permeability. Results: Results were slightly lower in Group 2, but they displayed normal distribution. Conclusions: Statistical analysis with various tests did not find any significant differences in hydraulic conductance values, nor could an inverse relation be established between the force of active application of an adhesive with an improved applicator and hydraulic conductance. Therefore, use of that instrument is not advised.

RESUMEN Introducción: La permeabilidad dentinaria es conocida como el paso de fluidos, iones, partículas, moléculas y bacterias a través de la dentina bajo ciertas condiciones. Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la aplicación activa con un aplicador mejorado de un adhesivo dentinario sobre la conductancia hidráulica dentinaria humana, in vitro. Métodos: Estudio experimental in vitro en 40 terceros molares libres de caries, con indicación de exodoncia, provenientes de pacientes sanos entre 15 y 30 años, previo consentimiento informado. Posteriormente se limpiaron, desinfectaron y conservaron para ser incluidos en bloques de resina epóxica. Luego se realizaron cortes transversales y se obtuvieron discos dentinarios de 1,5 mm de espesor y 25 mm de diámetro. Se dividieron en dos grupos de 20 unidades cada uno, se sometieron a grabado con ácido ortofosfórico al 37 %, y se lavaron y secaron. Sobre una balanza de precisión se les aplicó adhesivo dentinario fotopolimerizable, registrando la fuerza ejercida. En el grupo 1 se usó un microbrush en la aplicación y en el grupo 2 un aplicador mejorado diseñado especialmente. Posteriormente cada muestra fue sometida a una cámara de difusión para obtener la tasa de flujo y luego calcular la conductancia hidráulica, la cual otorga información acerca de la permeabilidad de la dentina. Resultados: los resultados obtenidos fueron levemente menores en el grupo 2, sin embargo, experimentaron una distribución normal. Conclusiones: no existen diferencias significativas, al ser analizados estadísticamente bajo diversas pruebas, en los valores de conductancia hidráulica. Tampoco se pudo establecer una relación inversa entre la fuerza de aplicación de un adhesivo en forma activa con un aplicador mejorado y la conductancia hidráulica, por lo cual no se aconseja el uso de dicho instrumento.

AIM: To compare the number of colony forming units CFU and agar adherence of S. mutans on amalgam AM and resin composite RC occlusal restorations. Sixty-five healthy patients older than 18 years with high caries risk who had at least one occlusal AM and RC restorations n=130 were selected. METHODS: The restorations were evaluated according to the alpha Ryge criteria Cohen-Kappa 0.8. For each patient, a biofilm sample was taken using an impression tray technique with previously loaded with solid trypticase yeast extract cysteine sucrose with bacitracin agar placed over the AM restorations and RC restorations in the same patients. The tray was placed inside an oven at 37 °C for 48 h, and the S. mutans count was then performed. Data were analyzed with the test Wilcoxon with a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: RC restorations had statistically significant higher number of CFU of S. mutans than AM restorations p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients with high caries risk, RC occlusal surfaces showed greater agar adherence of S. mutans count than AM restorations.

AIM: To correlate the tray technique for isolation and counting of Streptococcus mutans over dental restoration with the toothpick technique. METHODS: Forty 18-50-year-old patients of both genders with high cariogenic risk were selected. Inclusion criteria were: occlusal restoration evaluated as alpha, according to the Ryge's criteria (examiner' Cohen-Kappa 0.8) and 2 years old maximum age. Each patient provided a saliva sample (control group S) and two samples of dental biofilm from amalgam or resin-based composite restorations in the same patient, one obtained with the toothpick technique (group TT), and the other from homologous tooth restoration with the tray technique (group TR). This method involves only a direct impression on the occlusal surfaces by a section of a fluoride tray with trypticase yeast extract cysteine sucrose with bacitracin (TYCSB) agar previously prepared and solidified. The samples were incubated at 37 ºC for 48 h and the colony-forming units (CFU) were counted. The results were statistically analyzed with SPSS software using the linear regression method at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: TR was able to isolate S. mutans, and there was a significant positive correlation (r=0.95) with TT. There was no significant correlation between TR and control group S (r=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: TR was able to isolate and count S. mutans from the dental biofilm of dental restorations with a significant correlation with the TT group.