Polymers

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10 pages, 1930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Genipin to Immobilize Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 on Zirconia Surface for Enhancing Cell Adhesion and Mineralization in Dental Implant Applications

by Ying-Sui Sun, Yu-An Lin and Her-Hsiung Huang

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112639 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1846

Abstract

Our objective in this study was to promote cell responses through the immobilization of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on roughened zirconia (ZrO₂) through using the natural cross-linker genipin in dental implant applications. Field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and [...] Read more.

Our objective in this study was to promote cell responses through the immobilization of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on roughened zirconia (ZrO₂) through using the natural cross-linker genipin in dental implant applications. Field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyze the surface characterizations, including the topography, chemistry, and functional groups, respectively, of the test specimens. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were used to detect cell responses (adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization). The surface characterizations analysis results revealed that genipin was effective in immobilizing BMP-2 on roughened zirconia surfaces. BMP-2 proved effective in promoting the adhesion and mineralization of hMSCs on roughened zirconia. The surface modification proposed has potential in zirconia dental implant applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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9 pages, 6205 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Retentive Characteristics of a Polyetheretherketone Post-Core Restoration with Polyvinylsiloxane Attachments

by Ping Li, Dorina Hasselbeck, Alexey Unkovskiy, Feraydoon Sharghi and Sebastian Spintzyk

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092005 - 3 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2652

Abstract

A new application of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) post-core restoration combined with polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) attachments was proposed and substantiated. This study aimed to evaluate retentive characteristics of the PEEK post-core restoration with PVS attachment systems. Specimens with PVS attachments were fabricated to evaluate retention [...] Read more.

A new application of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) post-core restoration combined with polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) attachments was proposed and substantiated. This study aimed to evaluate retentive characteristics of the PEEK post-core restoration with PVS attachment systems. Specimens with PVS attachments were fabricated to evaluate retention force during 10,000 cyclic dislodgements. Additionally, the retention forces of PVS attachments with three different values of Shore hardness were further measured before and after aging treatments. The results of cyclic dislodgement test indicated a strong negative linear relationship between the cyclic times and retention force (p < 0.0001, r = −0.957). Furthermore, the retention forces of the PVS were significantly improved with Shore hardness increased, which was also affected by the aging treatment (F (2, 138) = 10.95, p < 0.0001). Therefore, the PEEK post-core restoration with PVS attachments exhibited the favorable retention force, which could be a promising alternative for dental prostheses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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11 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Improvement in the Microbial Resistance of Resin-Based Dental Sealant by Sulfobetaine Methacrylate Incorporation

by Myung-Jin Lee, Utkarsh Mangal, Se-Jin Kim, Yeo-Phil Yoon, Eun-So Ahn, Ee-Seul Jang, Jae-Sung Kwon and Sung-Hwan Choi

Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1716; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081716 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2878

Abstract

Prevention of dental caries is a key research area, and improvement of the pit and fissure sealants used for caries prevention has been of particular interest. This report describes results of incorporating a zwitterion, sulfobetaine methacrylate (SB), into photo-polymerized resin-based sealants to enhance [...] Read more.

Prevention of dental caries is a key research area, and improvement of the pit and fissure sealants used for caries prevention has been of particular interest. This report describes results of incorporating a zwitterion, sulfobetaine methacrylate (SB), into photo-polymerized resin-based sealants to enhance resistance to cariogenic bacteria and protein adhesion. Varying amounts (1.5–5 wt%) of SB were incorporated into a resin-based sealant, and the flexural strength, wettability, depth of cure, protein adhesion, bacterial viability, and cell cytotoxicity of the resultant sealants were evaluated. The flexural strength decreased with the increasing SB content, but this decrease was statistically significant only for sealants containing ≥3 wt% SB. Incorporating a zwitterion led to a significant reduction in the water contact angle and protein adhesion. The colony-forming unit count showed a significant reduction in the bacterial viability of S. mutans, which was confirmed with microscopic imaging. Moreover, cell cytotoxicity analysis of SB-modified sealants using an L929 fibroblast showed a cytotoxicity comparable to that of an unmodified control, suggesting no adverse effects on the cellular metabolism upon SB introduction. Hence, we conclude that the addition of 1.5–3 wt% SB can significantly enhance the inherent ability of sealants to resist S. mutans adhesion and prevent dental caries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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11 pages, 1337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Experimental Adhesives Doped with Lithium Niobate

by Laisa Cruzetta, Isadora M. Garcia, Gabriela de Souza Balbinot, Amanda S. Motta, Fabrício M. Collares, Salvatore Sauro and Vicente C. B. Leitune

Polymers 2020, 12(6), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12061330 - 11 Jun 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2139

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to formulate dental adhesives with different concentrations of LiNbO₃ and to evaluate their physicochemical and antibacterial properties. A dental adhesive was formulated using methacrylate monomers and photoinitiators and used as a control filler-free group. Subsequently, [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study was to formulate dental adhesives with different concentrations of LiNbO₃ and to evaluate their physicochemical and antibacterial properties. A dental adhesive was formulated using methacrylate monomers and photoinitiators and used as a control filler-free group. Subsequently, three experimental adhesives doped with LiNbO₃ at different concentrations (1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, and 5 wt.%) were also formulated. All the experimental adhesives were assessed to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), softening in solvent, immediate and long-term microtensile bond-strength (μ-TBS), radiopacity, ultimate tensile strength, and antibacterial activity. The incorporation of 1 wt.% of LiNbO₃ had no negative effect on the DC of the adhesive resin compared to the control group (p > 0.05). We observed a decrease in the percentage of softening in solvent in the group LiNbO₃ at 1 wt.% (p < 0.05). The addition of LiNbO₃ increased the radiopacity at a concentration above 2 wt.%, and there was also an increase in cohesive strength (p < 0.05). The immediate μ-TBS increased for LiNbO₃ at 5 wt.% (p < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference for the other groups compared to the control (p > 0.05). After six months, the group with 5 wt.% still presented the highest μ-TBS (p < 0.05). The adhesives showed no antimicrobial activity (p > 0.05). LiNbO₃ was successfully incorporated in dental adhesives, increasing the radiopacity and their resistance to degradation. Although LiNbO₃ offered no antibacterial properties, the reliability of LiNbO₃ incorporation in the adhesive encourages new tests to better investigate the antimicrobial action of LiNbO₃ through temperature variation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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9 pages, 2109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial Effect of the Natural Polymer ε-Polylysine Against Oral Pathogens Associated with Periodontitis and Caries

by Shinechimeg Dima, Yin-Yin Lee, Ikki Watanabe, Wei-Jen Chang, Yu-Hua Pan and Nai-Chia Teng

Polymers 2020, 12(6), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12061218 - 27 May 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3803

Abstract

Antimicrobials are important adjuncts in the treatment of caries and periodontitis. However, increased bacterial resistance and hypersensitivity reactions to commonly used antimicrobials have led to an increasing demand for safe and natural substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial [...] Read more.

Antimicrobials are important adjuncts in the treatment of caries and periodontitis. However, increased bacterial resistance and hypersensitivity reactions to commonly used antimicrobials have led to an increasing demand for safe and natural substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of ε-polylysine against oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Broth dilution assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses were performed to explore the antibacterial effect of ε-polylysine against S. mutans strain ATCC25175 and P. gingivalis strain ATCC332277. For the test solution, ε-polylysine was added to the bacterial suspension to prepare 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% ε-polylysine solutions diluted in broth medium. All four concentrations demonstrated complete inhibition of S. mutans and significantly reduced viable cell counts of P. gingivalis after 24 h. From starting inoculum of 9.15 log CFU/mL, P. gingivalis cell counts reduced to 4.01 log CFU/mL in the 0.125% ε-polylysine treatment group. SEM, CLSM, and the LIVE/DEAD bacterial assay of ε-polylysine application on P. gingivalis biofilm-dentin specimens revealed bacterial cell membrane disruption and irregular cell morphologies. The results indicated satisfactory antibacterial efficacy of ε-polylysine against P. gingivalis and S. mutans in liquid medium and as an application on biofilm-dentin specimens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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13 pages, 1350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fear of the Relapse: Effect of Composite Type on Adhesion Efficacy of Upper and Lower Orthodontic Fixed Retainers: In Vitro Investigation and Randomized Clinical Trial

by Andrea Scribante, Simone Gallo, Benedetta Turcato, Federico Trovati, Paola Gandini and Maria Francesca Sfondrini

Polymers 2020, 12(4), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040963 - 21 Apr 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4573

Abstract

The aim of this laboratory and clinical study is to determine the reliability of the flowable nanocomposite Filtek Supreme XTE (FL) for the adhesion of orthodontic retainers, compared to highly filled orthodontic resin Transbond XT (XT). Portions of a round section multistranded wire [...] Read more.

The aim of this laboratory and clinical study is to determine the reliability of the flowable nanocomposite Filtek Supreme XTE (FL) for the adhesion of orthodontic retainers, compared to highly filled orthodontic resin Transbond XT (XT). Portions of a round section multistranded wire (Ortosmail Krugg) were bonded to 40 bovine incisors with Scotchbond Universal in total-etch modality. For group one (XT, 20 samples), the orthodontic resin was used, whereas in group two (FL, 20 samples), the flowable one. Specimens were placed into a universal testing machine which applied a shear force on retainers with a crosshead speed of one/minute. Shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were calculated. In the clinical trial, 100 patients requiring a canine-to-canine palatal and lingual retainer were randomly divided into two groups, according to the resin used for bonding procedure: the orthodontic in group one (XT, 50 participants) and the flowable in group two (FL, 50 participants). Monthly visits were carried out over a 24-month follow up to assess any detachment occurring on teeth of both arches. All data were submitted to statistical analysis. In vitro, FL reported a significant lower mean SBS, whereas no significant differences in ARI were reported between the two groups which both showed a major frequency of scores “1” and “2”. At the end of the 24-month follow up, FL reported significantly higher failure rates in both arches besides a significantly lower survival rate starting from the sixth month after retainers bonding. According to the results assessed in vitro and clinically, XT would be preferable to FL when performing retainers bonding procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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12 pages, 4614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Laser-Milled Microslits Improve the Bonding Strength of Acrylic Resin to Zirconia Ceramics

by Saiji Shimoe, Tzu-Yu Peng, Yuki Wakabayashi, Hiroto Takenaka, Shogo Iwaguro and Masato Kaku

Polymers 2020, 12(4), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040817 - 4 Apr 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2789

Abstract

Heightened aesthetic considerations in modern dentistry have generated increased interest in metal-free “zirconia-supported dentures.” The lifespan of the denture is largely determined by the strength of adhesion between zirconia and the acrylic resin. Thus, the effect on shear bond strength (SBS) was investigated [...] Read more.

Heightened aesthetic considerations in modern dentistry have generated increased interest in metal-free “zirconia-supported dentures.” The lifespan of the denture is largely determined by the strength of adhesion between zirconia and the acrylic resin. Thus, the effect on shear bond strength (SBS) was investigated by using an acrylic resin on two types of zirconia ceramics with differently sized microslits. Micromechanical reticular retention was created on the zirconia surface as the novel treatment (microslits (MS)), and air-abrasion was used as the control (CON). All samples were primed prior to acrylic resin polymerization. After the resin was cured, the SBS was tested. The obtained data were analyzed by using multivariate analysis of variance(α = 0.05). After the SBS test, the interface failure modes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The MS exhibited significantly higher bond strength after thermal cycles (p < 0.05) than the CON. Nevertheless, statistically comparisons resulted in no significant effect of the differently sized microslits on SBS (p > 0.05). Additionally, MS (before thermal cycles: 34.8 ± 3.6 to 35.7 ± 4.0 MPa; after thermal cycles: 26.9 ± 3.1 to 32.6 ± 3.3 MPa) demonstrated greater SBS and bonding durability than that of CON (before thermal cycles: 17.3 ± 4.7 to 17.9 ± 5.8 MPa; after thermal cycles: 1.0 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 1.1 MPa), confirming that the micromechanical retention with laser-milled microslits was effective at enhancing the bonding strength and durability of the acrylic resin and zirconia. Polycrystalline zirconia-based ceramics are a newly accessible material for improving removable prosthodontic treatment, as the bond strength with acrylic resin can be greatly enhanced by laser milling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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15 pages, 1362 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Needle-Like Zinc Oxide Nanostructures for Improving Dental Resin Sealers: Design and Evaluation of Antibacterial, Physical and Chemical Properties

by Fabrício M Collares, Isadora M Garcia, Mariana Klein, Clarissa F Parolo, Felipe Antonio L Sánchez, Antônio Takimi, Carlos P Bergmann, Susana Maria W Samuel, Mary Anne Melo and Vicente CB Leitune

Polymers 2020, 12(4), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040789 - 2 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3075

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of needle-like zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnO-NN) on the physical, chemical, and antibacterial properties of experimental methacrylate-based dental sealers. ZnO-NN was synthesized and characterized. ZnO-NN was added to a co-monomer blend at 20, 30, and 40 wt.%. [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of needle-like zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnO-NN) on the physical, chemical, and antibacterial properties of experimental methacrylate-based dental sealers. ZnO-NN was synthesized and characterized. ZnO-NN was added to a co-monomer blend at 20, 30, and 40 wt.%. One group without ZnO-NN was used as a control. The dental resin sealers were evaluated for their flow, film thickness, water sorption, solubility, radiopacity, degree of conversion (DC), dental-sealer interface characterization via micro-Raman, and antibacterial activity. ZnO-NN presented a mean needle diameter of 40 nm and 16 m²/g of surface area. There was no difference among groups containing ZnO-NN regarding their flow. The ZnO-NN addition significantly increased the film thickness. Water sorption and solubility tests showed no difference among groups. The radiopacity increased, and DC decreased with higher concentrations of ZnO-NN. Micro-Raman suggested that ZnO-NN was in close contact with root canal dentin. Overall, the incorporation of ZnO-NN provided an antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis without a significant detrimental impact on the physical and chemical functionality of the material. The use of ZnO-NN as an inorganic filler is a potential application within dental materials intended for root canal treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials in Dentistry)

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