Rehardening and the Protective Effect of Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Paste on Surface-Etched Enamel

Many revolutionary approaches are on the way pertaining to the high occurrence of tooth decay, which is an enduring challenge in the field of preventive dentistry. However, an ideal dental care material has yet to be fully developed. With this aim, this research reports a dramatic enhancement in the rehardening potential of surface-etched enamels through a plausible synergistic effect of the novel combination of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAp) paste, within the limitations of the study. The percentage of recovery of the surface microhardness (SMHR%) and the surface parameters for 9 wt% γ-PGA/nano-HAp paste on acid-etched enamel were investigated with a Vickers microhardness tester and an atomic force microscope, respectively. This in vitro study demonstrates that γ-PGA/nano-HAp treatment could increase the SMHR% of etched enamel to 39.59 ± 6.69% in 30 min. To test the hypothesis of the rehardening mechanism and the preventive effect of the γ-PGA/nano-HAp paste, the surface parameters of mean peak spacing (Rsm) and mean arithmetic surface roughness (Ra) were both measured and compared to the specimens subjected to demineralization and/or remineralization. After the treatment of γ-PGA/nano-HAp on the etched surface, the reduction in Rsm from 999 ± 120 nm to 700 ± 80 nm suggests the possible mechanism of void-filling within a short treatment time of 10 min. Furthermore, ΔRa-I, the roughness change due to etching before remineralization, was 23.15 ± 3.23 nm, while ΔRa-II, the roughness change after remineralization, was 11.99 ± 3.90 nm. This statistically significant reduction in roughness change (p < 0.05) implies a protective effect against the demineralization process. The as-developed novel γ-PGA/nano-HAp paste possesses a high efficacy towards tooth microhardness rehardening, and a protective effect against acid etching.

Thermo-Responsive Wettability via Surface Roughness Change on Polymer-Coated Titanate Nanorod Brushes Toward Fast and Multi-Directional Droplet Transport

A novel approach for thermo-responsive wettability has been accomplished by surface roughness change induced by thermal expansion of paraffin coated on titanate nanostructures. The surface exhibits thermo-responsive and reversible wettability change in a hydrophobic regime; the surface shows superhydrophobicity with contact angles of ~157° below 50 °C and ~118° above 50 °C due to a decrease of surface roughness caused by thermally-expanded paraffin at higher temperatures. Reversible wettability change of ~40° of a contact angle allows for a fast and multi-directional droplet transport. The present approach affords versatile selection of materials and wide variety of the contact angle, promoting both scientific advancement and technology innovation in the field of smart surface.

Thermo-Responsive Wettability via Surface Roughness Change on Polymer-Coated Titanate Nanorod Brushes Toward Fast and Multi-Directional Droplet Transport

A novel approach for thermo-responsive wettability has been accomplished by surface roughness change induced by thermal expansion of paraffin coated on titanate nanostructures. The surface exhibits thermo-responsive and reversible wettability change in a hydrophobic regime; the surface shows superhydrophobicity with contact angles of ~157° below 50 °C and ~118° above 50 °C due to a decrease of surface roughness caused by thermally-expanded paraffin at higher temperatures. Reversible wettability change of ~40° of a contact angle allows for a fast and multi-directional droplet transport. The present approach affords versatile selection of materials and wide variety of the contact angle, promoting both scientific advancement and technology innovation in the field of smart surface.

Thermo-responsive wettability via surface roughness change on polymer-coated titanate nanorod brushes toward fast and multi-directional droplet transport

Smart surface with thermo-responsive and reversible wettability is demonstrated by surface roughness change induced by thermal expansion of paraffin on titanate nanorods; it shows superhydrophobicity below 50 °C and less hydrophobicity above 50 °C.

Mechanical Wear and Surface Roughness of Glass and Hybrid Ceramics

Aim: The purpose of this invitro study was to evaluate wear resistance and surface roughness of two hybrid ceramics in comparison to lithium disilicate glass ceramic before and after mechanical abrasion. Materials and Methods: Thirty samples were divided according to material of construction into three groups, group (1): Lithium disilicate glass ceramic (IPS e.max, n=10), group (2): Resin nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate, n=10), group (3): Polymer infiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic, n=10). All samples were fabricated out of CAD CAM ceramic blocks, weighed and evaluated for surface roughness before and after mechanical wear. Results: Resin nanoceramic (Lava ultimate), showed significantly low weight loss and surface roughness change after mechanical wear than IPS e.max. The polymer infiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic) showed significantly high surface roughness than Resin nanoceramic (Lava ultimate), while IPS e.max showed the highest weight loss and surface roughness change. Conclusion: Resin nanoceramics revealed highest mechanical wear resistance contributed by terms of weight loss and surface roughness change, while Lithium disilicate glass ceramic showed the least wear resistance.