Effect of Nanostructures on the Properties of Glass Ionomer Dental Restoratives/Cements: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Overall perspective of nanotechnology and reinforcement of dental biomaterials by nanoparticles has been reported in the literature. However, the literature regarding the reinforcement of dental biomaterials after incorporating various nanostructures is sparse. The present review addresses current developments of glass ionomer cements (GICs) after incorporating various metallic, polymeric, inorganic and carbon-based nanostructures. In addition, types, applications, and implications of various nanostructures incorporated in GICs are discussed. Most of the attempts by researchers are based on the laboratory-based studies; hence, it warrants long-term clinical trials to aid the development of suitable materials for the load bearing posterior dentition. Nevertheless, a few meaningful conclusions are drawn from this substantial piece of work; they are as follows: (1) most of the nanostructures are likely to enhance the mechanical strength of GICs; (2) certain nanostructures improve the antibacterial activity of GICs against the cariogenic bacteria; (3) clinical translation of these promising outcomes are completely missing, and (4) the nanostructured modified GICs could perform better than their conventional counterparts in the load bearing posterior dentition.

Long-term solubility and sorption characteristics of novel dental restoratives

Sorption and solubility are the unfavorable conditions for the dental restorative composites (DRCs). It can be precursor of various physical and chemical phenomenon that may lead to structural deterioration and minimizes the endurance of restorations. This study sought to evaluate the sorption and solubility features of MPTS (M)/APTES(A) treated n-HAPs filled dental composite in distilled water and artificial saliva medium. In this experiment, 7 different compositions of disc-shaped specimens of Φ15mm×1mm (n=3) of dental composites were prepared and tested under distilled water and artificial saliva medium for 35 days according to ISO 4049 method. The dental material shows relatively higher sorption and solubility in the artificial saliva medium as compared to distilled water. However, at higher wt.% (DRCs-12M & DRCs-12A), it shows minimum solubility (i.e.) and sorption characteristics. The results indicate that there was significant variation regarding storage medium and time to saturation but still these values are within the limit of the ISO 4049 standards, which is 40 μg/mm3 for sorption and 5μg/mm3 for Solubility.

Temperature changes in the pulp chamber induced by polymerization of resin-based dental restoratives following simulated direct pulp capping

The objective of this study was to measure temperature changes in the pulp chamber induced by polymerization of resin-based dental restoratives following a simulated procedure of direct pulp capping. Class I cavities with a microperforation at the pulp horn were prepared in extracted human molar teeth. The complete procedure of direct pulp capping and cavity restoration was performed with the root part of extracted teeth fixed in a water bath at 37 ?C. Mineral trioxide aggregate, bioactive dentin substitute or calcium-hydroxide paste were used as pulp capping materials. Cavities were restored with a light-cured or chemically-cured resin-modified glass ionomer, universal adhesive and a bulk-fill composite, cured with a high-intensity LED unit. Pulp capping materials caused a slight temperature decrease. Lower temperature increase was recorded during light-curing of the glass ionomer liner after direct capping with mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium-hydroxide than that recorded for the bioactive dentin substitute. Adhesive light-curing increased temperature in all groups with higher mean temperatures in groups with chemically-cured as compared to those for the light-cured glass ionomer liner. Direct pulp capping with mineral trioxide aggregate or calcium-hydroxide followed by the light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer liner and a bonded bulk-fill composite restoration induced temperature changes below the potentially adverse threshold of 42.5?C.

Laser-Assisted Milling of Zirconia with Systematically Determined Machining Conditions

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) is a promising material for dental restoratives. Although grinding or polishing with diamond tools is widely used to machine Y-TZP, the processing efficiency and cost of the process are problematic. In this study, we applied laser-assisted machining (LAM) to Y-TZP, in which non-diamond tools were used. Unlike LAM applied to other materials, decrease of the fracture toughness at elevated temperatures which is a unique feature of the Y-TZP was adopted as a key mechanism for machinability enhancement. In addition, a systematic method to determine the LAM conditions was proposed. In this study, we explain the LAM condition-determining method, which is based on numerical simulations of the temperature distribution. Secondly, the determining method was evaluated through a series of LAM experiments to obtain the appropriate LAM conditions. Using the determined conditions, LAM of Y-TZP was demonstrated to be effective; the thrust force was reduced by 51.3% and the tool wear was significantly reduced, while no cracks formed on the Y-TZP.