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Objective: To develop an antimicrobial orthodontic band cement for the prevention of white spot lesions using a novel process that generates silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in situ., Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven groups of AgNP-loaded Opal Band Cement (OBC) and two control groups were formulated with varying concentrations of additional benzoyl peroxide (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 wt%) and 2,2-(p-Tolylimino) diethanol (0.5 or 1 wt%). Rockwell15T hardness and near-infrared FTIR were used to assess degree of cure, three-point bending was used to determine modulus and ultimate transverse strength (UTS), and Ag(+) ion release was measured for up to 4 months in vitro using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus was tested in vitro by counting colony-forming units for up to 28 days. Biocompatibility was evaluated following ISO specifications 7405 (2008), 10993-3 (2003), 10993-5 (2009), and 10993-10 (2010)., Results: Most of the experimental groups had hardness, modulus, and UTS values similar to those of the control group. Ag(+) ion release was observed for all AgNP-loaded groups for up to 4 months. Increase in Ag loading increased Ag(+) ion release and in vitro antimicrobial effect. The biocompatibility of the optimal AgNP-loaded OBC was comparable to that of negative controls., Conclusion: A novel antimicrobial orthodontic band cement was developed that has comparable mechanical properties to controls, controlled and sustained Ag(+) ion release, significant bacterial inhibition in vitro, and excellent biocompatibility.

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent nanotechnological developments for remineralization of incipient caries lesions as well as biomimetic strategies for enamel synthesis based on the application of nanotechnology. Analysis of in vitro data indicates that apatite nanoparticles might be effective in reversing lesion progression in the outer but not in the deeper part of early caries lesions. To control caries-induced demineralization, investigators have developed calcium and phosphate or fluoride ion-releasing nanofillers, enabling resin composites to release ions, if the pH decreases under in vitro conditions. Extensive in vitro investigations of apatite crystallization have been performed to mimic the hierarchical topology of natural enamel. Strategies for formation of highly organized biomineralized structures include oriented aggregation of nanocrystallites or the assembly of apatite nanoparticles mediated by organic scaffolds. Despite all these promising in vitro experiments, the effectiveness of such strategies for the control of demineralization processes as well as for caries therapy still needs validation by clinical studies.

Objectives: The main challenges facing composite restorations are secondary caries and bulk fracture. The objectives of this study were to synthesize novel nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), develop NACP nanocomposite with calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO(4)) ion release to combat caries, and investigate the effects of NACP filler level and glass co-filler reinforcement on composite properties., Methods: NACP (diameter=116 nm) were synthesized via a spray-drying technique for the first time. Since the local plaque pH in the oral cavity can decrease to 5 or 4, photo-activated composites were tested with immersion in solutions of pH 7, 5.5, and 4. Composite mechanical properties as well as Ca and PO(4) ion release were measured vs. pH and filler level., Results: Increasing the NACP filler level increased the ion release. At 28 d and pH 4, the Ca release was (4.66±0.05)mmol/L at 20% NACP, much higher than (0.33±0.08) at 10% NACP (p<0.05). Decreasing the pH increased the ion release. At 20% NACP, the PO(4) release at 28 d was (1.84±0.12)mmol/L at pH 4, higher than (0.59±0.08) at pH 5.5, and (0.12±0.01) at pH 7 (p<0.05). However, pH had little effect on composite mechanical properties. Flexural strength at 15% NACP was (96±13)MPa at pH 4, similar to (89±13)MPa at pH 5.5, and (89±19)MPa at pH 7 (p>0.1). The new NACP nanocomposites had strengths that were 2-fold those of previous calcium phosphate composites and resin-modified glass ionomer control., Significance: NACP composites were developed for the first time. Their strengths matched or exceeded a commercial composite with little ion release, and were 2-fold those of previous Ca-PO(4) composites. The nanocomposite was "smart" as it greatly increased the ion release at a cariogenic pH 4, when these ions would be most needed to inhibit caries. Hence, the new NACP composite may be promising for stress-bearing and caries-inhibiting restorations., (Copyright © 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Secondary caries and restoration fracture are common problems in restorative dentistry. The aim of this study was to develop Ca-PO(4) nanocomposite having improved stress-bearing properties and Ca and PO(4) ion release to inhibit caries, and to determine the effects of filler level. Nanoparticles of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), two larger DCPA powders, and reinforcing whiskers were incorporated into a resin. A 6 x 3 design was tested with six filler mass fractions (0, 30, 50, 65, 70, and 75%) and three DCPA particle sizes (112 nm, 0.88 mum, 12.0 mum). The DCPA nanocomposite at 75% fillers had a flexural strength (mean +/- SD; n = 6) of 114 +/- 23 MPa, matching the 112 +/- 22 MPa of a commercial non-releasing, hybrid composite (P > 0.1). This was 2-fold of the 60 +/- 6 MPa of a commercial releasing control. Decreasing the particle size increased the ion release. Increasing the filler level increased the ion release at a rate faster than being linear. The amount of ion release from the nanocomposite matched or exceeded those of previous composites that released supersaturating levels of Ca and PO(4) and remineralized tooth lesions. This suggests that the much stronger nanocomposite may also be effective in remineralizing tooth lesion and inhibiting caries. In summary, combining calcium phosphate nanoparticles with reinforcing co-fillers in the composite provided a way to achieving both caries-inhibiting and stress-bearing capabilities. Filler level and particle size can be tailored to achieve optimal composite properties.

Objectives: Secondary caries and restoration fracture are the two main challenges facing tooth cavity restorations. The objective of this study was to develop a composite using tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) fillers and whiskers to be stress-bearing, and to be "smart" to increase the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO(4)) ion release at cariogenic pH., Methods: TTCP was ball-milled to obtain four different particle sizes: 16.2, 2.4, 1.3, and 0.97 microm. Whiskers fused with nano-sized silica were combined with TTCP as fillers in a resin. Filler level mass fractions varied from 0 to 75%. Ca and PO(4) ion releases were measured vs. time at pH of 7.4, 6, and 4. Composite mechanical properties were measured via three-point flexure before and after immersion in solutions at the three pH., Results: TTCP composite without whiskers had flexural strength similar to a resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer) and previous Ca-PO(4) composites. With whiskers, the TTCP composite had a flexural strength (mean+/-S.D.; n=5) of (116+/-9)MPa, similar to (112+/-14)MPa of a stress-bearing, non-releasing hybrid composite (TPH) (p>0.1). The Ca release was (1.22+/-0.16)mmol/L at pH of 4, higher than (0.54+/-0.09) at pH of 6, and (0.22+/-0.06) at pH of 7.4 (p<0.05). PO(4) release was also dramatically increased at acidic pH. After immersion, the TTCP-whisker composite matched the strength of TPH at all three pH (p>0.1); both TTCP-whisker composite and TPH had strengths about threefold that of a releasing control., Significance: The new TTCP-whisker composite was "smart" and increased the Ca and PO(4) release dramatically when the pH was reduced from neutral to a cariogenic pH of 4, when these ions are most needed to inhibit caries. Its strength was two- to threefold higher than previously known Ca-PO(4) composites and resin-modified glass ionomer. This composite may have the potential to provide the necessary combination of load-bearing and caries-inhibiting capabilities.

This study describes properties of potential sustained release varnishes (SRV) containing amine fluoride or amine fluoride with stannous fluoride. The release kinetics, antibacterial properties and antiadhesion properties of two potential varnishes were tested. The varnish of ethylcellulose matrix was found to release fluoride for 4 h in vitro, while the formulation based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate had a rapid release rate. Hydroxyapatite tablets coated with ethylcellulose-based SRV increased adhesion of Streptococcus mutans, while tablets coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate-based SRV decreased bacterial adhesion. Both types of SRV demonstrated a strong antibacterial effect on bacteria in biofilm., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

For the purpose of survey of the antibacterial activity against a cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 with the introduction of hydroxyl and allyl groups to o-phenylphenol (Fig. 2, 1), 4-hydroxy-o-phenylphenol (2), and 3,6-diallyl-4-hydroxy-o-phenylphenol (4) were synthesized, successively. The synthesized compounds, 2 and 4 showed more potent antibacterial activity than the starting material, 1. The hydroxyl group was supposed to the essential element for the antibacterial activity and the introduction of allyl group to phenolic ring to be another element to increase the activity.