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The use of erbium lasers to prevent caries in enamel has shown positive results. However, it is not known if Er,Cr:YSGG laser can also be used to increase acid resistance of root dentine, which is another dental tissue susceptible to the action of cariogenic bacteria. Objective: To analyze the effects of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser (λ=2.78 μm, 20 Hz) irradiation associated with 2% neutral sodium fluoride (NaF) to prevent root dentin demineralization. Material and Methods: One hundred human root dentin samples were divided into 10 groups (G) and treated as follows: G1: no treatment; G2: NaF; G3: laser (4.64 J/cm2) with water cooling (WC=5.4 mL/min); G4: laser (4.64 J/cm2) without WC; G5: laser (8.92 J/cm2) with WC; G6: laser (8.92 J/cm2) without WC; G7: laser (4.64 J/cm2) with WC and NaF; G8: laser (4.64 J/cm2) without WC and NaF; G9: laser (8.92 J/cm2) with WC and NaF; G10: laser (8.92 J/cm2) without WC and NaF. The NaF gel was applied alone or after 4 min of irradiation. After 14 days of acid challenge, the samples were sectioned and the Knoop microhardness (KHN) test was done at different depths (30, 60, 90 and 120 μm) from the outer dentin surface. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Fisher’s test (α=5%). Results: The results showed that G8 and G10 presented higher KHN than the G1 for the depths of 30 and 60 μm, indicating an increase of the acid resistance of the dentin in up to 35% (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Er:YAG laser and its association with fluoride (1.23% acidulate phosphate fluoride gel) on the prevention of enamel erosion. Sixty specimens were obtained from bovine enamel (4 × 4 mm), which were ground flat, polished, and randomly divided into five groups according to the preventive treatments: control-fluoride application; L--Er:YAG laser; L+F--laser + fluoride; F+L--fluoride + laser; L/F--laser/fluoride simultaneously. Half of the enamel surface was covered with nail varnish (control area), and the other half was pretreated with one of the preventive strategies to subsequently be submitted to erosive challenge. When the laser was applied, it was irradiated for 10 s with a focal length of 4 mm and 60 mJ/2 Hz. Fluoride gel was applied for 4 min. Each specimen was individually exposed to regular Coca-Cola® for 1 min, four times/day, for 5 days. Wear analysis was performed with a profilometer, and demineralization was assessed with an optical microscope. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (wear)/Dunn test and ANOVA/Fisher's exact tests. The group L/F was similar to control group. The other groups showed higher wear, which did not present differences among them. In the demineralization assessment, the groups F+L and L/F showed lower demineralization in relation to the other groups. It can be concluded that none preventive method was able to inhibit dental wear. The treatments L/F and F+L showed lower enamel demineralization.

The purpose of this study was to analyze, correlate, and compare the deminerali- zation and permeability of dentin remaining after caries removal with either an Er:YAG laser, a bur, or a curette. Thirty human dentin fragments were immersed in a demineralizing solution for 20 days and were randomly divided into three groups (n 5 10) for the removal of the demineralized lesion. The groups were G1—Er:YAG laser (200 mJ/6 Hz; noncontact at 12 mm; spot: 0.63 mm), G2—Bur, and G3—Curette. The specimens were then immersed in a 10% copper sulfate solution, then in a 1% dithiooxamide alcoholic solution for 30 min and kept in ammonia vapor for 7 days. Next, the specimens were examined with optical microscopy. The amount of demineralized dentin and the level of copper ion infiltration in the dentin were quantified in lm using Axion Vision soft- ware. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) and Pearson's Correlation test. The analysis revealed no significant differences between the three caries removal methods in terms of their capacity to remove demineralized tissue (G1: 10.6 lm; G2: 8.4 lm; G3: 11 lm), although the laser removal generated more tissue permeability than the others methods (G1: 17.6 lm; G2: 6.6 lm; G3: 5.5 lm). The correlation between the remaining demineralized dentin and the dentin per- meability was moderate for the conventional methods and higher for the Er:YAG laser. It can therefore be concluded that the laser produced an increase in permeability that was directly pro- portional to the amount of demineralized tissue removal. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:225-230, 2013. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objectives This triple-blind, 2 × 2 crossover in situ study, was undertaken to verify whether the wear resistance of enamel and root dentine would be affected by bleaching with a 10% carbamide peroxide agent and a placebo agent. Methods Thirty slabs of each substrate (2 mm × 3 mm × 2 mm) were selected for each phase, after flattening and polishing procedures and microhardness test. After a 7-day lead-in period, one specimen of each substrate was randomly bonded on the facial surface of each one of 30 subject's upper second premolars. The volunteers received instructions on how to perform toothbrushing and application of gel in the tray. Fifteen volunteers bleached their maxillary arch with a 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching agent for a 2-week period, while the remainders used a placebo agent. After a 1-week washout period, a new set of enamel and root dentine slabs were bonded to the premolars and volunteers were crossed over to the alternate agent for 14 days. The resistance of enamel and root dentine to wear following bleaching, toothbrushing and intraoral exposure was measured with a profilometer, using reference areas. Results For enamel, ANOVA did not demonstrate significant difference between wear provided by placebo and bleaching agent ( p = 0.3713), but higher wear depth was observed for bleached root dentine ( p = 0.0346). Conclusions While overnight bleaching caused no alteration in wear resistance of enamel, root dentine showed increased tissue loss.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of low and highly concentrated bleaching agents on microhardness and surface roughness of bovine enamel and root dentin. Methods: According to a randomized complete block design, 100 specimens of each substrate were assigned into five groups to be treated with bleaching agents containing carbamide peroxide (CP) at 10% (CP10); hydrogen peroxide (HP) at 7.5% (HP7.5) or 38% (HP38), or the combination of 18% of HP and 22% of CP (HP18/CP22), for 3 weeks. The control group was left untreated. Specimens were immersed in artificial saliva between bleaching treatments. Knoop surface microhardness (SMH) and average surface roughness (Ra) were measured at baseline and post-bleaching conditions. Results: For enamel, there were differences between bleaching treatments for both SMH and Ra measurements (p = 0.4009 and p = 0.7650, respectively). SMH significantly increased (p

The aim of this study was to assess any long-term chemical and morphological Nd:YAG laser modifications on irradiated primary enamel.Previous studies on irradiated primary human enamel employed methodologies that evaluated the short-term effects only.One hundred and eighty-six irradiated (with and/or without fluoride) primary enamel teeth from high-caries-risk children, which were exfoliated over a 1-year period, were collected, and the sample surface area was submitted for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The subsurface was analyzed by Knoop microhardness and light microscopy (LM). Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05) and Kruskall-Wallis and Tukey tests (α=0.05).FTIR analysis revealed a higher concentration of phosphate and carbonate in the irradiated (0.987±0.064) and lower concentration in the control groups (1.477±0.310). SEM analysis showed that the control samples exhibited a slightly smoother surface than the irradiated groups. The EDS analysis did not show any differences in the amount of calcium, phosphorus, or fluoride among the groups. The microhardness analysis revealed that sealant (249.86±7.15) and laser irradiation (262.44±22.69) led to higher hardness values than the negative control group (128.35±25.19). LM indicated significantly reduced caries formation in the laser (5.35±5.38%) and the laser plus acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) groups (10.35±0.88%) compared with the negative control group (72.56±12.86%).Even with the limitations of the present study, these results suggest that Nd:YAG irradiation clinically modified the chemical composition of the enamel surface regardless of fluoride concentration, which successfully inhibited demineralization of primary tooth enamel over a 1-year period without significant morphological changes.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate whether root dentine caries-like lesions could be remineralised by saliva substitutes. Methods: Root dentine slabs (3 × 3 × 2 mm) were cut from bovine incisors, ground flat, polished and pre-tested for Knoop microhardness (KHN) at five locations spaced 500 μm apart and 500 μm from the left edge of each sectioned piece. After 60 out of the 100 slabs had been selected based upon their KHN values, specimens were coated with wax except for their outer surface. Specimens were then cycled through a highly cariogenic challenge model to induce caries-like lesions, whose formation was confirmed by KHN measurements located 500 μm from the right edge of the specimen. According to a randomised complete block design, the experimental units (n = 15) were exposed to 1.5 ml of saliva substitutes, based on either mucin (MC) or carboxymethylcellulose (CM), to natural human saliva (HS) or to 100% relative humidity (RH) over 20 days. Remineralisation was verified by KHN measurements located 1000 μm apart from the right edge of the specimen. Results: Analysis of variance indicated a significant (p

To evaluate the enamel resistance and permeability of rat teeth to acid challenges after systemic use of sodium alendronate.Eighteen Wistar rats (36 teeth), aged 36-42 days (200-230 g), were assigned into two groups: alendronate group (n = 20 teeth), which received two weekly doses of 1 mg/kg of alendronate, via gavage; and a non-alendronate group (n = 16 teeth), which received only distilled water. After 60 days, the animals were killed, the maxillary incisors were extracted and used for the artificial induction of the caries lesion (pH cycling regimen) and erosion area (immersion cycles in cola-type soft drink) and for the enamel permeability test (dye penetration). The teeth were divided into alendronate group (n = 10) or non-alendronate group (n = 8) for each test. The quantitative response variables were the percent longitudinal change in Knoop microhardness (%LMC), the enamel carious/erosion lesion area (CELA) and enamel permeability.Groups were not significantly different (p 0.05) with regard to the %LMC and enamel permeability (25.58 μm ± 12.73 and 25.40 μm ± 4.6 for the experimental and control groups, respectively). For CELA, it was not observed significant difference (p 0.05) between the non-alendronate group (24.08 ± 1.36 and 25.22 ± 1.60, for caries and erosion, respectively) and the alendronate group (25.46 ± 1.60 and 25.0 ± 1.26) for caries and erosion, respectively).Based on the methodological conditions and the presented results of this study, sodium alendronate did not affect the longitudinal microhardness, demineralisation lesion area or permeability of the enamel after acid challenge; therefore, alendronate did not become the enamel of rats more resistant.The systemic alendronate treatment for 60 days did not change the enamel of rats regarding the susceptibility to acids.

Dental caries is still the most prevalent chronic disease affecting human populations. Among the preventive treatments performed, it has been reported that laser irradiation combined with topical fluoride can induce an even greater increase in enamel caries resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Nd:YAG laser, with or without fluoride, in occlusal caries prevention of the primary dentition. A double-blind split-mouth study design was used. Fifty-two children with high caries risk (7.6 ± 1.4 years) were selected and received the following: G1--the first molar was a negative control, and the second received a resin sealant; G2--the first molar was a negative control, and the second received laser irradiation (50 mJ, 10 Hz, 0.5 W); G3--the first molar received only acidulate phosphate fluoride (APF), and the second received APF + laser; G4--fisrt molar received only fluoride varnish, and the second received fluoride varnish + laser. Patients were followed up to 12 months to evaluate the presence of white-spot lesions and/or caries cavities by three calibrated observers. Thirty-five patients completed the study. Significant differences were found between the treatment and control groups (p 0.05). The laser-alone and resin sealant resulted in statistically lower caries formation than the negative control group (p 0.05). Nd:YAG laser irradiation in primary teeth effectively prevented occlusal caries in pits and fissures when used alone with lower energy over a 1-year period.

Most studies dealing with the caries preventive action of Nd:YAG laser have been done in permanent teeth and studies on primary teeth are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of Nd:YAG laser combined or not with fluoride sources on the acid resistance of primary tooth enamel after artificial caries induction by assessing longitudinal microhardness and demineralization depth. Sixty enamel blocks obtained from the buccal/lingual surface of exfoliated human primary molars were coated with nail polish/wax, leaving only a 9 mm² area exposed on the outer enamel surface, and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=10) according to the type of treatment: C-control (no treatment); APF: 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel; FV: 5% fluoride varnish; L: Nd:YAG laser 0.5 W/10 Hz in contact mode; APFL: fluoride gel + laser; FVL: fluoride varnish + laser. After treatment, the specimens were subjected to a des-remineralization cycle for induction of artificial caries lesions. Longitudinal microhardness data (%LMC) were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and demineralization depth data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD test (á=0.05). APFL and APF groups presented the lowest percentage of microhardness change (p

To evaluate the effect of a 10% carbamide peroxide-containing bleaching agent on brushing abrasion of esthetic restorative materials.Using a randomized complete block design, 150 specimens (n = 15) measuring 3 x 3 x 2 mm were fabricated into acrylic resin cylinders, using one of the restorative materials: a microfilled resin composite (Al), a hybrid resin composite (Ch), a flowable resin composite (Wa), a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Fj) and a polyacid-modified resin composite (Dy). The bleaching agent or artificial saliva (control) was applied for 2 hours/day. After that, 120 brushing strokes were simulated automatically and the samples were kept in artificial saliva. Such bleaching/brushing cycle was performed daily for 21 days. Wear depth was assessed using profilometry.Bleaching did not show significant effect on wear depth. There was a significant difference among the restorative materials. Tukey's test showed that (Al = Ch)(Wa)(Fj) and that Dy was only different from Fj.

Devido a alterações químico-estruturais causadas pelo clareamento, os substratos dentais poderiam tornar-se mais susceptíveis a perda tecidual, principalmente se expostos a desafios erosivo/abrasivos. Desta forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivos: 1) analisar in vitro, se o esmalte e a radicular dentina clareada com diferentes agentes e concentrações, apresenta uma maior susceptibilidade ao desgaste, quando submetido a ciclos de erosão e abrasão; 2) comparar o efeito da aplicação de um agente clareador a base de peróxido de carbamida a 10% a um placebo no desgaste do esmalte e da dentina radicular, através de um modelo in situ. Os resultados do estudo in vitro mostraram que, independentemente do agente usado, o clareamento não aumentou o desgaste do esmalte frente a episódios erosivo-abrasivos. Na dentina, o desgaste foi dependente do agente clareador aplicado. Baseado no protocolo in situ adotado, o peróxido de carbamida a 10% não causou maior desgaste superficial no esmalte, mas aumentou a perda de tecido dentinário comparado ao placebo. Pode-se concluir que, em termos de desgaste superficial, o esmalte não foi afetado pelo tratamento clareador, enquanto a dentina mostrou-se mais susceptível. Assim, sugerem-se cuidados adicionais na seleção do agente clareador em situações clínicas que apresentam dentina radicular exposta. Due to the chemical and microstructural alterations caused by bleaching, the dental substrates can become more susceptible to tissue loss, mainly if exposed to erosive/abrasive challenges. Therefore, the present study had the following objectives: 1) to analyze in vitro, if enamel and root dentin that had been bleached with different agents and concentrations, were at increased risk of wear when submitted to cycles of erosion and abrasion; 2) to compare the effect of the application of a 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching agent to a placebo on wear of enamel and root dentin, through an in situ model. The results of the in vitro study showed that independent of agent used, the bleaching demonstrated no increase in the wear of enamel when exposed to the erosive-abrasive episodes. In dentin, the wear was dependent on the bleaching agent applied. Based on the in situ protocol adopted, the 10% carbamide peroxide did not cause higher wear on the enamel, but increased the wear of the root dentin compared to the placebo. It could be concluded that in terms of superficial wear, enamel was not affected by bleaching treatment, while dentin showed to be more susceptible. Thus, additional caution is suggested in the choice of the bleaching agent when root dentin is exposed.

To evaluate in vitro the susceptibility of caries-like lesion formation on enamel and root dentin that had been bleached with carbamide peroxide agents.150 slabs of bovine enamel and root dentin were ground flat and polished. According to a randomized complete block design, the specimens were then allocated to be bleached with agents (Rembrandt) containing 12% [CP12], 16% [CP16], 22% [CP22] or 30% [CP30] of carbamide peroxide over 21 days. The control group remained unbleached. Afterwards, all specimens were randomly distributed between two subgroups (n= 15): one was subjected to alternating demineralizing and remineralizing solutions to induce caries-like lesions and the other was not. Enamel specimens were cycled four times in demineralizing (pH 5.0) and remineralizing solutions (pH 7.0), while root dentin specimens were cycled twice. Microhardness measurements were carried out at the post-bleaching and at the post-caries lesion formation phases.In the post-bleaching condition, microhardness values for both enamel and root dentin were dependent on the bleaching agent used. At the post-caries formation stage, there was a significant interaction between the bleaching treatment and substrate condition (carious or noncarious) for enamel and root dentin. Regardless of the bleaching agent, carious enamel and root dentin presented significantly lower microhardness values as compared to the noncarious counterparts. For carious enamel, those specimens exposed to CP16 exhibited higher microhardness values than the subset group formed by CP22, CP30 and unbleached samples. Both subsets did not differ from CP12. For carious root dentin, no difference was observed among the microhardness values attained as a result of the different bleaching treatments.

To evaluate the microhardness and surface roughness of enamel and root dentin bleached with 10%, 15% and 22% carbamide peroxide agents.52 slabs of enamel and root dentin (6 x 3 x 2 mm) were cut from bovine incisors, ground flat and polished. According to a randomized complete block design, enamel and root dentin slabs (n = 13) were independently allocated to be bleached with one of the following carbamide peroxide-containing agents (CP): 10% (Rembrandt Bleaching Gel Plus), 15% (Rembrandt Xtra Comfort), or 22% (Rembrandt Xtra Comfort Ultra Strength). The control groups were mock-treated with artificial saliva. The bleaching procedures consisted of daily application of the agents on dental substrate surfaces for 2 hours, followed by immersion in artificial saliva for 22 hours over 21 days. Knoop microhardness and surface roughness were measured initially, on sound dental tissues, and at the postbleaching phase.In enamel, microhardness attained after bleaching with 10% CP and 15% CP were similar and significantly lower than that observed for the control group. Specimens bleached with CP 22% did not differ from any of the other groups tested. In root dentin, microhardness changes were indistinguishable. ANOVA showed no significant difference among treatments with respect to surface roughness.

This investigation sought to compare the abrasive wear rates of resin composites designed for posterior applications. Seventy-five specimens were fabricated with conventional hybrid (Charisma and Filtek Z250) or packable composites (Filtek P60, Solitaire II and Tetric Ceram HB), according to a randomized complete block design (n = 15). Specimens were finished and polished metallographically and subjected to abrasive wear which was performed under a normal load of 13N at a frequency of 2 Hz using a pneumatic device (MSM/Elquip) in the presence of a mucin-containing artificial saliva. Wear was quantified profilometrically in five different locations of each specimen after 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 and after every each 50,000 through 250,000 cycles. A split-plot ANOVA showed a significant difference between the wear resistance of composites (alpha = 0.05). Tukey's test ascertained that while the composites Filtek Z250 and Charisma wore significantly less than any other of the materials tested, Tetric Ceram HB experienced the greatest wear rates. Filtek P60 and Solitaire II showed intermediate rates of material removal. The wear pattern of composites proved to be biphasic with the primary phase having the faster wear rate. In conclusion, packable resin composites may not have superior wear compared to conventional hybrid composites.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro o efeito do ácido cítrico líquido, ácido clorídrico na forma de gás e líquido na evolução do processo erosivo associado ou não a abrasão do tecido dentinário. Foram simuladas situações diárias que ocorrem na Doença do Refluxo Gastroesofágico (DRGE) e no consumo de alguns tipos de refrigerantes. O estudo foi fatorial 3 X 2 , tendo como fatores de estudo: exposição ao ácido em 3 níveis (ac. cítrico, ácido clorídrico na forma líquida e gasosa), abrasão em 2 níveis (sem e com escovação), o tempo foi analisado individualmente por ácido empregado para verificar a evolução do processo erosivo. Foram obtidos 60 espécimes de dentina (3 X 3 mm) a partir do terço cervical da raiz de incisivos bovinos, que foram isolados com resina composta, exceto a face a ser exposta aos desafios erosivos, que foi lixada e polida para planificar a superfície e remoção do cemento, metade desta face foi isolada com fita de silicone adesivo (controle). Os espécimes foram aleatoriamente divididos em 6 subgrupos (n=10). Foi realizado desafio erosivo com HCl líquido, 0,6%, pH=2; com gás do HCl , pH=2 ambos a 37ºC e com ácido cítrico líquido, 0,3%, pH=2,7, com temperatura ambiente (22ºC). A exposição foi de 20 segundos para os desafios com ácido clorídrico e por 5 minutos para o ácido cítrico em cada ciclo, repetidos 6 vezes. Após cada desafio erosivo, os corpos de prova ficaram imersos em saliva artificial por 1 hora, a 37°C, realizada ou não a abrasão e, em seguida, foram obtidas as imagens para as análises de perfil de desgaste, rugosidade de superfície, área, número e tamanho dos túbulos dentinários expostos. A abrasão foi realizada com escova elétrica por 10s e 200gf com dentifrício. Os dados foram submetidos aos testes ANOVA e Tukey (p

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar diferentes tratamentos na remineralização do esmalte desmineralizado em situação de alto desafio cariogênico. Foram utilizados 55 fragmentos de esmalte bovino (4mmX4mmX2mm) planificados e polidos. Os espécimes foram cobertos com resina composta ficando exposta apenas a metade da superfície externa (2mmX4mm) e então, foram imersos em solução tampão de acetato (pH 4,7) por 43 horas para formar a lesão de desmineralização. Os espécimes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 5 grupos (n=11), de acordo com os tratamentos preventivos: 1- Controle (sem tratamento); 2- Verniz fluoretado a 5% Duraphat®; 3- Flúor-gel 1,23%; 4- MI PasteTM; e 5- MI Paste PlusTM. Os tratamentos foram realizados uma vez por semana durante 3 semanas. Nos intervalos das aplicações os espécimes foram submetidos a ciclos de pH (DES/RE) num total de 21 dias. Após a finalização da ciclagem os fragmentos foram seccionados longitudinalmente, sendo que em uma metade foi analisada a microdureza longitudinal, pelo cálculo da variação percentual da dureza e na outra metade foi avaliada a profundidade de desmineralização do esmalte através de microscopia óptica. Para a análise em FTIR, pó do esmalte foi obtido dos espécimes em três diferentes momentos: inicial sem desmineralização da superfície, após a desmineralização por 43 horas e após o tratamento. Para análise da microdureza longitudinal empregou-se a variação da dureza. Os dados foram analisados quanto a sua distribuição, porém como não foram normais realizou-se uma análise não paramétrica comparando grupo contra grupo pelo Mann Whitney test com α=5%. Para análise da profundidade de desmineralização, como os dados se apresentaram normais e homogêneos, realizou-se a análise de variância a 1 critério e teste Holm- Sidak para comparação das médias com α=5%. Para análise em FTIR fez-se apenas uma análise descritiva dos dados. Na análise dos dados pode-se observar que houve diferença estatística significante entre o grupo controle (G1) com o grupo flúor-gel (G3) (p

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do laser Er:YAG na remoção de dentina desmineralizada e sua permeabilidade no tecido remanescente. 30 fragmentos de dentina coronária a partir de 30 molares foram isolados com esmalte cosmético e cera, deixando uma área exposta de dentina de 9mm2. Para a obtenção das lesões de cárie os espécimes foram imersos durante 20 dias em solução desmineralizante (pH 4,6 a 37°C). Depois, os corpos de prova foram aleatoriamente divididos em 3 grupos (n=10) para a remoção da lesão: G1 - laser Er:YAG, (200 mJ/6Hz); G2 - broca; G3 - cureta. Em seguida, os espécimes foram imersos em uma solução aquosa de sulfato de Cu a 10% e em uma solução alcoólica de ácido rubiânico a 1% por 30 minutos, e mantidos em recipientes fechados com bolinha de algodão embebida com amônia por 7 dias. Posteriormente, foram seccionados, polidos, desidratados, clareados e colocados em laminas de vidro para sua analise por meio de microscópio ótico. As medidas de penetração do íon de cobre na dentina remanescente foram medidas em μm. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste Kruskal-Wallis e correlação de Pearson. Pode-se observar que o laser promoveu um tecido mais permeável em comparação aos demais grupos (G1-17,6μm; G2-6,6μm; G3-5,5μm), contudo não houve diferença estatística entre eles na capacidade de remoção do tecido desmineralizado (G1-10,6μm; G2-8,4μm; G3-11μm). A correlação entre a dentina remanescente desmineralizada e permeabilidade dentinária, foi moderada para os metodos convencionais e alta para o laser Er:YAG. Conclui-se que o laser Er:YAG promoveu maior permeabilidade da dentina, estando correlacionada com a remoção do tecido desmineralizado. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Er:YAG laser in the removing of demineralized dentin and permeability of the remaining dentin. 30 dentin fragments obtained from 30 molars were isolated with enamel cosmetic and wax, leaving a dentin exposed area of 9mm², which was submitted to demineralization. For obtaining the lesions, the specimens were immersed during 20 days in a demineralized solution (pH4.6 at 37°C). The samples were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10) for the removal of the demineralized lesion: G1- Er:YAG laser, (200mJ/6Hz); G2- bur; G3- curette. Later, the specimens were immersed in 10% aqueous solution of copper sulfate and 1% alcoholic solution of rubeanic acid for 30 minutes and it kept in closed jars with ammonium-embedded cotton pellets for 7 days. Then, they were sectioned, polished, dehydrated, cleared and mounted on glass slides for examination under optical microscopy. The percentages of copper ion infiltration in dentin were quantified in μm. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson\'s correlation. The analyze revealed that the laser promoted more permeable tissue than other groups (G1-17.6μm; G2-6.6μm; G3-5.5μm), but there was no statistical difference between them in terms of their capacity of removing the demineralized tissue (G1-10.6μm; G2-8.4μm; G3-11μm). The correlation between remaining demineralized dentin and dentin permeability was moderated for the conventional methods and high for the Er:YAG laser. It can be concluded by the present study that he Er:YAG laser promoted higher dentin permeability, being correlated with the removal of the demineralized dentin.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência de métodos de esterilização do substrato dental sobre a microdureza de dentes extraídos (esmalte e dentina radicular) submetidos a ciclos de pH, e ainda verificar a influência destes métodos sobre a resistência adesiva do esmalte, dentina coronária e radicular. Para os testes de microdureza, dez terceiros molares extraídos foram seccionados em 40 fragmentos de esmalte e 40 de dentina radicular, sendo divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos (para ambos os substratos): Controle - não esterilizado, Óxido de Etileno 7h ciclo de OE/48h aeração, Autoclave 30 à 121oC e Formalina 10% - por 7 dias. Após a esterilização, as amostras foram lavadas, reumidificadas e submetidas a ciclos de pH. Os testes de microdureza em profundidade (30, 60, 90, 120 e 300µm) foram realizados no substrato hígido e desmineralizado. Para os teste de resistência adesiva, 30 terceiros molares extraídos foram seccionados em 60 fragmentos de esmalte, 60 fragmentos de dentina coronária e 60 fragmentos de dentina radicular, sendo divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos (para todos os substratos): Controle, Óxido de Etileno, Autoclave e Formalina 10%. Em seguida, os sítios de adesão foram demarcados e cilindros de resina composta foram confeccionados em 3 incrementos. Após 24 horas, os espécimes foram submetidos a testes de cisalhamento. Os dados obtidos para ambas as avaliações foram submetidos à ANOVA e teste de Fisher (α =0,05). Para microdureza em esmalte hígido pode-se verificar que o controle apresentou maior valor de dureza e estatisticamente diferente dos outros grupos, sendo que os métodos promoveram alteração da dureza, diminuindo-a (controle>óxido de etileno>autoclave>formalina). Contudo, para as profundidades não houve diferença estatística. Para o esmalte desmineralizado, o grupo controle apresentou maiores valores de dureza diferente estatisticamente da formalina e óxido de etileno e semelhante a autoclave (controle ≈ autoclave > Formalina ≈ óxido de etileno). Para as profundidades, observou-se que 30µm < 60µm ≈ 90µm ≈ 120µm < 300µm. Para dentina radicular hígida pode-se observar que grupo controle apresentou maior valor de dureza, semelhante ao óxido de etileno e a formalina e diferente da autoclave, sendo a formalina similar ao óxido de etileno e diferente da autoclave. Entretanto, para as profundidades testadas não houve diferença estatística neste substrato. Para a dentina desmineralizada pode-se observar que o método não apresentou diferença significante, contudo para as profundidades ocorreu diferença, 30µm foi similar a 90µm e diferente de 300µm e 120µm. 300µm apresentou as maiores médias de microdureza. Com relação aos testes de resistência adesiva em esmalte os métodos foram semelhantes entre si, assim como em dentina coronária, contudo em dentina radicular a formalina proporcionou maiores valores de adesão. Pode-se concluir que os métodos de esterilização influenciaram na microdureza do esmalte hígido e desmineralizado, bem como, na dentina hígida não promovendo alteração na dentina desmineralizada. Entretanto, os métodos não influenciaram nos resultados dos testes de resistência adesiva em esmalte e dentina coronária, alterando apenas a adesão em dentina radicular. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sterilization methods (ethylene oxide, steam autoclave and 10% formalin) on microhardness of extracted human teeth (enamel and root dentin) submitted to pH cycling, and to determine the influence of these methods on shear bond strength (enamel, coronary and root dentin). For microhardness test, 40 root dentin and 40 enamel blocks were prepared from freshly-extracted third molars. Specimens were randomly assigned to 4 groups according to sterilization method: control group no sterilized, ethylene oxide (7h- EtO gas cycles and 48 degassing period), steam autoclave (30´ at 121oC) and 10% formalin (7 days). After sterilizing, specimens were rinsed, moisten and submitted to pH cycling. Microhardness test in different depths (30, 60, 90, 120 and 300µm) was realized on sound and demineralized areas. For shear bond strength test, 60 enamel, coronary and root dentin fragments were randomly divided into 4 groups according to sterilization method: control group, ethylene oxide, steam autoclave and 10% formalin. The bonding site was delimited and a resin composite cylinder was built. After 24h, the specimens were tested to failure. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fishers test (α=0.05). Sound enamel microhardness showed the highest values for control group, followed by ethylene oxide and steam autoclave, while the 10% formalin provided the lowest values. For depths, ANOVA showed no statistical difference among them. For demineralized enamel, control group was similar to steam autoclave group and higher than formalin and ethylene oxide (control ≈ steam autoclave > formalin ≈ ethylene oxide). Comparing depths, it was observed that 30µm < 60µm ≈ 90µm ≈ 120µm < 300µm. For sound root dentin, control group was similar to formalin and ethylene oxide and higher than steam autoclave, being formalin similar to ethylene oxide and different from steam autoclave. It was not verified statistical difference for depths in this substrate. For desmineralized root dentin, ANOVA showed no statistical difference among the methods. For depths, 30µm was similar to 90µm and different from 300 and 120µm. 300µm provided the highest values. For bond strength in root dentin, it was observed statistically significant difference among sterilization methods, presenting formalin the highest values. However, when enamel and dentin were evaluated, ANOVA showed no statistical difference among sterilization methods. It can be concluded that, the sterilization methods employed in this study affect the microhardness of sound and demineralized enamel and sound dentin. On the other hand, the sterilization methods did not affect the microhardness of demineralized root dentin. Shear bond strength was affected by the sterilization methods only in root dentin.