This study evaluated the effect of 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) with different application times on microtensile bonds strength (MTBS) to dentin in class I cavities and intended to search for ideal application time for a simplified bonding protocol.

Flat dentinal surfaces with class I cavities (4 mm × 4 mm × 2 mm) in 40 molar teeth were bonded with etch-and-rinse adhesive system, Adper Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE) after: (1) etching only as a control group; (2) etching + CHX 5 sec + rinsing; (3) etching + CHX 15 sec + rinsing; (4) etching + CHX 30 sec + rinsing; and (5) etching + CHX 60 sec + rinsing. Resin composite was built-up with Z-250 (3M ESPE) using a bulk method and polymerized for 40 sec. For each condition, half of the specimens were immediately submitted to MTBS test and the rest of them were assigned to thermocycling of 10,000 cycles between 5℃ and 55℃ before testing. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, at a significance level of 95%.

There was no significant difference in bond strength between CHX pre-treated group and control group at the immediate testing period. After thermocycling, all groups showed reduced bond strength irrespective of the CHX use. However, groups treated with CHX maintained significantly higher MTBS than control group (p < 0.05). In addition, CHX application time did not have any significant influence on the bond strength among groups treated with CHX.

Application of 2% CHX for a short time period (5 sec) after etching with 37% phosphoric acid may be sufficient to preserve dentin bond strength.

Present study was undertaken to investigate the crystal growth onto synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) seeds in pH 4.3 and pH 7.0 supersaturated solutions with different fluoride concentrations.

8 groups of pH 4.3 and 7.0 calcium phosphate supersaturated solutions were prepared with different fluoride concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 4 ppm). Calcium phosphate precipitates yield crystal growth onto the HA seed surface while solutions flow. For evaluation of crystallizing process, the changes of Ca²⁺, PO₄^3-, F^- concentrations of the inlet and outlet solutions were determined. The recovered solid samples were weighed to assess the amount of minerals precipitated, and finally determined their composition to deduce characteristics of crystals.

During the seeded crystal growth, there were significantly more consumption of Ca²⁺, PO₄^3-, F^- in pH 4.3 solutions than pH 7.0 (p < 0.05). As fluoride concentration increased in pH 4.3 solution, Ca²⁺, PO₄^3-, F^- consumption in experimental solutions, weight increment of HA seed, and fluoride ratio in crystallized samples were increased. There were significant differences among the groups (p < 0.05). But in pH 7.0 solution, these phenomena were not significant. In pH 7.0 solutions, analyses of crystallized samples showed higher Ca/P ratio in higher fluoride concentration. There were significant differences among the groups (p < 0.05). But in pH 4.3 solution, there were not significant differences in Ca/P ratio.

Crystal growth in pH 4.3 solutions was superior to that in pH 7.0 solutions. In pH 4.3 solutions, crystal growth increased with showed in higher fluoride concentration up to 4 ppm.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis, that the effectiveness of irrigation in removing smear layer in the apical third of root canal system is dependent on the depth of placement of the irrigation needle into the root canal and the enlargement size of the canal.

Eighty sound human lower incisors were divided into eight groups according to the enlargement size (#25, #30, #35 and #40) and the needle penetration depth (3 mm from working length, WL-3 mm and 9 mm from working length, WL-9 mm). Each canal was enlarged to working length with Profile.06 Rotary Ni-Ti files and irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl. Then, each canal received a final irrigation with 3 mL of 3% EDTA for 4 min, followed by 5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl at different level (WL-3 mm and WL-9 mm) from working length. Each specimen was prepared for the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Photographs of the 3mm area from the apical constriction of each canal with a magnification of ×250, ×500, ×1,000, ×2,500 were taken for the final evaluation.

Removal of smear layer in WL-3 mm group showed a significantly different effect when the canal was enlarged to larger than #30. There was a significant difference in removing apical smear layer between the needle penetration depth of WL-3 mm and WL-9 mm.

Removal of smear layer from the apical portion of root canals was effectively accomplished with apical instrumentation to #35/40 06 taper file and 3 mm needle penetration from the working length.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of 4 temporary materials in teeth with Class II-type endodontic access preparations by using a glucose penetration model.

Glucose reaction test was performed to rule out the presence of any reaction between glucose and temporary material. Class II-type endodontic access preparations were made in extracted human premolars with a single root (n = 10). Each experimental group was restored with Caviton (GC), Spacer (Vericom), IRM (Dentsply-Caulk), or Fuji II(GC). Microleakage of four materials used as temporary restorative materials was evaluated by using a glucose penetration model. Data were analyzed by the one-way analysis of variance followed by a multiple-comparison Tukey test. The interface between materials and tooth were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

There was no significant reaction between glucose and temporary materials used in this study. Microleakage was significantly lower for Caviton and Spacer than for Fuji II and IRM. SEM observation showed more intimate adaptation of tooth-restoration interfaces in Caviton and Spacer than in IRM and Fuji II.

Compared to IRM and Fuji II, Caviton and Spacer can be considered better temporary sealing materials in Class II-type endodontic access cavities.

The aim was to confirm the stem cell-like properties of the dental pulp stromal cells and to evaluate the morphologic changes during in vitro chondrogenesis.

Stromal cells were outgrown from the dental pulp tissue of the premolars. Surface markers were investigated and cell proliferation rate was compared to other mesenchymal stem cells. Multipotency of the pulp cells was confirmed by inducing osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis. The morphologic changes in the chondrogenic pellet during the 21 day of induction were evaluated under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. TUNEL assay was used to evaluate apoptosis within the chondrogenic pellets.

Pulp cells were CD90, 105 positive and CD31, 34 negative. They showed similar proliferation rate to other stem cells. Pulp cells differentiated to osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic tissues. During chondrogenesis, 3-dimensional pellet was created with multi-layers, hypertrophic chondrocyte-like cells and cartilage-like extracellular matrix. However, cell morphology became irregular and apoptotic cells were increased after 7 day of chondrogenic induction.

Pulp cells indicated mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics. During the in vitro chondrogenesis, cellular activity was superior during the earlier phase (within 7 day) of differentiation.

The internal adaptation of composite restorations with or without resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) was analyzed non-destructively using Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT).

Thirty intact human teeth were used. The specimens were divided into 3 groups. In the control group, the cavities were etched with 10% phosphoric acid for 15 sec. Composite resin was filled into the cavity without adhesive. In group 1, light cured glass ionomer cement (GIC, Fuji II LC, GC) was applied as a base. The cavities were then etched, bonded, light cured and filled with composites. In group 2, the cavities were then etched, bonded, light cured and filled with composites without base application. They were immersed in a 25% silver nitrate solution. Micro-CT was performed before and after mechanical loading. One-way ANOVA with Duncan analysis was used to compare the internal adaptation between the groups before or after loading. A paired t-test was used to compare internal adaptation before and after mechanical loading. All statistical inferences were made within the 95% confidence interval.

The silver nitrate solution successfully penetrated into the dentinal tubules from the pulp spaces, and infiltrated into the gap between restoration and pulpal floor. Group 2 showed a lower adaptation than the control group and group 1 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the control group and group 1. For all groups, there was a significant difference between before and after mechanical loading (p < 0.05).

The internal adaptation before and after loading was better when composites were bonded to tooth using adhesive than composites based with RMGIC.