The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of different anticaries agents, such as experimental agents based on silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), on the micro-shear bond strength (μ-SBS) of composite resin applied to intact enamel (IE) or demineralized enamel (DE).

Sixty dental enamel fragments were collected from human third molars and categorized into 6 groups (n = 10): positive control (IE), negative control (DE), IE + SDF, DE + SDF, IE + SNP and DE + SNP. Samples from DE, DE + SDF and DE + SNP groups were subjected to pH cycling; superficial microhardness test was performed to confirm demineralization. Resin composite build-ups were applied to the samples (0.75-mm diameter and 1-mm height) after the treatments (except for IE and DE groups); μ-SBS was also evaluated. Samples were analyzed under a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification to identify failure patterns. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's and Dunnett's tests (p < 0.05).

There was no significant difference among the IE, IE + SNP, DE + SDF, and DE + SNP groups. The IE + SDF and DE groups recorded the highest and the lowest μ-SBS values, respectively. Adhesive-type failures were the most frequent for all treatments.

Anticaries agents did not have a negative effect on the μ-SBS of composite resin when it was used on IE or DE.

This study evaluated the effect of dentin pretreatment with silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and chlorhexidine (CHX) on the microshear bond strength (µSBS) durability of different adhesives to dentin.

Occlusal surfaces of 120 human molars were ground to expose flat dentin surfaces. The specimens were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 20). Three groups (A, B, and C) were bonded with Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) and the other groups (D, E, and F) were bonded with Clearfil SE Bond (SEB). Dentin was pretreated with CHX in groups B and E, and with SNPs in groups C and F. The specimens were restored with Z250 composite. Half of the bonded surfaces in each group underwent µSBS testing after 24 hours and the other half was tested after 6 months of water storage.

SNP application was associated with a higher µSBS than was observed in the CHX and control groups for SEB after 24 hours (p < 0.05). A significantly lower µSBS was observed when no dentin pretreatment was applied compared to dentin pretreatment with CHX and SNPs for SB after 24 hours (p < 0.05). The µSBS values of the 6-month specimens were significantly lower than those obtained from the 24-hour specimens for all groups (p < 0.05). This decrease was much more pronounced when both adhesives were used without any dentin pretreatment (p < 0.05).

SNPs and CHX reduced the degradation of resin-dentin bonds over a 6-month period for both adhesive systems.

Recurrent caries was partly ascribed to lack of antibacterial properties in composite resin. Silver and zinc nanoparticles are considered to be broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of composite resins containing 1% silver and zinc-oxide nanoparticles on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.

Ninety discoid tablets containing 0%, 1% nano-silver and 1% nano zinc-oxide particles were prepared from flowable composite resin (n = 30). The antibacterial properties of composite resin discs were evaluated by direct contact test. Diluted solutions of Streptococcus mutans (PTCC 1683) and Lactobacillus (PTCC 1643) were prepared. 0.01 mL of each bacterial species was separately placed on the discs. The discs were transferred to liquid culture media and were incubated at 37℃ for 8 hr. 0.01 mL of each solution was cultured on blood agar and the colonies were counted. Data was analyzed with Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Composites containing nano zinc-oxide particles or silver nanoparticles exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The effect of zinc-oxide on Streptococcus mutans was significantly higher than that of silver (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus between composites containing silver nanoparticles and those containing zinc-oxide nanoparticles.

Composite resins containing silver or zinc-oxide nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.

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.