Cure, volumetric changes and mechanical properties were assessed for new dental composites containing chlorhexidine (CHX) and reactive calcium phosphate-containing (CaP) to reduce recurrent caries. 20wt.% of light curable urethane dimethacrylate based liquid was mixed with 80wt.% glass filler containing 10wt.% CHX and 0-40wt.% CaP. Conversion versus depth with 20 or 40s light exposure was assessed by FTIR. Solidification depth and polymerization shrinkage were determined using ISO 4049 and 17304, respectively. Subsequent volume expansion and biaxial flexural strength and modulus change upon water immersion were determined over 4 weeks. Hydroxyapatite precipitation in simulated body fluid was assessed at 1 week. Conversion decreased linearly with both depth and CaP content. Average solidification depths were 4.5, 3.9, 3.3, 2.9 and 5.0 with 0, 10, 20, and 40% CaP and a commercial composite, Z250, respectively. Conversions at these depths were 53±2% for experimental materials but with Z250 only 32%. With Z250 more than 50% conversion was achieved only below 1.1mm. Shrinkage was 3% and 2.5% for experimental materials and Z250, respectively. Early water sorption increased linearly, whilst strength and modulus decreased exponentially to final values when plotted versus square root of time. Maximum volumetric expansion increased linearly with CaP rise and balanced shrinkage at 10-20wt.% CaP. Strength and modulus for Z250 decreased from 191 to 158MPa and 3.2 to 2.5GPa. Experimental composites initial strength and modulus decreased linearly from 169 to 139MPa and 5.8 to 3.8GPa with increasing CaP. Extrapolated final values decreased from 156 to 84MPa and 4.1 to 1.7GPa. All materials containing CaP promoted hydroxyapatite precipitation. The lower surface of composite restorations should both be solid and have greater than 50% conversion. The results, therefore, suggest the experimental composite may be placed in much thicker layers than Z250 and have reduced unbounded cytotoxic monomer. Experimental materials with 10-20wt.% additionally have volumetric expansion to compensate shrinkage, antibacterial and re-mineralizing components and competitive mechanical properties.

As antibiotic resistance is increasing daily, the desire to treat an infection without causing any harmful effects assumes increasing importance. Ozone gas is a reactive antioxidant. Its role in blood circulation and uplifting immunity is an ideal complement to achieving curative care treatments. Aside from treatments, the therapeutic and biological effects of ozone may have positive results by reducing tooth demineralization, its antimicrobial capabilities rely upon its ability to oxidize, which produces free radicals, and has immediate action on microbes. The usage of ozone in dentistry is recommended for a variety of purposes, which comprises carious lesion treatments, root canal disinfection, post-surgical treatment, tooth bleaching, periodontal problems, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. Ozone has the potential to be a promising alternative therapy in dentistry. However, well-designed research is needed to analyze ozone’s utilization in the field of dentistry to determine its importance from a clinical perspective so that the general public can benefit from it. This systematic review aims to describe the technique in which ozone can be advantageous as well as the many ways of applications of ozone therapy in dentistry.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has garnered significant attention in the field of dentistry due to its wide applications. This paper proposes the incorporation of the nystatin coated copper oxide (CuO) particles having desirable conductivity and antifungal properties, as a filler in the PMMA denture to address their low thermal conductivity, low impact strength, low fatigue resistance, and microbial adhesion. The prepared nystatin coated CuO particles were characterized with several analytical techniques. The nystatin coated CuO particles were mixed in different ratios (0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) in PMMA corresponding to groups C, E1, E2, and E3, respectively. The prepared samples of composite PMMA with nystatin coated CuO were evaluated to determine their transverse strength, impact strength, Vickers hardness (HV), and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, antifungal properties of CuO particles, nystatin coated CuO particles, and their acrylic composites were evaluated against Candida albicans. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the particles’ spherical and irregular shapes. The particle sizes range from nano to micron level. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirmed the coating of nystatin on CuO. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the diffraction patterns and planes of CuO monoclinic shape structure. The composite prepared to have higher values of HV (19.53 ± 0.65, 20.16 ± 0.37, and 21.11 ± 0.75, respectively) as compared to the control. The impact strength values were measured high at 14.12 ± 5.55 kJ/m² for 2% containing nystatin coated CuO acrylic resins compared to control and other groups. The conductivity increased linearly with the addition of CuO particles. The addition of CuO particles causes a reduction in flexural strength as compared to the control group. As the concentration of nystatin coated CuO (1%, 2%, and 4%) in acrylic samples increased, the antifungal properties were improved. Thus, the incorporation of optimized concentrations of nystatin coated CuO particles in acrylic resin resulted in the improved mechanical, thermal, and antifungal properties.

This study was performed to develop alternating dentine adhesion models that could help in the evaluation of a self-bonding dental composite. For this purpose dentine from human and ivory was characterized chemically and microscopically before and after acid etching using Raman and SEM. Mechanical properties of dentine were determined using 3 point bend test. Composite bonding to dentine, with and without use of acid pre-treatment and/or the adhesive, were assessed using a shear bond test. Furthermore, micro gap formation after restoration of 3 mm diameter cavities in dentine was assessed by SEM. Initial hydroxyapatite level in ivory was half that in human dentine. Surface hydroxyapatites decreased by approximately half with every 23 s of acid etch. The human dentine strength (56 MPa) was approximately double that of ivory, while the modulus was almost comparable to that of ivory. With adhesive use, average shear bond strengths were 30 and 26 MPa with and without acid etching. With no adhesive, average bond strength was 6 MPa for conventional composites. This, however, increased to 14 MPa with a commercial flowable “self–bonding” composite or upon addition of low levels of an acidic monomer to the experimental composite. The acidic monomer additionally reduced micro-gap formation with the experimental composite. Improved bonding and mechanical properties should reduce composite failures due to recurrent caries or fracture respectively.

Since the 1960s, when lasers were first used in dentistry, their clinical uses have been evaluated. Many dental procedures involve lasers, which are noted for their simplicity, efficiency, comfort and superiority to older methods. Lasers have been employed in a range of therapy approaches since then, from identifying small caries to planning and treating more severe lesions or cancers. To conduct a comprehensive search for our systematic review, we employed three search engines: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Following combinations; Lasers (general dentistry), Laser (soft tissue), and Laser (hard tissue), published in the last five years. After applying inclusion-exclusion criteria, 43 original articles were studied in detail. Tooth decay, gum disease, biopsy or lesion removal, teeth whitening, and other procedures are all treated using lasers. Lasers are increasingly frequently utilized because they cause less pain, require less anesthesia, and lessen anxiety in patients who are afraid of dental drills and instruments. Laser technology in clinical dentistry practice is currently at an advanced stage of development and has a bright future. With the expanding use of lasers on both hard and soft tissue in clinical dentistry, treatment planning and prognosis have significantly improved.