The objective of this study was to compare the physical and optical stability of resin composite materials with different filler characteristics. Ninety-six resin composite blocks (6 mm × 6 mm × 2 mm) were prepared using four different types of resin composite, divided into four groups. Specimens from the same material were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) and allocated for Vickers hardness (VH), water sorption, solubility (WS/SL), and staining and aging challenges tests. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences in microhardness (p = 0.0001), WS (p = 0.0001), and SL (p = 0.003) among the tested groups. Beautifil II LS recorded the highest hardness, and CharmFil^®Flow had the lowest value. Beautifil Injectable X and II LS showed negative WS, whereas the other groups had positive values. All groups showed positive SL. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant color parameter alteration in the tested groups (p = 0.0001). All groups showed significant color shifting after one week of the staining challenge. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant color parameter (p = 0.0001) and weight (p = 0.001) alteration after the aging challenge. The optical and physical stability of resin composites may vary according to filler characteristics. Clinicians should choose the composite as per the desired outcome.

Background: Phytic acid (IP6) is a promising and emerging agent, and because of its unique structure and distinctive properties, it lends itself to several applications in dentistry. Recently, IP6 was proposed as a potential chelating agent in endodontics. However, there is limited knowledge regarding its antimicrobial and antibiofilm effectiveness. The aims of this study, were therefore to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of IP6 against a range of microbial species and compare these with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The contact time required for IP6 to exert its bactericidal effect on Enterococcus faecalis was also determined.Methods: The inhibitory and biocidal activities of IP6, EDTA and NaOCl were assessed using a broth microdilution assay against 11 clinical and reference strains of bacteria and a reference strain of Candida albicans. The contact time required for various IP6 concentrations to eliminate planktonic cultures of E. faecalis was determined using a membrane filtration method according to BS-EN-1040:2005. IP6 bactericidal activity was also evaluated using fluorescent microscopy, and the antibiofilm activity of the test agents was also determined.Results: IP6 was biocidal against all tested microorganisms. At concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 2%, IP6 required 5 min to exert a bactericidal effect on E. faecalis, while 5% IP6 was bactericidal after 30 s. IP6 also eradicated biofilms of the tested microorganisms. In conclusion, IP6 had notable antimicrobial effects on planktonic and biofilm cultures and exhibited rapid bactericidal effects on E. faecalis. This research highlighted, for the first time the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of IP6, which could be exploited, not only in dental applications, but also other fields where novel strategies to counter antimicrobial resistance are required.

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is the most abundant inositol phosphate in nature and an essential molecule for different biological functions. IP6 has a unique structure granting it distinctive properties; a high negative charge density provides IP6 with an immense chelating ability and valuable antioxidant properties. IP6 is also simple and cost-effective to produce. These features have attracted researchers and entrepreneurs to further study IP6 for a wide variety of applications in areas such as pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries, medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, and dentistry. The interest in IP6 in the dental field unfolded many decades ago following identification of a cariostatic ability and a positive impact on reducing enamel dissolution. Subsequently, IP6’s anti-plaque, anti-calculus and cement-forming properties have been investigated. Despite encouraging findings, there was a phase of decreased attention to IP6 which slowed down research progress. However, the potential use of IP6 has recently been revisited through several publications that provided deeper understanding into its mechanisms of action in the aforementioned applications. Studies have also explored new applications in endodontics, adhesive, preventive and regenerative dentistry, and IP6’s role in improving the characteristics and performance of dental materials. Evidence of the merits of IP6 in dentistry is now substantial, and this narrative review presents and discusses the different applications proposed in the literature and gives insights of future use of IP6 in the fields of orthodontics, implant and pediatric dentistry.

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, on human root dentin demineralization and collagen preservation, and compare it with chlorhexidine and grape seed extract. Specimens were assigned to different treatment groups: hesperidin, chlorhexidine and grape seed extract. Specimens were subjected to pH cycling by demineralization for 14 h, incubation in testing solutions for 2 h and remineralization in presence of bacterial-derived collagenase for 8 h, for 8 days. Calcium release was measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and degraded collagen matrix was investigated by hydroxyproline assay. Specimens were assessed longitudinally with transverse micro-radiography to investigate lesion depth and mineral loss. In hesperidin and grape seed extract groups, demineralization was reduced when the collagen matrix was preserved. The hesperidin group showed the lowest value in lesion depth and mineral loss, indicating that hesperidin inhibited demineralization and probably enhanced remineralization even under fluoride-free conditions.