To evaluate, in vitro, the antibiofilm activity of complete denture hygiene solutions and their effects on physical and mechanical properties of acrylic resin. For antibiofilm activity measurement acrylic resin specimens were contaminated with Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Streptococcus mutans. After biofilm growth, the specimens were assigned to the hygiene solutions: Distilled water (Control); 0.2% Sodium hypochlorite (SH); Efferdent Power Clean Crystals (EPC) and 6.25% Ricinus communis (RC). The viability of microorganisms was evaluated by agar plate counts. In parallel, physical, and mechanical properties of the acrylic resin were evaluated after simulating a 5-year period of daily immersion in the previously mentioned solutions. The changes in surface roughness, color, microhardness, flexural strength, impact strength, sorption and solubility were evaluated. Data were compared by ANOVA followed by the Tukey test or Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Dunn test depending on the distribution (α=0.05). Regarding antibiofilm action, SH eliminated all microorganisms while EPC and RC exhibited moderate action against S. mutans (p=0.001) and C. glabrata (p<0.001), respectively. Relative to effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the acrylic resin, RC led to higher values of color change (p=0.030), hardness (p<0.001), surface roughness (p=0.006) and flexural strength (p<0.001). Moreover, RC induced the highest values of changes in solubility (p<0.001). EPC promoted greater changes in surface morphology, whereas immersion in SH retained the initial appearance of the acrylic resin surface. All hygiene solutions reduced the impact strength (p<0.05). SH presented the most effective antibiofilm activity. In addition, changes on properties were observed after immersion in RC, which were considered within acceptable limits.

The aim of this in situ study was to evaluate color change, surface roughness, gloss, and microhardness in tooth enamel submitted to whitening and remineralizing toothpastes. Fifteen healthy adults (REBEC - RBR-7p87yr) (with unstimulated salivary flow ≥ 1.5 ml for 5 minutes, pH=7) wore two intraoral devices containing four bovine dental fragments (6 x 6 x 2 mm). Participants were randomly assigned and instructed to toothbrush the devices with the tested toothpastes (30 days): CT: conventional; WT: whitening; WTP: whitening with peroxide, and RT: remineralizing toothpaste. A washout period of 7 days was established. Readouts of color, gloss, surface roughness, and microhardness were performed before and after brushing. The results demonstrated no color, gloss, and microhardness differences (p>0.5). The samples brushed with WTP (0.2(0.7) showed higher surface roughness (p=0.0493) than those with WT (-0.5(1.0). The toothpastes did not alter the properties of the dental enamel, except for the roughness. Toothpaste with an abrasive system based on sodium bicarbonate and silica, and that contains sodium carbonate peroxide increased the surface roughness of the enamel.

This study evaluated the effect of phytosphingosine (PHS) and bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate) on dental enamel in terms of color alteration (ΔE), microhardness, and surface roughness when submitted to erosive challenge (EC). Sixty specimens of bovine teeth (6×6×2mm) were obtained. Initial color (Easyshade, VITA), KHN (HMV-2, Shimadzu), and Ra (SJ-201P, Mitutoyo) measurements were performed. Specimens were separated into groups according to treatments: PHS, 10% Biosilicate, PHS+10% Biosilicate, and artificial saliva (control) and submitted to EC with Coca-Cola for 2 min. This cycle was repeated 4 times daily/15 days. Between cycles, specimens remained in artificial saliva (2 h/37°C). After daily cycles, they were also stored in artificial saliva at 37ºC. Final color, microhardness, and surface roughness measurements were done. Color and KHN data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test; and Ra, by 2-way ANOVA, repeated measures, and Tukey’s test (p<.05). The highest ΔE occurred in Saliva+EC (p<.05). Groups treated with PHS presented lower color change than Saliva+EC (p<.05). All the groups presented mean values above the 50:50% perceptibility (50:50%PT) and acceptability (50:50%AT) thresholds, except for control that showed mean value above 50:50%PT but below 50:50%AT. Biosilicate+EC showed higher relative microhardness than Saliva+EC (p<.05), but was similar to PHS+EC and PHS+Biosilicate+EC. Final enamel surface roughness increased for all the groups (p<.05), except for the control. The Biosilicate may prevent enamel mineral loss induced by erosion better than saliva. The PHS associated or not to Biosilicate demonstrated better color stability than saliva.