The aim of the paper was to determine the antibacterial activity of four glass ionomer cements against bacteria of the genera Streptococcus and Lactobacillus. Four capsulated glass ionomer cements were applied in the study: Fuji Triage (GC), Fuji IX (GC), Ketac Molar (3M Espe) and Ketac Silver (3M Espe). Four standard bacterial strains were used to assess the antibacterial activity of the studied cements: Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius and Lactobacillus casei. The antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. The bacterial suspension was spread with a cotton swab on TSA plates. For each material six wells (7 mm diameter, 5 mm deep) were made with a cork borer. Each well was then filled with freshly prepared cements. The results were obtained by measuring the bacterial growth inhibition zone after 1, 2, 3 and 7 days. Fuji Triage cement inhibited the growth of all bacterial strains. Fuji IX cement demonstrated the most potent antibacterial activity against S. sanguis. Ketac Molar showed antibacterial activity against S. sanguis and S. salivarius, whereas Ketac Silver was efficient against S. mutans as well. Neither of the Ketac cements inhibited growth of the standard L. casei strain. Antibacterial activity of glass ionomer cements has attracted the interest of scientists in recent years. Most authors, including us, carried out experiments using the agar diffusion method and demonstrated antibacterial activity of glass ionomer cements. Different antibacterial activity of glass ionomer cements, observed in our study and studies of other authors, depended on the evaluated cement, bacterial strain and period of evaluation.

The aim of the study was to compare ex vivo the toxic effects of six root canal sealers immediately after mixing or setting on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPdLF). Freshly mixed (I group) or set (allowed to dry for 24 h) (II group) specimens of AH Plus Jet (AH), Apexit Plus (AP), MTA Fillapex (FL), GuttaFlow (GF), MetaSEAL Soft (META), and Tubli-Seal (TS) were prepared. HPdLF were exposed for 24 h to the specimens. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolo-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to examine the effect of the root canal sealers on mitochondrial metabolic activity. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-annexin V (AnV) and propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry was used to identify the effects of the materials on cell apoptosis/necrosis. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc tests, and significance was determined at P < 0.05. Most materials from the two groups reduced the viability of the cultured cells compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in HPdLF viability between the individual materials in each group (P < 0.001). AH and AP induced a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, while TS, FL, and META elevated the proportion of necrotic cells compared with other materials and the controls (p < 0.05). The cytotoxic effects of the tested root canal sealers (both fresh and set) on HPdLF varied. Both forms of sealers were able to cause toxic effects by inducing apoptosis and necrosis in HPdLF. The cytotoxicity of FL, META, TS was mainly associated with necrosis, while AH and AP with apoptosis.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a systemic inflammatory disease that leads to multiple organ complications not only in the kidneys and the cardiovascular system, but also in the oral cavity. CKD children experience reduced saliva secretion (hyposalivation), which leads to increased incidence of dental caries and significant impairment of patients’ quality of life. However, the causes of salivary gland dysfunction in children with CKD are unknown. The present study is the first to evaluate the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profile in the saliva of children with CKD at different stages of renal failure with normal and reduced salivary gland function. Methods: Thirty children with CKD (age 9– 16) and thirty age- and gender-matched healthy children were classified for the study. Salivary inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profile were assayed using the multiplex ELISA assay. Results: We demonstrated statistically significant changes in salivary pro-inflammatory (↑TNF-α, ↓IL-7), anti-inflammatory (↑IL-10), Th1 (↑INF-γ, ↑IL-15), Th2 (↑IL-4, ↑IL-5, ↑IL-6, ↑IL-9) and Th17 (IL-17) cytokines as well as chemokines (↑MCP-1/CCL-2, ↑MIP-1α/CCL3, ↓MIP-1β/CCL4, ↓EOTAXIN/CCL11) and growth factors (↑G-CSF, ↑FGF) in unstimulated saliva of children with CKD compared to the controls. Although the evaluation of the salivary inflammatory profile does not indicate a particular dominance of any of the branches of the immune system, we observed a statistically significant increase in the concentration of all Th2 cytokines assayed. The multivariate regression analysis showed that the content of salivary cytokines, chemokines and growth factors depends on the secretory function of the salivary glands, ie, salivary flow, total protein concentration and amylase activity in the saliva. Salivary MIP-1α/CCL3 was the most effective to differentiate children with CKD and hyposalivation from patients with normal saliva secretion. Discussion: Inflammation is involved in salivary gland dysfunction in children with CKD, although further studies on in vitro and in vivo models are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

The aim of this study is to assess the extent of early carious lesions using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II and DIAGNOdent pen compared with microCT examination. Forty-eight molars and premolars were qualified for the study. The visual and the DIAGNOdent pen device examinations were carried out by two examiners. The actual extent of the lesions was determined using micro-CT examination. The optimal cutoff test value was determined using the Youden index. For the two methods, inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of these methods were compared using the mid-P McNemar test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. In terms of the enamel threshold for the ICDAS II scale, insignificantly higher mean evaluated parameters were noticed in comparison with the DIAGNOdent pen device. For the dentin threshold, all the assessed parameters had higher mean values on the ICDAS II scale compared with the DIAGNOdent pen. The optimal cutoff points of the enamel and dentin thresholds are lower than that suggested by the manufacturer. The ICDAS II and the DIAGNOdent pen device were characterized by high inter - and intra-observer reproducibility of the test results. To improve the diagnostic efficiency of the DIAGNOdent pen, modifying the cutoff values recommended by the manufacturers should be considered. After modifying the cutoff values, the combination ICDAS II and DIAGNOdent pen device would be the better choice in order to detect caries on occlusal surfaces.

Introduction. Various materials are used in direct dental pulp capping method. Their biocompatibility and alkalizing abilities are of primary importance affecting therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cytotoxicity of various pulp-capping materials on human gingival fibroblasts and investigate the pH changes induced by these materials. Material and methods. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured with nine direct pulp materials using culture plate inserts. The cytotoxic effects were recorded by using an MTT-based colorimetric assay after 3 and 24 h. In the second part of the experiment, the materials were inserted in dialysis tubes and transferred into plastic vials containing deionized water. The changes of the medium pH were measured after 3 and 24 h. Results. We showed differences in cell viability of gingival fibroblasts after varied time of exposition for the tested materials. Cell viability after 24 h increased for Dycal, Biopulp, and Calcipro, and decreased for Calcipulpe, Angelus, Angelus White, and ProRoot Regular. Cell viability for ProRoot and Life did not change. Non-setting calcium hydroxide preparations followed by the MTA group and setting calcium hydroxide materials produced the highest pH. All the tested materials significantly increased pH (p < 0.0001) at 24 h. Conclusions. Currently used pulp capping materials varied in their cytotoxicity relative to human gingival fibroblasts and their alkalizing capacities. Since most likely pH does not affect the viability of cultured cells, further investigations are required to determine physicochemical properties of these materials and the biological activity of the dental pulp. Introduction. Various materials are used in direct dental pulp capping method. Their biocompatibility and alkalizing abilities are of primary importance affecting therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cytotoxicity of various pulp-capping materials on human gingival fibroblasts and investigate the pH changes induced by these materials. Material and methods. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured with nine direct pulp materials using culture plate inserts. The cytotoxic effects were recorded by using an MTT-based colorimetric assay after 3 and 24 h. In the second part of the experiment, the materials were inserted in dialysis tubes and transferred into plastic vials containing deionized water. The changes of the medium pH were measured after 3 and 24 h. Results. We showed differences in cell viability of gingival fibroblasts after varied time of exposition for the tested materials. Cell viability after 24 h increased for Dycal, Biopulp, and Calcipro, and decreased for Calcipulpe, Angelus, Angelus White, and ProRoot Regular. Cell viability for ProRoot and Life did not change. Non-setting calcium hydroxide preparations followed by the MTA group and setting calcium hydroxide materials produced the highest pH. All the tested materials significantly increased pH (p < 0.0001) at 24 h. Conclusions. Currently used pulp capping materials varied in their cytotoxicity relative to human gingival fibroblasts and their alkalizing capacities. Since most likely pH does not affect the viability of cultured cells, further investigations are required to determine physicochemical properties of these materials and the biological activity of the dental pulp.