We deployed jaws of the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) on the seafloor at ~1000 m depth off Monterey California for 8 months. The jaws disintegrated, with all the hyaline cartilage disappearing, leaving some fragments of tessellated cartilage and the teeth. Two different Osedax species, O. packardorum and O. talkovici were found to have bored into the roots of some of the teeth, and were using the dentin pulp, which is rich in collagen, as a food source. The enameloid crowns of the shark teeth and the tessellated cartilage showed no signs of Osedax activity. This is the first demonstration of Osedax exploiting a source of food that is not bone. This raises questions as to the original food source of Osedax ‘bone worms'. Examination for the presence of Osedax in the skeletons and teeth of Mesozoic and possibly even Palaeozoic fossil sharks, bony fish and reptiles is warranted.

The aim of this study was to investigate if load cycling affects interfacial integrity of glass ionomer cements bonded to sound- or caries-affected dentin. A conventional glass ionomer, Ketac Bond, and a resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitrebond Plus), were applied to dentin. Half of the specimens were load cycled. The interfaces were submitted to dye-assisted confocal microscopy evaluation. The unloaded specimens of sound and carious dentin were deficiently hybridized when Ketac Bond was used. Ketac Bond samples showed an absorption layer and an adhesive layer that were scarcely affected by fluorescein penetration (nanoleakage), in sound dentin. Nevertheless, a higher degree of micropermeability was found in carious dentin. In Ketac Bond specimens, load cycling improves the sealing capability and remineralization at the cement–dentin interface as porosity and nanoleakage was reduced. In contrast, samples treated with Vitrebond Plus exhibited a Rhodamine B-labeled absorption layer with scarce nanoleakage in both sound and carious unloaded dentin. The adhesive layer was affected by dye sorption throughout the porous cement–dentin interface. Samples treated with Vitrebond Plus had significant increases in nanoleakage and cement–dye sorption after load cycling. Within the limitations of an in vitro study, it is expected that conventional glass ionomers will provide major clinical efficacy when applied to carious-affected or sound dentin.

The aim of this study was to compare surface structures of laser-irradiated dental hard tissues using confocal (CFM), atomic force (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The general potential of the AFM in analyzing laser-irradiated surfaces was determined in this context. Specimens of human enamel and dentin were irradiated using an 8.6 W Nd:YVO4 laser with a pulse duration of 8 ps, λCenter=1,064 nm, and a pulse repetition rate of 500 kHz. Surface topology of irradiated areas (1 mm2) was investigated using AFM, CFM, and SEM. Surface roughness Rz was measured only with the AFM and the CFM. For non-irradiated enamel and dentin surfaces, roughnesses for CFM and AFM are in the nanometer range. However, major differences in roughness were determined for laser-prepared surfaces. For enamel, Rz(CFM)=2.33 μm is much higher compared with Rz(AFM)=0.09 μm; in the case of dentin, Rz(CFM)=5.35 μm is also much higher compared with Rz(AFM)=0.093 μm. Information regarding structural properties of surfaces needs real dimensions, particularly for use in dentistry. In this respect, AFM technology provides no additional results that lead to a significant improvement.

The aim of this research was to assess the ability of amalgam restorations to induce amorphous mineral precipitation at the caries-affected dentin substrate. Sound and caries-affected dentin surfaces were subjected to both Zn-free and Zn-containing dental amalgam restorations. Specimens were submitted to thermocycling (100,000 cycles/5°C–55°C, 3 months). Dentin surfaces were studied by atomic force microscopy (nanoroughness), X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive analysis, for physical and morphological surface characterization. Zn-containing amalgam placement reduced crystallinity, crystallite size, and grain size of calcium phosphate crystallites at the dentin surface. Both microstrain and nanoroughness were augmented in caries-affected dentin restored with Zn-containing amalgams. Caries-affected dentin showed the shortest mineral crystallites (11.04 nm), when Zn-containing amalgams were used for restorations, probably leading to a decrease of mechanical properties which might favor crack propagation and deformation. Sound dentin restored with Zn-free amalgams exhibited a substantial increase in length of grain particles (12.44 nm) embedded into dentin crystallites. Zn-containing amalgam placement creates dentin mineralization and the resultant mineral was amorphous in nature. Amorphous calcium phosphate provides a local ion-rich environment, which is considered favorable for in situ generation of prenucleation clusters, promotong further dentin remineralization.

Shear bond strength (SBS) and the interfacial adaptation (IA) of self-adhesive resin (SAR) composites to dentin were evaluated. Two SARs [Vertise Flow (VTF) and Fusio Liquid Dentin (FLD)] were evaluated and compared with a conventional restorative system [adhesive: OptiBond FL and composite: Herculite Précis (OBF/HP)]. Human third molars were used for SBS testing and IA imaging (n=7) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Flattened dentin disks were prepared and the composites were applied into molds (2.4 mm diameter) that were positioned on dentin. Samples were subjected to SBS testing and OCT analysis, which considered an increase in signal intensity at the bonded interface as evidence of internal gaps. SBS data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test and IA data (% distribution of high brightness values) by Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s test (p≤0.05). No statistically significant difference in SBS was observed between VTF (13.9±3.6 MPa) and FLD (11.3±3.2 MPa), whereas OBF/HP showed higher average strength (27.3±6.1 MPa). However, there was a statistically significant difference in IA when VTF (33.3%) was compared with FLD (1.2%) and OBF/HP (1.5%). The conventional restorative system exhibited superior SBS performance compared with SARs. However, the IA of FLD to dentin had values that were not significantly different from OBF/HP.

The purpose of this study was to investigate micro-morphology of the resin-dentin inter-diffusion zone using two different single-bottle self-etching dentin adhesives with and without previous acid-etching, after in vitro mechanical loading stimuli. Extracted human third molars were sectioned to obtain dentin surfaces. Two different single-bottle self-etching dentin adhesives, Futurabond U and Experimental both from VOCO, were applied following the manufacturer’s instructions or after 37% phosphoric acid application. Resin-dentin interfaces were analyzed with dye assisted confocal microscopy evaluation (CLSM), including the calcium-chelation technique, xylenol orange (CLSM-XO). CLSM revealed that resin-dentin interfaces of unloaded specimens were deficiently resin-hybridized, in general. These samples showed a Rhodamine B-labeled hybrid complex and adhesive layer completely affected by fluorescein penetration (nanoleakage) through the porous resin-dentin interface, but thicker after PA-etching. Load cycling promoted an improved sealing of the resin-dentin interface at dentin, a decrease of the hybrid complex porosity, and an increment of dentin mineralization. Load cycled specimens treated with the XO technique produced a clearly outlined fluorescence due to consistent Ca-mineral deposits within the bonding interface and inside the dentinal tubules, especially when the experimental adhesive was applied.

This study evaluated the influence of tubular density of different dentin depths and location on the bond strength of high-viscosity glass ionomer cements (GIC). A total of 20 molars were selected and assigned into six experimental groups, considering two different high-viscosity GICs—Fuji IX (FIX) or Ketac Molar (KM), and dentin location—proximal, occlusal superficial, or occlusal deep dentin (n=10). Teeth were cut and a topographical analysis of four sections per group was performed to obtain data about the tubular density of each different dentin location and depths by laser scanning confocal microscopy (100×). Polyethylene tubes were placed over the pretreated surfaces and filled with one of the GICs. Microshear bond strength (µSBS) test was performed after storage in distilled water (24 h at 37°C). Failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope (400×). Multilevel regression analysis was performed to compare the results at a significance level set at 5%. The tubule density was inversely proportional to the bond strength for both GICs (p<0.05). Adhesive/mixed failure prevailed in all experimental groups. Proximal (30036.5±3433.3) and occlusal superficial 29665.3±1434.04 dentin shows lower tubule density, resulting in a better GIC bonding performance (proximal: FIX–3.61±1.05; KM–3.40±1.62; occlusal superficial: FIX–4.70±1.85; KM–4.97±1.25). Thus, we can concluded that the lowest tubule density in proximal and occlusal superficial dentin results in a better GIC bond strength performance.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if mechanical loading influences bioactivity and bond strength at the resin–dentin interface after bonding with Zn-doped etch-and-rinse adhesives. Dentin surfaces were subjected to demineralization by 37% phosphoric acid (PA) or 0.5 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Single bond (SB) adhesive—3M ESPE—SB+ZnO particles 20 wt% and SB+ZnCl2 2 wt% were applied on treated dentin to create the groups PA+SB, SB+ZnO, SB+ZnCl2, EDTA+SB, EDTA+ZnO, and EDTA+ZnCl2. Bonded interfaces were stored in simulated body fluid for 24 h and tested or submitted to mechanical loading. Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was assessed. Debonded dentin surfaces were studied by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Remineralization of the bonded interfaces was assessed by atomic force microscope imaging/nanoindentation, Raman spectroscopy/cluster analysis, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Load cycling (LC) produced reduction in MTBS in all PA+SB, and no change was encountered in EDTA+SB specimens, regardless of zinc doping. LC increased the mineralization and crystallographic maturity at the interface; a higher effect was noticed when using ZnO. Trichrome staining reflected a narrow demineralized dentin matrix after loading of dentin surfaces that were treated with SB-doped adhesives. This correlates with an increase in mineral platforms or plate-like multilayered crystals in PA or EDTA-treated dentin surfaces, respectively.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of two dentin adhesive systems to induce remineralization in the bonded dentin interface after in vitro thermo-cycling. Dentin surfaces were treated with two different adhesive approaches: (1) 37% phosphoric acid (PA) plus an “etch-and-rinse” dentin adhesive (single bond, SB) (PA+SB) or (2) application of a “self-etch” dentin adhesive (Clearfil SE bond, SEB). Three groups were established: (i) 24 h or (ii) 3 m storage, and (iii) specimens submitted to thermal cycling (100,000 cy/5 and 55ºC). Atomic force microscopy imaging/nanoindentation, Raman spectroscopy/cluster analysis with dye-assisted confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) evaluation and Masson’s trichrome staining assessments were implemented for characterization. Thermo-cycling increased nanohardness in PA+SB at the hybrid layer (HL) and in SEB at the bottom of the HL (BHL). Young’s modulus increased at both the HL and BHL in SEB and at the HL in PA+SB, after thermal stress. Cluster analysis demonstrated an augmentation of the mineral–matrix ratio in thermo-cycled specimens. CLSM showed a decrease of both micropermeability and nanoleakage after thermo-cycling in PA+SB, and were completely absent in SEB. Trichrome staining reflected a scarce demineralized front in PA+SB after thermo-cycling and total remineralization in SEB.

This study reports physical and chemical changes that occur at early dentin remineralization stages. Extracted human third molars were sectioned to obtain dentin discs. After polishing the dentin surfaces, three groups were established: (1) untreated dentin (UD), (2) 37% phosphoric acid application for 15 s (partially demineralized dentin—PDD), and (3) 10% phosphoric acid for 12 h at 25° C (totally demineralized dentin—TDD). Five different remineralizing solutions were used: chlorhexidine (CHX), artificial saliva (AS), phosphate solution (PS), ZnCl2, and ZnO. Wettability (contact angle), ζ potential and Raman spectroscopy analysis were determined on dentin surfaces. Demineralization of dentin resulted in a higher contact angle. Wettability decreased after immersion in all solutions. ζ potential analysis showed dissimilar performance ranging from −6.21 mV (TDD + AS) up to 3.02 mV (PDD + PS). Raman analysis showed an increase in mineral components after immersing the dentin specimens, in terms of crystallinity, mineral content, and concentration. This confirmed the optimal incorporation and deposition of mineral on dentin collagen. Organic content reflected scarce changes, except in TDD that appeared partially denatured. Pyridinium, as an expression of cross-linking, appeared in all spectra except in specimens immersed in PS.

This study compared dentinal tubule density and diameter of human primary and permanent teeth at different depths of the coronal dentin. Crowns of eight primary second molars and eight permanent third molars were serially sectioned into three disks of ~0.5 mm thickness (superficial, middle, and deep layers), perpendicular to the long axis. Tubule density and diameter were evaluated in 2,000× and 3,000× magnifications by scanning electron microscopy. Data obtained were subjected to two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). Tubule density was greater in primary teeth compared with permanent ones, regardless of depth (primary: 124,329 ± 43,594 mm2; permanent: 45,972 ± 21,098 mm2). In general, the tubule density increased as the dentin depth increased, except to the superficial and middle layers from permanent teeth. Tubule diameter was larger in the dentin layer close to the pulp chamber (superficial: 2.4 ± 0.07 μm; middle: 3.70 ± 0.06 μm; deep: 4.28 ± 0.04 μm). No difference was observed between primary (3.48 ± 0.81 μm) and permanent teeth (3.47 ± 0.73 μm). The tubule diameter increases as the dentin depth increases for primary and permanent teeth; however, the tubule density is higher in primary teeth.

The objective of this article is to evaluate the resistance to degradation of resin-dentin bonds formed with three one-step adhesives. Flat, mid-coronal dentin surfaces were bonded with the self-etching adhesives [Tokuyama Bond Force (TBF), One Up Bond F Plus (OUB), and G-Bond (GB)]. The bonded teeth were subjected to fatigue loading, chemical degradation, and stored in distilled water for four time periods (up to 12 months). Specimens were tested for microtensile bond strength and microleakage. Fractographic analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy. Bonded interfaces were examined by light microscopy using Masson's trichrome staining. An atomic force microscope was employed to analyze phase separation and surface nanoroughness (Ra) at the polymers. Vickers microhardness and the degree of the conversion (DC) were also determined. ANOVA and multiple comparisons tests were performed. Bond strength significantly decreased after the chemical challenge, but not after load cycling. Aging decreased bond strength after 6 months in TBF and GB, in OUB after 12 months. An increase of the nonresin protected collagen zone occurred in all groups, after storing. TBF showed the highest roughness, microhardness, and DC values, and GB showed the lowest. Mild self-etch one-step adhesives (TBF/OUB) showed a higher degree of cure, lower hydrophilicity, and major resistance to degradation of resin-dentin bonds when compared to highly acidic self-etching adhesive (GB).

The objective of this article was to investigate the effect of carbide and polymer burs caries removal methods on the bond strength of different adhesives to dentin. Resin restorations were performed in sound and caries-affected dentin, after using polymer or carbide burs and bonding with four different adhesive (Single bond, SB; Clearfil SE bond, SEB; FL-Bond II, FLB; and Fuji II-LC, FUJI). Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was measured. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests. Debonded surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Bonded interfaces were examined using light microscopy (Masson's trichrome staining). In sound dentin, MTBS was similar for SEB and SB, and higher than that of FLB and FUJI. Bond strength to carbide bur prepared dentin was similar for SB, SEB, and FLB; FUJI presented the lowest. SB applied on polymer bur excavated dentin presented similar values to those of the carbide bur group; MTBS attained by SEB, FLB, and FUJI decreased when bonding to dentin treated with polymer burs; FUJI yielded pretesting failures in all specimens. Polymer burs created a thick smear layer that was not infiltrated by tested self-etching agents. The bonding effectiveness of self-etching and glass-ionomer-like adhesives to dentin decreased when polymer burs were used.