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Teeth with altered size and shape, incisal wear, and inadequate position affect the smile and dentofacial harmony. The aim of this article was to describe a simple and safe protocol for an additive technique with composite resin and cosmetic enameloplasty to improve a patient's smile. A 24-year-old man complained about the appearance of his smile regarding color, shape, and position of the maxillary anterior teeth. Relevant dental history included previous orthodontic treatment with inadequate completion. The clinical examination revealed a disharmony of the smile caused by size and shape alterations of the incisors, a white spot on the right central incisor, incisal wear of the canines, and uneven incisal edges between the maxillary anterior teeth. Treatment with direct composite restoration and enameloplasty was performed in line with the current conservative approach in dentistry. The patient was recalled for 54 months. The use of appropriate techniques in enameloplasty allowed the desired outcome to be observed over the 54 months of follow-up. With this method, it is possible to perform future repair and/or modification, and it may increase the longevity of the restoration. Esthetic and functional results were achieved by careful planning and execution as well as periodic recalls. This conservative approach is a useful alternative to conventional restorations, reducing invasive treatments, chairside time, and costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemomechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity of an experimental adhesive resin containing halloysite nanotubes (HNT), doped with alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (ATAB). Materials and Methods: A filler of HNT doped with ATAB was obtained (ATAB:HNT) and incorporated (5 wt%) into a resin blend made of bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a photoinitiator/co-initiator system (GATAB:HNT). The same resin blend without ATAB:HNT was used as control (Ctrl). The ATAB:HNT filler was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The two tested adhesives were evaluated for degree of conversion (DC) in vitro and in situ, softening in alcohol, dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS), antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity (n = 5). Results: SEM showed that the nanotubes had a characteristic tubular-needle morphology, while the TEM analysis confirmed the presence of ATAB inside the lumens of HNT. The incorporation of ATAB:HNT induced no reduction (p > 0.05) of the DC either in situ or in vitro. No difference was encountered after the softening challenge test (p > 0.05) and no difference was found in µTBS between the two adhesives, both at 24 h (p > 0.05) and after 6 months of storage in distilled water (p > 0.05). However, ATAB:HNT reduced Streptococcus mutans viability (p < 0.05) without a cytotoxic effect on pulp cells (p > 0.05). Conclusions: GATAB:HNT adhesive demonstrated appropriate polymerization without significant differences in softening after solvent immersion, while concomitantly maintaining reliable bond strength after 6 months of water aging. Moreover, the ATAB:HNT filler can provide antibacterial activity to the adhesive resin without affecting pulp cell viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To synthesize tantalum oxide quantum dots (Ta2O5QDs) using an imidazolium ionic liquid as a precursor and evaluate the effect of its addition to an experimental adhesive resin on the degree of conversion (DC) and antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: Ta2O5QDs was synthesized from the hydrolysis of an imidazolium ionic liquid (1-n-decyl-3-methylimidazolium hexachlorotantalate [DMI.TaCl6]) and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adhesive was formulated with 66.7 wt% bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA), 33.3 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with a photoinitiator/co-initiator system. In one group, Ta2O5QDS was added to the adhesive at 1 wt% Ta2O5QDs) and one group remained without Ta2O5QDS as control (CTRL). The adhesives were evaluated for DC by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Direct contact inhibition assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the experimental adhesive resins against biofilm formation and planktonic bacteria. Results: Ta2O5QDs had a particle size distribution of 1.52 ± 0.73 nm. DC was 50.91 ± 4.94% for CTRL and 55.4 ± 4.58% for Ta2O5QDs (p = 0.310). Ta2O5QDs showed less Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation on adhesive surfaces (p = 0.013). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of antibacterial activity against planktonic bacteria (p = 0.079). Conclusion: Non-agglomerated Ta2O5QDs synthesized from an imidazolium ionic liquid provided antibacterial activity to the experimental adhesive resin against biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]