There are several methods for identifying carious dentinal tissue aiming to avoid removal of healthy dentinal tissue. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test different methods for the detection of carious dentinal tissue regarding the amount of carious tissue removed and the remaining dentin microhardness after caries removal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The dentin surfaces of 20 bovine teeth were exposed and half of the surface was protected with nail polish. Cariogenic challenge was performed by immersion in a demineralizing solution for 14 days. After transverse cross-section of the crown, the specimens were divided into four groups (n=10), according to the method used to identify and remove the carious tissue: "Papacárie", Caries-detector dye, DIAGNOdent and Tactile method. After caries removal, the cross-sectional surface was included in acrylic resin and polished. In a microhardness tester, the removed dentin thickness and the Vickers microhardness of the following regions were evaluated: remaining dentin after caries removal and superficial and deep healthy dentin. RESULTS: ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05) were performed, except for DIAGNOdent, which did not detect the presence of caries. Results for removed dentin thickness were: "Papacárie" (424.7±105.0; a), Caries-detector dye (370.5±78.3; ab), Tactile method (322.8±51.5; bc). Results for the remaining dentin microhardness were: "Papacárie" (42.2±10.5; bc), Caries-detector dye (44.6±11.8; abc), Tactile method (24.3±9.0; d). CONCLUSIONS: DIAGNOdent did not detect the presence of carious tissue; Tactile method and "Papacárie" resulted in the least and the most dentinal thickness removal, respectively; Tactile method differed significantly from "Papacárie" and Caries-detector dye in terms of the remaining dentin microhardness, and Tactile method was the one which presented the lowest microhardness values.

OBJETIVO: Além da agressão química devido à penetração dos géis clareadores na polpa durante o clareamento de dentes com vitalidade pulpar, outro possível fator agressor pode ser o calor gerado pela reação de oxidação exotérmica do gel clareador, que pode também ser agravada pela fotoativação. Este estudo avaliou a variação da temperatura na câmara pulpar de dentes humanos, utilizando-se três diferentes géis clareadores, com ou sem fotoativação. METODOLOGIA: Trinta pré-molares humanos foram cortados longitudinalmente para obtenção de duas metades: vestibular e lingual. Os 60 espécimes foram divididos em 3 grupos e os agentes clareadores utilizados variaram como segue: peróxido de hidrogênio 35% (WHP), peróxido de carbamida 37% (W) e peróxido de hidrogênio 38% (OX). Metade dos espécimes foi submetida ao clareamento com fotoativação e, a outra metade, sem fotoativação. A fonte de luz utilizada foi o aparelho à base de diodo emissor de luz (LED, 3-Light, Clean Line) e as temperaturas foram medidas por um termômetro digital. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância e teste de Tukey (alfa=5%). RESULTADOS: Os resultados de temperatura foram: sem fotoativação (WHP= 0.68b; W= 0.40b; OX= 0.48b); com fotoativação (WHP= 2.35a; W= 1.60a; OX= 1.80a). CONCLUSÃO: A fotoativação dos géis clareadores com LED contribuiu para um maior aumento de temperatura na câmara pulpar, mas não se atingiu a temperatura crítica de 5,5ºC.

PURPOSE: In addition to the chemical damage due to bleaching gels penetration into the pulp during pulp vitality dental bleaching, another possible aggressive factor could be the heat generated by the exothermal oxidation reaction of the bleaching gel, which may also be aggravated by the use of light activation. This study assessed the temperature variation in the pulp chamber in human teeth, using three different bleaching gels with or without LED light activation. METHODS: Thirty human pre-molars were cut longitudinally to obtain buccal and lingual halves. The 60 specimens were divided into 3 groups, and the bleaching gel used varied as follows: 35% hydrogen peroxide (WHP); 37% carbamide peroxide (W) and 38% hydrogen peroxide (OX). Half of the specimens were submitted to bleaching with light activation and, the other half, without light activation. The light source used was the light emitting diode appliance (LED, 3-Light, Clean Line), and the intrapulpal temperatures were measured by using a digital thermometer. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's tests (alpha=5%). RESULTS: The intrapulpal temperatures (inºC) were as follows: without light activation (WHP= 0.68b; W= 0.40b; OX= 0.48b); with light activation (WHP= 2.35a; W= 1.60a; OX= 1.80a ). CONCLUSION: LED light activation of bleaching gels increased the temperature in the pulp chamber, but did not achieve the critical temperature value of 5.5ºC.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo avaliou a influência da aplicação tópica de flúor fosfato acidulado sobre a rugosidade do esmalte e de diferentes materiais restauradores. METODOLOGIA: Amostras de cimento de ionômero de vidro modificado por resina (Vitremer - V), resina composta microhíbrida com flúor (Tetric Ceram - T) e resina nanopartículada sem flúor em sua composição (Z350 - Z) foram confeccionadas. Metade das amostras recebeu aplicação tópica de flúor fosfato acidulado a 1,23% (FFA) (grupos VF, TF, ZF e EF) e a outra metade não, totalizando 6 grupos experimentais (n=10). Dez terceiros molares humanos hígidos foram utilizados para confecção de amostras de esmalte (E), constituindo os grupos controles (n=10). A rugosidade média superficial (Ra) dos materiais restauradores e do esmalte, com e sem flúor, foi analisada pelo rugosímetro. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, testes de Tukey, t-Student e de Dunn-Bonferroni a 5% de significância. RESULTADOS: Os valores médios de rugosidade, em micrometros, foram: Z=0,60; TF=1,00; ZF=1,05; VF=1,18; T=2,10; V=2,70; E=16,99 e EF=21,19. E e EF apresentaram Ra significativamente superior aos grupos experimentais. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o FFA aumentou a rugosidade do esmalte, diminuiu a do cimento de ionômero de vidro e da resina microhíbrida com flúor e não alterou a rugosidade da resina nanoparticulada sem flúor.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of topical acidulated phosphate fluoride on the surface roughness of both human enamel and different restorative materials. METHODS: Resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer - V), microhybrid composite resin with fluoride (Tetric Ceram - T), and nanofiller composite resin without fluoride (Z350 - Z) were evaluated. Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF, 1.23%) was applied to half of the specimens (groups VF, TF, ZF and EF). Ten intact human third molars were used to obtain enamel specimens (E). Six experimental groups (n=10) and two control groups (n=10) were formed. The mean surface roughness (Ra) of both the restorative materials and enamel, with and without fluoride, was evaluated with a profilometer. Data were analyzed with an ANOVA, Tukey's test, Student's t-test, and Dunn-Bonferroni test at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: The mean values of surface roughness, in micrometers, were as follows: Z=0.60; TF=1.00; ZF=1.05; VF=1.18; T=2.10; V=2.70; E=16.99; and EF=21.19. Both E and EF presented significantly higher surface roughness than the other experimental groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that APF increased the surface roughness of enamel and decreased the surface roughness of both resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and microhybrid composite resin with fluoride. The surface roughness of the nanofiller composite resin was not modified by APF.

The aim of this study was to compare intrapulpal temperature increase produced by high-speed handpiece, Er:YAG laser and CVDentus ultrasound tips during cavity preparation. Thirty bovine mandibular incisors with an enamel/dentin thickness of 4 mm at buccal surface had their roots amputated and were allocated to the following groups (n=10): Group I- high-speed handpiece; Group II- noncontact Er:YAG laser (250 mJ/4Hz); and Group III- CVDentus ultrasouns tips. All devices were used with water cooling. Class V cavities were prepared to a depth of 3.5 mm, measured with a periodontal probe. A type T thermocouple was placed inside the pulp chamber to determine the temperature increase (°C), which was recorded by a data acquisition system ADS 2000 IP (Lynx Technology) linked to a notebook computer. Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05). The mean temperature rises were: 1.10°C (±0.56) for Group I, 0.84°C (±0.55) for Group II, and 3.00°C (± 1.34) for Group III. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between Groups I and II, but both of them differed significantly from Group III (p<0.05). In conclusion, the use of Er:YAG laser and high-speed handpiece for cavity preparation resulted in similar temperature increase. Although ultrasound tips generated significantly higher intrapulpal temperature increase, it remained below the critical value of 5.5°C and may be considered safe for use.