Alkasite-Based Restorative Materials Quiz

Alkasite-Based Restorative Materials

• Composition: Three inorganic glass fillers (alkasite filler, barium alumino-silicate glass, and fluoride-containing ionomer glass). A liquid blend of monomers (Ivocerin as a photoinitiator and some chemopolymerization components). No water content.
• Reactive Silanized Fillers: Enhance reactivity, especially in acidic environments.
• Advantages:
  • Utilizes alkaline filler releasing acid-neutralizing ions.
  • Superior mechanical properties (shear strength, tensile strength, fracture toughness, flexural strength) compared to glass ionomer cements (GIC).
  • Surface roughness and color stability characteristics comparable to resin composites and GICs.
• Disadvantages: Limited information on potential drawbacks or limitations.
• Setting Reaction:
  • Monomer blend including Ivocerin photoinitiator.
  • No water content.
  • Resin polymerization reaction initiated upon mixing by a chemical initiator.
  • Water sorption in filler releases calcium, aluminum, and fluoride ions in moist environments, aiding in ion release.
  • No acid-base reaction during setting.
  • Alkasite fillers do not participate in the setting mechanism.

Cention Forte

• Application: Apply Cention Primer (self-etch primer) to enamel, ensuring complete coverage, then scrub for 10 seconds before material application.

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA)

• Composition: Primarily composed of calcium oxide (in tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, and tricalcium aluminate forms). Bismuth oxide is added for radiopacity. The primary reaction product with water is calcium hydroxide.
• Advantages:
  • Biocompatibility: Promotes hydroxyapatite formation and dentin bridging, enhancing dental tissue regeneration..
• Disadvantages:
  • Long setting time, inconvenient for patients and dentists.
  • Poor handling ("sandy" mixture).
  • Tooth discoloration (especially the gray variant).
  • High cost compared to other alternatives.
• Application Techniques: Newer formulations may include other materials to reduce setting time, making direct pulp-capping more practical (typically in two visits).

Antibacterial Properties of MTA

• MTA's alkaline pH has antibacterial properties, preventing microbial colonization.
• MTA provides better sealing compared to Calcium Hydroxide.
• Superior clinical outcomes compared to calcium hydroxide.

Biodentine

• Composition: Powder contains tricalcium and dicalcium silicate, and calcium carbonate. The liquid contains calcium chloride (setting accelerator).
• Advantages:
  • Considered a dentin substitute.
  • Setting time reduced to 10-15 minutes.
  • High mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility, good sealing ability.
  • Promotes hydroxyapatite formation and remineralization of dentin.
  • Induces mineralization and alkaline pH.
  • Supports odontoblast differentiation and proliferation.
• Disadvantages: Color changes over time can be an aesthetic challenge.
• Setting Reaction: Upon water contact, undergoes hydration process forming calcium hydroxide. The alkalinity promotes mineralization and stimulates remineralization of dentin.
• Clinical Application: Favorable as a pulp-capping material compared to MTA and calcium hydroxide.

Calcium Hydroxide

• Composition: Chemical compound with formula Ca(OH)2. White, odorless powder, sparingly water-soluble forming a strongly alkaline solution.
• Advantages:
  • Stimulates tertiary dentin formation.
  • Promotes odontoblast activity and reparative dentin matrix deposition.

Light-cured Calcium Hydroxide

• Composition/Innovation: Single-component, light-cured calcium hydroxide liners.
• Advantages: Setting on command, enhanced strength, minimal acid solubility, reduced water solubility. These features provide a better pulp response.

TheraCal LC

• Application/Purpose: Promoted as a pulp capping and protective liner.
• Advantages: Immediate polymerization, release of calcium hydroxide creating an alkaline environment promoting dentin production and cell growth, lower solubility and water absorption.
• Disadvantages: Incomplete hydration, limitations in clinical scenarios with the light-curable formulation.
• Setting: Dependent on environmental moisture, best placed on moist dentine. Induces apatite formation and new dentin production.
• Clinical Use: Resin-modified calcium silicates are preferred due to lower cytotoxic potential for indirect pulp capping. Avoid direct contact with vital pulp.