The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of food-simulating liquids (FSL) on the hardness and flexural strength (FS) of a new silorane-based composite and to compare it with methacrylate-based composites (MBCs). Four restorative materials(FiltekSilorane,P60,Z250,andSupremeXT)wereused.SpecimensfortheFSandhardnessmeasurementswere fabricated in customized molds. Immediately after polymerization, the materials were stored in the following dietary simulatingsolventsat37ºCfor1week:distilledwater,0.02Ncitricacid,heptane,and75%aqueousethanolsolution.After conditioning, the FS and hardness values were measured. Data were subjected to ANOVA/Scheffé's test at a significance level of 0.05. The hardness and FS of Filtek Silorane were not significantly affected by FSL (p>0.05).Conversely,thehardnessof MBCs significantly decreased after conditioning in water and ethanol (p<0.05). Similarly, the FS values of MBCs were significantly affected after conditioning in ethanol.

This study evaluated the antibacterial effects, physical properties and bonding strengths of conventional glass-ionomer cements (GICs) containing antibiotics and determined the optimal concentration of antibiotics addition for use with the ART approach. Fuji IX GIC was used as a control. Three antibiotic mixtures, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and minocycline, were added to powdered GIC (Fuji IX) to obtain concentration ratios of 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% w/w. The antibacterial activity of each GIC was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans or Lactobacillus casei using agar-diffusion methods. The release of antibiotics was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The compressive strength and bonding strength to dentin were measured and compared with those of control samples. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test. All tested groups showed a significantly greater inhibition with growth of the selected bacteria in comparison to the control groups (p < 0.01). However, the 3% and 4.5% concentration ratios of antibiotics had significantly lower compressive strength and lower bond strength to dentin than the control group (p = 0.003). The GIC-containing antibiotics were effective in inhibiting S Mutans and L Casei. The addition of a 1.5% antibiotic mixture was optimal to giving appropriate physical and bonding properties.

None of the techniques removed the Ca(OH)(2) dressing completely. CanalBrush and ultrasonic agitation of NaOCl were significantly more effective than irrigant-only techniques.

Surface treatment with a diamond bur plus a proper adhesive agent is a simple, efficient, and cost-effective procedure for enhancing the shear bond strength of a repaired nano-hybrid resin composite.

In conclusion, the DC and cure depth of FS are lower than those of MBCs. However, FS revealed stable hardness in water that is comparable to MBCs. The sealing ability of FS is similar or even better than that of MBCs.