Papers by Author: H.K. Kwon

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the remineralization effect of Galla Rhois and Psoralea corylifolia extracts with sodium fluoride (NaF), and interaction between the herbal extracts and NaF in dentifrice using the microbiological pH cycling model on artificial caries enamel. For the analysis, Surface hardness score of the enamel lesion on bovine teeth was measured, before and after the microbiological pH cycling sequences for 15 days. It showed that fluoride group was more higher surface hardness score than non fluoride group, and there were no significant differences among test dentifrices in each group. Thus, it is suggested that Galla Rhois and Psoralea corylifolia extracts with NaF have the remineralization effect on tooth surface. And there was no antagonistic interaction between those herbal extarcts and NaF in dentifrice.

Abstract: This study evaluated the combined inhibitory effects of a Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract (CXE) and Xylitol on S. mutans and A. viscosus in vitro. Three series of experiments on S. mutans and A. viscosus were carried out. In the first series, the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CXE, Xylitol, and CXE mixed with Xylitol (CXE+Xylitol) against S. mutans and A. viscosus were determined. Second, the antibacterial effect and the rapid effectiveness of CXE, Xylitol, and CXE+Xylitol against those bacteria was evaluated as contacting for 1, 2, 5, and 10 minutes. Finally, The saccharolytic capability of S. mutans was examined using bovine teeth that had been pretreated with CXE (1%), Xylitol (1%), CXE+Xylitol (1%), chlorhexidine (1%) and distilled water, and rinsed with distilled water. The pretreated bovine teeth were layered with soft agar containing sucrose (5%), S. mutans and phenol red, as a pH indicator, and incubated. The MICs of CXE were 5 ppm on both bacterial species. Xylitol did not inhibit either species. The MICs of CXE+Xylitol were 10 and 5 ppm against S. mutans, A. viscosus, respectively. According to the rapid effectiveness, CXE completely inhibited the growth of bacteria but Xylitol did not. CXE+Xylitol could completely inhibit the growth of bacteria. An evaluation of the saccharolytic capability of S. mutans on bovine teeth revealed that distilled water and Xylitol could not inhibit bacterial fermentation. However, the bovine teeth containing CXE, CXE+Xylitol and chlorhexidine inhibited the fermentation of bacteria. These results show that CXE and CXE+Xylitol have a strong antibacterial effect on S. mutans and A. viscosus in vitro.

Abstract: Exposed dentine with patent tubules allows the movement of the tubule fluid leading to dentine sensitivity. An occlusion of patent dentinal tubules can effectively reduce the state of dentine hypersensitivity. Strontium chloride (SrCl2) has been known as a representative component of a desensitizing dentifrice. Recently, a desensitizing dentifrice containing nano-sized Carbonated Apatites (n-CAPs) was released onto the market. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the occlusion effects of dentinal tubules in dentifrices containing several concentrations of the n-CAPs. One hundred human dentine specimens were embedded into a Teflon mold and ground with silicone carbide papers to expose the dentin surface. The dentin surface was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 60 seconds and washed ultrasonically for 1 hour. The dentifrices were classified into five groups: experimental dentifrices Group 1: n-CAPs 5%, group 2: n-CAPs 15%, group 3: n- CAPs 0% and group 4: n-CAPs 30%, and the control dentifrice group 5: SrCl2 10%. The dentifrice slurries were prepared as 20 grams of dentifrice in 80 ml of distilled water. Fifty specimens were brushed with the dentifrice slurries using a V8 Cross Brushing Machine. Tooth brushing was performed 5,000 times using a back-and–forth stroke. Images showing the sizes of the dentinal tubules were taken by scanning electron microscopy (×3000) and the changes in the tubule sizes were analyzed using a digital analyzer. The n-CAPs used in this study had a high solubility and affinity to bone minerals. In addition, the n-CAPs were well deposited on patent dentinal tubules. The group 1 dentifrice (n-CAPs 5% and silica 25%) showed the highest dentinal tubule occlusion, and there was a statistically significant difference between group 4 and the control (p<0.05). Overall, the dentifrice containing 5% nano carbonated apatite and 25% silica is the most effective in occluding dentinal tubules.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Galla Rhois, Psoralea corylifolia, Camellia sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Platcodon grandiflorum on the inhibition of artificial dental plaque formation and the cytotoxicity of the herbal extracts on human gingival fibroblasts. The analysis was carried out with the measurment of dental plaque weight and the cell survival rate of human gingival fibroblasts. It showed that Galla Rhois, Psoralea corylifolia, Camellia sinensis and Salvia miltiorrhiza inhibited the artificial dental plaque formation and did not reduce the cell viability of human gingival fibroblasts.

Abstract: Exposed dentine with patent tubules allows the movement of tubule fluid leading to dentine sensitivity. Occlusion of patent dentinal tubules effectively reduces the state of dentine hypersensitivity. Strontium chloride (SrCl2) has been well known as a component of desensitizing dentifrice. Recently, new dentifrice containing sodium metasilicate was on the market for desensitizing dentifrice. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the occlusion effect of dentinal tubule between the sodium metasilicate and the existing desensitizing dentifrices. Sixtyfour human dentine specimens were embedded into a Teflon mold and were grinded with the use of silicone carbide papers to expose the surface of dentin. The dentin surface was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 60 seconds and was treated with ultrasonic washing for 1 hour. The dentifrices used in the study are classified into four groups: G1-dentifrice containing Sodium metasilicate, G2- dentifrice containing Strontium chloride, G3-dentifrice containing Hydroxyapatite and G4-BSI reference dentifrice (control group). Toothpaste slurries were prepared as 20 gram of toothpaste in 80 ml of distilled water. Thirty-two specimens were brushed with the toothpaste slurries using V8 Cross Brushing Machine. Tooth-brushing was performed 5,000 times using a back-and–forth stroke. The pictures of the sizes of dentinal tubules were taken by scanning electron microscopy (×3000) and changes of tubule sizes were analyzed by digital analysis. The results showed that the difference of tubule size in descending order: G1-3.30±1.80, G2-2.82±1.73, G3-1.49±1.14, G4- 1.04±0.94. The dentifrice containing Sodium metasilicate (22.5%) showed the highest dentinal tubule occlusion. Moreover, the dentifrice containing Sodium metasilicate statistically significantly increased occlusion of dentinal tubule as compared to BSI reference dentifrice (p<0.05). Thus, new desensitizing dentifrice containing sodium metasilicate was more effective than existing desensitizing dentifrice on occlusion of dentin tubules.

Abstract: A previous study reported that many supplements have been added to NaF mouthrinses to improve the remineralization potential. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) might also be suitable to this purpose because these nano-size particles can penetrate the enamel pores. Moreover, hydroxyapatite is similar to the inorganic component of teeth and is both bioactive and biocompatible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of a nano-HA and fluoride mouthrinse on an early caries lesion in human enamel using an in vitro cycle remineralization and treatment model. Forty-eight human enamel specimens, which had a Vickers Hardness Number (VHN) of 25~45 were artificially demineralized for 48h. There were 8 treatment groups (0%, 1%, 5%, 10% nano-HA in distilled water and the same concentrations of nano-HA in a 0.05% NaF solution). The specimens were incubated in an in vitro remineralization model. After immersing the specimens into the treatment and remineralization solution for 12 hours each, the VHN of each specimen was evaluated for total 24 hours. This step was repeated once again for total 48 hours. The enamel surfaces of all specimens were examined by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and SEM. The statistical significance of the data was identified by one-way ANOVA followed by a Duncan’s studentized range test. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that the degree of remineralization, as revealed by the VHN values, was higher in the NaF groups than in the distilled water groups. The VHNs of the remineralized enamel specimens for 48 hours were higher than after the 24 hours treatment. In addition, the level of remineralization increased with increasing concentration of nano-HA and was more pronounced in the NaF groups than the distilled water groups (p<0.05). The CLSM and SEM images nano-sized particles attached to the enamel in the nano-HA treated groups. Nano-HA might play a synergistic role in remineralization with a fluoride mouthrinse. However, more study will be needed to determine the optimal condition of nano-HA and NaF mouthrinse for human use. In conclusion, nano-HA in a 0.05% NaF mouthrinse can help remineralize an early caries lesion.

Abstract: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the tooth whitening effect of toothpaste containing nano-sized hydroxyapatite (HA). There were 3 types of dentifrices, which had a different level of abrasive components. For group 1, a newly developed toothpaste containing Nano-sized hydroxyapatite (Nano-HA) was used. Commercially available toothpastes were used in groups 2 and 3. Group 2 used toothpastes containing silica and multi phosphate. Group 3 used toothpastes containing abrasives with silica and micro-sized HA. In order to simulate 6-months of tooth brushing, the tooth specimens in all 3 groups were placed on a V8 Cross Brushing Machine (Sabri Co. U.S.A.) and brushed 10,000 times with the toothpaste slurries. The tooth specimens were then soaked in artificial saliva for 24 hours to create conditions similar to those encountered in vivo. The whitening efficacy was assessed before and after tooth brushing using the VITA shade scores of Shadeeye-EX NCC Dental Chroma meter (Shofu Co. Japan). All toothpastes produced significant differences in the mean shade change in the teeth before and after tooth brushing (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the change in the shade between each group (p>0.05). Although the new Nano-HA toothpaste did not have superior whitening effects to the commercially available whitening toothpastes, they had a similar whitening efficacy to commercially available whitening toothpastes. These effects might come from the physical properties of Nano HA, which increase the surface dimension more than the Micro-sized HA and have the potential of remineralization.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite is the main component of enamel that gives the tooth a bright white appearance and eliminates the diffused reflection of light by filling up the fine pores of the tooth surface. Accordingly, remineralization of the teeth can be expected to some extent if hydroxyapatite is used to treat an incipient caries lesion (early white spot lesion). In addition, the remineralization effect will be increased if the particle size of hydroxyapatite can be reduced to less than that of the micron-size in existing toothpaste preparations. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, which was produced by nano-technology, on the remineralization of human enamel. A tooth specimen, on which artificial incipient caries had been induced, was immersed into two toothpaste slurries for remineralization. One contains nano-sized hydroxyapatite and fluoride, and the other contains nano-sized hydroxyapatite excluding fluoride. In order to evaluate the remineralization effect, the Vickers Hardness Number & SEM image of the enamel surface was evaluated at each step. There were significant differences in VHN values between those obtained before and after the remineralization steps. The results showed that the remineralization effect increased with increasing immersing time (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in VHN values between the two groups (P>0.05). SEM also demonstrated differences the in micro surface at each step. In conclusion, a toothpaste containing nano-sized hydroxyapatite has the potential to remineralize an incipient caries lesion. In addition, the addition of fluoride had no synergistic effect on remineralization.