System for the pH-dependent Release of a Dye in Model Dental Restorations

We are developing a system for detecting recurrent caries under dental restorations. The controlled release of dyes under conditions of likely demineralization will alert the dentist to potential secondary caries. Production of acidic species is a characteristic of caries activity; hence, the system uses pH-sensitive polymers to release markers when the pH at the cavity wall of the restored tooth is below 6.5. The objectives of this investigation were to test the hypotheses that (1) the proposed system can be designed to release detectable marker continuously for at least six months in a simulated carious environment, and (2) the transient pH changes in the oral cavity caused by simulated dietary intake will not induce premature marker release from the pH-sensitive polymer placed beneath restorations. Two types of dye-loaded microspheres based on styrene, vinylpyridine, and divinylbenzene were prepared and placed on the floor of model cavity preparations made from an acrylic rod. Each model cavity was restored with a hybrid dental composite, placed in a vial with 5 mL of sodium-lactate/lactic-acid base buffer solution, and stored at 37°C. Solutions of three different pH values were used: 2.86, 4.73, and 6.39. The dye release into storage media was monitored periodically with a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Results showed that the duration could extend beyond six months for pH > 4.73, and that transient oral pH changes are not likely to result in premature dye release. The data indicate that it would take approximately 21 days for the acidic agent external to the restoration to initiate dye release from restored sites.