Fatigue resistance of human carious dentin treated with ammonia- and water-based silver fluoride

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the flexural strength and fatigue resistance of carious dentin treated with ammonia- or water-based silver fluoride using an in vitro microcosm biofilm model, under quasi-static and cyclic load conditions. METHODS: cycles. Tension sides of fractured beams were examined under SEM. Quasi-static data (one-way ANOVA, Tukey) and cyclic-load data (Kruskal-Wallis) were analyzed (α=0.05). RESULTS: Quasi-static flexural strength was highest in SD (p < 0.05). Among carious groups, no significant differences were observed in flexural strength values (p > 0.05). SFw treatment revealed lower fatigue resistance than SD, however, significantly exceeding SDFa, SDFa+KI, SFw+KI and CD (p < 0.05). Fatigue resistance of SDFa was higher than CD (p < 0.05). SEM confirmed denser silver-particle deposition in SFw group, correlating with higher fatigue resistance. SIGNIFICANCE: Ammonia- and water-based silver fluoride treatments could enhance the structural integrity and mechanical strength of carious dentin. However, the use of potassium iodide may impair potential improvements in fatigue resistance of SFw-treated carious dentin.