Biomimetic dental implant production using selective laser powder bed fusion melting: In-vitro results.

Instead of a textured surface with irregular pore size and distribution as in conventional dental implants, the use of lattice structures with regular geometric structure and controlled pore size produced by selective laser powder bed fusion melting (LPDF) technique will provide more predictable and successful results regarding osseointegration and mechanics. In this study, biomimetic dental implants with 2 different pore designs were fabricated by LPDF technique and compared with conventional dental implants in terms of surface characterization and resistance to biomechanical forces. Finite element analysis, scanning electron microscopy, computed micro tomography scanning, ISO 14801 tests and detork tests were used for the comparison. The tested biomimetic implants were found to be as durable as conventional implants in terms of mechanical strength and detork values. They were also found to be 40-60% more advantageous than conventional dental implants with respect to surface area and volume. As a result, it was concluded that biomimetic dental implants with sufficient mechanical strength and complex surface geometries can be made as designed without changing the reliable base material and can be produced using a different manufacturing method.

Composite-veneering of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK): evaluating the effects of different surface modification methods on surface roughness, wettability, and bond strength.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different surface modification methods on the surface roughness, contact angle, and bond strength of composite-veneer materials of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK). Fifty-five specimens (n = 11) with a size of 7 × 7 × 2 mm were cut out from PEEK discs. The specimens were divided into five groups with different surface treatments: no treatment (NO) (control group), sulfuric acid (SA), plasma (P), femtosecond laser (FS), and Nd-YAG laser (NY). After the surface treatments, the specimens were checked for roughness, contact angle, and bond strength of the composite-veneer material. Data were analyzed with the Welch test for roughness, contact angle, and bond strength parameters. Individual Pearson correlation tests were executed for all surface treatment groups to determine any significant correlations among roughness, contact angle, and bond strength parameters (P < .001). Roughness, contact angle, and bond strength values were affected by surface modification methods (P < .001). In comparison to the control group, NY and FS treatments increased the surface roughness and bond strength; they also provided bond strength values comparable to the SA group. When the relationship between the variables was examined, no correlation was seen between roughness, contact angle, and bond strength values for the NY, SA, and control groups (P > .05); however, significant correlations were determined between the contact angle and surface roughness values for the P and FS groups (P < .05). Femtosecond and Nd-YAG laser treatments are viable surface modification alternatives to the sulfuric acid treatment for the PEEK material.

Effect of Er:YAG laser on removal of fibre posts from root canal.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Er:YAG laser in translucent fibre post removal. 60 human single-rooted anterior teeth were divided into three groups (n = 20) according to post diameters (Exacto1-E1, Exacto2-E2, Exacto3-E3) and subdivided according to laser application. Fibre posts were cemented to endodontically treated teeth, and the specimens were sliced with a thickness of 1.0 ± 0.2 mm. Er:YAG laser was applied and the push out bond strength test was performed. Two-way analysis of variance was used to perform the statistical analysis. Push out bond strengths at apical area were significantly lower in all test groups (p < 0.05). Laser application caused increase in all radicular thirds, but it was significant for E1 and E3 groups. Laser application to the post-dentine interface enhances the connection between post and dentine.

Effect of Various Treatment Modalities on Surface Characteristics and Shear Bond Strengths of Polyetheretherketone-Based Core Materials.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the surface roughness (Ra), wettability, and shear bond strength of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety eight PEEK specimens were divided into six groups (n = 33). Specimen surfaces were treated with the following surface treatment modalities: silicoating (CoJet), acetone treatment, acid etching (H2 SO4 ), airborne particle abrasion (Al2 O3 ), laser irradiation (Yb:PL laser), and the nontreated surface serving as the control. Surface roughness was measured with an profilometer (n = 11) and a goniometer was used to measure the surface wettability through contact angle (θ)(n = 11). PEEK surfaces were veneered with a composite resin (n = 11). The specimens were then thermocycled for 10,000 cycles at 5 to 55°C. Shear bond strengths between the PEEK and composite resin were measured with an universal test machine. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Tukey's post-hoc test was used to determine significant differences between groups (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Surface roughness and wettability of PEEK surfaces along with shear bond strength of PEEK to composite resin were influenced by the surface treatments. (p < 0.01) Highest mean Ra values were obtained for PEEK surfaces treated by laser irradiation (2.85 ± 0.2 µm) followed by airborne particle abrasion (2.26 ± 0.33 µm), whereas other surface treatment modalities provided similar Ra values, with the acid-etched PEEK surfaces having the lowest mean Ra values (0.35 ± 0.14 µm). Silicoating provided the most wettable PEEK surfaces (48.04 ± 6.28º), followed by either acetone treatment (70.19 ± 4.49º) or acid treatment (76.07 ± 6.61º). Decreased wettability was observed for airborne particle abraded (84.83 ± 4.56º) and laser-treated PEEK surfaces (103.06 ± 4.88º). The highest mean shear bond strength values were observed for acid-etched PEEK surfaces (15.82 ± 4.23 MPa) followed by laser irradiated (11.46 ± 1.97 MPa), airborne particle abraded (10.81 ± 3.06 MPa), and silicoated PEEK surfaces (8.07 ± 2.54 MPa). Acetone-treated (5.98 ± 1.54 MPa) and untreated PEEK surfaces (5.09 ± 2.14 MPa) provided the lowest mean shear bond strengths. CONCLUSIONS: The highest mean shear bond strengths were observed for acid-etched PEEK surfaces, followed by laser-irradiated, airborne particle abraded, and silicoated PEEK surfaces providing similar mean shear bond strengths. Since shear bond strengths higher than 10 MPa are considered acceptable, acid etching, laser irradiation, and airborne particle abrasion of PEEK surfaces may be considered viable surface treatment modalities for the PEEK material tested.

Effect of heat polymerization conditions and microwave on the flexural strength of polymethyl methacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is the effect of different heat polymerization conditions on the strength of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin base is unknown. Distinguishing one method that provides improved mechanical properties may be beneficial to the clinical success of complete and partial dentures and overdentures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polymerization methods on the flexural strength of a dental PMMA resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty PMMA specimens (64 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm) were prepared with 4 different polymerization methods (n = 10); heat polymerization at 74°C for 9 h, at 100°C for 40 min, and with 620 kPa pressure at 100°C for 20 min. The remaining group of specimens was microwave polymerized at 180 W for 6 min. All specimens were thermocycled at 5°C and 55°C for 5000 times. Three-point flexure test was used to measure the flexural strength of specimens. One-way ANOVA and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference were applied to analyze the differences in flexural strengths (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The flexural strength of heat-polymerized groups was similar. The flexural strength of microwave polymerized group was significantly different and lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Polymerizing conventional heat-polymerizing PMMA resin with microwave energy resulted in a significant decrease in flexural strength. The results of this study suggest that clinicians may benefit from using heat polymerization when processing PMMA denture bases instead of microvawe polymerization when tested brand is used.

Oral rehabilitation with implant-supported fixed dental prostheses of a patient with cleidocranial dysplasia.

This clinical report describes the oral rehabilitation with implant-supported fixed dental prostheses in the maxilla and mandible of a patient with cleidocranial dysplasia. Cone-beam computed tomography and a tilted implant protocol in the mandible helped to establish a conservative approach for bone preservation, prevent surgical complications, enable proper implant positioning to avoid anatomic structures, and support the fixed dental prostheses.

Effect of Boric Acid Versus Conventional Irrigation Solutions on the Bond Strength Between Fiber Post and Root Dentin.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of boric acid solutions of different percentages to conventional irrigation solutions on the adhesive bond strength between fiber posts and radicular dentin surface with different cement types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen extracted human incisors were endodontically instrumented to a length of 14-15 mm, and 12-mm post spaces were prepared with specific drills. Cylindrical fiber posts (Panavia Post) were luted with two different composite cements (Panavia F 2.0, Panavia SA) and cut into 1-mm-thick slices. These specimens were randomly allocated to 5 groups according to the irrigant applied: 1. control, no irrigant; 2. 10 ml of 2% chlorhexidine; 3. 10 ml of 5.25% NaOCl for 5 min and 10 ml of 17% EDTA for 3 min; 4. 10 ml of 5% boric acid solution at a temperature of 55°C for 60 s; 5. 10% boric acid solution, conditions as in group 4. Bond strength was determined using the push-out test. Microscopic assessment and SEM evaluations were performed in combination with push-out tests. RESULTS: The push-out bond strengths of cervical segments were significantly higher than for the middle and apical segments in all groups. The type of irrigation solution used significantly affected the bond strengths of the posts. The 10% boric acid solution and EDTA + NaOCl irrigation solutions provided the highest bond strengths (p < 0.005). SEM analysis showed that the dentin tubules were open and the smear layer was completely removed when EDTA/NaOCl and 10% boric acid were used as irrigation agents. CONCLUSION: Boric acid solutions, especially at a concentration of 10%, can be a viable alternative to the conventional irrigants used during endodontic treatment. The extent to which the 10% boric acid solution successfully removed the smear layer and the ease of rinsing boric acid from the root surface are advantageous.

Surface roughness and adaptation of different materials to secure implant attachment housings.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Various materials are available to secure implant attachment housings in overdentures. Surface roughness and the adaptation of these materials to the denture base and the housings may increase the microcracks and bacterial adhesion at the interfaces in the long term. The surface characteristics of the interface between the denture base orientation material and the attachment housing have not been extensively studied. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the surface roughness and the adaptation of 5 different housing orientation materials to the housings and the denture base. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) specimens (15 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height) were prepared with a clearance inside to allow the insertion of overdenture housings. Five different materials were used for housing orientation (Quick Up, Ufi Gel Hard, Tokuyama Rebase II Fast, Meliodent, and Paladent). The specimens were thermocycled 5000 times between 5°C and 55°C. The surface roughness (Ra values) of the specimens was measured with a noncontact profilometer. Scanning electron images were made in order to inspect the PMMA-orientation material-housing interfaces. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to investigate the differences between the surface roughness values of the orientation materials, and the Iman-Conover test was used for pairwise comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: The surface roughness values significantly differed between Quick up and Ufi Gel orientation materials only, and Quick up had smaller surface roughness values than Ufi Gel (P=.009). Microcracks were observed among the groups only at the junction of the orientation material and the housing after thermocycling. CONCLUSIONS: Ufi Gel Hard showed the roughest surfaces around the overdenture attachment housings. The adaptation between the orientation material and the housing may deteriorate, and increased surface roughness and microcrack formation may be seen around the housings.