Effects of Temperature and Aging on Working/Setting Time of Dual-cured Resin Cements.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of aging and temperature on working time (WT) and setting time (ST) of several dual-cured resin cements. METHODS: WT and ST were determined with a thermo-controlled stage oscillating rheometer. New cement kits were used for the study. Cements were mixed according to instructions and dispensed on the oscillating stage that was preset at 22°C or 37°C. Rheologic charts were generated from the beginning of mixing until no further oscillation was detected. After initial measurements, cement kits were aged at 37°C for 12 weeks, and WT/ST was determined again at both temperatures. Five samples were read for each material and condition. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance and a Tukey test at α=5% for each individual material. RESULTS: The WT and ST of all cements were significantly affected by temperature and aging (p<0.05). In general, higher temperature accelerated WT/ST, but aging effects were material dependent. Some materials presented reduced WT/ST, whereas others showed increased WT/ST, regardless of the temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The WT and ST were significantly affected by temperature variation and aging condition. Although temperature changes appeared to affect all materials similarly, aging effects were material dependent.

Adhesive permeability affects coupling of resin cements that utilise self-etching primers to dentine.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of an experimental bonding technique that reduces the permeability of the adhesive layer on the coupling of resin cements to dentine. METHODS: Extracted human third molars had their mid to deep dentin surface exposed flat by transversally sectioning the crowns. Resin composite overlays were constructed and cemented to the surfaces using either Panavia F (Kuraray) or Bistite II DC (Tokuyama) resin cements mediated by their respective one-step or two-step self-etch adhesives. Experimental groups were prepared in the same way, except that the additional layer of a low-viscosity bonding resin (LVBR, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, 3M ESPE) was placed on the bonded dentine surface before luting the overlays with the respective resin cements. The bonded assemblies were stored for 24 h in water at 37 degrees C and subsequently prepared for microtensile bond strength testing. Beams of approximately 0.8 mm(2) were tested in tension at 0.5 mm/min in a universal tester. Fractured surfaces were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additional specimens were prepared and examined with TEM using a silver nitrate-staining technique. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed significant interactions between materials and bonding protocols (p<0.05). When bonded according to manufacturer's directions, Panavia F produced bond strengths that were significantly lower than Bistite II DC (p<0.05). The placement of an additional layer of a LVBR improved significantly the bond strengths of Panavia F (p<0.05), but not of Bistite II DC (p>0.05). SEM observation of the fractured surfaces in Panavia F showed rosette-like features that were exclusive for specimens bonded according to manufacturer's directions. Such features corresponded well with the ultrastructure of the interfaces that showed more nanoleakage associated with the more permeable adhesive interface. The application of the additional layer of the LVBR reduced the amount of silver impregnation for both adhesives suggesting that reduced permeability of the adhesives resulted in improved coupling of the resin cements to dentin. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of an intermediate layer of a LVBR between the bonded dentine surface and the resin cements resulted in improved coupling of Panavia F to dentine.