Fit and Stability of Screw-Retained Implant-Supported Frameworks Under Masticatory Simulation: Influence of Cylinder Type.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a prosthetic cylinder and casting on the misfit and loosening torque of screw-retained multiple-unit implant-supported dental prostheses under masticatory simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screw-retained, three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDP) and screw-retained full-arch FDP frameworks were waxed using calcinable (plastic cylinders) or overcasted (premachined cast-on cylinders) on the dental implant abutments. The cylinders were cast in Co-Cr alloy to obtain four groups according to cylinder type and prosthesis type (n = 10). The screws were tightened with 20 N/cm (abutment) and 10 N/cm (prosthetic) torque according to the manufacturer's recommendation. After 24 hours, the initial loosening torque was analyzed. The initial misfit measurements were performed according to the Schiffleger test. The screws were retightened, and the specimens were submitted to 10(6) mechanical cycles (2 Hz/280 N). Loosening torque and misfit were reevaluated (final measurements), and data were submitted to ANOVA, Tukey's HSD, and Pearson's correlation tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The calcinable three-unit FDP demonstrated greater misfit (initial: 107.53 ± 40.36 µm; final: 99.00 ± 40.85 µm) than did the overcasted three-unit FDP frameworks (initial: 51.50 ± 22.98 µm; final: 44.33 ± 14.14 µm) (initial: p = 0.0005; final: p = 0.0007). No difference was noted between the calcinable and overcasted full-arch FDP frameworks (p > 0.05). Masticatory simulation did not affect the misfit (p > 0.05). The overcasted full-arch FDP presented a lower abutment screw loosening torque (12.05 ± 1.80 N/cm) than did the calcinable ones (14.75 ± 1.72 N/cm) in the final measurement (p = 0.0024). The calcinable groups presented a lower prosthetic screw loosening torque than did the overcasted groups in the final evaluation (p < 0.05). After masticatory simulation, the prosthetic screw loosening torque of the calcinable three-unit FDP decreased (initial: 5.49 ± 1.07 N/cm; final: 3.73 ± 1.15 N/cm; p = 0.0044). Correlation between misfit and loosening was observed only for the prosthetic screws (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overcasted components provided a better fit in three-unit FDPs but did not influence the fit of full-arch FDPs. Prosthetic screws of overcasted frameworks presented higher stability, whereas masticatory simulation did not influence misfit but did reduce the prosthetic screw loosening torque of calcinable three-unit FDP frameworks.

Overdenture retaining bar stress distribution: a finite-element analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the stress distribution on the peri-implant bone tissue and prosthetic components of bar-clip retaining systems for overdentures presenting different implant inclinations, vertical misfit and framework material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional models of a jaw and an overdenture retained by two implants and a bar-clip attachment were modeled using specific software (SolidWorks 2010). The studied variables were: latero-lateral inclination of one implant (-10°, -5°, 0°, +5°, +10°); vertical misfit on the other implant (50, 100, 200 µm); and framework material (Au type IV, Ag-Pd, Ti cp, Co-Cr). Solid models were imported into mechanical simulation software (ANSYS Workbench 11). All nodes on the bone's external surface were constrained and a displacement was applied to simulate the settling of the framework on the ill-fitted component. Von Mises stress for the prosthetic components and maximum principal stress to the bone tissue were evaluated. RESULTS: The +10° inclination presented the worst biomechanical behavior, promoting the highest stress values on the bar framework and peri-implant bone tissue. The -5° group presented the lowest stress values on the prosthetic components and the lowest stress value on peri-implant bone tissue was observed in -10°. Increased vertical misfit caused an increase on the stress values in all evaluated structures. Stiffer framework materials caused a considerable stress increase in the framework itself, prosthetic screw of the fitted component and peri-implant bone tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Inclination of one implant associated with vertical misfit caused a relevant effect on the stress distribution in bar-clip retained overdentures. Different framework materials promoted increased levels of stress in all the evaluated structures.

Evaluation of the Surface Roughness and Microleakage of Dental Composites Exposed to Different Beverages.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different solutions cola soft drink (CSD) and coffee on roughness and microleakage of composite resin restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty bovine incisors were prepared and restored using Filtek Z350 XT (3M/ESPE) nanoparticulate resin. The samples were divided into three groups (n = 20): A (control)-Immersion in artificial saliva (14 days); B: Immersion in coffee (14 days), for 15 minutes (3x/day) and C: Immersion in CSD for 14 days (3x/day). Then the samples were analyzed for microleakage (dye penetration) and surface roughness (atomic force microscope). The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to assess the surface roughness and microleakage. The Tukey's test was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Group A (roughness-GAR) presented significantly the lowest average surface roughness. Group C (microleakage-GCM) showed significantly the highest average microleakage. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that CSD and coffee change the surface roughness and increase the microleakage of restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Nowadays there is a high consumption of artificially sweetened soft drinks, sports drinks, high-energy beverages and coffee products by people that cause problems in composite resin restorations.

Screw joint stability after the application of retorque in implant-supported dentures under simulated masticatory conditions.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Screws can loosen through mechanisms that have not been clearly established. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the tightening technique (the application of torque and retorque on the joint stability of titanium and gold prosthetic screws) in implant-supported dentures under different fit levels after 1 year of simulated masticatory function by means of mechanical cycling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten mandibular implant-supported dentures were fabricated, and 20 cast models were prepared by using the dentures to create 2 fit levels: passive fit and created misfit. The tightening protocol was evaluated according to 4 distinct profiles: without retorque plus titanium screws, without retorque plus gold screws, retorque plus titanium screws, and retorque plus gold screws. In the retorque application, the screws were tightened to 10 Ncm and retightened to 10 Ncm after 10 minutes. The screw joint stability after 1 year of simulated clinical function was measured with a digital torque meter. Data were analyzed statistically by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc tests (α=.05). RESULTS: The factors of fit level and tightening technique as well as the interaction between the factors, were statistically significant. The misfit decreases the loosening torque. The retorque application increased joint stability independent of fit level or screw material, which suggests that this procedure should be performed routinely during the tightening of these devices. CONCLUSION: All tightening techniques revealed reduced loosening torque values that were significantly lower in misfit dentures than in passive fit dentures. However, the retorque application significantly increased the loosening torque when titanium and gold screws were used. Therefore, this procedure should be performed routinely during screw tightening.

Prosthetic improvement of pronounced buccally positioned zygomatic implants: a clinical report.

This report presents a prosthetic technique for the improvement of surgically positioned, buccally placed zygomatic implants with the use of custom abutments for improved retention screw position and an esthetic implant reconstruction. The patient presented four zygomatic implants with pronounced buccal inclination. The anterior implants were inclined toward the location where the anterior artificial teeth should be placed during rehabilitation. As the manufacturer does not provide angulated abutments, we attempted the waxing and overcasting of a prosthetic abutment, repositioning the access holes of the prosthetic screws to a more palatal position. This clinical report demonstrates that abutment customization could be an interesting way to relocate the access holes of the prosthetic screws in cases of zygomatic implants with pronounced buccal inclination.

Preheated acid associated with silane and electric current in the adhesion of the resin cement to ceramic.

This study verified the effect of the combination of preheated hydrofluoric acid/silane/electric current in the adhesion of the resin cement to ceramic. IPS E.max Press ceramic discs embedded in PVC rigid tubes were divided into four groups associating preheated hydrofluoric acid and silane applied with electrical current (n=10): Ha+S (Heated acid + silane); Ha+S+Ec (Heated acid + silane + electrical current); A+S (Acid + silane) and A+S+Ec (Acid + silano + electrical current). Resin cement/ceramic samples were stored in water at 37°C for 24h. After storage, they were submitted to the microshear test, fracture analysis, and contact angle at 24h or after thermocycling (10,000 cycles/5-55ºC). Bond strength data were evaluated by two-way ANOVA. For comparison between evaluation times (24h or thermocycling) was applied unpaired t-test. A significance post-hoc test of p=0.05 was assumed for analyses and graphs (GraphPad Prism 9.0 software). At 24h, the microshear strength showed similar values between Ha+S, Ha+S+Ec, and A+S+Ec groups, while A+S showed the lowest value with a statistical difference. After thermocycling, Ha+S and Ha+S+Ec were similar, as well as A+S and A+S+Ec. There was a significant difference in all groups comparing 24h (highest value) with after thermocycling (lowest value). Adhesive fracture was predominant in all groups and evaluation times. Ha+S and A+S groups showed higher contact angle values compared to the Ha+S+Ec and A+S+Ec with lower values. In conclusion, the association of preheated hydrofluoric acid/silane applied or not with electric current promoted different microshear strength values, fracture types, and contact angles in the resin cement/ceramic bond.

Effect of Ceramic Thickness on the Bond Strength to Resin-Luting Agents before and after Thermal Cycling.

This study investigated microshear bond strength (µSBS) of two (2) dual-cured resin-luting agents (RelyX™ Ultimate and RelyX™ U200) when photoactivated through varying thicknesses of lithium disilicate, with or without thermal cycling. Discs of IPS e.max Press of 0.5, 1.5, and 2 mm in thickness were obtained. Elastomer molds (3.0 mm in thickness) with four cylinder-shaped orifices 1.0 mm in diameter, were placed onto the ceramic surfaces and filled with resin-luting agents. A Mylar strip, glass plate, and load of 250 grams were placed over the filled mold. The load was removed and the resin-luting agents were photoactivated through the ceramics using a single-peak LED (Radii Plus.) All samples were stored in distilled water at 37oC for 24 h. Half of the samples were subjected to thermal cycling (3,000 cycles; 5ºC and 55ºC). All samples were then submitted to µSBS test using a universal testing machine (Instron 4411) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were submitted to three-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test (α=0.05). The mean µSBS at 24 h was significantly higher than after thermal cycling (p<0.05). No statistical difference was found between resin-luting agents (p > 0.05). The mean µSBS for groups photoactivated through 0.5 mm ceramic were significantly higher than 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm (p < 0.05). In conclusion, increased ceramic thicknesses reduced the bond strength of tested resin-luting agents to lithium disilicate. No differences were found between resin-luting agents. Thermal cycling reduced the bond strength of both resin-luting agents.

Effect of framework material and vertical misfit on stress distribution in implant-supported partial prosthesis under load application: 3-D finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of framework material and vertical misfit on stress created in an implant-supported partial prosthesis under load application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The posterior part of a severely reabsorbed jaw with a fixed partial prosthesis above two osseointegrated titanium implants at the place of the second premolar and second molar was modeled using SolidWorks 2010 software. Finite element models were obtained by importing the solid model into an ANSYS Workbench 11 simulation. The models were divided into 15 groups according to their prosthetic framework material (type IV gold alloy, silver-palladium alloy, commercially pure titanium, cobalt-chromium alloy or zirconia) and vertical misfit level (10 µm, 50 µm and 100 µm). After settlement of the prosthesis with the closure of the misfit, simultaneous loads of 110 N vertical and 15 N horizontal were applied on the occlusal and lingual faces of each tooth, respectively. The data was evaluated using Maximum Principal Stress (framework, porcelain veneer and bone tissue) and a von Mises Stress (retention screw) provided by the software. RESULTS: As a result, stiffer frameworks presented higher stress concentrations; however, these frameworks led to lower stresses in the porcelain veneer, the retention screw (faced to 10 µm and 50 µm of the misfit) and the peri-implant bone tissues. CONCLUSION: The increase in the vertical misfit resulted in stress values increasing in all of the prosthetic structures and peri-implant bone tissues. The framework material and vertical misfit level presented a relevant influence on the stresses for all of the structures evaluated.

Influence of the casting technique and dynamic loading on screw detorque and misfit of single unit implant-supported prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the casting procedure and cyclic loading of prosthetic frameworks on detorque of prosthetic screws and marginal misfit of single unit implant-supported prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty specimens were obtained, each one consisting of a set of an implant (external hexagon 3.75 × 13 mm - Branemark type), a prosthetic abutment (entirely calcinable or overcasted UCLA) and a prosthetic screw. After the specimens were obtained, the prosthetic screws were tightened with 30 Ncm torque and released 24 h later in order to evaluate initial detorque. The screws were retightened and marginal gaps were assessed. All specimens were submitted to 10(6) loading cycles, performed with 2 Hz frequency and 130 N load. The specimens were re-evaluated for marginal misfit and detorque after the mechanical loading (final marginal misfit/final detorque). The results were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measurements, followed by Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found on detorque values of the prosthetics screws for all groups and intervals evaluated (p = 0.8922). The entirely calcinable abutments showed higher initial marginal misfit compared to the overcasted ones (p = 0.0438). There was no statistically significant difference on marginal misfit before and after mechanical loading for both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the overcasted abutments showed lower misfit values when compared to the entirely casted abutments. No difference was observed on detorque values of prosthetic screws. After mechanical loading there was no difference on marginal misfit and detorque between the groups.

Influence of different soft liners on stress distribution in peri-implant bone tissue during healing period. A 3D finite element analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution in the bone adjacent to submerged implants during masticatory function in conventional complete dentures with different soft liners through finite element analysis. Three-dimensional models of a severely resorbed mandible with 2 and 4 submerged implants in the anterior region were created and divided into the following situations: (1) conventional complete dentures (control group); and conventional complete dentures with different soft liner materials, (2) Coe-Comfort, (3) Softliner, and (4) Molteno Hard. The models were exported to mechanical simulation software and 2 simulations were done with the load in the inferior right canine (35 N) and the inferior right first molar (50 N). The data were qualitatively evaluated using the maximum principal stress and microstrain values given by the software. The use of soft liners provides decreased levels of stress and microstrains in peri-implant bone when the load was applied to canine teeth. Considering all of the values obtained in this study, the use of softer materials is the most suitable for use during the period of osseointegration.

Effect of chemical and microwave disinfection on the surface microhardness of acrylic resin denture teeth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of simulated disinfections (2% glutaraldehyde, 1% sodium hypochlorite, and microwave energy) on the surface hardness of Trilux, Biocler, Biotone, New Ace, and Magister commercial artificial teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens (n = 10) were made with the teeth included individually in circular blocks of acrylic resin, leaving the labial surface exposed. Cycles of simulated chemical disinfection were accomplished with the specimens immersed in the solutions at room temperature for 10 minutes, followed by tap water washing for 30 seconds and storage in distilled water at room temperature for 7 days until the next disinfection. Simulated disinfection by microwave energy was carried out in a domestic oven with 1300 W at a potency of 50% for 3 minutes with the specimens individually immersed in 150 ml of distilled water. Control (no disinfection) and the experimental groups (first and third disinfection cycles) were submitted to Knoop hardness measurements with indentations at the center of the labial tooth surface. Data were submitted to repeated measure two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Biocler, Magister, and Trilux showed lower surface microhardness when submitted to microwave. Lower microhardness for Biotone was promoted by hypochlorite, while no significant difference was shown for New Ace. The third disinfection cycle significantly decreased the tooth surface hardness only for microwave. CONCLUSIONS: Different disinfection methods promoted different effects on the microhardness of different types of artificial teeth. Surface microhardness of the teeth was less affected by the simulated chemical disinfections when compared to microwaved specimens.

Effect of chemical cleaning agents on the flexural strength of acrylic and hard denture line resins.

This study sought to evaluate the disinfectants, Efferdent (EF) and 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (SH), and their effects on the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of the hard denture liners, Kooliner (K) and New Truliner (NT), and a thermoacrylic resin, QC-20. Ninety specimens were made (50 mm x 10 mm x 3 mm) and divided into 9 groups (n = 10). The 3 control groups were Group 1: QC-20 without disinfection cycles, Group 2: K, and Group 3: NT. The 6 experimental groups were Group 4: QC-20 in EF, Group 5: K in EF, Group 6: NT in EF, Group 7: QC-20 in SH, Group 8: K in SH, and Group 9: NT in SH. Specimens were subjected to 360 cycles of disinfection involving 35-minute cycles of immersion in cleaning solutions. The materials' flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were determined using a universal testing machine at a 5 mm/minute speed of compression. The data were subjected to ANOVA, Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests (α = 0.05). Regardless of the disinfection method used, the NT hard denture liner showed the lowest flexural strength values (P < 0.05) and modulus of elasticity (P < 0.0001) compared to K and QC-20. However, flexural strength values increased after applying SH and EF (P < 0.05). QC-20 showed a higher modulus of elasticity (P < 0.033), which increased after EF was applied (P = 0.005). It can be concluded that the disinfection methods changed the mechanical properties of the tested materials.

Influence of different metal flask systems on tooth displacement in complete upper dentures.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the occurrence of tooth displacement in dentures processed by moist hot-polymerisation using traditional and experimental metal flask systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Waxed complete dentures were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10), including traditional (TF) and experimental flasks (DF and HHF). Metal pins were placed at the incisal edge of maxillary central incisors (I), buccal cusp of first premolars (P) and mesiobuccal cusp of second molars (M). Transversal (I-I, P-P and M-M) and anteroposterior (LI-LM and RI-RM) distances were measured before and after denture processing using an optical microscope. The dentures were processed by hot water curing cycle (9 h/74 °C). Collected data were analysed by anova, Paired Student's t-test and Holm-Sidak method (p < 0.05). RESULTS: All measured distances demonstrated contraction after polymerisation, except for LI-LM in TF and RI-RM in DF and HHF. Statistically significant differences were found between the distances P-P for DF and HHF, and M-M for all groups. Comparison among flask systems revealed statistically significant difference in the P-P distance for the TF and HHF. CONCLUSION: Different flask systems did not cause variation in tooth displacement during denture processing, with the exception of P-P distances for the TF and HHF. There is no evidence that different metal flask systems would promote tooth displacement of clinical significance.

Straight and offset implant placement under axial and nonaxial loads in implant-supported prostheses: strain gauge analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to quantify strain development during axial and nonaxial loading using strain gauge analysis for three-element implant-supported FPDs, varying the arrangement of implants: straight line (L) and offset (O). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three Morse taper implants arranged in a straight line and three implants arranged in an offset configuration were inserted into two polyurethane blocks. Microunit abutments were screwed onto the implants, applying a 20 Ncm torque. Plastic copings were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard wax patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges were bonded onto the surface of each block tangential to the implants. The occlusal screws of the superstructure were tightened onto microunit abutments using 10 Ncm and then axial and nonaxial loading of 30 Kg was applied for 10 seconds on the center of each implant and at 1 and 2 mm from the implants, totaling nine load application points. The microdeformations determined at the nine points were recorded by four strain gauges, and the same procedure was performed for all of the frameworks. Three loadings were made per load application point. The magnitude of microstrain on each strain gauge was recorded in units of microstrain (µÎµ). The data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The configuration factor was statistically significant (p= 0.0004), but the load factor (p= 0.2420) and the interaction between the two factors were not significant (p= 0.5494). Tukey's test revealed differences between axial offset (µÎµ) (183.2 ± 93.64) and axial straight line (285.3 ± 61.04) and differences between nonaxial 1 mm offset (201.0 ± 50.24) and nonaxial 1 mm straight line (315.8 ± 59.28). CONCLUSION: There was evidence that offset placement is capable of reducing the strain around an implant. In addition, the type of loading, axial force or nonaxial, did not have an influence until 2 mm.

Influence of thickness and area of reline on the stress distribution in peri-implant bone during the healing period: a three-dimensional finite element analysis.

The current study used finite element analysis to evaluate how the thickness of reline material and the area of its placement in conventional complete dentures affected the stress distribution in peri-implant bone during function in the healing period. For this study, three-dimensional models were created to simulate a severely resorbed mandible with two implants placed recently in the anterior region. Two of these models received a layer of soft liner material that covered the entire length of the denture base (1.5 mm or 3.0 mm); for the other sample models, soft liner material was placed (in thicknesses of 1.5 mm or 3.0 mm) in the implant region only. The models were exported to mechanical simulation software; two simulations were performed by placing a load in the mandibular right canine (35 N) and the mandibular right first molar (50 N). Data were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated by means of maximum principal stress. In all cases, models that received 3.0 mm of soft liner material showed lower values of stress concentration than those receiving 1.5 mm of soft liner material. Likewise, localized application of soft liner in the implant region showed lower stress concentration compared with models in which the entire denture base was relined. These results indicate that the thickness and area of reline in conventional complete dentures has a direct effect on stress distribution in the peri-implant bone tissue during the healing period.

Incidence of sleep bruxism among children in Itanhandu, Brazil.

PURPOSE: Sleep bruxism (SB) in children may be related to headaches and causes extensive damage of primary teeth. This paper evaluates the incidence of SB in children from Itanhandu, MG, Brazil. METHODS: The presence of teeth wear facets was verified through clinical examinations on a sample of children, whose parents answered a questionnaire about their children's behavior and habits. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests (p = 0.05) were applied to identify possible correlations between the presence of SB and the parents' responses to the questionnaire. RESULTS: The sample comprised of 170 children, 51.76% (n = 88) of which were girls, while the average age was 4.37 (±1.69) years. A total of 15.29% (n = 26) had been diagnosed as bruxers, 46.47% displayed restless behavior, and only 10% used medication. The average duration of breastfeeding was 4.4 (±0.25) months. A positive correlation was found between restless behavior and the presence of SB (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between SB and medication (p = 0.573), or between the duration of breastfeeding and restless behavior (p = 0.102), SB (p = 0.565) and medication (p = 0.794). CONCLUSION: Restless behavior was positively correlated with SB, although no correlation was found between SB and medication or duration of breastfeeding.

Misfit of pure titanium frameworks: effect of veneer coverage and spark erosion process.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of veneer application on the misfit level of implant-supported frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty commercially pure titanium (Tritan, Dentaurum, Pforzheim, Germany) frameworks were fabricated from a metallic index containing five Branemark-type multi-unit abutments. Analogs of the abutments were positioned into the framework to manufacture an index for each framework, which permitted the evaluation of the marginal gap caused only by the veneer coverage. The frameworks were grouped (n = 10) in the following manner: (G1) heat-cured acrylic resin (Clássico, Clássico, São Paulo, Brazil); (G2) light-cured resin (Versyo.com, Heraeus Kulzer, Brazil); and (G3) porcelain (Triceram, Dentaurum, Pforzheim, Germany). Marginal refinement with spark erosion was then conducted. The marginal gap was verified before and after the veneer coverage and the spark erosion procedure, following the single screw test protocol (tightening force of 10 Ncm). Data were submitted to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a split-plot design for repeated measurements followed by a Tukey test (p = 0.05). RESULTS. The veneer application was associated with a significant increase in the mean misfit values of all groups. The lowest values were presented by G2. After the spark erosion process, the mean misfit value decreased only on G3. CONCLUSIONS. Heat-cured acrylic resin and porcelain produced the highest values of marginal gaps, whereas light-cured acrylic resin produced the lowest. In addition, the spark erosion process was effective only in the marginal gap of the porcelain application group.

Radiographic inspection of porosity in pure titanium dumbbell castings.

BACKGROUND: Titanium frameworks are frequently indicated for implant supported prostheses; however, voids are usually encountered inside cast titanium. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of a radiographic technique for inspection of porosity in commercially pure titanium castings with different diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty dumbbell rods (n=20) with a central 1.5, 2.0 and 3.5mm diameter were prepared by lost-wax casting. Cast specimens were finished and polished and submitted to radiographic examination (90kV, 15mA, 0.6s and 10-13mm of distance) using periapical film. The radiographs were visually analysed for the presence of porosity in the extension of the dumbbell or in the central portion of the rods. Data were submitted to Pearson Chi-square test (5%). RESULTS: The tested radiographic method proved to be suitable for the evaluation of cast frameworks. Internal porosities were observed in most of the specimens (91.7%) (p=0.0005); however, only 20% occurred on the central portion of the rods (p=0.612). CONCLUSION: Internal porosities can be visualised through radiographs and occur mostly in small diameter structures. The radiographic evaluation of metal structures can improve the quality of frameworks and thereby potentially increase the longevity of the rehabilitation.

Effect of accelerated aging on permanent deformation and tensile bond strength of autopolymerizing soft denture liners.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different accelerated aging times on permanent deformation and tensile bond strength of two soft chairside liners, acrylic resin (T) and silicone (MS) based. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different specimens were made for each test of each reliner. The specimens (n = 10) were submitted to accelerated aging for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 cycles. Tensile bond strength testing was performed at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min and permanent deformation with a compressive load of 750 gf. Data were submitted to Mann-Whitney test to compare the materials at different times, and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for comparing aging intervals within a given reliner. RESULTS: MS presented a lower percentage of permanent deformation (p < 0.0001) and higher tensile bond strength (p < 0.0001) than T in all time intervals and was not affected by the accelerated aging process, which reduced the permanent deformation and increased tensile bond strength of T (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MS presented lower permanent deformation and higher tensile bond strength than T. Although T presented changes in those properties after accelerated aging, both materials might be suited for long-term use.

Evaluation of the light energy transmission and bottom/top rate in silorane and methacrylate-based composites with different photoactivation protocols.

AIM: This study investigated the influence of different composite resin organic matrix (methacrylate - Filtek Z350 XT and silorane - Filtek P90) on light energy transmission through the composite and bottom/top rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A light-emitting diode (New Blue Phase), light-curing unit was used with different photoactivation protocols (high-continuous mode - HCM, 1400 mW/cm2 for 20 seconds; low-continuous mode - LCM , 700 mW/cm2 for 40 seconds; and soft-start mode - SSM, 140 mW/cm2 for 5s followed by 39 seconds for 700 mW/cm2). Twenty specimens were prepared for each composite. The light energy transmission through the composite was calculated (n=10). The bottom/top rate of the same specimen was calculated (n=10). The data were compared by Tukey's test in different tests (light energy transmission through the composite and bottom/top rate). RESULTS: The light energy transmission through the Filtek Z350 XT composite (HCM - 576 mW/cm2, LCM - 238 mW/cm2, SSM - 232 mW/cm2) did not show statistical difference when compared with Filtek P90 composite (HCM - 572 mW/cm2, LCM - 233 mW/cm2, SSM - 230 mW/cm2). The bottom/top rate of the Filtek Z350 XT composite (HCM - 88.98%, LCM - 90.94%, SSM - 89.92%) was statistically higher than that of the Filtek P90 composite (HCM-77.29%, LCM-77.51%, SSM- 77.79%). CONCLUSION: Light energy transmission through the composite was not influenced by the use of different dental composite restoratives. However, the bottom/top rate of the composites was influenced by the use of different dental composite restoratives. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Insufficiently polymerized composite resin may present a large number of problems. For this reason, dental composite resins should have the similar deep surface polymerization as the top surface in dental restorations.