The effect of aging methods on the fracture toughness and physical stability of an oxirane/acrylate, ormocer, and Bis-GMA-based resin composites.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of aging methods on the fracture toughness of a conventional Bis-GMA-based resin composite (Filtek Supreme), an ormocer-based resin composite (Admira), and an experimental hydrophobic oxirane/acrylate interpenetrating network resin system (OASys)-based composite. METHODS: A 25 × 5 × 2.8-mm stainless-steel mold with 2.5 mm single-edge center notch, following ASTM standards [E399-90], was used to fabricate 135 specimens (n = 15) of the composite materials and randomly distributed into groups. For the baseline group, specimens were fabricated and then tested after 24-h storage in water. For the biofilm challenge, specimens were randomly placed in a six-well tissue culture plate and kept at 37 °C with bacterial growth media (Brain Heart Infusion (BHI); Streptococcus mutans) changed daily for 15 days. For the water storage challenge, specimens were kept in 5 ml of deionized distilled autoclaved water for 30 days at 37 °C. µCT evaluation by scanning the specimens was performed before and after the proposed challenge. Fracture toughness (KIc) testing was carried out following the challenges. RESULTS: µCT surface area and volume analyses showed no significant changes regardless of the materials tested or the challenge. Filtek and Admira fracture toughness was significantly lower after the biofilm and water storage challenges. OASys mean fracture toughness values after water aging were significantly higher than that of baseline. Toughness values for OASys composites after biofilm aging were not statistically different when compared to either water or baseline values. CONCLUSION: The fracture toughness of Bis-GMA and ormocer-based dental resin composites significantly decreased under water and bacterial biofilm assault. However, such degradation in fracture toughness was not visible in OASys-based composites. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Current commercial dental composites are affected by the oral environment, which might contribute to the long-term performance of these materials.

Dental adhesive microtensile bond strength following a biofilm-based in vitro aging model.

OBJECTIVE: Laboratory tests are routinely used to test bonding properties of dental adhesives. Various aging methods that simulate the oral environment are used to complement these tests for assessment of adhesive bond durability. However, most of these methods challenge hydrolytic and mechanical stability of the adhesive- enamel/dentin interface, and not the biostability of dental adhesives. To compare resin-dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS) after a 15-day Streptococcus mutans (SM) or Streptococcus sobrinus (SS) bacterial exposure to the 6-month water storage (WS) ISO 11405 type 3 test. METHODOLOGY: A total of 31 molars were flattened and their exposed dentin was restored with Optibond-FL adhesive system and Z-100 dental composite. Each restored molar was sectioned and trimmed into four dumbbell-shaped specimens, and randomly distributed based on the following aging conditions: A) 6 months of WS (n=31), B) 5.5 months of WS + 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31), C) 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31) and D) 15 days of a SS-biofilm challenge (n=31). µTBS were determined and the failure modes were classified using light microscopy. RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed that each type of aging condition affected µTBS (p<0.0001). For Group A (49.7±15.5MPa), the mean µTBS was significantly greater than in Groups B (19.3±6.3MPa), C (19.9±5.9MPa) and D (23.6±7.9MPa). For Group D, the mean µTBS was also significantly greater than for Groups B and C, but no difference was observed between Groups B and C. CONCLUSION: A Streptococcus mutans- or Streptococcus sobrinus-based biofilm challenge for 15 days resulted in a significantly lower µTBS than did the ISO 11405 recommended 6 months of water storage. This type of biofilm-based aging model seems to be a practical method for testing biostability of resin-dentin bonding.

Effect of selective carious tissue removal on biomechanical behavior of class II bulk-fill dental composite restorations.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a method to induce carious lesions in the pulpal floor dentin of a class II cavity preparation, and to determine the effects of this carious lesion on the biomechanical behavior of the dental composite restoration. METHODS: The pulpal floor dentin of class I cavities in sound third molars were demineralised with acetic acid for 35days followed by a 7-day exposure to pooled human saliva biofilm and demineralization was verified by micro-CT. Subsequently, the proximal walls were removed forming a class II cavity and the caries lesion was left intact or was completely removed prior to restoration with a bulk-fill dental composite (n=10). Cuspal deflection was assessed by strain-gauge and micro-CT imaging. The presence of enamel cracks was assessed by transillumination before and after restoration, and again after 1,200,000 cycles of mechanical fatigue in a chewing simulator. Finally, resistance to fracture by axial compressive loading and failure mode was determined. Data were analyzed by 2-way repeated measures ANOVA, Fisher's exact test, and t-test (α=0.05). RESULTS: The presence of carious lesions had no significant effect upon cuspal deflection, formation of enamel cracks, and fracture strength of the dental composite restorations. The restorative procedure increased the number of enamel cracks, which was not affected by mechanical cycling. SIGNIFICANCE: Maintaining carious lesions does not affect the biomechanical behavior of class II restorations performed with bulk-fill dental composite.

Effects of exogenous collagenase and cholesterol esterase on the durability of the resin-dentin bond.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to determine microtensile dentin bond strengths (microTBS) of dentin-resin composite bonds after three-month storage in artificial saliva containing either collagenase (COL) or cholesterol esterase (EST). The null hypothesis tested is that the resin-dentin bond strength is equivalent for each storage medium at the tested storage times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resin composite was bonded to occlusal dentin, and microTBS specimens were formed and stored in the artificial saliva, COL, EST, or synthetic oil. After 24 h and 12-week storage, microTBS was determined and failure modes were characterized by SEM. The interfacial ultrastructure was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy as unstained and stained sections (phosphotungstic acid/uranyl acetate). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Weibull survival analyses at the 0.05 level of statistical significance. RESULTS: There were significantly weaker bond strengths after 12 weeks for all experimental storage media (p < 0.001). Artificial saliva containing EST lowered bond strengths to a significantly greater extent than did COL after 12 weeks of storage, while no difference between these groups could be discerned after 24 h. Therefore, the null hypothesis of this experiment is rejected. CONCLUSION: Exogenous enzymatic challenge to resin-dentin bonds decreased bond durability only with EST. However, when further challenges to ideal infiltration of the comonomers into the hybrid layer were carried out using inadequate removal of solvent, additional alterations in hybrid layer ultrastructure were discerned by TEM that may represent different potential degradative processes. The contribution of endogenous enzymatic challenges to the primary degradative process, ie, hydrolysis, is unknown and deserves continued attention.

Dental adhesive microtensile bond strength following a biofilm-based in vitro aging model

Abstract Laboratory tests are routinely used to test bonding properties of dental adhesives. Various aging methods that simulate the oral environment are used to complement these tests for assessment of adhesive bond durability. However, most of these methods challenge hydrolytic and mechanical stability of the adhesive- enamel/dentin interface, and not the biostability of dental adhesives. Objective To compare resin-dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) after a 15-day Streptococcus mutans (SM) or Streptococcus sobrinus (SS) bacterial exposure to the 6-month water storage (WS) ISO 11405 type 3 test. Methodology A total of 31 molars were flattened and their exposed dentin was restored with Optibond-FL adhesive system and Z-100 dental composite. Each restored molar was sectioned and trimmed into four dumbbell-shaped specimens, and randomly distributed based on the following aging conditions: A) 6 months of WS (n=31), B) 5.5 months of WS + 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31), C) 15 days of a SM-biofilm challenge (n=31) and D) 15 days of a SS-biofilm challenge (n=31). μTBS were determined and the failure modes were classified using light microscopy. Results Statistical analyses showed that each type of aging condition affected μTBS (p<0.0001). For Group A (49.7±15.5MPa), the mean μTBS was significantly greater than in Groups B (19.3±6.3MPa), C (19.9±5.9MPa) and D (23.6±7.9MPa). For Group D, the mean μTBS was also significantly greater than for Groups B and C, but no difference was observed between Groups B and C. Conclusion A Streptococcus mutans- or Streptococcus sobrinus-based biofilm challenge for 15 days resulted in a significantly lower μTBS than did the ISO 11405 recommended 6 months of water storage. This type of biofilm-based aging model seems to be a practical method for testing biostability of resin-dentin bonding.

Microtensile bond strength of self-etching adhesives to ground and unground enamel.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the bond strength of two self-etching primers (SEP) to ground and unground enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two bovine incisors were used in this study. The buccal enamel surface of 36 teeth was ground flat to resemble freshly cut enamel. The rest of the teeth were left intact. Two SEPs--Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray (CSE) and Prompt L-Pop (3M ESPE) (LP)--and a conventional adhesive system, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (3M ESPE) (SBMP) as a control, were used to bond a composite button to prepared and unprepared enamel. Microtensile test specimens were trimmed, resulting in a cylindrical cross-sectional area (0.21 mm2 to 0.47 mm2). These specimens were subjected to a tensile force at 1 mm/min until failure. Differences between adhesives and surface preparation were determined by two-way ANOVA. The samples were observed under SEM to evaluate the mode of failure. RESULTS: Bond strength values in MPa (SD) obtained from pooled data in descending order were: SBMP ground 44.54 (5.96), LP unground 42.97 (7.90), CSE unground 41.67 (11.28), LP ground 41.07 (12.07), CSE ground 38.56 (8.78), and SBMP unground 37.60 (9.55). No statistically significant differences were found (p = 0.5061) between surface preparation or adhesive systems. The mean in MPa (SD) of all the specimens that failed at the adhesive joint were: LP unground 47.13 (14.65), SBMP ground 45.28 (7.33), CSE unground 41.40 (11.07), SBMP unground 41.1 (10.04), CSE ground 39.96 (11.83), and LP ground 39.92 (15.45). No statistically significant differences were found (p = 0.5863). Failure occurred mainly at the adhesive interface. CONCLUSIONS: Surface preparation and adhesive treatment had no influence on resin composite microtensile bond strength to bovine enamel.