The effect of different preparation and etching procedures on the microleakage of direct composite veneer restorations.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the microleakage of direct composite veneer restorations prepared by a conventional dental bur or Er,Cr:YSGG (erbium, chromium doped yttrium scandium gallium garnet) laser and etched with different procedures. METHODS: Fifty maxillary incisor teeth prepared for direct veneers with gingival margins in dentin and incisal margins in enamel were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): group 1 (control), prepared with diamond bur and etched with phosphoric acid; group 2, prepared with diamond bur and etched with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Waterlase MD/Biolase); group 3, prepared with laser and not etched; group 4, prepared with laser and etched with phosphoric acid; and group 5, prepared and etched with laser. After the application of the etch and rinse adhesive system (Prime & Bond NT/Dentsply), teeth were restored with the nano ceramic restorative material (Ceram X Duo/Dentsply), subjected to thermocycling and immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 h. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally and dye penetration was evaluated by a binocular stereomicroscope equipped with a measuring device. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. The level of significance was set at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in enamel of the five groups (p < 0.05). Minimal microleakage was observed in groups 1 and 3. The highest microleakage was evaluated in group 5 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the five groups in dentin (p > 0.05). No differences were recorded between the microleakage values in enamel and dentin within each group and this was valid for all groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed that enamel and dentin surfaces prepared with Er,Cr:YSGG laser for direct composite veneer restorations may provide comparable sealing.

Influence of acid-etched splinting methods on discoloration of dental enamel in four media: an in vitro study.

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the staining of enamel in relation to fixation of luxated teeth. Color changes induced by chlorhexidine, red wine, tea, and coffee were detected with a Minolta Chroma Meter (CR-121) after extracted teeth were treated to simulate construction of dental splinting. L*a*b* color readings were made before and after 7 days of incubation in the above-mentioned media in teeth treated 1) by acid-etching, 2) by acid-etching followed by resin, 3) by resin and composite, 4) by Triad Gel, and 5) by Protemp. L* is an indicator of black (0) and white (100). The a* values relate to the red (+100)-green (-100) color axes, and the b* values to the yellow (+100) and blue (-100) axes. Untreated teeth served as controls. One-way analysis of variance of mean L* values revealed no statistically significant differences in treatment. Discoloration was observed in all teeth, including the control ones. However, Protemp yielded the largest changes in mean L* values. Analysis of variance of mean L* values revealed statistically significant differences between incubation liquids because no increase in staining of enamel was noted after 7 days' incubation in chlorhexidine. Red wine increased the mean L* values more than coffee or tea. Changes in a*b* readings were toward red (+a*) after incubation in red wine, except in the case of teeth treated with resin. The color of all such teeth changed more toward yellow (+b*), because the resin used was yellow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro studies on susceptibility of enamel to caries attack after orthodontic bonding procedures.

Oral hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of caries. Therefore, when one is investigating the possible effects of acid etching on caries susceptibility, oral hygiene aspects and the supplementation of fluoride have to be considered. The objective of this investigation was to study the caries susceptibility of etched enamel surfaces in vitro. To simulate the in vivo situation, much attention was given to the influence of remineralization of saliva and fluorides. It was shown that etching and subsequently fluoridating and remineralization increases resistance of enamel against a caries attack.