Bond strength of adhesives to dentin involving total and self-etch adhesives.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, the trend in dentin adhesion seems to be shifting from moist bonding systems to self-etching systems and from several application steps to single steps. However, recent studies have indicated that the performance of single-step adhesives was lower than the 2-step self-etch or total etch systems. In the present study, microtensile bond strength of a total etch, 2-step self-etch and single-step self-etch adhesives was comparatively evaluated. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The superficial occlusal dentin of 12 noncarious extracted human molars was exposed, finished with wet 600-grit silicon carbide paper, and a block of resin composite bonded with adhesives according to the manufacturers' instructions. The teeth were kept in tap water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C and sectioned to produce beams, with adhesive areas of +/- 0.9 mm2 (4 beams per tooth were obtained). The specimens were stressed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm per minute until the bonds ruptured. RESULTS: The mean bond strengths were calculated as MPa and compared by performing analysis of variance and Tukey tests to identify significant differences between the materials (P = 0.05). The mean bond strength of Clearfil SE Bond was significantly higher than that of OptiBond Solo Plus and iBond (P <.05). OptiBond Solo Plus gave significantly higher bond strengths than iBond (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-etching adhesive system Clearfil SE Bond (2 step) had higher bond strength than the 1-bottle self-etching adhesive iBond (single application) and the 2-step single-bottle system OptiBond Solo Plus (total etch). However, the 1-bottle adhesive system OptiBond Solo Plus (total etch system) had higher bond strength than the 1-bottle self-etching adhesive system iBond.

Fabrication of a meatus obturator on a titanium framework with a 1-step impression.

The fabrication of meatal obturator prosthesis with titanium framework using a 1-step final impression procedure is described in the case of a 44-year-old woman with congenital absence of the soft palate. The meatus obturator results in a more stable maxillary prosthesis and permits acceptable speech for a patient with total absence of the soft palate. The fabrication technique is relatively easy and saves time by eliminating some laboratory procedures.

Surface roughness of new microhybrid resin-based composites.

BACKGROUND: Rough, poorly polished resin-based composite (RBC) surfaces contribute to staining, plaque accumulation, gingival irritation and recurrent caries. Proper finishing and polishing enhance both the esthetics and the longevity of restored teeth. METHODS: The authors evaluated the influence of various finishing and polishing techniques on the surface roughness of four microhybrid RBCs. Thirty samples of each material were cured under Mylar matrix strips (Yates and Bird/Motloid, Chicago). All microhybrid RBC specimens were finished with multifluted carbide burs, except for the Mylar matrix strip samples, and then were polished using one of four finishing systems: Sof-Lex contouring and polishing disks (3M ESPE, St. Paul, Minn.); Enhance Finishing System (Dentsply-Caulk, Milford, Del.) followed by Prisma Gloss (Dentsply-Caulk) polishing paste application; Astropol finishing, polishing and high-gloss polishing system (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein); and Astrobrush polishing system (Ivoclar Vivadent). The authors tested the samples to obtain average surface roughness and analyzed the values. RESULTS: The use of the Astrobrush technique caused the greatest roughness on all RBC specimens. The smoothest surface was produced with a carbide bur followed by aluminum oxide disks, Astropol technique and Enhance technique. Overall, there were differences in surface quality among the materials. InTen-S (Ivoclar Vivadent) had statistically lower surface roughness values after finishing and polishing with the Astrobrush technique, compared with the other RBCs. CONCLUSION: The highest surface roughness values were achieved after the Astrobrush technique was used. The Sof-Lex aluminum oxide disks, and Enhance and Astropol techniques provided the smoothest surface. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The Sof-Lex, Enhance and Astropol techniques produced a smooth surface after the finishing and polishing of materials, while the Astrobrush technique yielded the least favorable results.