Mechanical properties of aged yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal after abrasion with different aluminum oxide particles.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A consensus on the benefits of airborne-particle abrasion of zirconia with alumina particles of different sizes is still lacking. Larger particle size may improve micromechanical retention but may generate deep microcracks on the zirconia surface. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different size of Al2O3 particles used for surface abrasion on the mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty Y-TZP specimens were divided into 6 groups according to the treatment: control (without treatment) or airborne-particle abrasion with Al2O3 particles (45 µm or 150 µm). Half the specimens were stored for 24 hours in water while the other half was exposed to 1.5×106 mechanical cycles before flexural strength analysis at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Specimens were also characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate the crystalline composition. The data were subjected to 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (α=.05). RESULTS: Airborne-particle abrasion with alumina (P=.030) and mechanical fatigue (P<.001) had a significant effect on flexural strength. Specimens abraded with 45-µm Al2O3 particles (847 ±204 MPa) presented higher flexural strength than those of the control group (670 ±210 MPa). The size of the alumina particles was not significant for flexural strength. Flexural resistance (664 MPa) significantly decreased after mechanical fatigue. All groups showed only the tetragonal phase on the micro-Raman spectra, which was confirmed by XRD. CONCLUSIONS: Airborne-particle abrasion with smaller Al2O3 particles increased the flexural strength on Y-TZP without causing phase transformation. However, flexural strength was decreased after mechanical fatigue.

Intraoral environment conditions and their influence on marginal leakage in composite resin restorations.

Color matching in the anterior superior incisor region (ASIR) is very difficult when using a rubber dam during restorative procedures. This study measured temperature/relative humidity parameters in the ASIR and evaluated the influence of the inhalation/downtime/exhalation mouth-breathing cycle on microleakage in composite resin restorations performed in the region, using three different adhesive systems. Sixty bovine incisors were randomly assigned to six groups (n=10) according to environmental conditions (laboratory environment or intraoral conditions) and the three adhesive systems being tested (Prime & Bond NT (PB), Single Bond (SB) and Clearfil SE Bond (CL)). The composite resin restored specimens were thermocycled (800 cycles, 5-55 degrees C), immersed in a 2% methylene blue-buffered solution and sectioned longitudinally The dye penetration on the margin of the restoration was evaluated and non-parametric statistical analyses were performed. The temperature and humidity parameters in the ASIR showed significant differences when compared to the laboratory environment. Restorations performed in the ASIR environment showed no increases in microleakage. As it was shown that temperature/humidity in ASIR do not affect marginal sealing in direct composite resin restorations negatively, better color matching can be safely achieved without the use of a rubber dam.

Curing depth of a resin-modified glass ionomer and two resin-based luting agents.

The degree of conversion of resin-based luting agents used for retention of prefabricated posts has been questioned due to the difficulty of light penetration into the resin-filled root canal. This study evaluated the depth of cure of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Rely X--3M ESPE) and two resin-based luting agents (Rely X ARC--3M ESPE and Enforce-Dentsply). Twenty-four 14x2x2mm3 specimens were prepared in a Teflon split mold with the three luting agents (n=8). After preparation, the specimens were stored at 37 degrees C in a dark box for 24 hours prior to microhardness testing. Measurements of Knoop hardness were performed at three different depths: superficial, medium and deep thirds. The results (KHN) were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey test (0.05), which showed that resin-based luting agents presented the highest Knoop hardness values within the superficial third. Within the medium third, there were no significant differences among luting materials. However, within the deep third, Rely X presented the highest values. KHN values of resin-based luting agents decreased remarkably as depth increased.

Avaliaçäo do manchamento dos cimentos de ionômero de vidro por soluçöes evidenciadoras de placa dental / Staining of glass-ionomer cements by two disclosing agents

Soluçöes evidenciadoras de placa têm sido amplamente utilizadas na Odontologia, com o objetivo de orientar e motivar os pacientes para a realizaçäo de adequada higiene oral. Entretanto, algumas destas soluçöes possuem a propriedade de manchar várias substâncias, dentre elas, alguns materiais restauradores. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o manchamento de restauraçöes de ionômero de vidro por duas soluçöes evidenciadoras de placa dental