Simplified ethanol wet-bonding technique: an alternative strategy for resin-dentin bonding in root canals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the simplified ethanol wet-bonding technique on luting of posts to intraradicular dentin. The effect was assessed by push-out bond strength testing and confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis. Thirty endodontically treated roots were distributed into 3 groups (n = 10): water wet-bonding; stepwise ethanol wet-bonding; and simplified ethanol wet-bonding. After cementation of the posts, the roots were sectioned. Specimens were stored for 24 hours or 1 year before they were stressed to failure. Specimens from each group were processed for microscopic analysis. Data were analyzed using a 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (α = 0.05). Statistically significant differences in push-out bond strength values were observed between the technique groups (P < 0.001) and between the storage periods (P = 0.009). The bond strength results in the group bonded using the simplified ethanol wet-dehydration approach did not differ from those in the group bonded using the stepwise ethanol technique at either storage time interval (P > 0.05). From 24 hours to 1 year, there was a similar decrease in bond strength for specimens prepared with the simplified and stepwise techniques. The microscopic results confirmed that ethanol wet-bonding technique improved the quality of the interface. The simplified ethanol wet-dehydration protocol achieved bond strengths and stability over time that were similar to those obtained with the stepwise ethanol technique and may be considered an alternative strategy to accomplish resin cement-root dentin bonding.

The impact of endodontic irrigating solutions on the push-out shear bond strength of glass fiber posts luted with resin cements.

Resin-based restorative materials, widely used to cement posts, may be influenced by irrigants used during endodontic chemical-mechanical preparation. This study evaluated the impact of endodontic irrigating solutions and adhesive cement systems on the push-out shear bond strength of glass fiber posts to root dentin. Ninety-six bovine incisors were divided into 12 groups (4 irrigants × 3 resin cements; n = 8). Prepared canals were irrigated with saline solution, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 5.25% NaOCl, or 2% chlorhexidine gel, and posts were cemented with RelyX ARC, Panavia F, or RelyX U100. The bond strength was evaluated by means of the push-out test, and results were subjected to analysis of variance. The mean bond strength observed for the combination of 5.25% NaOCl irrigant and RelyX U100 cement was significantly lower (8.82 MPa) than the values found for the other groups (P < 0.05). The other combinations of irrigating solution and resin cement had no adverse effect on the bond strength of the glass fiber posts to dentin.

Effect of Endodontic Retreatment on Push-out Bond Strength and Quality of Fiber Postbonding Interface of Resin Cements.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of endodontic retreatment on push-out bond strength and dentin interface of two resin cements used for fiber postcementation during endodontic retreatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canals of 40 extracted human canines were prepared, obturated and divided into four groups (n = 10). Gutta-percha was partially removed and fiber posts were immediately cemented in groups 1 and 2 using Panavia F with ED Primer and RelyX™ U200, respectively. In groups 3 and 4, the root canal access was sealed with temporary restorative cement, specimens were stored for 30 days, endodontically retreated, and fiber posts were cemented using the resin cements applied to groups 1 and 2, respectively. Push-out tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses of different areas were performed. Data from push-out bond strengths were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests. RESULTS: Higher bond strength values were detected in the apical third for group 1 than group 3 (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in other comparisons between the same third of different groups (p > 0.05). Comparisons between different thirds in the same group revealed a higher bond strength in the apical third for group 1. Scanning electron microscopy showed formation of hybrid layer and extensive resin tags in group 1. No hybrid layer was observed in groups 2 and 4. CONCLUSION: Endodontic retreatment had adverse effects on the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third, but not on RelyX™ U200. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A significant interaction was detected between endodontic retreatment and resin cement, which indicated that endodontic retreatment might adversely affect the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third.

Influence of irrigation protocols on the bond strength of fiber posts cemented with a self-adhesive luting agent 24 hours after endodontic treatment.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different irrigation protocols on the bond strength, at different root depths, of fiber posts cemented with a self-adhesive cement 24 hours after endodontic treatment. Fifty-six bovine incisor roots were endodontically prepared and separated into 7 groups (n = 8) according to irrigation protocols: group 1, sterile saline (control); group 2, chlorhexidine (CHX) gel 2% and saline; group 3, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25% and saline; group 4, CHX and saline (final irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] 17%); group 5, NaOCl and saline (final irrigation with EDTA); group 6, CHX and saline (final irrigation with NaOCl and EDTA); and group 7, NaOCl (final irrigation with CHX and EDTA). No statistically significant difference was found among the groups. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the different irrigation protocols did not influence the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement, which presented similar behaviors at the 3 root depths studied.

Nanoleakage of fiber posts luted with different adhesive strategies and the effect of chlorhexidine on the interface of dentin and self-adhesive cements.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the nanoleakage of fiber posts luted using different adhesive strategies and to investigate the effect of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on nanoleakage at the resin-dentin interfaces of self-adhesive cements. The self-adhesive and etch-and-rinse adhesive groups tested demonstrated similar results with regard to nanoleakage. Pretreatment with CHX promoted an adequate seal at the resin-dentin interface for self-adhesive cements.

Influence of photo-curing distance on bond strength and nanoleakage of self-etching adhesive bonds to enamel and dentin.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of light-curing unit tip distance on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and nanoleakage of self-etching adhesives to enamel and dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flat buccal surfaces were prepared on 198 bovine incisors. The teeth were randomly assigned into nine groups for µTBS (n = 8) and nanoleakage (n = 3) testing according to the adhesive system (Clearfil Protect Bond, Clearfil Tri-S Bond or One Up Bond F Plus) and distance from the light-curing tip (0, 3 or 6 mm). The bonded samples were tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) and nanoleakage was analyzed using SEM. RESULTS: Clearfil Protect Bond exhibited the highest tensile strength on both enamel and dentin. Leakage was higher in samples exposed at a distance of 6 mm on enamel and 0 mm on dentin. One Up Bond F Plus experienced the greatest amount of nanoleakage on both substrates. CONCLUSIONS: Light-curing unit distance did not influence the µTBS of the adhesives, but nanoleakage increased on enamel samples when photoactivation occurred at a distance of 6 mm.

Color stability and polymerization behavior of direct esthetic restorations.

OBJECTIVES: The current study evaluated the effect of accelerated artificial aging (AAA) on the color stability (CS) and degree of conversion (DC) of nanofilled and nanohybrid resin composites associated to different adhesive systems in direct esthetic restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty bovine incisors were used to obtained dentin blocks (4 × 4 × 1 mm). The restorative systems were bonded to the blocks and photoactivated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Three adhesive systems were used: Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (conventional of three steps), Tetric N-Bond (conventional of two steps) and ClearFill SE Bond (self-etching). Also, two composites were used: Filtek Z350 XT (nanofilled) and IPS Empress Direct (nanohybrid). The restorations were made using a silicone mold placed on top of the prepared dentin blocks (N = 10). CS was measured after 300 hours of AAA by means of ultraviolet light using a spectrophotometer and CIE L*a*b* parameters on the top surface of the composite and at the bonded interface. The DC was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (N = 10). Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The adhesive systems had no significant influence on the color stability (ΔE) of either the restoration surface (α = 0.90) or the bonded interface (α = 0.78). However, composite influenced the color as measured by ΔE and isolated coordinates (α < 0.001). The nanohybrid composite showed increased DC values (67%) compared with the nanofilled (61%) with statistically significant differences (α < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The adhesive system did not affect the final color of direct esthetic restorations. The nanohybrid composite demonstrated a higher DC and increased color stability after AAA compared to the nanofilled composite. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The long-term color stability of composite restorations is a critical aspect of esthetic restorative procedures. Optimal Polymerization behavior of resin composite as indicated by the degree of conversion also influence on the color stability after artificial aging of composite restorations.

Minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry: smile reconstruction using direct resin bonding.

Discrepancies in tooth size and shape can interfere with smile harmony. Composite resin can be used to improve the esthetics of the smile at a low cost while offering good clinical performance. This article presents an approach for restoring and correcting functional, anatomic, and esthetic discrepancies with minimal intervention, using composites and a direct adhesive technique. This conservative restorative procedure provided the patient with maximum personal esthetic satisfaction.

Knoop hardness and effectiveness of dual-cured luting systems and flowable resin to bond leucite-reinforced ceramic to enamel.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Knoop microhardness and microshear bond strength (MSBS) of dual-cured luting systems and flowable resin bonded to leucite-reinforced ceramics and enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups per test (microhardness and microshear; n = 10) according to the bonding procedure: Excite DSC/Variolink, Clearfil SE Bond/Panavia F, Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus/RelyX ARC, and Adper Single Bond 2/Filtek Z350 Flow. For the KHN measurement, the cement was applied on the enamel surface and light-cured through a ceramic disk (5 mm diameter × 1.2 mm thick). Five indentations were performed in each specimen and measured at HMV-2. For the microshear test, two cylinders of a leucite-reinforced ceramic (1 mm diameter × 2 mm height) were bonded to the enamel substrate in accordance with the bonding procedures previously established. One cylinder was tested 24 hours after cementation, and the other was subjected to thermocycling (2000 cycles) and then submitted to an MSBS test. The data from the hardness and bond strength tests were subjected to one- and two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively, and to Tukey's test (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Scotchbond/RelyX ARC presented higher values of bond strength, while Single Bond/Z350 Flow showed lower values. The thermocycling promoted a reduction in the bond strength values for all groups. Panavia F presented higher values of KHN, and the flowable resin presented the lowest. RelyX ARC and Variolink presented intermediate values on hardness evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: For ceramic cementation, dual-cured resin luting systems promoted more reliable bonding and microhardness values than the flowable resin.

The in vitro effect of solutions with or without sugar in dental bleaching.

The interaction of bleaching technique (in-office or at-home) and solutions (deionized distilled water with and without sugar, red wine with and without sugar, coffee with and without sugar) on the effectiveness of in vitro dental bleaching was evaluated. Hydrogen peroxide (HP) 37.5% gel was used for in-office bleaching, 3 applications of 8 min each, 3 sessions with an interval of 7 days. At-home bleaching was performed with 10% Carbamide peroxide (CP), 2 h/day, for 30 days. The enamel vestibular surfaces (n = 72) were subjected daily to test solutions for 45 min, washed with distilled water for 5 min and stored in artificial saliva. The enamel color analysis was performed with a spectrophotometer through color variation (ΔE) and luminosity variation (ΔL). Roughness analysis was performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Enamel composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The results were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for ΔE, ΔL and EDS and two-way for AFM. For ΔE and ΔL there was no statistically significant difference. An increase in roughness was observed on the surface when exposed to a sugar-water solution for at-home bleaching and a lower concentration of Ca and P in the deionized water solution with sugar. Solutions containing or not sugar did not influence the bleaching potential, however the presence of sugar in the water solution increased the surface roughness with CP.

Influence of the LED curing source and selective enamel etching on dentin bond strength of self-etch adhesives in class I composite restorations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the LED curing unit and selective enamel etching on dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS) for self-etch adhesives in class I composite restorations. On 96 human molars, box-shaped class I cavities were made maintaining enamel margins. Self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE - CSE and Clearfil S(3) - S3) were used to bond a microhybrid composite. Before adhesive application, half of the teeth were enamel acid-etched and the other half was not. Adhesives and composites were cured with the following light curing units (LCUs): one polywave (UltraLume 5 - UL) and two single-peak (FlashLite 1401 - FL and Radii Cal - RD) LEDs. The specimens were then submitted to thermomechanical aging and longitudinally sectioned to obtain bonded sticks (0.9 mm(2)) to be tested in tension at 0.5 mm/min. The failure mode was then recorded. The µTBS data were submitted to a three-way ANOVA and Tukey's (α = 0.05). For S3, the selective enamel-etching provided lower µTBS values (20.7 ± 2.7) compared to the non-etched specimens (26.7 ± 2.2). UL yielded higher µTBS values (24.1 ± 3.2) in comparison to the photoactivation approach with FL (18.8 ±3.9) and RD (19.9 ±1.8) for CSE. The two-step CSE was not influenced by the enamel etching (p ≥ 0.05). Enamel acid etching in class I composite restorations affects the dentin µTBS of the one-step self-etch adhesive Clearfil S(3), with no alterations for Clearfil SE bond strength. The polywave LED promoted better bond strength for the two-step adhesive compared to the single-peak ones.

The effect of curing light and chemical catalyst on the degree of conversion of two dual cured resin luting cements.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different curing lights and chemical catalysts on the degree of conversion of resin luting cements. A total of 60 disk-shaped specimens of RelyX ARC or Panavia F of diameter 5 mm and thickness 0.5 mm were prepared and the respective chemical catalyst (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus or ED Primer) was added. The specimens were light-cured using different curing units (an argon ion laser, an LED or a quartz-tungsten-halogen light) through shade A2 composite disks of diameter 10 mm and thickness 2 mm. After 24 h of dry storage at 37°C, the degree of conversion of the resin luting cements was measured by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. For statistical analysis, ANOVA and the Tukey test were used, with p ≤ 0.05. Panavia F when used without catalyst and cured using the LED or the argon ion laser showed degree of conversion values significantly lower than RelyX ARC, with and without catalyst, and cured with any of the light sources. Therefore, the degree of conversion of Panavia F with ED Primer cured with the quartz-tungsten-halogen light was significantly different from that of RelyX ARC regardless of the use of the chemical catalyst and light curing source. In conclusion, RelyX ARC can be cured satisfactorily with the argon ion laser, LED or quartz-tungsten-halogen light with or without a chemical catalyst. To obtain a satisfactory degree of conversion, Panavia F luting cement should be used with ED Primer and cured with halogen light.

Effects of desensitizing products on the reduction of pain sensitivity caused by in-office tooth bleaching: a 24-week follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To clinically assess the effect of desensitizing gels and dentifrices on the reduction in pain sensitivity and color variation during tooth bleaching. METHODOLOGY: A total of 108 volunteers were randomly separated into the following groups of n=12: GT/S-glycerine and thickener/sucralose; NF/S-potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride/sucralose; NA/S-potassium nitrate and arginine/sucralose; GT/AC-glycerine and thickener/arginine and calcium carbonate; NF/AC-potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride/arginine and calcium carbonate; NA/AC-potassium nitrate and arginine/arginine and calcium carbonate; GT/PN-glycerine and thickener/potassium nitrate; NF/PN-potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride/potassium nitrate; and NA/PN-potassium nitrate and arginine/potassium nitrate. Sensitivity was assessed with the numerical analogue scale, and color variation (ΔE) was measured with a spectrophotometer. The sensitivity values obtained were subjected to a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and color variation values were subjected to a randomized analysis of variance (p<0.05). RESULTS: The NF/AC, NA/AC, NF/PN, and NA/PN groups presented lower sensitivity values and reduced sensitivity compared to those of the other groups throughout the clinical sessions. None of the groups showed sensitivity at the 24-week assessment. Statistically, no significant difference were observed in the color values among the groups four weeks after the beginning of bleaching (p=0.074). Additionally, the color assessment of all groups was statistically similar four weeks (p=0.084) and 24 weeks (p=0.118) after the beginning. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that adding NF/S, NA/S, NF/AC, and NA/AC desensitizers to tooth bleaching protocols reduces pain sensitivity without affecting its effectiveness.

Effects of desensitizing dentifrices on the reduction of pain sensitivity caused by in-office dental whitening: a double-blind controlled clinical study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the influence of desensitizing dentifrices applied through a plastic tray on reducing the pain sensitivity and color variation caused by in-office dental whitening and to evaluate differences among such dentifrices through a controlled double-blind clinical study. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted with 48 individuals between 18 and 30 years without gender distinction. For the dental whitening, 35% hydrogen peroxide was used in three clinical sessions. After each whitening session, the volunteers used a plastic tray containing one of the dentifrices (sucralose- S, sodium fluoride - SF, arginine and calcium carbonate - ACC, and 5% potassium nitrate - PN) for 4 hrs during the night. The evaluation of the sensitivity associated with the use of the plastic tray in each whitening session was performed using the analog numerical scale with scores from 0 to 10. The color variation (ΔE) was determined with a spectrophotometer. The pain sensitivity data were submitted to the multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measurements and a Lambda Wilks test (p<0.05). To analyze the color variation, a one-way ANOVA was applied (p<0.05). Results: The ACC and 5% NP groups showed a reduction in sensitivity in relation to the other groups (p<0.05). There was a reduction in sensitivity after placement of the tray with dentifrice. The color evaluation associated with the dentifrice showed no difference (p=0.9186). Conclusion: The use of desensitizing dentifrices with ACC or 5% NP in a plastic tray was effective for the reduction of pain sensitivity, and the use of a desensitizing dentifrice did not decrease the effectiveness of whitening.

Desensitizing Agent Previously Applied During In-Office Bleaching: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Objective: To compare the clinical effect of two desensitizing agents used before the application of a bleaching gel based on 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP). Material and Methods: 30 patients were selected, and two desensitizing agents with different mechanisms of action were applied: Fluorine Neutral 2% (FN), which acts by blocking dentinal canaliculi while Potassium Nitrate 5% with 2% Sodium Fluoride (PN/SF) that acts in nerve transmission and blockade. Desensitizers were used before the application of 35% HP. For whitening, three clinical sessions were performed, with an interval of seven days, with three applications of the bleaching gel for 15 minutes, totaling 45 minutes/session. Tooth sensitivity (TS) was assessed with the numerical analog scale, and a spectrophotometer was used to obtain the color variation (ΔE). ΔE were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05), and TS data were submitted to a two-way ANOVA analysis. Results: For sensitivity experience, the Tukey test indicated differences between PN/SF and the placebo I, but there was no statistically significant difference between FN and the placebo II. The TS was lower when the desensitizing gel was used during the bleaching procedure compared to after treatment, regardless of the desensitizing agents. Conclusion: PN/SF before in-office tooth bleaching can reduce TS intensity, and the use of desensitizing gel before bleaching did not affect the bleaching efficacy.

Active application of primer acid on acid-treated enamel: Influence on the bond effectiveness of self-etch adhesives systems.

AIM: Evaluate the composite-to-enamel bond after passive or active application of self-etching primer systems on polished or pre-etched enamel with phosphoric acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two self-etch adhesives systems (SEAS) were used: Clearfil SE Bond and Easy Bond. Third human molars were divided into 8 groups (N = 10). The crown of each tooth was sectioned into halves and the mesial/distal surfaces were used. The adhesives were actively or passively applied on enamel with or without prior phosphoric-acid etching. Resin composite cylinders were built after adhesive application. After stored in relative humidity for 24 hr/37°C the specimens were subjected to microshear test in universal testing a machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The results were analyzed with three-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. The enamel-etching pattern was evaluated under SEM. RESULTS: The 2-step SEAS system presented significantly higher adhesive bond strength means (47.37 MPa) than the 1-step (36.87 MPa). A poor enamel- etching pattern was observed in active mode showing irregular and short resin tags, however there was not compromised the bond strength. CONCLUSION: Active or passive application produced similar values of bond strength to enamel regardless of enamel pretreatment and type of SEAS.

Ellagic acid on the quality of the adhesive interface of class I composite resin restorations after aging

To evaluate the effect of ellagic acid on the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase by analyzing the quality of the adhesive interface with bond strength measures in periods of 24 hours and six months of storage. Method: 40 healthy human third molars were prepared with class I cavities (5x4x3mm). The teeth were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1- without application of ellagic acid and storage time of 24 hours; Group 2- with ellagic acid/24 hours; G3- without ellagic acid/six months; Group 4- with ellagic acid/six months. Then, the cavities were restored with Single Bond Universal adhesive and Z350 composite resin, with and without the previous application of ellagic acid. Subsequently, hourglass-shaped specimens were obtained and subjected to the bond strength (BS) test (n = 10) in a universal testing machine. The bond test was performed after 24 hours and six months of storage. For the standard evaluation (n = 3) the samples were infiltrated with silver nitrate and placed in a developing solution for analysis in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The data obtained were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, showing a statistically significant difference. Results: The highest bond strength values were found for the 24-hour groups followed by the groups with six months of storage. For nano-infiltration, groups G1 and G2 showed lower infiltration than groups G3 and G4. Conclusion: The previous application of ellagic acid did not affect the BS of the adhesive interface of the adhesive system analyzed, regardless of storage time.

Surface roughness evaluation and whitening efficiency on tooth enamel after using whitening toothpaste: a randomized double-blinded study

The aim of this randomized double-blinded study was to evaluate the enamel surface roughness and color change after one month of whitening toothpaste use and the color stability obtained 1 month after its interruption. 30 volunteers were divided into 3 groups (n = 10) corresponding to the dentifrices: 1) Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint (TD) (Control), 2) Colgate Luminous White (LW) and 3) Sensodyne Whitening Extra Fresh (SB). The volunteers were impression with addition silicone to obtain an epoxy resin replica of the upper central incisor for the initial surface roughness evaluation using a profilometer and the initial color of the incisors and canines was evaluated with a spectrophotometer after one week of wash-out. After 1 month, the color of the central incisors and canines was measured again, and the volunteers were molded to obtain a second replica to the final roughness analysis. Data were submitted to ANOVA-one way (p≤0.05). The results showed that there was no statistical difference between the dentifrices for color difference and surface roughness for all the studied conditions. It was possible to conclude that the whitening dentifrices used in this study were not able to alter the initial color of the teeth and did not cause changes in the surface roughness of enamel.

Influence of additional adhesive application on the microtensile bond strength of adhesive systems.

This study evaluated microtensile bond strength (pTBS) when an additional adhesive layer was applied to the dentin surface. Thirty-five human third molars were flattened to expose the occlusal dentin surface. The teeth were randomly assigned to 7 experimental groups: G1-Single Bond (SB); G2-additional layer of SB; G3--a layer of Scotchbond Multi-purpose (SMP) adhesive applied over SB; G4-Clearfil SE Bond (CE); G5-additional layer of CE; G6-Adper Prompt (AP) and G7-additional layer of AP. For the G2, G3, G5 and G7 groups, the first adhesive layer was light-cured before application of the additional layer. After bonding procedures, 5-mm high composite crowns were incrementally built up. The samples were sectioned to obtain 0.9 x 0.9 beams, which were tested under tension at a crosshead speed of 0.5-mm/minute until failure. The failure mode and adhesive thickness were evaluated under SEM. The pTBS data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and post-hoc Ducan's Test (a=0.05). Mean adhesive thickness was analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test (a=0.05). The results indicated that G3 presented the highest microTBS and the thickest adhesive layer. G6 and G7 presented the lowest microTBS values. When solvent-free adhesives systems were used, microTBS values were not affected by the thicker layer.

Fracture resistance of premolar teeth restored with different filling techniques.

The aim of this study is to verify the fracture resistance of premolars with large mesiocclusodistal (MOD) preparations with composite resin using different incremental techniques when subjected to an occlusal load. Forty maxillary premolar teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n=10). Class II MOD cavities were prepared in all specimens with parallel walls and no approximal boxes. The resulting isthmus width was 1/3 the distance between the cusp tips and (3/4) the height of the crown. Teeth in group I, the control group, were not restored. Specimens in group II were restored in three incremental vertical layers. Group III specimens were restored in three horizontal layers, and finally, specimens in group IV were restored in oblique layers. With exception of the placement technique, specimens in groups II, III and IV were restored using the Single Bond adhesive system and P60 composite resin following manufacturer's recommendations. A 4 mm diameter steel sphere contacted the buccal and lingual cusps of the tested teeth at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture occurred. The values obtained in this study were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey-Kramer test. Only group I (non-restored) obtained a minor means of fracture resistance. No significant differences among groups II, III, and IV were found. This study shows on large MOD cavities the incremental filling techniques do not influence the fracture resistance of premolar teeth restored with composite resin.