High-Translucency Zirconia Following Chemical Vapor Deposition with SiH4: Evidence of Surface Modifications and Improved Bonding.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) with silicon hydride (SiH4) at different times on HT-zirconia surface characteristics and bonding of composite cement before and after thermocycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blocks of HT zirconia were obtained, polished, sintered and divided into five groups, according to PECVD time (n = 31): Zr-30 (30 s), Zr-60 (60 s), Zr-120 (120 s) and Zr-300 (300 s). The control group (Zr-0) did not receive PECVD. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in conjunction with field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), goniometry, and profilometry tests were used for chemical and topographic characterization. Monobond N silane (Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to the surface, and a cylinder of composite cement (Variolink N) was made (3 x 3 mm). Half of the specimens of each group were stored for 24 h or subjected to thermocycling (6 x 103 cycles). A shear bond strength (SBS) test was performed. Results were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: For experimental groups, XPS showed that formation of Si-O bonds contributed to increased surface free energy (SFE). FE-SEM and EDS showed that the longer the deposition time, the greater the amount of silicon on the surface. Zr-60 and Zr-300 presented higher and lower surface roughnesses, respectively. The silicon penetrated the microstructure, causing higher stress concentrations. The bond strength to composite cement was improved after all PECVD deposition times. CONCLUSION: The PECVD technique with SiH4, associated with chemical treatment with primer based on silane methacrylate, is a solely chemical surface treatment capable of maintaining bonding between composite cement and HT zirconia.

Effect of the nanofilm-coated zirconia ceramic on resin cement bond strength.

Background. New surface treatments have been proposed to expand the clinical indications of zirconia prostheses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silica and fluorine nanofilms on zirconia ceramic on the resin cement bond strength. Methods. Zirconia blocks and discs underwent different surface treatments: untreated zirconia (CON), sandblasted, silica-coated alumina particles (30 µm) (SC), silica nanofilm (SN), and fluorine nanofilm (FN). Nanofilm deposition was performed through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Zirconia surfaces were characterized on disks by morphology (atomic force microscopy, AFM), chemical analysis (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS), and contact angle analysis. A silane coupling agent was applied on each treated surface, and a cylinder of resin cement was built up. Half of the specimens in each group were submitted to 6000 thermal cycles (TC). Bond strength was analyzed using the shear test, and the fractographic analysis was performed with stereomicroscopy and SEM/EDS. Statistical analysis was performed through one-way ANOVA and Tukey test in the non-aged and aged specimens. Results. Nanofilms modified the zirconia surface, which became more hydrophilic and chemically reactive. Chemical bonding between Si-O was found in SN, and FN promoted a fluorination process on the ceramic surface, converting zirconia into zirconium oxyfluoride. Specimens of the SN (TC) group failed on pre-testing. FN (TC) bond strength (3.8 MPa) was lower than SC (TC) and CON (TC) after shearing. Adhesive failure predominated in the experimental groups. Silica nanofilm failure occurred after aging. Conclusion. Silica and fluorine nanofilms deposited by PECVD did not promote effective bonding between zirconia and resin cement.

Bioactivity of an Experimental Dental Implant with Anodized Surface.

BACKGROUND: Several studies proved that anodic oxidation improves osseointegration. This study aimed to optimize osseointegration through anodization in dental implants, obtaining anatase phase and controlled nanotopography. METHODS: The division of the groups with 60 titanium implants was: control (CG); sandblasted (SG); anodized (AG): anodized pulsed current (duty cycle 30%, 30 V, 0.2 A and 1000 Hz). Before surgery, surface characterization was performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman Spectroscopy. For in vivo tests, 10 New Zealand white rabbits received an implant from each group. The sacrifice period was 2 and 6 weeks (n = 5) and the specimens were subjected to computed microtomography (µCT) and reverse torque test. RESULTS: AFM and SEM demonstrated a particular nanotopography on the surface in AG; the anatase phase was proved by Raman spectroscopy. In the µCT and in the reverse torque test, the AG group presented better results than the other groups. CONCLUSION: The chemical composition and structure of the TiO2 film were positively affected by the anodizing technique, intensifying the biological characteristics in osseointegration.

Synergistic effect of adding bioglass and carbon nanotubes on poly (lactic acid) porous membranes for guided bone regeneration.

Polymer membranes have been widely used in guided bone regeneration (GBR), especially when it comes to their use in dentistry. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) have good mechanical properties such as flexibility, which allows the material to be moldable and also has biocompatibility and biodegradation. Besides that, bioglass (BG) incorporated into the polymer matrix can promote osteoinduction properties and osteoconduction properties to the polymer-ceramic biocomposite. The membranes are also required to exhibit antimicrobial activity to prevent or control the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, and the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) can assist in this property. The porous membranes of PLA with the addition of different contents of BG and CNT were obtained by solvent casting in controlled humidity method, and the synergistic effect of the addition of both fillers were investigated. The membranes showed pores (3-11 µm) on their surface. The addition of 5 wt% BG causes an increase in the surface porosity and bioactivity properties of the PLA. The agar diffusion test showed antimicrobial activity in the membranes with addition of CNT. In vitro results showed that the porous membranes were not cytotoxic and allowed cell activity and differentiation. Thus, BG collaborated to increase biological activity while CNT contributed to microbial activity, creating a synergistic effect on PLA porous membranes, being this effect more evident for PLA/5BG/1.0CNT. These results indicated a promising use of this new biomaterial for the production of porous membranes for GBR.

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Reduces Trichophyton rubrum Adherence and Infection Capacity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) jet on Trichophyton rubrum growth, germination and adherence to nail. The effects of plasma jet on T. rubrum conidia germination and on mycelial growth were evaluated by in vitro assays. An ex vivo nail infection model was used to evaluate the effects on conidia adherence and infection. Biochemical analyses of nail fragments exposed or not to CAPP were performed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Plasma jet exposure for 10 and 15 min completely inhibited mycelial growth after only one exposure. Fifteen minutes of exposure could reduce conidia germination in suspension. Fungal suspensions exposed to plasma jet for 10 and 15 min were not able to infect nail specimens. These results were corroborated by ATR-FTIR analyses of nail fragments. In conclusion, single exposure to CAPP for 15 min was able to inhibit fungal growth, adherence and infection capacity. The results suggest that cold atmospheric plasma jet can be a promising alternative for the treatment of onychomycoses caused by T. rubrum.

Microstructure characterization and SCG of newly engineered dental ceramics.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the microstructure of four dental CAD-CAM ceramics and evaluate their susceptibility to stress corrosion. METHODS: SEM and EDS were performed for microstructural characterization. For evaluation of the pattern of crystallization of the ceramics and the molecular composition, XRD and FTIR, respectively, were used. Elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, density and fracture toughness were also measured. The specimens were subjected to biaxial flexure under five stress rates (0.006, 0.06, 0.6, 6 and 60MPa/s) to determine the subcritical crack growth parameters (n and D). Twenty-five specimens were further tested in mineral oil for determination of Weibull parameters. Two hundred forty ceramic discs (12mm diameter and 1.2mm thick) were made from four ceramics: feldspathic ceramic - FEL (Vita Mark II, Vita Zahnfabrik), ceramic-infiltrated polymer - PIC (Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik), lithium disilicate - LD (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate - LS (Vita Suprinity, Vita Zahnfabrik). RESULTS: PIC discs presented organic and inorganic phases (n=29.1±7.7) and Weibull modulus (m) of 8.96. The FEL discs showed n=36.6±6.8 and m=8.02. The LD discs showed a structure with needle-like disilicate grains in a glassy matrix and had the lowest value of n (8.4±0.8) and m=6.19. The ZLS discs showed similar rod-like grains, n=11.2±1.4 and m=9.98. SIGNIFICANCE: The FEL and PIC discs showed the lowest susceptibility to slow crack growth (SCG), whereas the LD and ZLS discs presented the highest. PIC presented the lowest elastic modulus and no crystals in its composition, while ZLS presented tetragonal zirconia. The overall strength and SCG of the new materials did not benefit from the additional phase or microconstituents present in them.

Influência de Protocolos de Jateamento na Rugosidade da Superfície de uma Cerâmica de Zircônia Tetragonal Parcialmente Estabilizada por Ítria / Influence of Air Abrasion Protocols on the Surface Roughness of an Yttria Partially Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Ceramic

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência de diferentes protocolos de jateamento na rugosidade superficial de uma cerâmica policristalina de zircônia tetragonal estabilizada com ítria(Y-TZP), assim como a topografia superficial da cerâmica após o tratamento.Método: A partir de dois blocos cerâmicos (LAVA, 3M ESPE), obtiveramse 54 espécimes (7,5x4x7,5mm), sendo estes regularizados com lixas dÆágua em granulação fina e sinterizados em forno específico do sistema cerâmico. Em seguida, os corpos de prova foram incluídos em resina acrílica e as superfícies a serem tratadas foram lixadas em politriz com lixas dÆágua em granulação decrescente (600 a 1.200), associadas a pastas de polimento de 10µm, 3µm e sílica coloidal em disco de feltro, sendo distribuídas aleatoriamente em 9 grupos, de acordo com os fatores ôpartículaõ e ôpressãoõ(n=6): Gr1- controle; Gr2-Al2O3(50µm)/2,5bar; Gr3- Al2O3(110µm)/2,5 bar; Gr4-SiO2(30µm)/2,5bar; Gr5- SiO2(30µm)/2,5bar; Gr6- Al2O3(50µm)/3,5bar; Gr7- Al2O3(110µm)/3,5bar; Gr8- SiO2(30µm)/3,5bar; Gr9-SiO2(30µm)/3,5bar. Após os tratamentos, a rugosidade das superfícies foi analisada por meio de um perfilômetro óptico digital e a morfologia, por meio de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Os dados (µm) obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística por meio do teste de Dunnett (5%), ANOVA (2 fatores) e teste de Tukey (5%).Resultados: O tipo de partícula (p=0,0001) e a pressão (p=0,0001) utilizada no jateamento influenciaram os valores de rugosidade entre os grupos experimentais (ANOVA).

Os valores médios de rugosidade (µm) obtidos para os grupos experimentais (Gr2 a Gr9) foram, respectivamente: 0,37D; 0,56BC; 0,46BC; 0,48CD; 0,59BC; 0,82A; 0,53BCD; 0,67AB. A análise em MEV revelou que o Al2O3, independente do tamanho das partículas e da pressão utilizada, danificou a superfície dos espécimes, uma vez que foram observados danos superficiais na cerâmica, na forma de ranhuras e de lascamentos.Conclusão: O jateamento com Al2O3(110µm)/3,5bar foi o tratamento que promoveu a maior rugosidade nas superfícies cerâmicas, embora não signifique que este protocolo promova melhor união cerâmicacimento em relação aos demais tipos de jateamento

Objective: To evaluate the influence of different air abrasion protocols on the surface roughness of an yttria-stabilized polycrystalline tetragonal zirconia) (Y-TZP) ceramic, as well as the surface topography of the ceramic after the treatment. Method: Fifty-four specimens (7.5x4x7.5mm) obtained from two ceramic blocks (LAVA, 3M ESPE) were flattened with fine-grit sandpaper and subjected to sintering in the ceramic systemÆs specific firing oven. Next, the specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and the surfaces to be treated were polished in a polishing machine using sandpapers of decreasing abrasion (600- to 1,200-grit) followed by felt discs with 10µm and 3µm polishing pastes and colloidal silica. The specimens were then randomly assigned to 9 groups, according to factors ôparticleõ and ôpressureõ(n=6): Gr1- control; Gr2-Al2O3(50µm)/2.5 bar; Gr3- Al2O3(110µm)/2.5 bar; Gr4- SiO2(30µm)/2.5 bar; Gr5- SiO2(30µm)/2.5 bar; Gr6- Al2O3(50µm)/3.5 bar; Gr7-Al2O3(110µm)/3.5 bar; Gr8- SiO2(30µm)/3.5 bar; Gr9- SiO2(30µm)/3.5 bar. After treatments, surface roughness was analyzed by a digital optical profilometer and the morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data (µm) were subjected to statistical analysis by DunnettÆs test (5%), two-way ANOVA and TukeyÆs test (5%).Results: The type of particle (p=0.0001) and the pressure (p=0.0001) used in the air abrasion protocols influenced the surface roughness values among the experimental groups (ANOVA).

The mean surface roughness values (µm) obtained for the experimental groups (Gr2 to Gr9) were, respectively: 0.37D; 0.56BC; 0.46BC; 0.48CD; 0.59BC; 0.82A; 0.53BCD; 0.67AB. The SEM analysis revealed that Al2O3, regardless of the particle size and pressure used, caused damage to the surface of the specimens, as it produced superficial damages on the ceramic, in the form of grooves and cracks. Conclusion: Al2O3 (110 µm/3.5 bar) air abrasion promoted the highest surface roughness on the ceramics, but it does not mean that this protocol promotes better ceramic-cement union compared to the other air abrasion protocols