Influence of Irradiance and Exposure Times on the Mechanical and Adhesive Properties of Universal Adhesives with Dentin.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the influence of irradiance/exposure time on the Knoop hardness (KHN) and polymer cross-linking density (PCLD), as well as microtensile bond strength (µTBS), nanoleakage (NL), and in situ degree of conversion (DC) of universal adhesives. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two universal adhesive systems, Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (CUQ) and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SBU), were light-cured using various irradiance/exposure times: 1400 mW/cm2 for 5 s (1400*5); 1400 mW/cm2 for 10 s (1400*10); 3200 mW/cm2 for 5 s (3200*5); and 3200 mW/cm2 for 10 s (3200*10). Adhesive disks from each group were used to measure PCLD by KHN. One hundred and twenty-eight human molars were randomly assigned to 16 groups according to the following variables: adhesive system vs adhesive strategies vs radiance/exposure times. After restoration, specimens were sectioned into resin-dentin sticks and tested for µTBS, NL, and DC. The data from PCLD (%), KHN, µTBS (MPa), NL (%), and DC (%) data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significant reductions in KHN, µTBS, and DC (p=0.00001) values and an increase in NL and PCLD (p=0.00001) values were observed for 3200*10 when compared with other groups. Higher KHN, µTBS, and DC (p=0.000001) values were observed for 3200*5 in comparison with the other groups. The 1400*5 (7 J/cm2) and 1400*10 (14 J/cm2) groups showed intermediate values (p=0.000001). CONCLUSION: Although similar results in terms of hardness, polymer cross-linking density and nanoleakage were observed when 5 seconds at 3200 mW/cm2 and 10 seconds at 1400 mW/cm2 groups were compared, the use of higher irradiance (3200 mW/cm2) for only 5 seconds showed better results in terms of bond strength and degree of conversion for both universal adhesives to dentin. The prolonged exposure time (10 seconds) at the higher irradiance (3200 mW/cm2) showed the worst results.

Effects of Adjacent Tooth Type and Occlusal Fatigue on Proximal Contact Force of Posterior Bulk Fill and Incremental Resin Composite Restoration.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the proximal contact force in newtons (N) between incremental and bulk fill class II resin composite restorations and implant molar teeth or adjacent premolar teeth with simulated periodontal ligament. METHODS: The model used was created with a typodont first molar tooth with two bilateral occlusal-proximal class II cavities, an adjacent tooth simulating an implanted molar tooth (Titamax CM, Neodent, Curtiba, PR, Brazil) and a premolar with simulated periodontal ligament. Two resin composite restorative techniques were used: Inc-Z350XT, (Filtek Z350, 3M Oral Care, St. Paul, MN, USA) inserted incrementally and Bulk-OPUS, (Opus Bulk Fill APS, FGM, Joinville, SC, Brazil) high viscosity bulk fill resin composite (n=10). As a control, a typodont having intact teeth without restorations was used. After the restorative procedure, each specimen was radiographed using a digital system (Dürr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany). The proximal contact force (N) was measured using dental floss with a microtensile machine (Microtensile ODEME, Luzerna, SC, Brazil). The specimens were then subjected to mechanical fatigue cycling to simulate 5 years of aging. All the parameters were measured after aging. The X-rays were blindly qualitatively analyzed by two operators to identify the loss of proximal contact. One-way ANOVA was used for comparing the initial contact force between restored and intact teeth. Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey testing was performed for contact area data and for the contact force/contact area ratio. The proximal contact force data were analyzed using one-way repeated measurement ANOVA followed by Tukey testing (α=0.05). The X-ray proximal contact analyses were described by the frequency. RESULTS: The initial proximal contact force was similar for intact and restored teeth. The contact force and contact area with the molar were significantly higher than with the premolar; however the contact force/contact area ratio was similar for all tested groups. The bulk fill technique showed a contact force similar to the incremental filling technique. Fatigue resulted in a significant reduction in the proximal contact force (p<0.001), irrespective of the region analyzed or restorative material used. The digital X-rays detected no alteration in the proximal contact after occlusal fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Larger contact area resulted in higher proximal contact force. Proximal contact force decreased with 5 years of simulated occlusal fatigue. The bulk fill technique showed a proximal contact force similar to that of the incremental filling technique.