Enhancing Bond Strength of 3D-Printed Resin Posts Using Various Surface Pretreatments: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the impact of common surface pretreatments on the contact angle (CA), surface free energy (SFE), and push-out bond strength (PBS) of custom 3D-printed resin posts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post spaces of 60 endodontically treated mandibular premolars were prepared. Custom 3D-printed posts made from permanent crown resin were fabricated for 50 randomly selected post spaces. The specimens were then divided into six groups (n = 10) based on their surface pretreatment methods. These methods included sandblasting (SB), silane (SL), hydrofluoric acid (HF), and hydrogen peroxide (HP). Additionally, two control groups were established: glass fiber control (GFC) and permanent resin control (PRC). CA and SFE were measured for each 3D-printed post group. PBS and failure mode analyses were conducted. The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test (α = .05). RESULTS: The lowest CA values were found in the SB and SL groups. The SB group had the highest SFE compared to all other groups. SL markedly enhanced the PBS of the resin post compared to the PRC at the cervical, middle, and apical levels (P = .001, P = .000, and P = .002, respectively), and the values were comparable to those of the GFC (P = .695, P = .999, and P = .992, respectively). Except in the GFC, SB, and SL groups, mixed failure decreased from the cervical to apical levels, while adhesive failure rates increased. CONCLUSIONS: The application of silane and sandblasting to the surfaces of custom 3D-printed resin posts effectively increased their SFE, thereby enhancing their adhesion.

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Post and Core Systems.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the fracture resistance and elastic modulus of 3D-printed post and core systems and fiber posts and composite cores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endodontic treatment was performed on 30 mandibular premolars, and post space preparation was performed. The teeth were then randomly divided into two groups (n = 15 per group): the 3D-printed (3DP) group and the fiber post and composite core (FPC) group. In the FPC group, fiber posts (Cytec Blanco 43.604, Hahnenkratt) were bonded with resin cement (RelyX U200, 3M), and the composite core dimension was standardized with a silicone index. In the 3DP group, the impression of the post space for each specimen was taken with pattern resin (Pattern Resin, GC America), and the coronal core was produced with the same silicone index. The impressions of the posts and cores were scanned, and then the custom post and core structures were fabricated from permanent crown resin material (Permanent Crown Resin, Formlabs) with a 3D printer (Form3B, Formlabs). Specimens were subjected to load tests with a universal testing machine (M500-25AT, Testometric). After fracture occurred, the fracture force and elastic modulus were calculated. The data were analyzed by independent sample t test (α = .05) Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of peak fracture force (P = .626) and elastic modulus (P = .125), and no catastrophic root fractures were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth was not significantly influenced by the post material. 3D-printed, custom-made resin posts were as effective as fiber glass posts with regard to fracture resistance.

Effect of three different photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy on bond strength of a calcium silicate-based sealer to radicular dentin.

To evaluate the effect of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) using with different photosensitizers on the bond strength of BioRoot RCS (BR) to radicular dentin by comparing with AH Plus (AH). The shaped root canals of 80 human mandibular premolars were divided into four groups based on the final disinfection protocol: NaOCl/EDTA, PDT with methylene Blue (MB), PDT with curcumin (CUR) and PDT with toluidine blue O (TBO) (n = 20). Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups (n = 10), according to the endodontic sealer used for obturation (n = 10). The test of push-out bond strength (PBS) was performed using an universal test machine. The data were analysed using ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc, and independent sample t-test (α = 0.05). MB-BR group showed the highest PBS at the cervical level (p < 0.05). The selection of the photosensitizer in PDT influenced adhesion of root canal sealers to radicular dentin.

Comparative chemical properties, bioactivity, and cytotoxicity of resin-modified calcium silicate-based pulp capping materials on human dental pulp stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the cytotoxicity, the residual monomer release, degree of conversion (DC), calcium ion (Ca2+) release, and crystal structure of TheraCal PT (ThPT) by comparison with TheraCal LC (ThLC) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of the cured materials was evaluated on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) isolated from third molars by the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) method. The monomer release and DC of the resin-containing materials were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), respectively. The chemical composition and Ca2+ release of the materials were determined by scanning electronic microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), respectively. Statistical differences were evaluated with one-way ANOVA, repeated measure ANOVA, and the Tukey test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: MTA showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than either ThLC or ThPT after 1, 3, and 7 days (p < 0.05). TEGDMA release of ThPT is significantly higher than ThLC (p < 0.05). All materials showed calcium Ca2+ release, with MTA significantly higher than the others (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MTA showed low cytotoxicity and high Ca2+ release compared to ThLC and ThPT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The cytotoxicity and residual monomer release of ThLC and ThPT may raise concerns about the viability of hDPSCs. Further investigations with the use of in vivo research models are required to validate in vitro bioactivity properties and the potential adverse biological effects of ThLC and ThPT on hDPSCs.

AFM and SEM/EDS characterization of surfaces of fluorine-releasing bulk-fill restorative materials aged in common liquids.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the surface roughness (SR), surface microhardness (SH), and chemical composition of recently developed fluoride-releasing restorative materials aged in common liquids. METHODS: A total of 276 disc-shaped samples with a diameter of 8 mm and a height of 2 mm were prepared by using four restorative materials: alkasite, Activa, Equia Forte, and Zirconomer. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the Vickers microhardness test were used to measure SR and SH, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used for elemental analysis of the materials. The prepared samples were divided into 3 subgroups and immersed in coffee, cola, and saliva for 1 week at 37°C and 100% humidity. RESULTS: Cola and coffee significantly increased the SR of all materials except Zirconomer immersed in coffee (P < 0.05). The microhardness of alkasite and Activa significantly decreased in all liquids (P < 0.05) The percentage of fluorine (F) in the materials significantly changed after immersion for some liquids (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aging differentially affected the surface characteristics and elemental mass ratios of the studied materials.

Photodynamic therapy and gaseous ozone versus conventional post space treatment methods on the push-out bond strength of fiber posts luting with different resin cements.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the push-out bond strength of fiber posts by using two different resin cement after the treatments of post space with photodynamic therapy, gaseous ozone and conventional disinfection solution. METHODS: The root canal treatments of one hundred maxillary incisors were performed. The roots were randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 20). NaOCl of 2.5% + EDTA of 17% in group 1, CHX of 2% in group 2, toluidine blue + diode laser as the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in group 3 and ozone in group 4 were applied to the post spaces. Group 5 was washed with distilled water as control group. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to the adhesive types and the posts were bonded by using RelyX and LinkForce. The bond strength was calculated using the push-out test method. Resin tag formations were photographed with SEM. The push-out bond strength was analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (p = .05). RESULTS: The PDT group, which showed the highest PBS among the groups bonded with LinkForce at all levels, was significantly higher than Ozone and DW groups (p<.05). NaOCl and ozone treatments provided the highest PBS among the groups bonded with RelyX for all levels and this difference was significant according to the DW group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Post space treatments improved the bond strength of the fiber post ​​in both types of resin cement.

Dentinal microcrack formation during root canal preparations by different NiTi rotary instruments and the self-adjusting file.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare dentinal microcrack formation while using hand files (HFs), 4 brands of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files and the self-adjusting file. METHODS: One hundred forty mandibular first molars were selected: 20 teeth were left unprepared and served as control, and the remaining 120 teeth were divided into 6 groups. HFs, HERO Shaper (HS; Micro-Mega, Besancon, France), Revo-S (RS, Micro-Mega), Twisted File (TF; SybronEndo, Orange, CA), ProTaper (PT, Dentsply Maillefer), and SAFs were used to prepare the 2 mesial canals. Roots were then sectioned 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex, and the cut surface was observed under a microscope and checked for the presence of dentinal microcracks. RESULTS: The control, HF, and SAF groups did not show any microcracks. In roots prepared with the HS, RS, TF, and PT, dentinal microcracks were observed in 60%, 25%, 44%, and 30% of teeth, respectively. There was a significant difference between the control/HF/SAF group and the 4 NiTi rotary instrument groups (P < .0001). However, no significant difference was found among the 4 NiTi rotary instruments (P > .005). CONCLUSIONS: All rotary files created microcracks in the root dentin, whereas the SAF file and hand instrumentation presented with satisfactory results with no dentinal microcracks.