Do tooth-supported zirconia restorations present more technical failures related to fracture or loss of retention? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review was performed to determine the main cause of technical failure of tooth-supported zirconia crowns and fixed partial dentures (FPDs), categorizing them as fracture/chipping or loss of retention/decementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic and manual searches were performed for randomized clinical trials, prospective clinical trials, and prospective cohort studies that reported the technical failure rates of zirconia restorations. The Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scale were used to assess the quality of the studies. RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included and most of them had unclear risk of bias. Considering all reported fractures/chipping, for veneered crowns with 1 to 3 years of follow-up, the relative risk (RR) of fracture in relation to loss or retention was 3.95 (95% CI 1.18-13.23; p = 0.03). For 4 to 6 years of follow-up, the RR was 5.44 (95% CI 1.41-20.92; p = 0.01). For veneered FPDs with 1 to 3 years of follow-up, the RR was 5.98 (95% CI 2.31-15.01; p = 0.0002). For 4 to 6 years of follow-up, the RR was 3.70 (95% CI 1.63-8.41; p = 0.002). For 7 years or more of follow-up, the RR was 3.45 (95% CI 1.84-6.46; p = 0.0001). When only framework fractures were considered, there were no significant differences for the RR in all follow-up periods (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher RR for fracture/chipping in relation to decementation for veneered zirconia crowns and FPDs at all follow-up times. For framework fractures, no difference was observed between the risk of failure of the restoration due to fracture or decementation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Zirconia crowns and FPDs showed relatively high success and survival rates. However, considering the technical failures, there is approximately four times higher chance of fracture/chipping than loss of retention for both single and multi-unit tooth-supported veneered zirconia restorations.

Retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation of restored endodontically treated teeth.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a clinical and radiographic analysis of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) restored with cast metal posts (CMPs) or prefabricated glass fiber posts (GFPs) and crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty ETT were restored with 25 CMPs and 25 GFPs at a private dental clinic between 2001 and 2016. The restorations consisted of 12 all-ceramic crowns, 31 metal-ceramic crowns, and 7 composite resin crowns. Demographic data, type of teeth, type of post-and-core system, time of placement, crown restorations, the number of proximal contacts, the type of antagonist, and reports of any complications after post-and-core placement were recorded for each patient. Assessments were performed at baseline (radiographic) and follow-up (radiographic and clinical). Data were analyzed by the McNemar test, the Pearson χ2 test, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves (α = 0.05). The mean follow-up was 67.6 months. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed for any of the radiographic parameters when the baseline and final radiographs were compared. In the clinical evaluation, anatomical form (p = 0.009) and occlusion (p = 0.001) showed significant differences according to the type of crown restoration; specifically, metal-ceramic and all-ceramic crowns outperformed composite resin crowns. CONCLUSIONS: CMPs and GFPs showed favorable results for restoring ETT after 6 years of follow-up. All-ceramic and metal-ceramic crowns showed higher survival rates and better clinical outcomes.

Do anterior and posterior teeth treated with post-and-core restorations have similar failure rates? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The association between tooth type, location in the dental arch, and selection of a post-and-core system for endodontically treated teeth is unclear. Information on the influence of these parameters on the failure rate of teeth treated with post-and-core restorations is needed. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the available evidence on the failure rates of anterior and posterior teeth treated with post-and-core restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database, Brazilian Library in Dentistry, Cochrane Library, and Gray literature for randomized clinical trials comparing the failure rates of anterior and posterior teeth treated with post-and-core restorations. The risk of bias tool from the Cochrane Collaboration was used for quality assessment of the studies. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 2526 articles, and 6 studies were included in the meta-analysis. No difference in the failure rate of post-and-core restorations placed in anterior and posterior teeth was found in most studies. The risk ratio for anterior versus posterior teeth was 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-1.64; P=.79). The risk ratio for incisors versus canines was 3.08 (95% CI, 0.56-17.04; P=.20) and that for premolars versus molars was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.12-1.74; P=.25). The risk ratio for prefabricated glass fiber posts on anterior versus posterior teeth was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.61-2.09; P=.70) and that for metal posts was 1.10 (95% CI, 0.64-1.91; P=.72). CONCLUSIONS: The failure rates in anterior and posterior teeth treated with post-and-core restorations were similar at short- to medium-term follow-up. More well-designed clinical trials comparing the survival and failure rates of anterior and posterior teeth treated with post-and-core restorations with longer follow-up times are needed.

Effect of different bleaching protocols on whitening efficiency and enamel superficial microhardness.

BACKGROUND: Tooth bleaching is a popular aesthetic treatment to modify the color of teeth. Despite the extensive literature concerning the subject, there is still no consensus regarding the application mode of the different bleaching agents and their effect on enamel. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of different bleaching protocols on whitening efficiency and enamel superficial hardness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bovine enamel fragments were embedded in acrylic resin and wet-sanded to obtain a flat buccal surface. The specimens were then randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10), based on the bleaching material [HP Maxx 35% (35% hydrogen peroxide), HP Blue 35% (35% hydrogen peroxide + Ca) and Whiteness Perfect 10% (10% carbamide peroxide)] and application mode (3 applications of 15 min, 1 application of 45 min, 1 application of 1h30 or 1 application of 3h30). The color and superficial hardness were assessed before and after bleaching. The color was assessed by means of a digital spectrophotometer, using CIELab parameters. Vickers hardness was determined using a load of 200g for 10s. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Concerning the color alteration, the groups were similar to each other, except for at-home bleaching protocols, which were statistically different from each other. Similarly, there was a reduction in hardness values comparing the initial and final periods, with lowest final hardness for the at-home bleaching protocol group applied for 3h30. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the bleaching protocols influenced the final color and enamel surface hardness, evidencing that lower gel concentrations applied for longer periods promoted greater variation in color and lower final hardness. Key words:Tooth bleaching, roughness, microhardness, in-office, at-home bleaching.

Digital smile design and mock-up technique for esthetic treatment planning with porcelain laminate veneers.

The use of digital tools offers a new perspective to daily clinical activities. The digital information serves as a starting point for a wax-up and intraoral mock-up, which is widely reported in literature as an objective and efficient communication tool among dentist, patient, and technician. This case report of a maxillary anterior rehabilitation demonstrates esthetic planning with the digital smile design (DSD) system and a direct mock-up technique. After preoperative photographs were obtained, digital planning was created using DSD. However, due to differences in virtual simulation, a direct mock-up with composite resin was performed. Porcelain laminate veneers using feldspathic ceramics were used to restore the anterior teeth. Many times, the DSD simulation is not enough for the patient to understand and observe the changes that will be performed on the anterior teeth. This combination of techniques can offer predictability to results as well increasing the patient expectation satisfaction.

Effect of surface treatments on the bond strength of CAD/CAM fiberglass posts.

BACKGROUND: There is no ideal protocol for the surface treatment of fiber posts, especially when using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) experimental fiberglass block. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of a CAD/CAM customized glass fiber post and core after applying different surface treatment techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty premolars were prepared to receive a customized CAD/CAM glass-fiber post and core obtained from an experimental block of glass fiber and epoxy resin. The specimens were randomly distributed in 4 groups (n=10) according to the post and core surface treatment: ETH - 70% ethanol; HP - 24% hydrogen peroxide for 1 minute; ETH/S - 70% ethanol + silane; HP/S - 24% hydrogen peroxide + silane. The universal adhesive containing silane was applied on the posts and prepared post spaces in all groups. The posts were cemented using dual cure resin cement. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h, cut (two slices of 1 mm for each root third - coronal, middle, and apical) and subjected to push-out test (0.5 mm/min). Data was subjected to two-way ANOVA (surface treatment and root third) and Tukey's test (α=0,05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference of bond strength values among groups, regardless the surface treatment (p >0.05). There was significant difference on bond strength values for the different root thirds (p<0.05) (coronal>middle=apical). CONCLUSIONS: The different surface treatment and application of additional silane in the CAD/CAM customized glass-fiber post and core does not interfere on bond strength values. The root dentin third interfered on the bond strength, with higher values for the coronal third. Key words:Post and core technique, cad/cam, shear strength, hydrogen peroxide.

Long-term evaluation of crown and root discoloration induced by different endodontic sealers

Aim: To evaluate crown and root discoloration promoted by different endodontic sealers after root canal filling. Methods: Eighty bovine incisors were prepared and filled with: Endofill, Sealer 26, AH Plus, and MTA Fillapex. Color was recorded using a spectrophotometer before endodontic treatment (T0) and at 24 hours (T1), seven days (T2), 30 days (T3), and 90 days (T4) after treatment. Analyses were performed on the middle and cervical regions of the crown, and on the cervical third of the root, immediately below the cementoenamel junction. The color alterations (ΔE) were calculated using Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b parameters, and data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results: All sealers induced color alterations. Sealer 26 resulted in the smallest changes in color (E = 5.32). The other materials did not present statistical differences (AH Plus E = 6.98; MTA Fillapex E = 6.88; Endofill E = 6.41). Of the three regions analyzed, the largest discoloration was observed at the cervical third of the root (E=10.67). In terms of time, the largest ΔE values (E=7.72) were observed at T4. Color changes at T1 (E=5.88), T2 (E=6.10), and T3 (E=5.89) were statistically similar. Conclusions: All endodontic sealers promoted discoloration on the tooth crown and root

Enamel and Dentin Surface Finishing Influence on the Roughness and Microshear Bond Strength of a Lithium Silicate Glass-Ceramic for Laminate Veneers.

Objectives. This study evaluated the influence of cavity surface finishing with diamond burs of different grit mounted on high-speed turbine and ultrasound on the roughness and microshear bond strength (MBS) of a lithium silicate glass-ceramic to enamel and dentin. Methods. Enamel and dentin specimens were divided into seven groups, according to the type of surface finishing: 1200-grit sandpaper (control), two different brands of medium-grit and fine-grit diamond burs in a high-speed turbine; medium-grit and fine-grit CVD (chemical vapor deposition) tips in an ultrasonic device. Roughness parameters (n = 5) and MSBS to a glass-ceramic (n = 10) were determined. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%). Results. Control group showed lower mean roughness readings and groups that used medium-grit diamond burs showed the highest mean roughness values. Regarding MSBS, there was no statistical difference when comparing the groups gritted with the same brand of medium- and fine-grit burs and tips. Conclusions. Cavity surface finishing influenced the roughness parameters and MSBS of a glass-ceramic to enamel and dentin. Medium-grit diamond burs in high-speed turbine showed the highest mean roughness values. Fine-grit CVD tips in ultrasound presented the highest MSBS values for both enamel and dentin.