Evaluation of color and translucency of stained and glazed monolithic lithium disilicates and zirconia after toothbrushing with different dentifrices and thermocycling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in color and translucency of stained and glazed monolithic lithium disilicates and zirconia under toothbrushing with conventional or whitening dentifrices followed by thermocycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples (n=20/material) from CAD/CAM (IPS e.max CAD[EC]) and pressable (IPS e.max Press[EP]) lithium disilicates and 4Y-TZP zirconia (Prettau 4 Anterior[PA]) were prepared and received staining and glazing procedures. Aging was performed by toothbrushing with conventional (n=10) or whitening (n=10) dentifrices, followed by thermocycling, simulating 5, 10, and 15-years. Color coordinates L*, a*, b*, C*, and h° values were assessed with a spectrophotometer at baseline and after each aging period to calculate changes in color (ΔE00), lightness (ΔL*), and translucency (T.P.). Data were analyzed by 3-way repeated measures ANOVAs followed by Sidak's post-hoc tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Comparing the dentifrices, EC and EP produced the greatest ΔE00 after 15-years with the whitening dentifrice (P<.05). Regardless of the dentifrice, PA showed higher ΔE00 than EC after 10-years (P<.05). Comparing the aging periods, EC and PA did not show differences in ΔE00 for both dentifrices (P≥.05). EC and EP produced an increased ΔL* after 15-years in the whitening group (P<.05). In the whitening groups, the ΔL* values of PA differ (P<.005) from those of lithium disilicates. Regardless of the experimental group, the T.P. values followed the inequality PA〈EC〈EP (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the color of stained/glazed monolithic lithium disilicates and zirconia changed under aging with greater effects for whitening dentifrice. The aging did not influence translucency.

In vitro mechanical test of grid plates for mandibular angle fractures.

This study evaluated, by mechanical testing, the strength of four-hole grid plates used for mandibular angle fracture fixation. Much has been discussed about the treatment of mandibular fractures with straight or curved plates. However, there are few studies about the use of grid plates. The geometry of such plates provides three-dimensional stability, resistance against torque associated with a low profile. Ninety polyurethane hemimandibles were used as substratum. The hemimandibles were divided into nine groups and fixation of the fractures was performed varying the type and position of plate and type of screw. An intact hemimandible group was used as control. It was possible to observe that plates positioned at the tension zone present the highest load values, both for dislocations of 3 and 5 mm. There was no statistical difference when plates with or without an intermediate bar were tested. The locking screws were more efficient than the non-locking screws when the plates were positioned at the neutral zone. Results allowed us to conclude that grid plates installed at the tension zone presented greater mechanical efficiency. If grid plates are positioned at the neutral zone, they should have an intermediate bar and be fixed with locking screws.

Maxillary rehabilitation using fixed and removable partial dentures with attachments: a clinical report.

Despite requiring dental crown preparation and possible root canal treatment, besides the difficulty of clinical and laboratory repairs, and financial burden, the association between fixed (FPD) and removable partial dentures (RPD) by means of attachments is an important alternative for oral rehabilitation, particularly when the use of dental implants and FPDs is limited or not indicated. Among the advantages of attachment-retained RPDs are the improvements in esthetics and biomechanics, as well as correction of the buccal arrangement of anterior teeth in Kennedy Class III partially edentulous arches. This article describes the treatment sequence and technique for the use of attachments in therapy combining FPD/RPD.

Effect of particle size on the flexural strength and phase transformation of an airborne-particle abraded yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Because airborne-particle abrasion is an efficient method of improving the bond at the zirconia-cement interface, understanding its effect on the strength of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal is important. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the particle size used for airborne-particle abrasion on the flexural strength and phase transformation of a commercially available yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For both flexural strength (20.0 × 4.0 × 1.2 mm) (n=14) and phase transformation (14.0-mm diameter × 1.3-mm thickness) (n=4), the zirconia specimens were made from Lava, and their surfaces were treated in the following ways: as-sintered (control); with 50-µm aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles; with 120-µm Al2O3 particles; with 250-µm Al2O3 particles; with 30-µm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Cojet Sand); with 120-µm Al2O3 particles, followed by 110-µm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec Plus); and with Rocatec Plus. The phase transformation (%) was assessed by x-ray diffraction analysis. The 3-point flexural strength test was conducted in artificial saliva at 37°C in a mechanical testing machine. The data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference post hoc test (α=.05). RESULTS: Except for the Cojet Sand group, which exhibited statistically similar flexural strength to that of the as-sintered group and for the group abraded with 250-µm Al2O3 particles, which presented the lowest strength, airborne-particle abrasion with the other particle sizes provided the highest values, with no significant difference among them. The as-sintered specimens presented no monoclinic phase. The groups abraded with smaller particles (30 µm and 50 µm) and those treated with the larger ones (110 µm and/or 120 µm particles and 250 µm) exhibited percentages of monoclinic phase that varied from 4% to 5% and from 8.7% to 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Except for abrasion with Cojet Sand, depending on the particle size, zirconia exhibited an increase or a decrease in its flexural strength. Airborne-particle abrasion promoted phase transformation (tetragonal to monoclinic), and the percentage of monoclinic phase varied according to the particle size.

Fracture strength of incisor crowns after intracoronal bleaching with sodium percarbonate.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the fracture resistance of bovine teeth after intracoronal bleaching with sodium percarbonate (SPC) or sodium perborate (SP) mixed with water or 20% hydrogen peroxide (HP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted bovine teeth were divided into four experimental groups (G1-G4) and one control (n = 10) after endodontic treatment. Following root canal obturation, a glass ionomer barrier was placed at the cemento-enamel junction. After that, the pulp chambers were filled with: G1 - SP with water; G2 - SP with 20% HP; G3 - SPC with water; and G4 - SPC with 20% HP. No bleaching agent was used in the control group. Coronal access cavities were sealed with glass ionomer and specimens were immersed in artificial saliva. The bleaching agents were replaced after 7 days, and teeth were kept in artificial saliva for an additional 7 days, after which the pastes were removed and the coronal access cavities were restored with glass ionomer. Crowns were subjected to compressive load at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm min(-1) applied at 135° to the long axis of the root by an EMIC DL2000 testing machine, until coronal fracture. Data were statistically analysed by anova and Tukey test. RESULTS: No differences in fracture resistance were observed between the experimental groups (P > 0.05). However, all experimental groups presented lower fracture resistance than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SPC and SP led to equal reduction on fracture resistance of dental crowns, regardless of being mixed with water or 20% HP.

Flexural strength of autopolymerizing denture reline resins with microwave postpolymerization treatment.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Microwave postpolymerization has been suggested as a method to improve the mechanical strength of repaired denture base materials. However, the effect of microwave heating on the flexural strength of the autopolymerizing denture reline resins has not been investigated. PURPOSE: This study analyzed the effect of microwave postpolymerization on the flexural strength of 4 autopolymerizing reline resins (Duraliner II, Kooliner, Ufi Gel Hard, and Tokuso Rebase Fast) and 1 heat-polymerized resin (Lucitone 550). MATERIAL AND METHODS: For each material, 80 specimens (64 x 10 x 3.3 mm) were polymerized according to the manufacturer's instructions and divided into 10 groups (n = 8). Control group specimens remained as processed. Before testing, the specimens were subjected to postpolymerization in a microwave oven using different power (500, 550, or 650 W) and time (3, 4, or 5 minutes) settings. Load measurements (newtons) were made at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min using a 3-point bending device with a span of 50 mm. The flexural strength values were calculated in MPa. Data analyses included 3-way and 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test (alpha = .05). RESULTS: The flexural strengths of resins Duraliner II and Kooliner were significantly increased (P = .0015 and P = .0046, respectively) with the application of microwave irradiation using different time/power combinations. The materials Lucitone 550, Tokuso Rebase Fast, and Ufi Gel Hard demonstrated no significant strength improvement compared to the corresponding control. Only after microwave postpolymerization irradiation for 3 minutes at 550 W did Lucitone 550 show significantly higher flexural strength (P =.001) than Tokuso Rebase Fast and Ufi Gel Hard relining resins. CONCLUSION: Microwave postpolymerization irradiation can be an effective method for increasing the flexural strength of Duraliner II (at 650 W) and Kooliner (at 550 W and 650 W for 5 minutes).