Shear Bond Strength of Rebonded Ceramic Brackets Using Four Different Methods of Adhesive Removal.

OBJECTIVES: Rebonding of isolated brackets is an economic option that can be conducted using available in-office or commercial recycling methods. Nowadays, lasers are known as an efficient modality for composite removal, but there is not much information available about using lasers for removal of adhesive remnants from the ceramic bracket base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty human premolar teeth were divided into five groups. Samples in all groups were bonded to ceramic brackets. Brackets in four groups were debonded and the remaining adhesive was removed by Er:YAG laser, Er;Cr:YSGG laser, sandblasting or direct flame. After removing adhesives from the tooth surfaces by carbide bur, the recycled brackets were bonded again. in the control group, new ceramic brackets were bonded. Finally, all brackets were debonded by universal testing machine and their shear bond strength (SBS) was measured. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) was calculated under a stereomicroscope at ×10 magnification. Data were analyzed using oneway ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: SRS values showed no significant difference among the five groups (P=0.568). The highest SRS was noted in the control group (7.46±1.4 MPa), followed by Er:YAG laser group (7.40±1.24 Mpa) and the lowest was noted in the flame group (6.32±2.3 Mpa). ARI scores indicated that most of the adhesive remained on the tooth surface in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Recycling of ceramic brackets with Er:YAG laser is an efficient in-office method which causes the least damage to the bracket base. However, all methods of bracket recycling showed acceptable SBS.

Amalgam Surface Treatment by Different Output Powers of Er:YAG Laser:SEM Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate amalgam surfaces treated by different output powers of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser by scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: Twenty-one amalgam blocks (8 mm × 8 mm, 3 mm thickness) were prepared by condensing silver amalgam (into putty impression material. After keeping them for 24 hours in distilled water, they were divided into 7 groups as follow: G1: Er:YAG laser (1 W, 50 mJ), G2: Er:YAG laser (2 W, 100 mJ), G3: Er:YAG laser (3 W, 150 mJ), G4: Sandblast, G5: Sandblast + Er:YAG laser (1 W, 50 mJ), G6: Sandblast +Er:YAG laser (2 W, 100 mJ) and G7: Sandblast +Er:YAG laser (3 W, 150 mJ). Then after preparation of all samples, they were examined by SEM. RESULTS: The SEM results of amalgam surfaces treated by different output powers of Er:YAG laser showed some pitting areas with non-homogenous irregularities Conclusion: It seems that the application of sandblasting accompanied by Er:YAG laser irradiation can provide proper surface for bonding of orthodontic brackets.

Neck and upper extremity symptoms among male dentists and pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: There are many studies discussed about musculoskeletal disorders in dentists, but most of them do not have a control group. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess neck and upper limb symptoms in male dentists in comparison with pharmacists. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 252 male general dentists compared with 188 male general pharmacists with Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Subjects were at least one year in clinical practice after becoming qualified. The data were analyzed using a series of univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Having at least one neck or upper extremity symptom in the past 12 months (OR = 3.2, P< 0.001) was reported by 76.2% of the male dentists and 50.0% of the male pharmacists In logistic regression analyses, with adjustments for occupation, age, body mass index, smoking, working years and weekly work hours, there was a significant association between dentistry and 12-month period prevalence symptoms of neck (OR = 2.136), shoulder (OR = 2.059) and elbow (OR = 4.167). Second logistic regression model in male dentists indicated that working years was negatively related to self-reported symptoms of neck, shoulder and hand. CONCLUSIONS: Male dentists are at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities more than male pharmacists.

Shear bond strength of metal brackets to feldspathic porcelain treated by Nd:YAG laser and hydrofluoric acid.

Adult orthodontic treatment requires bonding orthodontic attachment to dental restorations. Ceramics are commonly used as esthetic restorative materials for the crowns and bridges. The present study evaluated the shear bond strength of metal orthodontic brackets to the feldspathic porcelain surfaces following conditioning by different powers of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and hydrofluoric acid as a conventional method. Seventy-two glazed porcelain samples were prepared and randomly attributed to six equal groups of 12. In the conventional hydrofluoric (HF) group, the specimens were etched by 9.6% hydrofluoric acid for 4 min. In laser groups, samples were conditioned by 0.75-, 1-, 1.25-, 1.5-, and 2-W Nd:YAG laser for 10 s. Metal brackets were bonded to porcelain samples and after being stored in distilled water for 24 h, they were subjected to thermocycling for 500 cycles. The debonding was carried out by a Zwick testing machine. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tamhane multiple comparisons tests. The mean ± SD of the shear bond strength in the laser group 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 2 W and HF group was 2.2 ± 0.9, 4.2 ± 1.1, 4.9 ± 2.4, 7 ± 1.7, 9.6 ± 2.7, and 9.4 ± 2.5, respectively. Together with the increased power of laser, the mean shear bond strength was increased continuously and no significant differences were found between the HF group and the laser groups with power of 1.5 or 2 W. Also, there was no significant difference between all test groups in ARI scores. There was no significant difference between bond strength of laser groups with power of 1.5 and 2 W and HF-etched group. So, Nd:YAG laser with appropriate parameters can be used as an alternative method for porcelain etching.

Scanning Electron Microscope Comparative Evaluation of Feldspathic Porcelain Surfaces under Irradiation by Different Powers of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser.

INTRODUCTION: Recent use of lasers for porcelain surface treatment for adhesion of brackets to restorations has not only showed some promising results, but is also accompanied with less undesirable effects among other advantages. The purpose of this study is the comparative electron microscope evaluation of feldspathic porcelain surfaces under irradiation by Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) with different powers (0.75, 1.5 and 2W) via the acid etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF) technique. METHODS: The glazed porcelain samples were obtained by duplicating labial surfaces of maxillary central incisor teeth. The specimens were randomly treated by 4 different methods. Group1 was etched with hydrofluoric acid 9.6%. Samples in group 2 to 4 were also irradiated by Nd:YAG laser with different powers: 0.75, 1.5 and 2W. Then the samples were prepared for evaluation by scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: Etching quality from a porosity point of view was similar for group2 and HF group. Laser with power of 0.75W has little potential to create mechanical porosity. CONCLUSION: In regard of the results of this study, it is possible to benefit from Nd:YAG laser with appropriate parameters for surface conditioning.