Stress Distribution on Various Implant-Retained Bar Overdentures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various fabrication techniques and materials used in implant-supported mandibular overdentures with a Hader bar attachment over added stress distribution. Three-dimensional geometric solid models, consisting of two implants (3.3 mm × 12 mm) placed at the bone level on both mandibular canine regions and a Hader bar structure, were prepared. Model 1 simulated a bar retentive system made from Titanium Grade 5 material by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling technique without using any converting adapter/multi-unit element on the implants, while Model 2 simulated the same configuration, but with converting adapters on the implants. Model 3 simulated a bar retentive system made from Cobalt-Chromium material, made by using conventional casting technique with converting adapters on the implants. Static loads of 100 Newton were applied on test models from horizontal, vertical and oblique directions. ANSYS R15.0 Workbench Software was used to compare Von Mises stress distribution and minimum/maximum principal stress values, and the results were evaluated by using Finite Element Analysis method. As a result, the highest stress distribution values under static loading in three different directions were obtained in Model 1. Stress was observed intensely around the necks of the implants and the surrounding cortical bone areas in all models. In scope of the results obtained, using converting adapters on implants has been considered to decrease transmission of forces onto implants and surrounding bone structures, thus providing a better stress distribution. It has also been observed that the type of material used for bar fabrication has no significant influence on stress values in those models where converting adapters were used.

Anatomical and Radiological Investigation of Dry Bone Adult Mandibles Having Impacted Third Molar Teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of the impacted mandibular third molars in dry bones adult mandibles. METHODS: The 198 dry bones adult mandibles gathered from the bone collections in Laboratory of the Anatomy Department of Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine were macroscopically examined for the presence of impacted mandibular third molars. The genders of the adult bones were unknown. The adult mandibles having impacted third molars were photographed with Canon 400B (55 mm objective). The mandibles having impacted third molars were also radiographically examined with orthopantomography (a dental radiographic technique, kV 60, mA 2.0) in radiology unit of Faculty of Dentistry, Ege University. The impacted teeth were grouped according to their position and degree of impaction. RESULTS: The each of 2 of 198 adult mandibles (2/198; 1.01%) was having an impacted 3rd molar teeth. These 2 molar teeth were belonged to class 1, B and partially buried, vertically oriented. The first impacted 3rd molar teeth was located on the left side of the one mandible and the second one on the right side of the other mandible. CONCLUSION: The present study provides information about impacted mandibular 3rd molar in dry bones.

Clinical survival of indirect, anterior 3-unit surface-retained fibre-reinforced composite fixed dental prosthesis: Up to 7.5-years follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective clinical study evaluated the performance of indirect, anterior, surface-retained, fibre-reinforced-composite restorations (ISFRCR). METHODS: Between June-2003 and January-2011, a total of 134 patients (83 females, 51 males, 16-68 years old) received 175 ISFRCRs (local ethical registration number: 14/9/4). All restorations were made indirectly on a plaster model using unidirectional E-glass fibres (everStick C&B, StickTech) in combination with a laboratory resin composite (Dialogue, Schütz Dental) and cemented according to the instructions of 4 resin cements [(RelyX ARC, 3M-ESPE, n=61), Bifix DC, VOCO, n=45), Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent, n=32) and Multilink (Ivoclar Vivadent, n=37)]. After baseline recordings, patients were followed at 6 months and thereafter annually up to 7.5 years. The evaluation protocol involved technical (chipping, debonding or fracture of tooth/restoration) and biological failures (caries). RESULTS: Mean observation period was 58 months. Altogether, 13 failures were observed [survival rate: 97.7%] (Kaplan-Meier). One catastrophic fracture [(cement: RelyX ARC), eight partial debonding (cement: Bifix DC (5), Multilink (1), RelyX ARC (1), Variolink II (1)] and four delaminations of veneering composite [(cement: Bifix DC (2), RelyX ARC (1), Multilink (1)] were observed. Except one replacement, all defective restorations were repaired or recemented. Annual failure rate of ISFRCRs was 1.73%. The survival rates with the four resin cements did not show significant differences (RelyX ARC: 98.3%; Bifix DC: 93.5%; Variolink 2: 100%; Multilink: 100%) (p=0.114). Secondary caries did not occur in any of the teeth. CONCLUSION: The 3-unit anterior indirect surface-retained resin-bonded FRC FDPs showed similar clinical survival rate when cemented with the resin cements tested. Experienced failures in general were due to debonding of the restoration or delamination of the veneering composite. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: 3-unit surface retained resin-bonded FRC FDPs could be considered minimal invasive and cost-effective alternatives to conventional tooth- or implant-borne FDPs. Failures were mainly repairable in the form of chipping or debonding depending on the resin cement type.

Bioactive glass particulate filler composite: Effect of coupling of fillers and filler loading on some physical properties.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silanization of biostable and bioactive glass fillers in a polymer matrix on some of the physical properties of the composite. METHODS: The water absorption, solubility, flexural strength, flexural modulus and toughness of different particulate filler composite resins were studied in vitro. Five different specimen groups were analyzed: A glass-free control, a non-silanized bioactive glass, a silanized bioactive glass, a non-silanized biostable glass and a silanized biostable glass groups. All of these five groups were further divided into sub-groups of dry and water-stored materials, both of them containing groups with 3wt%, 6wt%, 9wt% or 12wt% of glass particles (n=8 per group). The silanization of the glass particles was carried out with 2% of gamma-3-methacryloxyproyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). For the water absorption and solubility tests, the test specimens were stored in water for 60 days, and the percentages of weight change were statistically analyzed. Flexural strength, flexural modulus and toughness values were tested with a three-point bending test and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Higher solubility values were observed in non-silanized glass in proportion to the percentage of glass particles. Silanization, on the other hand, decreased the solubility values of both types of glass particles and polymer. While 12wt% non-silanized bioactive glass specimens showed -0.98wt% solubility, 12wt% silanized biostable glass specimens were observed to have only -0.34wt% solubility. The three-point bending results of the dry specimens showed that flexural strength, toughness and flexural modulus decreased in proportion to the increase of glass fillers. The control group presented the highest results (106.6MPa for flexural strength, 335.7kPA for toughness, 3.23GPa for flexural modulus), whereas for flexural strength and toughness, 12wt% of non-silanized biostable glass filler groups presented the lowest (70.3MPa for flexural strength, 111.5kPa for toughness). For flexural modulus on the other hand, 12wt% of silanized biostable glass filler group gave the lowest results (2.57GPa). SIGNIFICANCE: The silanization of glass fillers improved the properties of the glass as well as the properties of the composite. Silanization of bioactive glass may protect the glass from leaching at early stage of water storage.

Clinical study on the comparison of masticatory efficiency and jaw movement before and after temporomandibular disorder treatment.

In this clinical study, pre- and post-rehabilitation changes in intraborder mandible movements, chewing cycles, masticatory efficiencies, and borders of the chewing area of patients with unilateral muscular disorders (MD) (n = 20) or unilateral disc derangement disorders (DDD) (n = 20) of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) were observed and compared with healthy individuals with full dentition (n = 20) (48 female, 12 male; mean age: 28). The MD patients received stabilization splints and the DDD patients, anterior positioning splints for six weeks. Symptoms, such as muscle pain, TMJ pain, headache, chewing difficulty, and maximum mouth opening, showed significant improvements after splint therapy for both MD (p = 0.000) and DDD (p = 0.000) patients, but lateral excursion and protrusion were not significantly changed (p > 0.05). Chewing efficacy and chewing cycles improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both the MD (p < 0.05) and DDD (p < 0.05) groups, but only the MD group was comparable to the control group after treatment. Pre- and post-rehabilitation chewing cycles along the frontal plane on both sides in the MD group were similar to the control group. Considering the majority of the improvements in the diagnostic measures, patients with MD and DDD may benefit from occlusal splint therapy.

Pilot study of unidirectional E-glass fibre-reinforced composite resin splints: up to 4.5-year clinical follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective clinical pilot study evaluated the performance of fibre-reinforced-composite resin (FRC) splints on mandibular anterior teeth. METHODS: Between June-2003 and January-2008, 19 patients (7 females, 12 males, 45-72 years old) from a group of consecutive patients who completed periodontal therapy received E-glass FRC splints (everStick Perio, StickTech) in combination with two types of flowable and restorative resin-composites (Filtek Flow, Filtek Supreme, n=11; Tetric Flow, Tetric-Ceram, n=8). Only patients with vital teeth, presenting mobility of grade 3, having at least one canine with no mobility on both sides of the dental arch were assigned for a splint therapy. The patients were recalled for periodical follow-up controls first at 6 months and thereafter annually. The evaluation protocol involved technical failures [chipping, debonding or fracture (tooth/restoration)] and biological failures (caries)]. Periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured 6 months after splinting and annually. Six sites were measured for each natural tooth at the mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, distolingual, lingual and mesiolingual sites. RESULTS: All splints were applied from canine to canine in the mandible. In total, 5 recalls were performed and no drop-out was experienced. One partial debonding of the FRC splint with Tetric Flow/Tetric-Ceram combination was observed after 40 months. No caries was found around any of the splints and no teeth had to be extracted until the final follow up. The splinted teeth were found to be vital in the vitality tests. Overall survival rate was 94.8% (Kaplan-Meier). The survival rate was not significantly affected by the composite type (Filtek-Flow/Filtek Supreme: 100%, Tetric Flow/Tetric Ceram: 96% (p=0.92) [Kaplan-Meier, Log Rank (Mantel-Cox) (CI=95%)]. Hazard ratio for Tetric Flow/Tetric Ceram group was 0.05 (95% CI) and for Filtek Flow/Filtek Supreme group 0.00 (95% CI). Whilst overall PPD measurements of the dentition ranged between 6 and 12 mm, the CAL measurements ranged between 4.9 and 10mm at baseline. The mean PPD for the splinted teeth decreased from 8.9±1.8 mm to 5.2±1.2 mm, and CAL decreased from 7.2±1.6 mm to 4.6±1 mm at the end point. CONCLUSION: Direct tooth splinting with E-glass FRC material performed successfully up to 4.5 years. Periodontal status of the splinted teeth showed decreased PPD and CAL.

Bonded orthodontic retainer and fixed partial denture made with fiber reinforced composite resin.

Retention is the phase of orthodontic treatment which maintains teeth in their orthodontically corrected positions, following the cessation of active orthodontic tooth movement. Development of resin-impregnated, fiber-reinforced composite materials has provided the potential to develop new approaches for stabilizing teeth and replacing teeth conservatively. This case report describes the rehabilitation of a patient with orthodontic and prosthetic problems. The long-term behavior of glass fibers splint must be evaluated in clinical studies.

Effects of saliva and nasal secretion on some physical properties off our different resin materials

Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of saliva and nasal secretion on some physical properties,such as sorption, solubility, surface hardness and colour change on four different resin-based materials overa certain time period.Materials and Methods: A total of 128 disc-shaped specimens with a diameter of 50mm and thickness of 0.5mm were tested to evaluate sorption and solubility (ISO-1567). The specimens were stored in different solutions prior to testing. Surface hardness measurements were performed by using a Vickers hardness testing machine. A total of 20 cylinder shaped test specimens with a diameter of 13 mm and thickness of 1 mm were prepared to evaluate colour change (ÄE).Analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences among groups. Paired t and Tukey Post-Hoc tests were performed to investigate significant differences among subgroups at all time intervals (p<0.05).Results: It was found that while the percentage absorption value at T7(7 days) of the auto-polymerizing (A) groups storaged in artificial saliva + nasal secretion were the highest (0.057±0.119), the percentage absorption value atT15(15 days) of the D groups storaged in artificial nasal secretion were the lowest (0.013±0.09). Besides, it was found that the percentage solubility value at T30(30 days) of visible ligth-cusing resin (VLC) groups storaged inartificial nasal secretion were the highest (0.016±0.003), and the percentage solubility value at T1(1 day) of the Dgroups storaged in distilled water were the lowest (0.01±0.02). While (..) (AU)

No disponible

Effects of saliva and nasal secretion on some physical properties of four different resin materials.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of saliva and nasal secretion on some physical properties, such as sorption, solubility, surface hardness and colour change on four different resin-based materials over a certain time period. METHODS: A total of 128 disc-shaped specimens with a diameter of 50 mm and thickness of 0.5 mm were tested to evaluate sorption and solubility (ISO-1567). The specimens were stored in different solutions prior to testing. Surface hardness measurements were performed by using a Vickers hardness testing machine. A total of 20 cylinder-shaped test specimens with a diameter of 13 mm and thickness of 1 mm were prepared to evaluate colour change (ΔE). Analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences among groups. Paired t and Tukey Post-Hoc tests were performed to investigate significant differences among subgroups at all time intervals (p<0.05). RESULTS: It was found that while the percentage absorption value at T7 (7 days) of the A groups stored in artificial saliva+nasal secretion were the highest (0.057±0.119), the percentage absorption value at T15 (15 days) of the D groups stored in artificial nasal secretion were the lowest (0.013±0.09). Besides, it was found that the percentage solubility value at T30 (30 days) of VLC groups stored in artificial nasal secretion were the highest (0.016±0.003), and the percentage solubility value at T1(1 day) of the D groups stored in distilled water were the lowest (0.01±0.02). While the highest hardness value was of T0 (Dry) in group H (36.19±1.35), the lowest hardness value was of T0 in group D (9.83±2.48). When ΔE values analysed for each group, VLC group showed the highest values (23.78±5.05) (p<0.05), group D showed the lowest values (9.06±2.82) in time (between the T0 and T30). CONCLUSION: The new polyamide resin was observed to show better physical properties when compared with other materials.

Comparative effects of two different artificial body fluids on Candida albicans adhesion to soft lining materials.

This study investigated the C. albicans adhesion to cold- and heat-polymerized soft lining materials that were initially incubated in two different artificial body fluids, namely saliva and nasal secretion, and examined the surface roughness the materials (cold and heat polymerized soft liner) tested in vitro. Cold (Visco Gel) and heat-polymerized (Molloplast B) soft liner specimens (N=32, n=8 per group) (10x10x1.5 mm) were randomly produced to express the relationship between surface roughness and contamination, and influence of body fluids, and incubated in 1.5 ml contaminated solutions for 2 h. After fixation, all of materials were evaluated under optical microscope (x400) and SEM. Surface roughness measurements were examined with profilometre for each material. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey's HSD and Dunnett T3 tests (alpha=0.05). Material type (p<0.05) and contamination media (p<0.05) showed a significant influence on the C. albicans adherence. The surface roughness of cold polymerized soft liner (Visco Gel) was significantly higher than heat-polymerized soft liner (Molloplast B) (p<0.05).

Candida albicans adherence on silicone elastomers: effect of polymerisation duration and exposure to simulated saliva and nasal secretion.

OBJECTIVES: The surfaces of maxillo-facial prostheses made of silicone elastomers exposed to soft tissues may interact with saliva and nasal secretion. These body fluids may lead to colonisation of microorganisms on their surfaces leading to their degradation or infection. This study investigated Candida albicans adhesion onto commercial maxillo-facial silicone elastomers based on different polymerisation processes. METHODS: Room-temperature polymerised maxillo-facial silicone elastomers (N=48) (10 mm x 10 mm x 2 mm) processed at different durations [VerSilTal VST-30 (20 min), VST-50 (12h overnight), VST-50F (6h)] were studied. C. albicans was chosen as a model organism for this study. The specimens were randomly divided into two subgroups and incubated in either 1.5 ml simulated saliva or nasal secretion containing C. albicans (ATCC 60193, set to 0.5 OD, 540 nm in advance) for 2h. Candida assays and adherence assays were made by inoculating C. albicans into Mueller Hinton Broth, Fluka added 500 mmol sucrose overnight. After fixation, specimens were stained by using sterilised Methylene Blue stain (Merck) and evaluated under optical microscope and SEM. For each material, on each specimen 15 different areas (mm(2)) were counted. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, paired sample t-test and Tukey's HSD (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Material type (p<0.05) and exposure media (p<0.05) showed a significant influence on the C. albicans adherence. VST-30 material showed the most C. albicans adherence in both saliva and nasal secretion (mean rank: 99.84 and 53.47, respectively) (p<0.05) and VST-50 had the least colonisation in both media (10.35 and 5.57, respectively). Microscopic evaluation showed clusters of blastospore cells of C. albicans being more spread out on VST-30 whereas cells were more localised on VST-50 and VST-50F. SIGNIFICANCE: Among the tested materials, 12h room-temperature polymerised silicone elastomer resulted in less C. albicans adherence in both artificial saliva and nasal secretion.

Effect of composition, viscosity and thickness of the opaquer on the adhesion of resin composite to titanium.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the bond strength of powder-liquid and paste opaquers with different chemical compositions and viscosity to a metal substructure when they were applied in two thicknesses and to evaluate the failure modes after the bond strength test. METHODS: Titanium plates (51 mm x 25 mm x 1mm) (n(plates)=25, N=80, n=10 per group) were conditioned with chairside silica coating (CoJet-Sand, 30 microm silica coated Al(2)O(3)) from a distance of approximately 10mm at a pressure of 2.8 bar for 15 s/cm(2) and silanized. Four types of opaquers, namely one powder-liquid (Sinfony, 3M ESPE), and three paste opaquers [(Cimara, Voco), (Monopaque, Ivoclar Vivadent), (Cavex Experimental, Cavex)] were applied either in 0.25 or 0.50 mm thicknesses using standard polyethylene molds and photo-polymerized. Resin composite (Quadrant Posterior Dense, Cavex) was applied incrementally and photo-polymerized. The specimens were thermocycled (5-55 degrees C, 6000 cycles) prior to shear bond strength test (1mm/min). Failure types were analyzed using an optical microscope and scores were given according to the modified Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) (Score 0=no opaquer on the surface, Score 1=<1/2 covered with opaquer, Score 2=>1/2 covered with opaquer, Score 3=completely covered with opaquer). RESULTS: While thickness did not significantly affect the bond strength results (p=0.523), type of opaquers had a significant influence on the results (p<0.01) (Univariate ANOVA, Tukey's test). Interaction terms between thickness and opaquer type were significant (p<0.01). Debonded specimens during thermocycling were considered as 0 MPa. At both 0.25 and 0.5mm thicknesses, powder-liquid based opaquer (Sinfony) showed significantly higher results (8.4+/-5.6 and 8.4+/-4.9 MPa, respectively) than those of other opaquers (1.4+/-1 to 4.3+/-3.8 MPa) (p<0.05). Only when Cimara was applied in 0.25 mm (6.9+/-4.2 MPa), there were no significant differences with Sinfony (p>0.05). The lowest results in both thicknesses were obtained from Monopaque (4+/-3.8 to 1.6+/-1 MPa, respectively) and Cavex (1.4+/-1 to 4.2+/-2.9 MPa, respectively) paste opaquers. In all opaquers, the incidence of Score 0 (30) was more frequent followed by Score 1 (27) and Score 2 (20). SIGNIFICANCE: The use of powder-liquid opaquer in order to mask the metal in repair actions provided higher bond strength than those of the paste opaquers in both thin and thick applications. In all opaquers, the incidence of adhesive failure between the opaquer and the metal was more common implying inadequate adhesion.

Fracture strength of direct surface-retained fixed partial dentures: effect of fiber reinforcement versus the use of particulate filler composites only.

This study compared the fracture strengths and analyzed the failure types of direct, surface-retained, anterior fixed-partial-dentures (FPD), reinforced with four types of fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) versus non-fiber-reinforced FPDs made of three particulate filler composites (PFC). To this end, surface-retained anterior FPDs (N = 70, 10 per group) were prepared and divided into seven experimental groups, where Group 1: FRC1 (everStick) + PFC1 (Clearfil Photo Posterior); Group 2: FRC2 (BR 100) + PFC1; Group 3: FRC3 (Interling) + PFC1; Group 4: FRC4 (Ribbond) + PFC1; Group 5: PFC1 only; Group 6: PFC2 only (Sinfony); and Group 7: PFC3 only (Estenia). Fracture strength test was performed after water storage at 37 degrees C for three days (universal testing machine, 1 mm/min). No significant differences were found among the four FRC types veneered with PFC1 (1490 +/- 548--1951 +/- 335 N) (p < 0.05) (ANOVA, Tukey's test). Among all the experimental groups, PFC1 presented a significantly higher mean value (2061 +/- 270 N) than PFC2 (1340 +/- 395 N) (p < 0.05) and all the other FRC-reinforced groups (p < 0.05). Complete pontic fracture was 100% and 70% for PFC2 and PFC3 respectively.

Fracture strength of fiber-reinforced surface-retained anterior cantilever restorations.

PURPOSE: This study compared the fracture strength of direct anterior cantilever fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed partial dentures (FPD) reinforced with 3 types of E-glass fibers preimpregnated with either urethane tetramethacrylate, bisphenol glycidylmethacrylate/polymethyl methacrylate, or bisphenol glycidylmethacrylate monomers and 1 ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber. Failure types were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 caries-free, human maxillary central incisors (n = 10 per group) received surface-retained direct cantilever restoration (1 pontic) after etching and application of bonding agent. Four FRC materials were used (FRC1 = EverStick; FRC2 = BR-100; FRC3 = Interling; FRC4 = Ribbond), and pontics were built up using 1 particulate filler composite (Clearfil Photo Posterior). After the fracture test, failure types were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the 4 FRC types veneered with particulate filler composite (893 +/- 459 N to 1326 +/- 391 N) (P = .1278). Complete pontic fracture at the connector area was most prominent for FRC4 (90%), followed by FRC3 (70%). Only FRC2 (10%) showed some fiber fractures, with half of the fiber remaining attached on the enamel surface of the abutment. CONCLUSION: The fracture strengths of cantilever FPDs made of 4 FRC materials with different monomer matrices and architectures, veneered with particulate filler composite, did not show significant differences. However, failure behavior varied between groups.

Rehabilitation of advanced periodontal problems by using a combination of a glass fiber-reinforced composite resin bridge and splint.

Rehabilitation of masticatory ability in patients with reduced periodontal tissue support is a multiple challenge in dentistry. It has been shown that tooth mobility is reduced by a splint in place. Splints may be constructed of various materials. Development of fiber-reinforced composite materials offers a new and conservative approach for tooth replacement and stabilization. This case report describes the rehabilitation and 2-year follow-up of a patient with advanced periodontal problems by using a glass fiber-reinforced composite resin material.

Management of lateral mandibular discontinuity by maxillary guidance.

Balance and symmetry of mandibular function is disturbed by loss of continuity of the mandible, which leads to altered mandibular movements and deviation of the residual fragment, as a consequence of which problems with chewing, swallowing, speech, and aesthetics develop. Methods such as maxillary fixation, and use of mandibular and palatal guidance have been used to reduce or eliminate the mandibular deviation. The aim of this study was to achieve a normal maxillomandibular relation in a patient with mandibular discontinuity. An acceptable maxillomandibular relation was obtained within 3 months with a maxillary guidance ramp prosthesis.

Clinical evaluation of different gingival retraction cords.

OBJECTIVES: Impression techniques in restorative dentistry require displacement of gingival tissues to expose subgingival finish lines on tooth preparations. Retraction cords are commonly used for this purpose. Some cord systems include various medicaments, which may remain in the sulcus after retraction procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether any of the commonly used gingival retraction medicaments could influence the surface characteristics of the impression material and to evaluate the clinical performance of retraction cords. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sixteen cord systems in various shapes, sizes, and medications were used in this study. The clinical performances of cords were evaluated with a blind experimental study design, according to predetermined criteria. Results were analyzed by using chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression analysis (P <.05). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in all criteria among groups (P <.05). None of the materials investigated appeared to have any influence on the surface characterization of the polyvinyl siloxane impression material used. Better impression qualities were observed in groups with easy insertion, proper dilatation, less recurrent bleeding, and no remnants or fraying. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both retraction cord medicaments (odds ratio = 0.63, P = .00 <.05) and cord thicknesses (odds ratio = 2.09, P = .00 <.05) were important risk factors on the gingival margin quality. CONCLUSIONS: The applied gingival retraction cord systems had no influence on the surface characterization of the polyvinyl siloxane material tested. Gingival margin quality of the impression and clinical application procedures were affected by the retraction systems. Untreated, medium-braided, and epinephrine-impregnated cord systems were clinically successful. However, the potential systemic effects of epinephrine must be considered.

A different pontic design for fiber-reinforced composite bridgeworks: a clinical report.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical report describes a relatively simple but esthetic, non-invasive and functional prosthodontic treatment option for a patient with missing tooth. METHODS: A patient with a missing maxillary left canine was non-invasively treated with a fiber reinforced composite (FRC) bridgework with an all ceramic (Empress II, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liech-tenstein) pontic design, using laboratory technique. RESULTS: The restoration has served the patient for 2 year, seemingly without discomfort, and it has not required any maintenance. The patient has kept up with his oral hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: Although additional clinical experience is necessary, fiber-reinforced composite materials can be used in combination with a lithium disilicate ceramic material in fixed partial dentures.

Bonding of resin composite luting cements to zirconium oxide by two air-particle abrasion methods.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the shear bond strength of two resin composite luting cements to zirconium oxide ceramic substrate using two air-particle abrasion methods. METHODS: Two resin composite cements, RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE) and Panavia F (Kuraray), each with an acidic composition, were used in combination with a zirconium oxide (DCS Dental AG) substrate containing Al2O3 and SiO2 (Rocatec system, 3M ESPE) and two air-particle abrasion methods. The shear bond strength of the resin composite cement to the substrate was tested after the samples were either water-stored for one week or thermocycled following 24 hours of water storage. RESULTS: The RelyX Unicem resin composite cement specimens with the Rocatec treatment (20.9 +/- 4.6 Mpa and 20.1 +/- 4.2 MPa, respectively, n = 12) demonstrated the highest shear bond strength. Alternatively, the lowest values were obtained for the Panavia F resin cement samples, with Al2O3 air-particle abrasion in both storage conditions, water storage for one week (17.7 +/- 8.9MPa) or thermocycling after 24 hours of water storage (16.3 +/- 4.9 MPa). Neither storage condition or particle abrasion system significantly affected shear bond strengths (ANOVA, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that two different surface conditioning methods and storage conditions did not significantly affect the bonding properties of Panavia F and RelyX Unicem resin composite luting cements to Zirconia.

A study of the physical and chemical properties of four resin composite luting cements.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the surface microhardness and flexural and compressive strengths of five luting cements and compared the degree of conversion of dual and autopolymerized forms of four resin-based luting cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four resin composite luting cements-Panavia F, Variolink 2, RelyX Unicem Applicap, and RelyX ARC-and a polycarboxylate cement (Durelon, control group) were used in three-point bending, compression, and Vickers hardness tests following water storage for 1 week. Resin composite cements were additionally investigated with both dual and autopolymerization techniques under Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The highest flexural strengths were obtained with Variolink 2 (90 MPa, SD 22), whereas the lowest were observed with Durelon (28 MPa, SD 4). RelyX Unicem showed the highest hardness values (44 HV, SD 5), whereas Variolink 2 gave the lowest (32 HV, SD 6). The highest compressive strengths were obtained with RelyX Unicem (145 MPa, SD 32), whereas the lowest were observed with Durelon (41 MPa, SD 17). For both dual and autopolymerized groups, RelyX ARC showed the highest degrees of conversion (81% and 61%, respectively) and RelyX Unicem had the lowest (56% and 26%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Resin composite luting cements of similar chemical characterizations differed in their physical properties, and polymerization method influenced their degree of conversion.