Effect of ceramic thicknesses and opacities on water sorption and solubility of a light-curing resin cement by different units

Aim: This study evaluated the water sorption and solubility of a light-cured resin cement, under four thicknesses and four opacities of a lithium disilicate ceramic, also considering three light-emitting diode (LED) units. Methods: A total of 288 specimens of a resin cement (AllCem Veneer Trans ­ FGM) were prepared, 96 samples were light-cured by each of the three light curing units (Valo ­ Ultradent / Radii-Cal ­ SDI / Bluephase II ­ Ivoclar Vivadent), divided into 16 experimental conditions, according to the opacities of the ceramic: High Opacity (HO), Medium Opacity (MO), Low Translucency (LT), High Translucency (HT), and thicknesses (0.3, 0.8, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) (n = 6). The specimens were weighed at three different times: Mass M1 (after making the specimens), M2 (after 7 days of storage in water), and M3 (after dissection cycle), for calculating water sorption and solubility. Results: The higher thickness of the ceramic (2.0 mm) significantly increased the values of water sorption (44.0± 4.0) and solubility (7.8±0.6), compared to lower thicknesses. Also, the ceramic of higher opacity (HO) generated the highest values of sorption and solubility when compared to the other opacities, regardless of the thickness tested (ANOVA-3 factors / Tukey's test, α = 0.05). There was no influence of light curing units. Conclusion: Higher thicknesses and opacities of the ceramic increased the water sorption and solubility of the tested light-cured resin cement

Color stability of an artificially aged nanofilled composite resin post-cured with different techniques.

Background. Post-cured composite resins exhibit improvements in physical and mechanical properties due to additional polymerization conversion. However, the post-curing techniques might influence the color stability of composite resin materials. Thus, this study evaluated the color stability of a nanofilled composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT - 3M ESPE) subjected to different post-curing techniques. Methods. Sixty samples (color A2) were randomly allocated to six experimental groups (n=10): G1: photoactivation (P) (control); G2: P + microwave oven with distilled water; G3: P + microwave oven without distilled water; G4: P + conventional oven; G5: P + dry-heat sterilizer; G6: P + steam autoclave. All the groups were stored in distilled water for 60 days and immersed daily in 5 mL of a coffee solution for 3 minutes. The color readings (CIEL*a*b* system) were performed at two different time intervals, initially and after 60 days, in a reflectance spectrophotometer (UV-2600; Shimadzu). The colorimetric readings were performed using the Color Analysis software (CIEL*a*b* system). Results. Group G6 exhibited significantly low values of total color change (ΔE=13.16). The control (ΔE=15.32) and G5 (ΔE=15.49) groups exhibited intermediate values, with no difference between them. In turn, the groups in which the resin was heated in a microwave (G2 ΔE=18.55 and G3 ΔE=19.45) exhibited the most significant color changes (one-way ANOVA and Tukey test, P ≤0.05). Conclusion. Steam autoclave post-polymerization increased the color stability of the nanofilled resin subjected to artificial aging and coffee immersion.

Alteração de cor em simulação de dente escurecido, utilizando duas resinas compostas de mesma cor com diferentes opacidades / Colour change in a simulation of discolored tooth using two composite resins of the same colour but different opacities

Introdução: o tratamento estético de dentes escurecidos é desafiador, especialmente quando o escurecimento ocorre de maneira pontual. Para alcançar bons resultados, é imprescindível, além do domínio da técnica restauradora, o conhecimento sobre a composição e características ópticas dos materiais restauradores. Objetivo: avaliar a cor resultante da sobreposição de duas resinas compostas, quando utilizadas sobre um substrato escurecido. Metodologia: na confecção dos corpos de prova, foram utilizadas duas matrizes metálicas e as resinas compostas Charisma A2 e OA2 e Opallis DA4 (simulando o substrato escurecido), perfazendo um total de 30 corpos de prova. As mensurações de cor foram realizadas em espectrofotômetro de reflexão (UV-2600; Shimadzu) e as leituras colorimétricas foram realizadas no programa Color Analysis, seguindo os parâmetros do sistema CIEL*a*b*. A análise estatística inferencial foi realizada pela ANOVA 1-critério. Para as comparações múltiplas, utilizou-se o teste Tukey (significância de 5%). Resultados: entre as três variáveis, apenas na variável a* houve diferença estatística (p<0,0001). Conclusão: os resultados permitiram a observação de alteração colorimétrica após o uso de ambas as resinas, porém com melhores resultados para o grupo da resina AO2, quando em comparação com o grupo da A2.

Introduction: the aesthetic treatment of darkened teeth is challenging, especially when darkening occurs in a timely manner. Besides mastering the restorative technique, knowledge about the composition and optical characteristics of restorative materials are essential in order to achieve good results. Objective: to evaluate the colour resulting from the overlapping of two composite resins when used on a darkened substrate. In the preparation of the test specimens, two metal matrices and the Charisma A2 and OA2 and Opallis DA4 composite resins (simulating the darkened substrate) were used, making a total of 30 specimens. The color measurements were performed in a spectrophotometer (UV-2600; Shimadzu) and the colorimetric readings were performed in the Color Analysis program, following the CIEL * a * b * system parameters. Inferential statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA 1-criterion. The Tukey test (5% significance) was used for the multiple comparisons. Results: among the three variables, only in variable a * there was a statistical difference (p <0.0001). Conclusion: the results allowed the observation of colorimetric alteration after the use of both resins, but with better results for the AO2 resin group in comparison to the A2 group.