Structural Integrity Evaluation of Large MOD Restorations Fabricated With a Bulk-Fill and a CAD/CAM Resin Composite Material.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of two composite restorative techniques (direct bulk fill vs indirect CAD/CAM) on the fracture resistance and mode of fracture of extended mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) cavity preparations. METHODS: Fifty-one sound human mandibular third molars were divided into three groups (n=17). Extended bucco-lingual MOD cavities were prepared. Teeth in group 1 were restored with a bulk-fill resin composite (Filtek Bulk-Fill Posterior Restorative), teeth in group 2 were restored with composite computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) inlays (Lava Ultimate), and teeth in group 3 served as control and remained intact. All specimens were submitted to thermocycling, and a fracture resistance test was performed using a Universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). Mode of fracture was classified into five types. One-way analysis of variance and the Duncan test were used to analyze the fracture load data at a significance level of α = 0.05. A chi-square test was used for the analysis of fracture mode between the restorative groups. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed significant differences in fracture resistance among the experimental groups. The teeth restored with the bulk-fill composite exhibited lower fracture resistance (1285.3±655.0 N) when compared to the teeth restored with the composite CAD/CAM inlays (1869.8±529.4 N) (p<0.05). Mode of fracture showed the same distribution between the restorative groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although both types of restorations failed at loads larger than those found in the oral cavity, the CAD/CAM composite inlays increased the fracture resistance of teeth with large MOD cavities when compared to direct bulk-fill composite restorations. The majority of fracture types were intraorally repairable for both restorative techniques.

Minimal preparation designs for single posterior indirect prostheses with the use of the Cerec system.

The advantages of minimally invasive dentistry are well established, especially for direct restorations. However, when it comes to indirect restorations traditional tooth preparation designs are still advised by most manufacturers. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the ability of a CAD/CAM machine (Cerec) to produce minimal preparation designs and identify limiting parameters. Crown preparations based on the proposed minimal design were made using phantom teeth. Gauged burs (Intensiv SA; Meissinger, Germany) and a paralleling device were used to standardize preparations. Cerec Scan/Cerec 3D was used for scanning and designing. The materials tested were a resin composite (Paradigm MZ100, 3M ESPE) and two ceramic materials (ProCAD, Ivoclar Vivadent, and VITA Mark II, Vita). The morphology, marginal integrity, and materials' integrity were examined. The design was subjected to an interactive process as material property limitations and constraints imposed by the system became apparent. SEM, optical microscopy, and transillumination were used for the qualitative control of the crowns. The results of this study showed that only the composite material produced acceptable crowns with intact margins for the minimal design initially proposed. The ceramic materials required a wider preparation design in order to produce acceptable crowns. Within the limitations of this study, the null hypothesis was partially rejected as it was found that only the composite material could produce acceptable crowns based on the proposed minimal design. It was also found that the materials' properties, the milling mode, and cutting instruments are determining factors in establishing the extent of the minimal preparation.