Analysis of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Universal Composites under Different Types of Polishing before and after Acid Challenge.

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the degree of surface smoothness provided by two different polishing techniques and the effect of acid challenge on the alteration of surface roughness (Ra), microhardness (Knoop), and color (ΔE00) of three nanoparticulate composites, simulating 1 year of exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl). Eighty specimens for each composite were divided into four groups (n = 240), being control without polishing, control with wear, WPC (wear + polishing with Cosmedent Kit), and WPB (wear + BisCover LV liquid polish). Repeated measures ANOVA was applied for Ra and Knoop Microhardness. For the color (ΔE) three-way ANOVA was applied. In cases of statistically significant the Tukey posttest was applied (α = 0.05). Both types of polishing tested resulted in a surface smoothness below the critical value established by the studies (Ra ≥ 0.2 µm), even after immersion. The microhardness of all composite resins decreased after the challenges. The specimens immersed in HCl showed a lower microhardness (42.2 Kgf/mm2) when compared to the specimens immersed in artificial saliva (44.7 Kgf/mm2). Regarding the color change, the composites presented values compatible with clinical acceptability, with a statistically significant difference only between the control group and the other types of polishing for the Z350 XT resin (ΔE00 = 3.78). It was concluded that both mechanical and chemical polishing produced a satisfactory surface smoothness, even after immersions in artificial saliva and HCl. The microhardness of the composites was affected by the challenges and the composites tested were within clinical acceptability with regard to color change.

Does the surface conditioning of glass and hybrid ceramics with self-etching silane present a bond strength similar to that of conventional bonding? Systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, through in vitro studies, the bond strength of vitreous and hybrid ceramics with self-etching surface treatment compared to conventional treatment. METHODS: This systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and was registered on the open science framework (OSF) platform for in vitro studies. A population, intervention, control, and outcome (PICO) question was formulated: "Does the surface conditioning of glass and hybrid ceramics with self-etching silane present a bond strength similar to that of conventional bonding?". A literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases until September 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal guidelines for quasi-experimental studies were used for risk assessment of bias. The meta-analysis was based on the inverse variance (IV) method (p < 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 29 in vitro studies published between 2017 and 2022 were included in this systematic review, totaling 1889 ceramic samples. The meta-analysis indicated a significant decrease in the bond strength of HF 4%-5% with silane compared to self-etching (p < 0.05; MD: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13-0.35; I2 = 3%, p = 0.42), while it indicated that there was no significant difference between self-etching compared to 9%-10% HF with silane (p = 0.92; MD: 0.02; 95% CI: -0.32 to 0.36; I2 = 14%, p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Self-etching primer presents bond strength that is superior to or similar to conventional surface treatment on glass and hybrid ceramics.