Fracture Strength of Composite Rest Seats: An In Vitro Comparative Study of Different Composite versus Amalgam Restorations.

Occlusal rest provides support for removable partial dentures (RPD). Rest seats are ideally prepared in enamel, but the abutment teeth might be restored or need restorations. This study compared the fracture strength of abutments restored with composite to amalgam restorations after rest seat preparation. Disto-occlusal cavities were prepared in 30 extracted human maxillary premolars. The specimens were allocated in three groups (n = 10) based on the type of restoration. All the specimens were exposed to thermomechanical aging followed by cycling loading. Fracture strength was tested using a universal testing machine, and then, the fracture mode was recorded. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level set at 0.05. The fracture mode was recorded as catastrophic or non-catastrophic. The fracture strength between all tested groups showed no significant difference. The highest and lowest fracture strength were recorded on amalgam and Tetric N-Ceram groups, respectively. Composite Tetric N-Ceram showed equal distribution of fracture sites on the restorative materials and teeth, it also displayed the highest number of non-catastrophic fractures unlike other groups where the fracture occurred more within the restorations. The fracture strength of composite was comparable to that of amalgam restorations with prepared rest seats.

Antifungal Activities and Some Surface Characteristics of Denture Soft Liners Containing Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles.

Objective: This study aimed at determining the influence of adding silicon dioxide nanoparticles (nano-SiO2) to soft relining materials on C. albicans adhesion, surface roughness, and contact angle. Materials and Methods: Eighty heat-polymerized acrylic resin disks were constructed and relined by using auto-polymerized acrylic soft liners (COE-SOFT, GC Co., Tokyo, Japan). The specimens were categorized into two groups according to the tests conducted. Group A was composed of 40 specimens for evaluating antifungal activity, and Group B was composed of 40 specimens for testing surface roughness and contact angle. Each group was subcategorized into four subgroups (n = 10) according to the concentration of nano-SiO2 added to the soft-liner powder: control, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0% by weight. The colony forming unit (CFU) was used to assess C. albicans count. A profilometer was used to measure the surface roughness values (Ra; µm). The sessile drop method was used to evaluate the contact angle (o) by using a goniometer. Analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests (α = 0.05) were used for the data analysis. Results: In comparison with the unmodified group, the 0.25% and the 0.5% nano-SiO2 groups exhibited significantly lower C. albicans counts (P < 0.001), surface roughness (P < 0.001), and contact angles (P < 0.001). The exception was the 1% group, which exhibited higher C. albicans count, surface roughness, and contact angles than lower-concentration nano-SiO2 groups; however, these values in the 1% group were still less than their respective values in the control group. Conclusion: The addition of 0.25% and 0.5% nano-SiO2 to an auto-polymerized acrylic soft liner decreased C. albicans adhesion, surface roughness, and contact angle.

Food Simulating Organic Solvents for Evaluating Crosslink Density of Bulk Fill Composite Resin.

Objectives. To evaluate crosslink densities of two bulk fill composite resins and determine if the used Food Simulating Organic Solvent (FSOS) affected them. Methods. Forty specimens were prepared from SureFill and SonicFill bulk fill composite resins, 20 each. All specimens were stored dry for 24 h. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups: stored in ethanol (E) 75% or in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) 100% for 24 h. Crosslink density was evaluated by calculating the difference between the Vickers hardness numbers of the specimens stored dry and after their storage in FSOS. The data were statistically analyzed using t-test. Results. The means of crosslink density in E and MEK were 6.99% and 9.44% for SureFill and 10.54% and 11.92% for SonicFill, respectively. t-test displayed significant differences between crosslink densities of SureFill and SonicFill: (P < 0.0001) in E and (P = 0.02) in MEK and between crosslink densities of SureFill in E and MEK (P = 0.02). Conclusions. Crosslink density of bulk fill composite resin can be evaluated using E or MEK. SureFill has higher crosslink density than SonicFill in both E and MEK.

Effect of Aging Regimens on Resin Nanoceramic Chairside CAD/CAM Material.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cyclic mechanical loading, thermal cycling, and storage in water on a resin nanoceramic chairside computer-aided designed/computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM) material compared to a control leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty specimens (18 × 4 × 3 mm) were milled from two chairside CAD/CAM materials' blocks (Lava Ultimate: LU; Vitablock Mark II: VM). Each group included four subgroups (A: n = 20 control; B: n = 20 cyclic loading [105 cycles, 80 N]; C: n = 20 thermal cycling [5 to 55°C]; D: n = 60 water storage [20: 3 months; 20: 6 months; 20: 9 months at 37°C]). Each subgroup included 10 specimens tested for flexure strength using three-point bending in a universal testing machine. The other 10 specimens were tested for surface roughness using an automated profiler followed by testing for surface hardness using a microhardness tester. RESULTS: LU displayed higher flexure strength than VM before and after all the aging conditions. The surface roughness for VM was lower than LU for the control, but both materials showed comparable values and significant increases after 9 months storage in water. After cyclic loading, only VM displayed a significant increase in the surface roughness value (p < 0.05). The surface hardness of VM was higher than LU for the control. VM did not show significant changes in hardness after any aging condition. LU showed significant reduction in surface hardness value only after storage in water (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The resin nanoceramic Lava Ultimate can be used as a durable substitute for glass-ceramic chairside CAD/CAM material.

In vitro shear bond strength of Y-TZP ceramics to different core materials with the use of three primer/resin cement systems.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Durability of the bond between different core materials and zirconia retainers is an important predictor of the success of a dental prosthesis. Nevertheless, because of its polycrystalline structure, zirconia cannot be etched and bonded to a conventional resin cement. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of 3 metal primer/resin cement systems on the shear bond strength (SBS) of 3 core materials bonded to yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) ceramic retainers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zirconia ceramic (Cercon) disks (5×3 mm) were airborne-particle abraded, rinsed, and air-dried. Disk-shaped core specimens (7×7 mm) that were prepared of composite resin, Ni-Cr, and zirconia were bonded to the zirconia ceramic disks by using one of 3 metal primer/cement systems: (Z-Prime Plus/BisCem, Zirconia Primer/Multilink Automix, or Clearfil Ceramic Primer/Clearfil SA). SBS was tested in a universal testing machine. Stereomicroscopy was used to evaluate the failure mode of debonded specimens. Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis using the Scheffe procedure (α=.05). RESULTS: Clearfil SA/Clearfil Ceramic Primer system with an Ni-Cr core yielded the highest SBS value (19.03 MPa), whereas the lowest SBS value was obtained when Multilink Automix/Zirconia Primer system was used with the zirconia core group (4.09 MPa). Differences in mean SBS values among the cement/primer groups were statistically significant, except for Clearfil SA and BisCem with both composite resin and zirconia cores. Differences in mean SBS values among the core subgroups were not statistically significant, except for zirconia core with BisCem, Multilink, and Clearfil SA. The predominant failure mode was adhesive, except for Clearfil SA and BisCem luting agents with composite resin cores, which displayed cohesive failure, and Multilink Automix with a composite resin, core as well as Clearfil SA with Ni-Cr cores, where the debonded specimens of each group displayed a mixed (adhesive/cohesive) failure pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Clearfil SA/Clearfil Ceramic Primer system, based on methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP), increased the bond strength of Y-TZP ceramics to core materials.

Mechanical behavior and color change of facial prosthetic elastomers after outdoor weathering in a hot and humid climate.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A common reason for replacing a maxillofacial prosthesis is the deterioration of its properties. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of weathering in a hot and humid climate on the tear strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, elongation percentage, and color of 3 maxillofacial materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three silicone materials were tested. Specimens were exposed to outdoor weathering for 6 months in a hot and humid environment. Tear and tensile strengths were measured with a universal testing machine before and after outdoor weathering. Color change was evaluated by recording L*, a*, and b* values at base line and after outdoor weathering with a spectrophotometer. The ΔE, ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* of the specimens were calculated. Data were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA and the post hoc Scheffé test (α=.05). RESULTS: For all tested elastomers, outdoor weathering decreased the tear strength and modulus of elasticity values significantly (P<.001). Also, weathering reduced percentage elongation values significantly (P<.05). Tensile strength values were significantly reduced for TechSil S25 and MED-4210 specimens only (P<.05). The effect of weathering on the color of pigmented specimens was greater than the acceptable value (ΔE>3.0). The color change (ΔE) of pigmented specimens ranged from 4.31 to 6.68. A-2186 silicone elastomer experienced the greatest color changes (P<.05). Within nonpigmented specimens, none of the tested silicone elastomers showed significant color changes (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Outdoor weathering in a hot and humid climate adversely affected the properties of silicone elastomers. The heat-polymerized TechSil S25 elastomer showed better mechanical durability and color stability compared with the room-temperature polymerized A-2186 and MED-4210 materials. TechSil S25 showed the greater values of tear and tensile strengths and elongation of specimens exposed to outdoor weathering conditions. It also showed the least amount of color change among the pigmented specimens exposed to outdoor weathering.

Hydrogen peroxide bleaching: effect of various concentrations on mercury and other metal ions release from dmixed and spherical dental amalgam / Clareamento por peróxido de hidrogênio: efeito de várias concentrações de mercúrio e liberação de outros íons metálicos pelos amálgamas dentais misturado e esférico

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different hydrogen peroxide concentrations (HP) on mercury and other metal ions release from admixed and spherical dental amalgam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental amalgam discs were prepared from GS.80 and Lojic+ alloys (Southern Dental Industries, Australia) according to manufacturer’s instructions in stainless steel moulds (10mm diameter and 2mm thickness). The discs (n=25 of each alloy) were divided into five equal groups for each alloy. Each group was immersed in 20 ml of 38%, 24%, 10%, or 3% HP solution for 24 h at 37ºC with 0% (distilled water) as control. Following immersion procedure, solutions were taken for metal ion release determination (Hg, Ag, Sn and Cu) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis was conducted using one and two way ANOVA tests to determine significance of differences between test groups. Bonferroni Post Hoc test was conducted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Metal ion release for the elements (Hg, Ag, Sn and Cu) increased with exposure to increasing concentrations of HP for both GS.80 and Lojic+ amalgam alloys. The differences in concentration of metal ions released after treatment with 0% (control), 3%, 10%, 24% or 38% HP were statistically significant (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Metal ions (Hg, Ag, Cu and Sn) were released from dental amalgam following treatment with all HP concentrations. Metal ion release increased with increasing HP concentration. Even with exposure of dental amalgam to relatively high HP concentration (38%), released Hg did not exceed the maximum acceptable limit.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os efeitos de diferentes concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio na liberação de íons de Hg e outros metais de amálgamas misturados e esféricos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Discos de amálgama dental foram preparados com ligas GS.80 e Lojic+, de acordo com instruções dos fabricantes, em moldes de aço inoxidável (10 mm de diâmetro e 2 mm de espessura). Os discos (n=25 de cada liga) foram divididos em cinco grupos iguais para cada liga. Cada grupo foi imerso em 20 ml de solução HP a 38%, 24%, 10% ou 3% a 37ºC, por 24 h a 37ºC, e com água destilada 0% como controle. Após os procedimentos de imersão, soluções foram tomadas para determinação da liberação de íons metálicos (Hg, Ag, Sn and Cu) utilizando-se espectometria da massa de plasma pareadas por indução (ICP-MS). Análise estatística foi conduzida utilizando-se ANOVA testes para determinar significância das diferenças entre os grupos testes. Bonferroni Post Hoc foram feitos para comparações múltiplas. RESULTADOS: A liberação de íons metálicos para os elementos (Hg, Ag, Sn e Cu) aumentou com a exposição a concentrações aumentadas de peróxido de hidrogênio após o tratamento, tanto para a liga de amálgama GS 80 como para aLojic +. As diferenças de concentração dos íons liberados após tratamento com concentrações de peróxido de H a 0%, 3%, 10% ou 38 % foram estatisticamente significantes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSÕES: Íons metálicos (Hg, Ag, Cu e Sn) foram liberados de amálgamas dentais seguindo-se tratamento com todas as concentrações de H2O2. A liberação de ions metálicos aumentou com a elevação da concentração do peróxido de hidrogênio. Mesmo com exposição de amálgama dental a concentrações relativamente altas de peróxido de hidrogênio (38%), a liberação de Hg não excedeu o limite máximo aceitável.

An in-vitro study of the physico-mechanical properties of a new esthetic restorative versus dental amalgam / Estudo in vitro das propriedades mecânicas de uma nova restauração estética versus amálgama dentário

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the compressive strength (CS), diametraltensile strength (DTS), surface hardness (SH), and surface roughness (SR) of a ceramic-reinforcedglass ionomer in comparison to a high-copper dental amalgam. The microstructure was alsoexamined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A ceramic-reinforced glass ionomer (AmalgomerCR), and a spherical high-copper dental amalgam (GS.80) were used in this study. Specimens werefabricated from the tested materials according to the instructions of each manufacturer. The CS,DTS, SH, and SR were measured after storing the specimens for 1 day and 1 week in water at 37oC. Independent-samples t-test and paired–samples t-test were used to determine which specimengroups were significantly different for each test. One representative specimen of each materialwas prepared and examined for microstructure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).RESULTS: At 1 day, ceramic-reinforced glass ionomer exhibited significantly-higher CS and DTS,lower SR. At 1 week, it exhibited significantly-higher CS and lower SR. The results of SH were notsignificantly different between the tested materials at both storage periods. CONCLUSION: Thephysico-mechanical properties of the tooth-colored ceramic-reinforced glass ionomer were soclose and sometimes significantly superior to dental amalgam.

OBJETIVOS: O propósito deste estudo foi determinas a resistência à compressão, resistência àtensão diametral, dureza de superfície e aspereza de superfície de um ionômero de vidro reforçadocom cerâmica em comparação com amálgama dentário com alto conteúdo de cobre. Amicroestrutura foi também examinada. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Um ionômero de vidroreforçado com cerâmica (Amalgomer CR) e um amálgama com limalha esférica com alto conteúdode cobre (GS.80) foram utilizados neste estudo. Os corpos de prova foram produzidos com osmateriais testados, de acordo com instruções dos fabricantes. O CS, DTS, SH e SR foram medidosapós estocagem dos corpos de prova por um dia e uma semana em água a 37 o C. Amostrasforam testadas (t-test e t-test emparceiradas), usadas para determinar qual grupo de corpos deprova foram diferentes significativamente para cada teste. Um espécime representativo de cadamaterial foi preparado para avaliação da microestrutura utilizando microscopia eletrônica (SEM).RESULTADOS: Após um dia, o ionômero de vidro reforçado por cerâmica exibiusignificativamente maiôs CS e DTS e menor SR. Após uma semana, exibiu significativamentemaior CS e menor SR. Os resultados do SH não foram significativamente diferentes entre osmateriais testados em ambos os períodos de estocagem. CONCLUSÃO: As propriedades físicomecânicasdo ionômero de vidro com cor de dente, reforçado com cerâmica, foram semelhantes ealgumas vezes superiores ao amálgama dentário.

Effect of reinforcement of high-impact acrylic resin with zirconia on some physical and mechanical properties / Efeito do reforço de resinas acrílicas de alto impacto com zircônia em algumas propriedades físicas e mecânicas

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of reinforcing high-impact acrylic resin (Metrocryl HI)with zirconia powder in two different concentrations on the transverse strength, impact strength,surface hardness, water sorption and solubility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteenspecimens were prepared for each test, five from Metrocryl HI resin as control, five others wereprepared from the 5% zirconia-modified Metrocryl HI resin, and another five specimens wereprepared from the 15% zirconia-modified Metrocryl HI resin. Transverse strength was assessedwith a 3-point bending test using a screw-driven testing machine. For the impact strength, a Charpytester was used. Surface hardness testing was conducted using Vickers tester. The water sorptionand solubility test was performed according to International Standards Organization specificationNo. 1567 for denture base polymers. Micro-structural examination of two specimens, onerepresenting each ZrO2 concentration group, was carried out using scanning electron microscopy.RESULTS: As determined by ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison tests, the additionof zirconia resulted in a highly significant increase in transverse strength of high-impact acrylicresin (P< 0.001). This increase was proportional to the concentration of zirconia. No significantdifference was detected in each of impact strength, surface hardness and water solubility (P>0.05). Although a significant increase in water sorption was demonstrated (P< 0.05), still its meanvalue lies within the specification limits. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforcement of high-impact acrylicresin with zirconia powder increases its transverse strength significantly.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o efeito do reforço de resina acrílica de alto impacto (Metrocryl HI) compó de zircônia em duas diferentes concentrações, a forças transversais, de impacto, dureza desuperfície, absorção de água e solubilidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 15 espécimes forampreparados para cada teste, sendo cinco com resina Metrocryl HI como controle, cinco preparadoscom resina modificada em 5% e cinco preparados com resina modificada em 15%. As forçastransversas foram determinadas com um teste de dobramento por máquina de parafuso. Para asforças de impacto, um testgador Charpy foi usado. A dureza de superfície foi verificada comteste de Vickers. A absorção de água foi testada de acordo com especificações n.o 1 567 daOrganização Internacional de Standards para polímeros de bases de dentaduras. O examemicroestrutural dos dois espécimes, um representando cada grupo de concentração de ZrO2, foiefetuado usando microscopia eletrônica. RESULTADOS: Testes ANOVA e Bonferroni decomparação múltipla demonstraram que houve um aumento significante na resistência transversaldas resinas de alto impacto (P<0.05). Este aumento foi proporcional na concentração de zircônia.Não houve diferenças significativas na resistência ao impacto, na dureza superficial e nasolubilidade na água (P>0.05), permanecendo dentro dos limites das especificações.CONCLUSÕES: O reforço de resinas de alto impacto com zircônia em pó aumentasignificativamente a resistência transversal.

Susceptibility of restorative materials to staining by common beverages: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the staining potential of glass-ionomer and composite resin restorative materials following immersion in common beverages. Nine tooth-colored restorative materials were used: three glass ionomers (ceramic-reinforced, resin-modified, and conventional) and six composite resins (nanofilled, ormocer-based, flowable ormocer-based, polyacid-modified, microhybrid, and flowable microhybrid). Disk-shaped specimens were prepared and immersed in 37 degrees C distilled water for 24 hours. Over a 2-week period, five specimens of each material were immersed daily in one of three test beverages (coffee, tea, or cola), then stored in distilled water. A control group of five specimens of each material was continuously immersed in distilled water during the test period. Color coefficients (CIE Lab) were measured by a spectrophotometer before and after staining. All materials were susceptible to staining by all test beverages, while distilled water caused no perceptible color change. As determined by ANOVA and Bonferroni tests, there were highly significant differences in the change in color (deltaE) for tested materials in different beverages (P < or = .001). The deltaE was significantly higher for coffee and tea than for cola; the deltaE was significantly higher for the polyacid-modified composite resin than for all other materials. The material with the least amount of color change in coffee and tea was the ceramic-reinforced glass ionomer (deltaE = 12.45 and 10.64, respectively) and in cola was the nanofilled composite resin (deltaE = 1.93).