Surface changes in denture soft liners with and without sealer coating following abrasion with mechanical brushing.

AIM: To evaluate the surface alterations of soft liners with or without sealer coating following abrasion with mechanical brushing. METHODS: Thirty specimens were made of a methacrylate- (Coe-Soft) and a siloxane-based material (Ufi-Gel SC), and 15 received two coatings of surface sealer. The specimens were submitted to a mechanical brushing-dentifrice assay under 200g of force at 250 cycles/min. Mechanical brushing was simulated for a period of 1 (1250 cycles) and 6 months (5000 cycles). Surface roughness (Ra parameter) was measured, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained. Ra data were analysed by anova for repeated measures and Bonferroni's test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Ra increased from baseline to 6 months regardless of sealer coating. At baseline, only Coe-Soft without sealer had a higher Ra than the other groups. After 1 month, the Ra of Coe-Soft with sealer was three-fold higher than the Ra at baseline; the other groups showed no significant increase of Ra. SEM images showed degradation of the soft liners over time, except for the Ufi-Gel SC with sealer, which displayed minimum alteration of surface texture. CONCLUSION: Sealer coating reduced the surface degradation of the tested soft liners, but the protective effect was more pronounced for the siloxane-based material.

Titanium alloy miniscrews for orthodontic anchorage: an in vivo study of metal ion release / Minimplantes de liga de titânio para ancoragem ortodôntica: um estudo in vivo de liberação de íon metálico

PURPOSE: To examine and compare the levels of several metal ions released in the saliva of patients with orthodontic appliances, at different time points before and after insertion of a miniscrew. METHODS: Saliva of patients (n=20) was collected at four time points: before miniscrew placement (T1), 10 minutes (T2), 7 days (T3) and 30 days after miniscrew placement (T4). The salivary samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The release of nine different metal ions was observed: titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), Vanadium (V) and cobalt (Co). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Salivary metal concentrations from different time points of miniscrew treatment were compared using Wilcoxon paired tests (a=5 percent). RESULTS: At time point T4, there was a quantitative increase in the salivary concentration of Cu, Ti, V, Zn, as well as a quantitative decrease in the salivary concentration of Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, when compared with T1. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances associated with miniscrews does not lead to an increase of salivary metal ion concentrations.

OBJETIVO: Examinar e comparar os níveis de diferentes íons metálicos liberados na saliva de pacientes com aparelhos ortodônticos, em diferentes tempos: antes e após a inserção de mini-implantes. METODOLOGIA: A saliva de pacientes (n=20) foi coletada em quatro tempos diferentes: antes da inserção do mini-implante (T1), 10 minutos (T2), 7 dias (T3) e 30 dias após a remoção do mini-implante (T4). As amostras de saliva foram analisadas por espectrometria de massa de plasma com acoplamento por indução (ICP-MS) e espectrometria de emissão ótica por plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP-OES). A liberação de nove diferentes ions metálicos foi observado: titânio (Ti), zinco (Zn), cromo (Cr), níquel (Ni), ferro (Fe), cobre (Cu), alumínio (Al), vanádio(V) e cobalto (Co). Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva. As concentrações de íons metálicos na saliva dos diferentes tempos estudados foram comparados através do teste pareado de Wilcoxon (a=5 por cento). RESULTADOS: No tempo T4, houve um aumento quantitativo na concentração salivar de Cu, Ti, V, Zn, assim como um decréscimo quantitativo na concentração salivar de Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, quando comparados com T1. CONCLUSÃO: Pode ser concluído que a colocação de aparelho fixo ortodôntico associado com mini-implantes não leva a um aumento significativo na concentração salivar de íons metálicos.

Patient's perception on mini-screws used for molar distalization / Percepção dos pacientes quanto ao uso de mini-implantes para distalização de molares

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the perceived pain intensity, side effects and discomfort related to the moment of placement, during mechanics and removal of a mini-screw for molar distalization in orthodontic treatment.Methods: The sample consisted of 30 adult patients with a mean age of 30 years old, with class II malocclusion subdivision right or left. A mini-screw was installed in each patient, in the maxillary arch to provide a molar distalization. The patients answered a questionnaire to assess their opinions on the treatment. Results: Ninety percent of the patients chose mini-screws over pre-molar extraction (orthodontic camouflage), or the use of an extra-oral appliance (Kloehn cervical traction) or another non-compliance treatment to class II. Aphthous ulcer was the side effect most frequent after placement of the mini-screw (30%). The greatest discomfort was felt during infiltration anesthesia (27%), though 23% reported no discomfort during placement. Eighty-three percent of the patients reported no pain during placement, which may be associated with the degree of satisfaction with the treatment (100%) and recommendation of the procedure to other patients (100%). Conclusion: Mini-screws were well accepted by the patients and were efficient for molar distalization when utilized in association with orthodontic treatment for Class II malocclusion.

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar e comparar a intensidade de dor, os efeitos colaterais e o desconforto sentido pelo paciente relacionado à colocação do mini-implante, durante a mecânica e na remoção do mesmo, durante a distalização de molares no tratamento ortodôntico. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 30 pacientes adultos com uma média de idade de 30 anos, com maloclusão Classe II subdivisão direita ou esquerda. Um mini-implante foi instalado em cada paciente, no arco superior para conseguir a distalização de molar. Os pacientes receberam um questionário a respeito de sua opinião sobre o tratamento. Resultados: Noventa por cento dos pacientes escolheram colocar os mini-implantes ao invés de realizar extração de molares (camuflagem ortodôntica), fazer o uso de um aparelhoextraoral (Aparelho extraoral de Kloehn) ou fazer uso de qualquer outro tratamento alternativo para classe II. A úlcera aftosa foi o efeito colateral com a maior incidência após a inserção do mini-implante (30%). O maior desconforto foi sentido durante a infiltração anestésica (27%), embora 23% relataram não ter sentido desconforto durante o tratamento. Um total de 83% dos pacientes não relatou dor durante o tratamento, o que pode ser associado com o grau de satisfação com o tratamento (100%) e a recomendação desse procedimento a outros pacientes (100%). Conclusão: Os mini-implantes foram bem aceitos pelos pacientes e foram eficientes para a distalização de molares quando utilizados em associação com o tratamento ortodôntico para correção da maloclusão de Classe II.

Maximum occlusal force and medial mandibular flexure in relation to vertical facial pattern: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vertical facial pattern may be related to the direction of pull of the masticatory muscles, yet its effect on occlusal force and elastic deformation of the mandible still is unclear. This study tested whether the variation in vertical facial pattern is related to the variation in maximum occlusal force (MOF) and medial mandibular flexure (MMF) in 51 fully-dentate adults. METHODS: Data from cephalometric analysis according to the method of Ricketts were used to divide the subjects into three groups: Dolichofacial (n = 6), Mesofacial (n = 10) and Brachyfacial (n = 35). Bilateral MOF was measured using a cross-arch force transducer placed in the first molar region. For MMF, impressions of the mandibular occlusal surface were made in rest (R) and in maximum opening (O) positions. The impressions were scanned, and reference points were selected on the occlusal surface of the contralateral first molars. MMF was calculated by subtracting the intermolar distance in O from the intermolar distance in R. Data were analysed by ANCOVA (fixed factors: facial pattern, sex; covariate: body mass index (BMI); alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: No significant difference of MOF or MMF was found among the three facial patterns (P = 0.62 and P = 0.72, respectively). BMI was not a significant covariate for MOF or MMF (P > 0.05). Sex was a significant factor only for MOF (P = 0.007); males had higher MOF values than females. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MOF and MMF did not vary as a function of vertical facial pattern in this Brazilian sample.

Surface modification of titanium with hydrothermal treatment at high pressure.

Surface modification of titanium was investigated by means of hydrothermal treatment with a maximum pressure of 6.3 MPa (280 degrees C temperature) in CaO solution or water to improve bioactivity and biocompatibility. As a result, calcium titanate was formed on the titanium surface. Moreover, titanium oxide and titanium hydroxide layers on the surface increased as temperature and pressure increased. The surface-modified titanium was also immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) to estimate its bioactivity. Needle-like apatite precipitation was observed on all hydrothermal-treated titanium surfaces after immersion in SBF for four weeks. In particular, the apatite precipitation of titanium treated with 6.3 MPa in CaO solution was clearer and larger in amount than those of all other hydrothermal-treated specimens. Further, the amount of precipitate corresponded to the thickness of the surface-modified layer and the amount of calcium in the surface layer. The results suggested that surface modification of titanium with high-pressure hydrothermal treatment seemed to improve bioactivity and biocompatibility.

Strengthening of calcium phosphate cement by compounding calcium carbonate whiskers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how aragonite (calcium carbonate) whiskers influenced the strengthening and carbonating of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) based calcium phosphate cement. Aragonite whiskers of 0.95 microm width with an aspect ratio of 6.6 were prepared. The cement powder, alpha-TCP containing 0-50 mass% aragonite whisker, was mixed with 0.6 mol/L NaH2PO4 solution and incubated at 37 degrees C and 100% relative humidity. Diametral tensile strength (DTS) value increased significantly when appropriate amount of aragonaite whiskers was added. For example, DTS value of set cement containing 20 mass% aragonite whisker was 5.8 +/- 0.5 MPa, whereas DTS value of set cement containing no whiskers was 1.3 +/- 0.2 MPa after 1-week incubation. SEM observation revealed that the shape of the whiskers and the densification of the structure could have contributed to the strengthening of the set cement. Moreover, FTIR spectra implied that a bone-like carbonated apatite was precipitated in the cement. The results obtained in the present study revealed that the shape as well as any slight dissolution of aragonite whiskers could contribute to improving the properties of a-TCP based calcium phosphate cement.

Porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by spark plasma sintering for biomimetic surface modification.

Porous compacts with both biological and biomechanical compatibilities and high strength were developed. Spherical powders of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which were either as received or surface modified with the use of calcium ions by hydrothermal treatment (HTT), were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering process. The porous compacts of pure Ti were used as reference materials. Porosity was approximately 30%, and compressive strengths were 113 and 125 MPa for the as-received Ti alloy powders and those modified by the HTT process, respectively. The bending strength and elastic modulus of as-received Ti alloy powders were 128-178 MPa and 16-18 GPa, respectively. Each of the compacts was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The amount of adsorption/precipitation of calcium phosphate through the compacts was measured by weight change and was observed by SEM. The compacts were covered with calcium phosphate after 2 weeks of immersion in SBF. The compacts of Ti alloy had plenty of precipitated apatite crystals, and modification by HTT accumulated more precipitation. Because calcium phosphate is a mineral component of bone, apatite, which is precipitated on the surface of the compacts, could adsorb proteins and/or drugs such as antibiotics. It is expected that a large amount of proteins and/or drugs could be impregnated when the porous compacts developed are used.

Evaluation of apatite ceramics containing alpha-tricalcium phosphate by immersion in simulated body fluid.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the availability of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) on/in hydroxyapatite (HAP) ceramics for bioactivity as bone-substitute materials by immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF; Hanks' solution) containing ion concentrations similar to those in human blood plasma. Two alpha-TCP-surface-modified HAP and alpha-TCP-HAP composite materials were prepared by orthophosphoric acid treatment of sintered HAP and controlling the crystal phases of calcium phosphate cement, respectively. After immersion in SBF, the sintered HAP modified on the surface in an approximately 0.2 microm alpha-TCP layer was more effective for the precipitation of carbonated apatites than an approximately 2 microm alpha-TCP layer and HAP-only layer. In the calcium phosphate cements consisting of HAP and alpha-TCP phases, after immersion for 1 week, the specimens precipitated large amounts of apatites having alpha-TCP contents of approximately 25% and 50% in the cement. The results of immersion tests imply the possibility that the alpha-TCP on/in HAP ceramics may be a bioactive agent for bone-substituting HAP materials.

Surface-layer modification of hydroxyapatite ceramic with acid and heat treatments.

The purpose of this study was to examine or characterize the surface layer of a calcium phosphate ceramic with a gradual compositional change from alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) on the surface to hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the inside. The surface of a dense HAP ceramic was acid-treated for 1 hour with orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) solutions of several concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mol/L) or a buffered solution (pH 4.0) consisting of phosphate solutions. After acid treatment, specimens were heat-treated at 1,250 degrees C for 1 hour. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the compositional gradient layer could be modified on the surface of the HAP ceramic with all acid and heat treatments, and that 5.0 mol/L H3PO4 solution and heat treatments had a maximal thickness of approximately 2 microm for the surface-modified layer. It was confirmed that the outermost layer of HAP ceramics modified with the treatments, except 5.0 mol/L H3PO4 solution, showed a compound such alpha-TCP.