Effect of Sintering Temperature on Flexural Strength of Two Types of Zirconia.

Objectives: Any change in the sintering process can directly affect the micro-structure and properties of zirconia. This study sought to assess the effect of sintering temperature on flexural strength of IPS e.max ZirCAD MO Ivoclar (EZI) and CopraSmile White Peaks Symphony (WPS) zirconia blocks. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro, experimental study, 30 EZI and 30 WPS zirconia blocks measuring 10 x 10 x 1 mm were milled and sintered at 1440, 1500 and 1530°C in three subgroups. The flexural strength of the specimens was measured by a testing machine with piston-on-3-ball method according to ISO2015. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The mean flexural strength was 1.31±0.49, 1.09±0.24 and 1.29±0.48 MPa in 1440, 1500, and 1530°C subgroups of EZI, and 1.44±0.61, 1.18±0.35, and 1.33±0.54 MPa in 1440, 1500, and 1530°C subgroups of WPS zirconia, respectively. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the effects of zirconia type (P=0.484), temperature (P=0.258) and their interaction (P=0.957) on flexural strength were not significant. Conclusion: Increasing the sintering temperature from 1440°C to 1530°C did not increase the flexural strength of EZI or WPS zirconia.

Effect of sintering temperature on translucency parameter of zirconia blocks.

Background: The main drawbacks of zirconia are its high refractive index and opacity. This study aimed to assess the effect of sintering temperature on the translucency of Ivoclar e. max ZirCAD (IEZ), and White Peaks Symphony (WPS) zirconia blocks. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 30 IEZ and 30 WPS zirconia blocks measuring 10 mm × 10 mm × 1 mm were prepared and underwent sintering in three subgroups at 1440°C, 1500°C, and 1530°C. The specimens were then photographed against a black and a white background with a standard digital camera. The L*, a*, and b* color parameters were measured using Adobe Photoshop software, and translucency was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Results: In both the IEZ and WPS groups, the maximum and minimum translucency parameters were recorded in 1530°C and 1440°C subgroups, respectively. The difference in the mean translucency was significant among the three subgroups of each zirconia group (P < 0.001). The mean translucency of WPS zirconia was significantly higher than that of IEZ zirconia (P < 0.01), and maximum difference was noted at 1500°C sintering temperature. Conclusion: Increasing the sintering temperature from 1440°C to 1530°C can significantly increase the translucency of IEZ and WPS zirconia blocks, and can be considered to improve the quality of zirconia restorations.

Comparative stress distribution of implant-retained mandibular ball-supported and bar-supported overlay dentures: a finite element analysis.

Implant-retained mandibular ball-supported and bar-supported overlay dentures are the two most common treatment options for the edentulous mandible. The superior option in terms of strain distribution should be determined. The three-dimensional model of mandible (based on computerized tomography scan) and its overlying implant-retained bar-supported and ball-supported overlay dentures were simulated using SolidWorks, NURBS, and ANSYS Workbench. Loads A (60 N) and B (60 N) were exerted, respectively, in protrusive and laterotrusive motions, on second molar mesial, first molar mesial, and first premolar. The strain distribution patterns were assessed on (1) implant tissue, (2) first implant-bone, and (3) second implant-bone interfaces. Protrusive: Strain was mostly detected in the apical of the fixtures and least in the cervical when bar design was used. On the nonworking side, however, strain was higher in the cervical and lower in the apical compared with the working side implant. Laterotrusive: The strain values were closely similar in the two designs. It seems that both designs are acceptable in terms of stress distribution, although a superior pattern is associated with the application of bar design in protrusive motion.

Accuracy of maxillofacial prototypes fabricated by different 3-dimensional printing technologies using multi-slice and cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) printed models derived from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems with different fields of view (FOVs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five human dry mandibles were used to assess the accuracy of reconstructions of anatomical landmarks, bone defects, and intra-socket dimensions by 3D printers. The measurements were made on dry mandibles using a digital caliper (gold standard). The mandibles then underwent MDCT imaging. In addition, CBCT images were obtained using Cranex 3D and NewTom 3G scanners with 2 different FOVs. The images were transferred to two 3D printers, and the digital light processing (DLP) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) techniques were used to fabricate the 3D models, respectively. The same measurements were also made on the fabricated prototypes. The values measured on the 3D models were compared with the actual values, and the differences were analyzed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: The landmarks measured on prototypes fabricated using the FDM and DLP techniques based on all 4 imaging systems showed differences from the gold standard. No significant differences were noted between the FDM and DLP techniques. CONCLUSION: The 3D printers were reliable systems for maxillofacial reconstruction. In this study, scanners with smaller voxels had the highest precision, and the DLP printer showed higher accuracy in reconstructing the maxillofacial landmarks. It seemed that 3D reconstructions of the anterior region were overestimated, while the reconstructions of intra-socket dimensions and implant holes were slightly underestimated.

Comparison of Optical Properties of Laminate Veneers Made of Zolid FX and Katana UTML Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate Ceramics.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the optical properties of Zolid FX, Katana UTML, and lithium disilicate laminate veneers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in-vitro experimental study, the maxillary left lateral incisor of a phantom received a laminate veneer preparation. An impression was made, and a die was fabricated using dental stone. The die was scanned using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing scanner. Ten dies were fabricated from each of the A1, A2, and A3 shades of composite resin. Laminate veneers were fabricated using A1 shade of Katana UTML, Zolid FX, and IPS e.max CAD ceramics (n=10) and placed on composite abutments using bleach and white colors of trial insertion paste (TIP). The optical properties were measured at the incisal, middle, and cervical thirds using a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The effect of laminate material on the L*, a*, and b* parameters was significant in all areas (P<0.001), except for the L* parameter in the middle and cervical thirds. All color parameters were affected by TIP color in all three regions in most samples (P<0.05). The effect of composite abutment shade was also significant in most cases (P<0.05). The effect of laminate material, abutment shade, and TIP color on the b* parameter was significant (P<0.001). The L* parameter was almost the same in the two zirconia and lithium disilicate ceramic groups. CONCLUSION: The composite abutment shade, TIP color, and laminate material should be carefully selected to achieve optimal aesthetics in laminate veneers.

Comparison of interdental papilla around single implants in the anterior maxilla between two implant systems: A cohort study.

Background. In successful replacement of a tooth with a dental implant, soft tissue esthetic is as important as stability and function of the implant. Quality and quantity of the peri-implant mucosa can influence esthetic outcomes. This study assessed implant esthetic success of two different implant systems. In this regard the interdental papilla was evaluated and the relation-ship between implant type and crestal bone loss adjacent to implant was assessed. Methods. Eighteen patients (11 males, 7 females) with a total of 18 implants participated in this historical cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of implants: Implantium group and SPI group; 36 interproximal papillae were evaluated photographically, using Jemt's papillary presence index (PPI). Radiographic analysis was carried out to find out the relation between bone loss and type of implant. Analysis of data was performed with SPSS 18, using Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and ANOVA. Results. Comparison of photographs did not show a statistically significant difference in PPI between the two groups (P=0.94). Radiographic evaluation of crestal bone loss adjacent to implant shoulder did not reveal significant differences between the two groups (P=0.30). Conclusion. Implant therapy in the anterior maxilla, using Implantium or SPI system, did not result in significant differences in esthetics. In this study, there was an inverse relationship between the distance of contact point to bone crest and papilla index (P=0.002 in the SPI group) (P=0.02 in the Implantium group).

Comparison of stresses induced by fiber post, parapost and casting post in root canals by photoelasticity method.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have been performed to evaluate the stress distribution around endodontic posts; those which compared posts composed of different materials are rare. The aim of this study was to compare stresses induced in dentin by three structurally different posts using photoelasticity method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine blocks of PSM-5 Photoelastic material with 45×45×10 mm dimension were prepared. In each block, a canal 9 mm in length and 0.8 mm in width was drilled. Blocks were divided into 3 groups of three each. In the first group, the canals were prepared for insertion of Fiber Post with 1.25 mm width. In the second group, the canals were prepared for insertion of ParaPost with 1.25 mm width and the canals in the third group were prepared for casting post similar to the above samples. Casting Post pattern was made by Duralay resin and casted by Ni-Cr alloy. All posts were cemented in canals with Panavia cement. The stresses were evaluated in the polariscope under three different conditions: 1) without load, 2) with 135 N vertical load, and 3) with 90 N oblique load (26° inclination to post long axis). The fringe orders in the cervical, middle and apical regions of the posts were evaluated and compared with each other. RESULTS: Application of the vertical load induced a high stress concentration (FO=4) in the apical region of the ParaPost, while lower stress was observed in the middle (FO=2) and cervical region (FO=2+). Fiber Post and Casting Post showed even stress distribution (FO=2+). High stress concentration was detected with the application of oblique force in the cervical region of ParaPost (FO=5) and Casting Post (FO=3+). Fiber Posts fractured before reaching 90-N loading force. CONCLUSION: The stress distribution around Fiber Post and Casting Post were constant in comparison with ParaPost. Fiber Post with 1.25 mm width was not recommended in situations with high oblique stresses.