Influence of five home whitening gels and a remineralizing gel on the enamel and dentin ultrastructure and hardness.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of calcium phosphate enhanced home whitening agents on human enamel and dentin surface microhardness and ultramorphology. METHODS: Five intact molars crowns were used for ultrastructural analysis and five for microhardness test. Each resulting coronal structure was cut in slices. After measuring baseline Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) of the enamel and dentin, the slices were divided into six experimental groups and one control (n= 5). G1= 15% carbamide peroxide (CP); G2= 16% CP; G3= Ca and PO4 (remineralizing agent); G4= 16% CP with Ca and PO4; G5= 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with Ca and PO4; G6=7.5% HP with Ca. After each daily session of treatment, specimens were stored in distilled water (37 degrees C) until the next session. Products were applied for 2 weeks, according to manufacturers' instructions. Additional KHN weredetermined. RESULTS: Conventional whitening agents (G1; G2) and the gel with Ca (G6), caused KHN decrease (P< 0.05).The remineralizing and whitening agents with Ca and PO4 (G3; G4; G5) did not change KHN. A change of morphology was observed on enamel and dentin surfaces in G1; G2; G5.

Measuring bond strength between fiber post and root dentin: a comparison of different tests.

PURPOSE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of bond strength tests to accurately measure the bond strength of fiber posts luted into root canals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the test methods studied were hourglass microtensile (HM), push-out (PS), modified pushout (MP), and pull-out (PL). The evaluated parameters were: bond strength values, reliability (using Weibull analysis), failure mode (using confocal microscopy), and stress distribution (using finite element analysis). Forty human intact single-rooted and endodontically treated teeth were divided into four groups. Each group was assigned one of the test methods. The samples in the HM and PS groups were 1.0 ± 0.1 mm thick; the HM samples were hourglass shaped and the PS samples were disk shaped. For the PL and MP groups, each 1-mm dentin slice was luted with a fiber post piece. Three-dimensional models of each group were made and stress was analyzed based on Von Mises criteria. RESULTS: PL provided the highest values of bond strength, followed by MP, both of which also had greater amounts of adhesive failures. PS showed the highest frequency of cohesive failures. MP showed a more homogeneous stress distribution and a higher Weibull modulus. CONCLUSION: the specimen design directly influences the biomechanical behavior of bond strength tests.

Early and 24-hour bond strength and degree of conversion of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives.

PURPOSE: To evaluate early and 24-hour microtensile bond strength (microTBS) and the degree of conversion (DC) of one representative adhesive system from each of the four current bonding approaches. METHODS: 40 human molars were sectioned occluso-gingivally into two halves. Resin composite was bonded incrementally to flat, mid-coronal dentin, using the adhesives Adper Scotchbond MP (MP); Adper Scotchbond 2 (SB); Clearfil SE Bond (SE); and Adper Prompt L-Pop (LP) according to the respective manufacturer's instructions (n = 10). One half was immediately sectioned into sticks and subjected to muTBS test. As the sectioning process took approximately 1 hour, the results were designated as 1-hour bond strengths. The other half was stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours before being sectioned and tested. The DC of these systems was measured using Fourier Transform-Raman spectroscopy in three periods: immediately, 1 and 24 hours after polymerization. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 1-hour and 24-hour bond strengths (P > 0.05), or among the DC measured immediately, 1 hour and 24 hours after polymerization (P > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed among adhesives (P < 0.05). microTBS values obtained, in MPa (1 hour/24 hour), were: SB (48.6 + 1.3/48.4 + 3.5) = SE (51.9 + 4.7/53.3 +/- 2.9) > MP (35.3 +/- 10.9/38.6 + 6.7) > LP (25.5 + 1.1/26.0 + 1.5). The DC, in percentage (immediately/1 hour/24 hour), were: SE (81/82/87) > MP (79/77/81) > SB (60/63/65) > LP (39/37/42).

Effects of surface treatments and storage times on the tensile bond strength of adhesive cements to noble and base metal alloys.

This work evaluated two resin cements and a glass-ionomer cement and their bond strength to gold-palladium (Au-Pd), silver-palladium (Ag-Pd), and nickel-chromium-beryllium (Ni-Cr-Be) alloys, utilizing three surface treatments over a period of six months. Eight hundred ten pieces were cast (in a button shape flat surfaces) in one of three alloys. Each alloy group was assigned to three other groups, based on the surface treatment utilized. Specimens were fabricated by bonding similar buttons in using one of three adhesive cements. The 405 pairs were thermocycled and stored in saline solution (0.9% NaCl) at 37 degrees C. The tensile bond strengths were measured in a universal testing machine after storage times of 2, 90, or 180 days. The highest mean bond strength value was obtained with the base metal alloy (10.9 +/- 8.6 MPa). In terms of surface treatment, oxidation resulted in the highest mean bond strength (13.7 +/- 7.3 MPa), followed by sandblasting (10.3 +/- 5.5 MPa) and polishing (3.0 +/- 6.4 MPa). Panavia Ex (13.2 +/- 9.3 MPa) showed significantly higher bond strengths than the other two cements, although the storage time reduced all bond strengths significantly.

A novel method to obtain microtensile specimens minimizing cut flaws.

Cutting procedures conventionally used for microtensile specimens' preparation induce mechanical stress and attrition, leading to cracks in dental structure. Enamel is mainly affected due to its high module of elasticity and brittleness. As an alternative to the conventional diamond saw, a diamond wire was used for cutting. The two techniques were compared in efficacy in the preparation of two different sample shapes. Forty human molars, flattened in dentin or enamel, were used for sample preparation. After bonding procedures, resin block was built incrementally. Half of the teeth were cut using a diamond disc and the other half using a diamond wire, obtaining slabs and stick-shaped specimens. Slabs were then shaped to obtain hourglass samples. Five samples from each subgroup were randomly selected for Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Remaining samples underwent microtensile test and the results were analyzed, including/excluding premature failures (pf), with three-way ANOVA and Tukey test, performed separately, by substrate. On dentin, only the exclusion of pf showed a significant higher bond strength values than when pf were included (p < 0.05); however, on enamel, all factors (equipment, shape and including/excluding pf) had a significant effect on bond strength (p<0.05). The most remarkable finding from SEM was the incidence of specimens' cracks and defects when diamond blade was used. Scratches and cracks in the hourglass-shaped specimens were also detected. In both cases, enamel was more affected than dentin.

Influence of cavity dimensions, insertion technique and adhesive system on microleakage of Class V restorations.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the influence of cavity dimensions, insertion technique and adhesive system on microleakage of Class composite restorations. METHODS: The authors prepared cylindrical cavities with enamel margins of 3-millimeter diameter by 1-mm depth or 6-mm diameter by 2-mm depth on the labial surface of bovine incisors. They defined experimental groups (n = 15) according to cavity size, insertion technique (bulk or incremental) and adhesive system applied (Single Bond, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, Minn., or Excite, Ivoclar Vivadent, Amherst, N.Y.). They restored preparations with Tetric Ceram (Ivoclar Vivadent). After 36 hours' storage in distilled water at 37 C, specimens were submitted to microleakage using 50 percent silver nitrate as tracer. Teeth were sectioned twice and dye penetration on the axial wall was determined in millimeters. RESULTS: The authors analyzed the data using analysis of variance/Tukey test (a = .05). For large restorations, the use of Single Bond resulted in higher microleakage than Excite (1.56 +/- standard deviation [SD] 0.26 mm and 0.63 +/- SD 0.56 mm, respectively; P < .001), whereas for small restorations there was no statistical difference between adhesives (Excite: 0.47 +/- SD 0.28 mm; Single Bond: 0.46 +/- SD 0.28 mm). CONCLUSION: The choice of adhesive system influenced microleakage only for large restorations. Incremental insertion of the composite did not affect dye penetration. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Microleakage of composite restorations cannot be predicted only on the basis of the restorations' dimensions. In large restorations, it also depends on the choice of adhesive system, whereas in small restorations, the adhesive used does not seem to be an influential factor. Incremental insertion did not seem to reduce restorations' microleakage.

Microtensile bond strength of current dentin adhesives measured immediately and 24 hours after application.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate microtensile bond strengths achieved with representative adhesive systems from each of the four current bonding approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resin composite was bonded incrementally to flat, midcoronal dentin from 33 human molars, using the adhesives (Adper Scotchbond MP; Adper Scotchbond 1; Optibond Solo Plus; Clearfil SE Bond; AdheSE; Tyrian SPE + One Step Plus; Optibond Solo Plus self-etching; One-Up Bond F; iBond; Adper Prompt L-Pop; Xeno III) according to the respective manufacturer's instructions. The bonded specimens were immediately sectioned into sticks and underwent microtensile bond testing either immediately or after 24 h. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and LSD tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between immediate and 24-h bond strengths (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed among adhesives (p = 0.001). The all-in-one adhesive iBond showed statistically lower values when compared to all the other adhesives. Adper Prompt L-Pop, Xeno III, Tyrian SPE + One Step Plus and One-Up Bond F, all self-etching adhesives, were significantly weaker than AdheSE, Optibond Solo Plus, Adper Scotchbond 1, Optibond Solo Plus self-etching, Clearfil SE Bond, and Adper Scotchbond MP, which did not differ statistically from each other. CONCLUSION: Microtensile bond strengths of representative adhesive systems from the four categories of bonding agents were not equivalent, with the lowest values recorded for the one-step self-etching adhesives. There were no differences in the bond strengths when measured immediately and after 24 h.

Microtensile bond strength of different adhesive systems to primary and permanent dentin.

PURPOSE: The aims of this in vitro study were to: (1) compare bond strength of different adhesive systems to primary and permanent dentin using microtensile test; and (2) evaluate the interaction of these materials to primary and permanent dentin by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). METHODS: Middle-coronal dentin surfaces of 18 exfoliated primary and 18 extracted permanent molars were exposed and teeth were randomly divided, according to their adhesive system, into 3 groups (N=6 per group): (1) Clearfil SE Bond (SE); (2) One Up Bond F (OU); and (3) Single Bond (SB). Then, 5-mm high composite blocks were constructed. After bonding procedures, the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours prior to the specimens' preparation. For the microtensile test, teeth (N=5 per group) were longitudinally sectioned into 2 axes rendering beam-specimens that were glued to special devices, which were mounted in a Universal Testing Machine to be loaded under a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until fracture. One tooth of each group was prepared for SEM. RESULTS: Microtensile bond strength mean values (MPa) to primary/permanent dentin were: (1) SE=60.0/61.4; (2) OU=54.5/53.3; and (3) SB=70.1/64.9. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences (P>.05) for the bond strength values among primary and permanent dentin groups, neither among groups SExSB and SExOU. SEM images of SE and SB showed a well-defined, uniform, and continuous hybrid layer. A continuous hybrid layer, however, was not found for OU. CONCLUSIONS: Bond strength and micromorphologic characteristics of the adhesive systems evaluated were not influenced by the substrate. OU achieved worse results.

Polymerization contraction stress of low-shrinkage composites and its correlation with microleakage in class V restorations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the behavior of two new, low-shrinkage hybrid composites (Aelite LS and Inten-S) with a microfilled (Heliomolar) and a hybrid composite (Filtek Z250), in terms of polymerization contraction stress and microleakage. METHODS: Maximum contraction stress after 10 min was recorded in a "tensilometer", using a C-factor (C) of 2.5 and energy density of 26 J/cm(2). For the microleakage test, cylindrical cavities with enamel margins prepared in bovine incisors (4 mm diameter, 1.5 mm depth, C = 2.5) were restored in bulk, applying the same energy density used in the contraction stress test. After immersion in 0.5% methylene blue for 4 h, specimens were sectioned twice, perpendicularly, and the highest dye penetration score was recorded. Contraction stress results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA/Tukey's test and microleakage was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Regression analysis between the two variables was also performed. RESULTS: Aelite LS showed significantly higher stress than the other composites tested. Inten-S and Filtek Z250 had similar stress levels, statistically higher than Heliomolar. In the microleakage test, a significant difference was observed between Aelite LS and Heliomolar only. Regression analysis showed a good linear correlation between the two variables (R2(adjusted) = 0.811). CONCLUSIONS: The low-shrinkage materials exhibited contraction stress values similar or higher than the hybrid composite. A direct relationship between contraction stress values and microleakage for the composites evaluated was verified. SIGNIFICANCE: The low-shrinkage composites tested did not seem to represent an improvement in terms of reducing contraction stress or microleakage.

Microleakeage and resin cement film thickness of luted all-ceramic and gold electroformed porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of single-unit all-ceramic and gold-electroformed crowns luted with a resin cement under laboratory conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty extracted maxillary premolars were selected. Standardized abutments were prepared for full-crown restorations with cervical margins located 1 mm below the cementoenamel junction. Samples were divided into two groups (n = 15) based on type of restorative system: Group 1: a heat-pressed all-ceramic system (IPS Empress 2, Ivoclar-Vivadent); Group 2: a gold-electroformed porcelain-fused-to-metal system (Gramm Technik). Crowns were luted with Excite DSC bonding system (Ivoclar-Vivadent) and Variolink II resin cement (Ivoclar-Vivadent) following manufacturer's instructions. After luting procedures and 700 thermal cycles (5 degrees C and 55 degrees C, 1 min dwell time), 20 specimens (n = 10 per group) were randomly selected and processed for microleakage evaluation at cervical sites. The remaining specimens (n = 5 per group) were prepared for SEM investigation on film thickness. Microleakage and film thickness data were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Fifty percent of group 1 and 60% of group 2 samples showed leakage. For group 1, dye penetration was mostly observed between metal and resin material, while group 2 specimens showed leakage mainly between ceramic margins and resin cement. Samples from group 1 showed a cement thickness of 82 microm, while 71 microm was found for group 2. Statistically significant differences were not found between samples from the two groups. CONCLUSION: Regarding microleakage and film thickness, both restorative systems evaluated in this study performed similarly.

Adhesion testing with the microtensile method: effects of dental substrate and adhesive system on bond strength measurements.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bond strength of a self-etching primer (SE, Clearfil SE Bond) and a one-bottle adhesive system (EX, Excite) on enamel and dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight sound human molars were used. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): SE applied to enamel (SE-E); SE applied to dentin (SE-D); EX applied to enamel (EX-E); EX applied to dentin (EX-D). A resin (Tetric Ceram) block of approximately 5 x 5 x 5 mm was built up on the tooth and cured for 40 s. After 24 h, samples were obtained by cutting along the x and y axis of the tooth. Stick-shaped samples of approximately 0.8 mm2 cross-sectional area were obtained. The sticks underwent microtensile testing. RESULTS: The tensile bond strength (MPa) values of the test groups were: SE-E, 38.9 (+/- 4.8); SE-D, 44.5 (+/- 7.7); EX-E, 45.8 (+/- 4.7); EX-D, 42.9 (+/- 7.1). These values were not statistically significantly different. CONCLUSION: The null hypothesis was accepted that there is no difference between the self-etching primer and the one-bottle adhesive tested here. In addition, the bonding conditions provided by either bonding material on enamel were not significantly more favorable than on dentin. The majority of the specimens failed adhesively under load.

Microtensile dentin bond strength of self-etching and single-bottle adhesive systems in different cavity configurations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bond strength of a self-etching (Clearfil SE Bond) and a single-bottle (Excite) adhesive system using two cavity configurations (C-factors 5 and 1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class I cavities (3 x 4 x 2.5 mm) were prepared in 28 extracted human molars using diamond burs under water cooling. Teeth were divided into 4 groups: G1: Excite, C-factor 5; G2: Excite, C-factor 1; G3: Clearfil, C-factor 5; G4: Clearfil, C-factor 1. To determine C-factor 5, systems were applied to all cavity walls according to the manufacturers' instructions (5 bonded, 1 unbonded). For C-factor 1, lateral walls were isolated using nail varnish, and adhesive systems were only applied to the pulpal floor (5 unbonded, 1 bonded). Cavities were restored using Tetric Ceram composite resin (Ivoclar/Vivadent), and bulk light cured for 40 s (500 mW/cm2). Teeth were stored in distilled water for 24 h at 37 degrees C, and then sectioned using a diamond disk, yielding stick-shaped specimens with a bonded area of approximately 0.8 mm2. Specimens were submitted to the microtensile bond test at a rate of 1 mm/min speed in a universal testing machine. RESULTS: Resin-dentin bond strengths (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05) [number of specimens]: G1 = 35.8b [43]; G2 = 48.9a [55]; G3 = 45.9a [60]; G4 = 49.0a [53]. There was no statistically significant difference between adhesive systems for C-factor 1. For C-factor 5, Clearfil SE Bond produced higher values when compared to the other group. CONCLUSION: Changes in C-factor only affected the total-etch adhesive system tested. This may be a result of the different filler volume in the self-etching system, and not of the bonding technique itself.

Microtensile bond strength of self-etching adhesives to enamel and dentin.

PURPOSE: To measure the microtensile bond strength to enamel and dentin of three self-etching adhesives in comparison with a total-etch two-step system as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 extracted human molars were stored in saline solution until use, then divided into 4 groups of 10 teeth (one group per adhesive system). Half of each of these groups underwent bond strength tests on enamel, and the other half was used for adhesion testing on dentin. The following experimental groups (n = 5) were then formed: E(1) Adper Prompt-L-Pop (AP, 3M ESPE) on enamel; E(2) Xeno CF II (X, Sanking Kogyo) on enamel; E(3) AdheSE (AS, Ivoclar-Vivadent) on enamel; E(4) Excite (EX, Ivoclar-Vivadent) on enamel; D(1) AP on dentin; D(2): X on dentin; D(3) AS on dentin; D(4) EX on dentin. Each tooth yielded 15 to 20 sticks about 0.9 x 0.9 mm in cross-sectional area for microtensile testing. Specimens were loaded in tension at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute, and bond strength at failure was calculated in MPa. A two-way ANOVA was applied to test for significance of the differences among the groups. RESULTS: The bond strength values of Excite (the control) were significantly higher than those of the test products on enamel (42.92+/-4.8 MPa) and on dentin (45.80+/-5.79 MPa). The self-etching adhesives AdheSE (28.48+/-4.71 MPa) and Xeno CF II (27.22+/-2.74 MPa) revealed significantly stronger adhesion than Adper Prompt-L-Pop (20.16+/-2.07 MPa) on dentin. On enamel, all self-etching test materials performed similarly. The substrate did not appear to have a significant influence on adhesion, as each material reached comparable levels of bond strength on enamel and dentin. CONCLUSION: On both substrates the self-etching adhesives tested performed significantly worse than did the total-etch system.

Influence of load cycling on marginal microleakage with two self-etching and two one-bottle dentin adhesive systems in dentin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of occlusal load cycling on cervical microleakage of proximal slot restorations located in dentin, using two self-etching and two one-bottle dentin adhesive systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 240 proximal slot cavities were prepared in 120 bovine teeth and divided into two groups, one with load cycling and one without. The groups were then subdivided into four subgroups according to the adhesive system used (Experimental EXL 547 Self-etching 3M, Clearfil SE Bond, Single Bond, and Optibond Solo Plus) and restored following the manufacturers' instructions. The teeth were then submitted to mechanical load cycling with a force of 80 N and a frequency of 5 Hz, simultaneously over both restorations of each tooth, for a total of 50,000 cycles per specimen. All specimens were subsequently immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution (pH 7.0), and sectioned to examine the extent of dye penetration under a stereomicroscope (40X). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.00002) between the loaded and unloaded teeth. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the adhesive systems used. The experimental self-etching EXL 547 presented the lowest mean microleakage, but was only statistically significantly different from the Single Bond loaded and unloaded groups and the Clearfil SE Bond unloaded group. CONCLUSION: The application of 50,000 loading cycles did not affect the microleakage of the two self-etching and the two one-bottle adhesive systems evaluated. In vitro mechanical load cycling is an important factor to consider when evaluating the performance of adhesive systems under simulated masticatory conditions.

Influence of the substrate and load application method on the shear bond strength of two adhesive systems.

The difficulty with comparing data obtained from different research centers calls for the standardization of laboratory procedures. This in vitro study compared the shear bond strength (SBS) of two adhesive systems--a self-etching system, Etch&Prime 3.0 and a one-bottle total-etch system, Single Bond--using two methods of load application (orthodontic edge wire loop and knife-edge blade). The hypothesis of substrate influence on the results obtained for both tests was also investigated. Twenty-four recently extracted human teeth were embedded in PVC tubes using acrylic resin and divided into two groups (n=12). A proximal surface of each tooth was wet-ground flat to expose dentin. Etch&Prime 3.0 and Single Bond adhesive systems were applied according to the manufacturers' instructions, and cone-shaped restorations were then built using Z100 resin composite. After storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, the specimens were submitted to SBS testing using an orthodontic edge wire loop. The same teeth were again embedded in PVC tubes using acrylic resin and the other proximal surface was wet-ground flat to expose dentin. The specimens were prepared as explained above, and after storage in distilled water under the same previous conditions, they were submitted to SBS testing using a knife-edge blade. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests were performed to determine any statistically significant differences among testing conditions. Results indicated that SBS values obtained for Etch&Prime 3.0 were significantly lower than Single Bond for both methods of load application (p<0.001). Regarding the load application method, statistically significant higher values (p<0.01) were obtained for Etch&Prime 3.0 when the knife-edge blade was used, whereas, no significant difference was observed between the two methods for Single Bond. There was a significant correlation between the bond strength values obtained on the same tooth (p<0.05). SEM examination found that Etch&Prime 3.0 demonstrated narrower tags than Single Bond. Moreover, the peritubular dentin was not adequately decalcified when Etch&Prime 3.0 was used.

Thermal and mechanical load cycling on microleakage and shear bond strength to dentin.

This study evaluated the influence of mechanical and thermal cycling on microleakage at the cervical margins of proximal slot restorations and shear bond strength on flat dentin surfaces. Microleakage Evaluation: One hundred and twenty slot cavity restorations were performed on bovine incisors. The restorations were randomly divided into four groups (n = 30): control (no thermal and mechanical load cycling), thermal cycling (2,000 cycles, 5 degrees C-55 degrees C), mechanical load cycling (50,000-80N) and thermal and load cycling (2,000 5 degrees C-55 degrees C/50,000-80N). The specimens were sealed with acid resistant varnish, leaving a 1-mm window around the cervical margin interface. To detect marginal leakage, a 2% methylene blue buffered solution was used for four hours. The specimens were sectioned longitudinally and qualitatively evaluated by stereomicroscopy (45x) following a ranked score for the dentin cervical margin. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (alpha = 0.05). Shear Bond Strength Evaluation (SBS): Eighty bovine incisors were embedded and polished to obtain a flat standard surface on dentin. The surfaces were restored with Single Bond adhesive system and a resin composite subsequently inserted in a bipartite Teflon matrix. The specimens were randomly divided into the four groups (n = 20) described above for microleakage. Shear bond strengths were measured in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA test (alpha = 0.05). No statistically significant influence of thermocycling, mechanical load cycling or the combination was observed for both microleakage and shear bond strength.

Microleakage of four simplified adhesive systems under thermal and mechanical stresses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate microleakage at the dentin margins of Class II resin-based composite restorations using four simplified adhesive systems: Etch & Prime 3.0, Prime & Bond NT, Clearfil Liner Bond 2V and Clearfil SE Bond, upon thermal and mechanical stresses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty slot preparations (5mm x 3mm x 1.5mm) were cut in sound human molars with gingival margins below the cement/enamel junction. All adhesive systems were applied strictly according to manufacturers' instructions. Cavities were restored using Clearfil AP-X composite resin. After finishing and polishing, teeth were submitted to thermal (x700, 5-55 degrees C, 60-second dwell time) and consecutively mechanical cycling (100,000 cycle; 8 Kgf load). Specimens were coated with nail polish, immersed in silver nitrate for 2 hours and sectioned longitudinally with a diamond disc. The extent of leakage was ranked using a 0-4 scale. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Minimal leakage occurred with Clearfil SE Bond. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.01) between this system and Clearfil Liner Bond 2V, although the latter also showed low values of dye penetration. No statistically significant difference was found between Etch & Prime 3.0 and Prime & Bond NT. Both showed statistically greater leakage than the two other systems (P<0.01).

The effect of long-term storage on the microleakage of composite resin restorations: qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of storage periods of 24 hours and 3 months on the microleakage of class II cavities. Two methods of assessing microleakage were also compared. Class II cavities were prepared in sound human molars. MO cavities were restored using ABF experimental (Kuraray Medical Inc.) + Z250 composite resin (3M ESPE), and DO cavities were restored using Single Bond (3M ESPE) + Z250. After different storage periods, specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a dye (0.5% methylene blue solution for 4 h) and longitudinally sectioned. Dye penetration was scored according to a 0-4 scale. The extent of microleakage was measured using the ImageLab 2000 program. A statistically significant correlation was verified between both evaluation methods (r = 0.978, p < 0.001). ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between the tested adhesive systems regarding microleakage (p < 0.001), although it was not influenced by the different storage periods.

Influence of curing light attenuation caused by aesthetic indirect restorative materials on resin cement polymerization.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the effect of interposing different indirect restorative materials on degree of conversion (DC), hardness, and flexural strength of a dual-cure resin cement. METHODS: Discs (2 mm-thick, n=5) of four indirect restorative materials were manufactured: a layered glass-ceramic (GC); a heat-pressed lithium disilicate-based glass-ceramic veneered with the layered glass-ceramic (LD); a micro-hybrid (MH); and a micro-filled (MF) indirect composite resin. The light transmittance of these materials was determined using a double-beam spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. Bar-shaped specimens of a dual-cure resin cement (Nexus 2/SDS Kerr), with (dual-cure mode) and without the catalyst paste (light-cure mode), were photoactivated through the discs using either a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) or a light-emitting diode (LED) unit. As a control, specimens were photoactivated without the interposed discs. Specimens were stored at 37 masculineC for 24h before being submitted to FT-Raman spectrometry (n=3), Knoop microhardness (n=6) and three-point bending (n=6) tests. Data were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: MH presented the highest transmittance. The DC was lower in light-cure mode than in dual-cure mode. All restorative materials reduced the cement microhardness in light-cure mode. GC and LD with QTH and GC with LED decreased the strength of the cement for both activation modes compared to the controls. Curing units did not affect DC or microhardness, except when the dual-cure cement was photoactivated through LD (LED>QTH). Flexural strength was higher with QTH compared to LED. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in transmittance among the restorative materials significantly influenced cement DC and flexural strength, regardless of the activation mode, as well as the microhardness of the resin cement tested in light-cure mode. Microhardness was not impaired by the interposed materials when the resin cement was used in dual-cure mode.

Análise microestrutural do esmalte tratado com peróxido de hidrogênio e carbamida / Effects of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide on enamel morphology

Objetivo: Avaliar, no microscópio eletrônico de varredura, a morfologia do esmalte humano tratado por duas diferentes técnicas clareadoras que empregam peróxido de hidrogênio e peróxido de carbamida. Métodos: Foram selecionados dez dentes terceiros molares superiores e divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos (n=5). Cada coroa dental foi seccionada ao meio, no sentido mésio-distal, sendo produzidos dois espécimes, um referente à face vestibular (clareado) e outro referente à face palatina (controle). Desta forma, cinco espécimes serviram como controle e seus pares foram submetidos às seguintes técnicas clareadoras: G1 - clareamento de consultório com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (FGM, Whiteness HP, Joinville, Brasil) e aplicação de luz através de um aparelho de LED/Laser (DMC Equipamentos, Whitening Lase II, São Carlos, Brasil) e G2 - clareamento caseiro com peróxido de carbamida a 16% (FGM, Whiteness HP, Joinville, Brasil). Durante todo o experimento, os espécimes foram armazenados em saliva artificial a 37ºC. Após as técnicas clareadoras terem sido concluídas, os espécimes foram analisados no microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Resultados: As imagens obtidas revelaram alterações não uniformes no esmalte superficial clareado pelas duas técnicas. Não houve diferença no grau de alteração morfológica provocado pelo peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% se comparado ao peróxido de carbamida a 16%. Conclusão: Os agentes clareadores em baixa e alta concentração foram capazes de provocar alterações morfológicas na superfície do esmalte dental.

Objective: This study used a scanning electron microscope to assess the effects of two bleaching techniques, one using hydrogen peroxide and another using carbamide peroxide, on the surface of human enamel.Methods: Ten upper third molar teeth were selected and divided into two groups (n=5). Each tooth crown was sectioned in the mesiodistal axis. The buccal face was bleached and the lingual face was used as control. Thus, five specimens served as controls and their pairs were subjected to the following bleaching techniques: G1-external bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (FGM, Whiteness HP, Joinville, Brazil) and use of a LED/Laser device (DMC Equipamentos, Whitening Lase II, São Carlos, Brazil) and G2-external bleaching with 16% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness Perfect-FGM). The specimens were kept in artificial saliva at 37ºC during the entire experiment. After the bleaching treatment for each group was completed, the specimens were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope. Results: Scanning electron microscopy revealed nonuniform changes in the enamels treated with hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The degree of morphological changes obtained by treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide or 16% carbamide peroxide did not differ. Conclusion: Bleaching agents in low and high concentrations were able to induce morphological changes on the enamel surface.