Effectiveness of surface protection of resin modified glass ionomer cements evaluated spectrophotometrically.

The effectiveness of four surface protectors for resin-modified glass ionomer cements was evaluated by spectrophotometrically determining dye uptake. Ninety specimens, 3.0 mm in diameter and 1.0 mm in height, were made with Photac-Fil, Fuji II LC and Vitremer and divided into six groups for each material. Positive and negative controls were not protected while experimental specimens were protected with proprietary glaze, nail varnish, flowable resin and glaze. The discs were immersed in 0.1% methylene blue solution for 10 minutes after mixing, except for those negative control specimens that were immersed in deionized-water. After 24 hours, the specimens were washed and the protectors trimmed with Sof-Lex discs. The specimens were then removed from the matrixes and individually placed in 1.5 mL of 65% nitric acid for five hours. The absorbance was determined spectrophotometrically at 590 nm. Dye uptake was expressed in microgram dye/specimen. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer tests. All surface protectors tested were effective. For Fuji II LC and Vitremer no differences were observed among tested protections. For Photac-Fil, nail varnish showed better performance than the proprietary glaze.

Effect of time on the diametral tensile strength of resin-modified restorative glass ionomer cements and compomer.

The aim of this study was to analyze the diametral tensile strengths of three resin-modified restorative glass ionomer cements--Vitremer, Fuji II LC and Photac Fil and one compomer--Dyract. They were tested at 1 hour, 1 day and 1 week. Kratos testing machine was used to load the specimens at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test that showed statistically significant differences among the materials. The tested materials presented an increase in strength from 1 hour to 1 week and were as follows for each material respectively: Vitremer (19.22-27.29), Fuji II LC (23.91-28.67), Photac Fil (19.35-22.86), Dyract (28.83-46.95). Dyract presented the highest strengths.

Clinical evaluation of two packable posterior composites: 2-year follow-up.

The clinical performance of two packable posterior composites, Alert (A)-Jeneric/Pentron and SureFil (S)-Dentsply, was evaluated in 33 patients. Each patient received one A and one S restoration, resulting in a total of 66 restorations. The restorations were placed by one operator according to the manufacturer's specifications and were finished and polished after 1 week. Photographs were taken at baseline and after 2 years. Two independent evaluators conducted the clinical evaluation by using modified United States Public Health Service criteria. After 2 years, 60 restorations (30 A and 30 S), 27 class I (16 A and 11 S) and 33 class II (14 A and 19 S) were evaluated in 30 patients. Criterion A for recurrent caries, vitality, and retention was applicable to all 60 restorations. Criterion B was distributed among 40 restorations as follows: surface texture (15 A; 2 S), color (5 A; 6 S), postoperative sensitivity (1 S), marginal discoloration (8 A), marginal adaptation (3 A), and wear resistance (2 A). Data were analyzed using the Exact Fisher and McNemar tests. After 2 years, S showed a significantly better performance than A with respect to surface texture and marginal discoloration. The clinical performance of both materials was considered acceptable over the 2-year period. Further evaluations are necessary for a more in-depth analysis.

Three-year evaluation of the ART approach in Class III and V restorations in permanent anterior teeth.

This study evaluated the survival of class III and V restorations using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach in permanent anterior teeth, after 3 years. A total of 151 restorations were performed in 60 patients. After 3 years, 107 restorations (47 patients) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using exact 95% confidence interval. A total of 97 restorations (91% with 95% CI = 83-99), 76 class III (92% with 95% CI = 82-100) and 21 class V (88% with 95% CI = 77-98) were classified as successful. The survival rate of the ART approach in class III and V restorations in permanent anterior teeth was considered high.

Clinical evaluation of two "packable" posterior composite resins: two-year results.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of two "packable" posterior composites: Prodigy Condensable/Optibond Solo-Kerr (PC-OS) and Definite/Etch & Prime-Degussa (D-EP). Thirty-six patients participated in this study. A total of 78 restorations (40 with D-EP and 38 with PC-OS) were made. Each patient received at least two restorations (one of each studied material). The materials were handled according to the manufacturer's instructions. The occlusal adjustments were made at the placement visit. The restorations were finished and polished after 1 week. They were evaluated at baseline, and after 1 year and 2 years by two independent evaluators using the USPHS criteria. Colored slides were made of all the restorations. After 2 years, 34 patients and 74 restorations (38 with D-EP and 36 with PC-OS) were available for evaluation. A total of 50% of PC-OS restorations received A criterion and 50% received B criterion (2.8% color, 11.1% marginal staining, 27.8% superficial staining, 2.8% anatomic form and 5.6% marginal adaptation). For D-EP, 60.5% of restorations received A criterion and 39.5% received B criterion (2.6% color, 5.3% marginal staining, 10.5% superficial staining, 7.9% anatomic form and 13.2% marginal adaptation). The C criterion was observed only for marginal adaptation with D-EP (2 restorations-5.3%). The obtained data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using the Fisher, Chi-square and McNemar tests. After 2 years, PC-OS showed a significant increase in superficial and marginal staining. For D-EP the marginal adaptation and superficial staining became significantly worse than baseline.

Clinical evaluation of two "packable" posterior composite resins.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of two "packable" posterior composites: Prodigy Condensable (P) (Kerr) and Definite (D) (Degussa). Thirty-six patients participated in the study. A total of 78 restorations were made, 40 with D and 38 with P. Each patient received at least two restorations, one of each studied material. The materials were handled according to the manufacturer's instructions. The restorations were finished and polished after 1 week. They were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year by two independent evaluators using the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Colored slides were made of all the restorations. After 1 year, 35 patients and 76 restorations (39 with D and 37 with P) were available for evaluation. All restorations received A criteria except the following ones, which received B criteria: color P (one restoration) and D (one restoration), marginal staining P (three restorations) and D (two restorations), surface staining P (nine restorations) and D (three restorations), anatomic form P (one restoration) and D (three restorations), and marginal adaptation P (one restoration) and D (eight restorations). The obtained data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using the Fisher and McNemar tests. After 1 year, P showed a significant increase in superficial staining. For D, the marginal adaptation became significantly worse than baseline and P. The studied materials can be considered acceptable during this evaluation period. Further evaluations are necessary for a better clinical performance analysis.