Prerestorative bleaching: effect on microleakage of Class V cavities.

The effect of bleaching extracted teeth on the microleakage of subsequently placed Class V composite resin restorations was evaluated. Ten extracted premolars were stored in water at 37 degrees C to serve as controls. Ten premolars were exposed to a carbamide peroxide gel for three 2-hour periods per day for 9 days. These specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C except during treatment periods. Class V cavity preparations were then placed at the cementoenamel junction of the facial and lingual surfaces of all teeth. Half of the teeth of each group were restored with Scotchbond 2/Silux Plus and half were restored with Prisma Universal Bond 3/AP.H. After 24 hours of storage in 37 degrees C water, the teeth were thermally stressed for 100 cycles. Microleakage was assessed by dye penetration. The results demonstrated that prerestorative bleaching did not affect the marginal seal of subsequently placed restorations.     

In vitro microleakage of composite restorations after nonvital bleaching.

OBJECTIVE: After bleaching treatment, esthetic restorations often need to be replaced due to color changes. Some papers have shown alterations in the bond of adhesive restorations to bleached teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tooth and resin composite adhesion when submitted to nonvital dental bleaching. METHOD AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty bovine teeth were assigned to 3 groups (n = 40); paste of sodium perborate and water; 37% carbamide peroxide gel; and no bleaching (control). After 3 weeks of continuous bleaching treatment, standardized Class V cavities were prepared at the cementoenamel junction and restored with Single Bond adhesive system and Z100 resin composite. The samples were thermocycled 1,500 times (5 +/- 1/55 +/- 1 degrees C) with a 1-minute dwell time. Then, they were immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution (pH 7) for 4 hours, sectioned, and analyzed by stereomicroscopy. Microleakage analyses were done, using scores from 0 to 4, considering leakage on the incisal wall (enamel) and the cervical wall (dentin). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that sodium perborate and carbamide peroxide gel significantly increase the microleakage in Class V resin composite restorations to dentin but not to enamel margins. CONCLUSION: The risk of microleakage in dentin margins is increased soon after bleaching treatment.     

Postoperative dental bleaching: effect of microleakage on Class V tooth colored restorative materials

The effect of 3 percent, 11 percent, and 16 percent carbamide peroxide bleaching solutions and 35 percent hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel on microleakage of Class V composite resins, resin modified glass ionomer cements, and compomer restorative materials together with corresponding (if indicated) fourth/fifth generation bonding agents was evaluated using previously extracted human teeth. Five groups of Class V cavity preparations were placed in enamel of the facial surfaces of 200 teeth. Groups A through D included 40 restorations each (4 different restorative materials and their accompanying bonding agent multiplied by 10 teeth) treated with 3 percent, 11 percent, and 16 percent carbamide peroxide bleach and 35 percent hydrogen peroxide bleach. Group E included 40 restorations without treatment of bleach and stood as the control. The restorative materials included were: Fuji II LC resin modified glass ionomer cement, Helioprogress composite resin/-Heliobond adhesive system, Aelitefil composite resin/Allbond 2 adhesive and Dyract compomer material/Prime & Bond adhesive system. Bleaching agents included were Rembrandt 3 percent peroxide gel, Perfecta 16 percent carbamide peroxide gel, White & Brite 11 percent carbamide peroxide solution and Superoxyl 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gel. All teeth were thermally stressed for 100 cycles and microleakage were assessed by dye penetration. The results were tabulated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) testing procedures. The Aelitefil composite resin material behaved the least favorably (relative to microleakage) compared to the other materials when exposed to various concentrations of dental bleaching agents.     

Effect of traditional and alternative intracoronal bleaching agents on microhardness of human dentine

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of traditional and alternative bleaching agents on microhardness of human dentine when used intracoronally. Thirty-six premolars were divided into six groups and bleaching agents were sealed into the pulp chambers as follows: group 1--distilled water (control), group 2--30% hydrogen peroxide solution, group 3--sodium perborate mixed with distilled water, group 4--sodium perborate mixed with 30% hydrogen peroxide solution, group 5--35% carbamide peroxide gel, group 6--35% hydrogen peroxide gel. Access cavities were sealed and the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C. After 7 days, each tooth was sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction level and microhardness testing was carried out on dentine. The results showed that treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide gel, 30% hydrogen peroxide solution and 35% carbamide peroxide gel reduced the microhardness of outer dentine to a small extent while treatment with sodium perborate mixed with water and sodium perborate mixed with 30% hydrogen peroxide solution did not significantly alter the microhardness of dentine.     

Microleakage of bonded amalgam restorations: effect of thermal cycling

This study examined the effect of thermal cycling on the microleakage of bonded amalgam restorations. Three dental amalgam alloys and a gallium alloy were tested with two adhesive resin systems and copal varnish as a control. Class V cavity preparations were prepared on 168 freshly extracted premolars or molars. The preparations were placed parallel to and 1.0 mm occlusal to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Four groups of 42 teeth each were treated with one of the following adhesive dentin systems: Bond-It, All-Bond 2/Resinomer or a copal varnish (Copalite). The four groups of 42 teeth each were then restored with one of three dental amalgams: Orosphere Plus, Indiloy, Oralloy or a Gallium alloy (Galloy), resulting in 12 test groups of 14 teeth each. The specimens were stored in double distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Final contouring and polishing of the restorations were performed under water spray. Half of the restorations in each group were thermocycled for 3000 cycles (5 degrees C-37 degrees C-55 degrees C-37 degrees C) with a dwell time of 15 sec at each temperature. The other half were stored in double distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Then all 168 restorations were stained with dye, sectioned and scored for microleakage. Results showed that the adhesive dentin systems reduced microleakage in amalgam restorations compared to copal varnish only in non-thermocycled specimens. Statistical analysis of the results showed that there was an extremely significant difference (p < 0.001) in microleakage between the non-thermocycled and the thermocycled specimens in all test groups, whereas, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) among thermocycled specimens. The reduction of microleakage was not significantly different between Bond-It and All-Bond 2/Resinomer in non-thermocycled specimens. Oralloy showed the most microleakage in the non-thermocycled groups when compared to the other alloys using the same adhesive liner.     

In vitro penetration of bleaching agents into the pulp chamber

AIM: To investigate pulp chamber penetration of bleaching agents in teeth following restorative procedures. METHODOLOGY: Bovine lateral incisors were sectioned 3 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction and the coronal pulpal tissue was removed. Teeth were divided into six groups (n = 10): G1, G2 and G3 were not submitted to any restorative procedure, while G4, G5 and G6 were submitted to Class V preparations and restored with composite resin. Acetate buffer was placed in the pulp chamber and treatment agents were applied for 60 min at 37 degrees C as follows: G1 and G4, immersion into distilled water; G2 and G5, 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) exposure; G3 and G6, 35% CP bleaching. The buffer solution was removed and transferred to a glass tube where leuco crystal violet and horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of the blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically at 596 nm. A standard curve made with known amounts of hydrogen peroxide was used to convert the optical density values of the coloured samples into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Data were submitted to anova and Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: Amounts of hydrogen peroxide found in the pulp chamber of G2 and G5 specimens (0.1833 +/- 0.2003 micro g) were significantly lower (P = 0.001) when compared to G3 and G6 specimens (0.4604 +/- 0.3981 micro g). Restored teeth held significantly higher (P = 0.001) hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the pulp chamber than intact teeth. CONCLUSION: Higher concentrations of the bleaching agent produced higher levels of hydrogen peroxide in the pulp chamber, especially in restored teeth.     

The effects of high concentration tooth whitening bleaches on microleakage of Class V composite restorations

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents on the microleakage of composite restorations. METHODS: In 60 extracted human molars, Class V restorations were prepared with Scotchbond 1/Filtek Z250 composite. Teeth were randomly divided into four groups: (1) no bleaching; (2) bleaching with 14% hydrogen peroxide gel from Crest Whitestrips; (3) bleaching with 20% carbamide peroxide gel from Opalescence PF 20; and (4) bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide gel Opalescence Xtra Boost. Bleaching procedures were carried out at 37 degrees C for 21 days/42 hours (2); seven days/42 hours (3); one day/45 minutes (4). Varnish was applied on the apical portion of the teeth only, excluding the restoration, prior to immersion in a 0.1% rhodamin-B-isothiocyanate solution for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. After rinsing, specimens were embedded in methacrylate blocks, and sectioned with a water-cooled microtome with three restoration cuts positioned centrally parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal margins of the Class V restorations using a stereo microscope, separate for dentin and enamel margins. RESULTS: Over 90% of enamel margins exhibited no microleakage following cycling. Bleaching agents had almost no effect on numerical averages. Eighty-eight percent of the dentin margins were free of microleakage for the non-treated control group. Bleaching treatments collectively had slight numerical reductions to around 80%. The statistical evaluation (Kruskal-Wallis-test) showed no significant difference in microleakage between groups for enamel or dentin. CONCLUSION: Bleaching with the materials tested had no influence on microleakage of Filtek Z250 composite bonded with Scotchbond 1.     

Resistance to maxillary premolar fractures after restoration of class II preparations with resin composite or ceromer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to fracture of intact and restored human maxillary premolars. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Thirty noncarious human maxillary premolars, divided into three groups of 10, were submitted to mechanical tests to evaluate their resistance to fracture. Group 1 consisted of intact teeth. Teeth in group 2 received mesio-occlusodistal cavity preparations and were restored with direct resin composite restorations. Teeth in group 3 received mesio-occlusodistal cavity preparations and were restored with ceromer inlays placed with the indirect technique. After restoration, teeth were stored at 37 degrees C for 24 hours and then thermocycled for 500 cycles at temperatures of 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that group 3 (178.765 kgf) had a significantly greater maximum rupture load than did group 1 (120.040 kgf). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 or between groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: Class II cavity preparations restored with indirect ceromer inlays offered greater resistance to fracture than did intact teeth. The fracture resistance of teeth restored with resin composite was not significantly different from that of either the ceromer or intact teeth.     

Microleakage of Class V restorations using two different compomer systems: an in vitro study

This study compared the marginal microleakage of Class V cavities restored with Dyract-AP and F2000. Forty Class V cavity preparations were performed on extracted human teeth. As a negative control, twenty teeth were used without Class V preparations. The apical foramina of the teeth were sealed with a layer of varnish and amalgam restorations. Class V cavity preparations with occlusal margins in enamel, and gingival margins in cementum or dentin that measured approximately three millimeters in width (gingival-occlusal) and length (mesial-distal), were prepared on the buccal surface of the teeth. Samples were divided randomly into 2 groups of 15, and restored per manufacturer's instructions using experimental primer/conditioner (PCC, D/C) and Single Bond Adhesive (3M). All restorations were polished with an abrasive finishing kit. After storage in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours, all specimens were thermocycled between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C for 500 cycles with a 30-second dwell time, followed by immersion in 0.2% basic fucsine for 24 hours. Teeth were then embedded in cold cure acrylic resin, sectioned longitudinally, and the dye penetration at the enamel and cementum margins were scored at 30x magnification. Evaluations were rated from 0 to 3 (0 = no leakage; 1 = dye penetration up to one-half of the preparation depth; 2 = dye penetration more than one-half preparation depth, but less than the axial wall; 3 = dye penetration along the axial wall). Both F-2000 and Dyract-AP indicated no leakage in the enamel margins. Dyract-AP showed no leakage at either the enamel or dentin margins. Fisher's Exact Test revealed that this difference in dentin margins was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Under the given conditions, Dyract-AP and F-2000 demonstrated resistance to microleakage in enamel, and showed Dyract-AP to be more resistant to microleakage in dentin than F-2000.     

The effect of polishing systems on microleakage of tooth-coloured restoratives. Part 2: composite and polyacid-modified composite resins

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of polishing systems on the microleakage of composite and polyacid-modified composite resins. Class V cavities were prepared at the cemento-enamel junction of 80 freshly extracted posterior teeth. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into two groups and restored with conventional or polyacid-modified composite resins. The restored teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 1 week after removal of excess restorative with diamond finishing burs. The restored teeth were then divided into four groups of ten and finished/polished using the following systems: Two Striper micron finishing system (MFS), Sof-Lex XT (Sof-Lex), Enhance composite finishing and polishing system (Enhance), and Shofu composite finishing kit (Shofu). The finished restorations were subjected to dye penetration testing. Results showed that the microleakage resistance at both enamel and dentin margins of composite and polyacid-modified composite resins are not significantly affected by the different polishing systems.     

The effect of polishing systems on microleakage of tooth coloured restoratives: Part 1. Conventional and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of polishing systems on the microleakage of conventional and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements. Class V cavities were prepared at the cemento-enamel junction of 80 freshly extracted posterior teeth. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into two groups and restored with conventional or resin-modified glass-ionomer cements. The restored teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 1 week after removal of excess restorative with diamond finishing burs. The restored teeth were then divided into four groups of 10 and finished and polished using the following systems: Two Striper MFS; Sof-Lex XT; Enhance Composite Finishing and Polishing System; Shofu Composite Finishing Kit. The finished restorations were subjected to dye penetration testing. Results showed that the microleakage at dentin margins of conventional glass-ionomer cements and enamel margins of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements are significantly affected by the different polishing systems.     

Penetration of the pulp chamber by carbamide peroxide bleaching agents on teeth restored with a composite resin

This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of carbamide peroxide bleaching agents on the pulp chambers of teeth restored by a composite resin. Forty-nine human extracted anterior teeth were used. All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical of the cemento-enamel junction and the intracoronal tissue removed. The teeth were separated into the seven groups each containing seven teeth. Twenty-eight teeth were used as controls (groups I-IV), standardized cavities were prepared with the remaining 21 teeth (groups V, VI, VII), and restored with a hybrid composite resin (XR Herculite). Acetate buffer was placed in the pulp chamber to absorb and stabilize any peroxide that might penetrate. Group I was exposed only to distilled water. Groups II and V were applied with 10% CP (Contrast PM), groups III and VI were applied with 15% CP (Contrast PM), groups IV and VII were applied with 35% CP (Quik Start) and left for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Then, the acetate buffer solution in the pulp chamber of each tooth was removed and the chamber was then rinsed twice with 100 ml of distilled water. The contents then had leucocryctal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase added. The optical density of the resulting blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically, and was converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. A higher level of bleaching agent penetrated into the pulp chamber in the restored teeth than in the sound teeth.     

Microleakage of compomer restorations in primary teeth after preparation with bur or air abrasion

This study compared the degree of marginal leakage of a compomer in Class V cavities of human primary molars prepared by a conventional dental bur and air abrasion with or without acid etching. Fifty-six non-carious extracted primary molars were randomly divided into four groups (n=14) to be prepared by four techniques: Group-1: Bur followed by acid etching: Class V cavity preparations were placed on the buccal surfaces of each tooth using a high-speed handpiece. The preparations were 1.5-mm deep, 3-mm long and 2-mm wide, with the occlusal margin in enamel and the cervical margin extending 0.5 mm below the cementoenamel junction. The preparations were acid etched with 37% phosphoric acid starting at the enamel margins for 30 seconds and rinsed with water for 20 seconds. The preparations were then restored with Compoglass F. 2-Group 2: Bur: The preparations and the treatment procedures were the same as in Group 1, with the exception of 37% phosphoric acid application. Group 3: Air abrasion followed by acid etching: Class V cavity preparations were placed on the buccal surfaces of each tooth using a handpiece of an air-abrasive system (PrepStart, Danville Engineering). The system was supplied with dry compressed air at 80 psi. In all tests, the air-abrasion system was operated with an 80 degrees-angle handpiece tip and 50-mm aluminum oxide particles. A tip with a 0.38-mm inner diameter was used at a 2-mm distance. The treatment procedures were the same as in Groups 1 and 2. Group 4: Air abrasion: The preparations and treatment procedures were the same as in Group 3, with the exception of 37% phosphoric acid. After finishing the restorations, the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The samples were thermocycled for 500 cycles between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 30 seconds. The samples were then immersed in 0.5 percent basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. The surface-adhered dye was then rinsed in tap water and the teeth were embedded in a chemically-activated acrylic resin and bisected longitudinally in a mesiodistal direction with a low speed diamond disk. Each section was examined under a stereomicroscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) at 20x magnification. The data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance to determine any statistical significant differences in microleakage scores among the groups at a p-value of 0.05. Also, the enamel versus cementum-dentin microleakage scores of each group were compared using z-test at the 0.05 significance level. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups (p>0.05), but a statistical difference between enamel and cementum-dentin surfaces was evaluated (p<0.05).     

漂白剂对玻璃离子水门汀类材料充填Ⅴ类洞边缘微渗漏的影响

目的评估漂白凝胶和洁白牙贴对3种不同的玻璃离子水门汀类材料边缘微渗漏的影响。方法在45颗离体健康前磨牙的颊舌侧制备Ⅴ类洞,随机分为A、B、C组,分别使用加强型玻璃离子水门汀KetacTM Molar Easymix、复合体F2000、复合体Dyract AP充填,每个大组再分为3个亚组,第1组和第2组分别使用质量分数14％过氧化氢（HP）洁白牙贴和10％过氧化脲（CP）凝胶进行漂白,第3组为对照组。所有样本置入37 ℃蒸馏水中保存7 d后冷热循环500次,然后进行漂白。漂白21 d后置于碱性品红溶液中染色24 h,沿牙体长轴通过充填体中央颊舌向剖开牙齿,体视显微镜下观察并测量染料渗入窝洞壁的深度。结果2种漂白方式对充填体边缘微渗漏的影响没有明显差异（P>0.05）;与对照组相比,2种漂白方式对B、C组的微渗漏均没有产生明显影响（P>0.05）,但均可使A组的微渗漏增加（P<0.05）。结论10％CP凝胶和14％HP洁白牙贴对充填体边缘微渗漏的影响无明显差异;漂白不会影响复合体的微渗漏,但会增加加强型玻璃离子水门汀的微渗漏。     

Effects of in-office bleaching products on surface finish of tooth-colored restorations

A number of "high power" in-office bleaching products have recently been re-introduced into the market. The use of such strong oxidizing agents has raised questions as to possible adverse effects on tooth structure and restorative materials. This study evaluated the effects of 35% carbamide peroxide (Opalescence Quick) and 35% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence Xtra) on the surface finish of four tooth-colored restorative materials (Spectrum TPH, Dyract AP, Reactmer and Fuji II LC). Twenty-seven matrix-finished specimens of each material were fabricated, stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for seven days and randomly divided into three groups. Specimens in Group 1 were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C (control). Specimens in Groups 2 and 3 were treated with 35% carbamide peroxide and 35% hydrogen peroxide, respectively. A total of three 30-minute bleaching sessions were conducted at one-week intervals. Storage medium during the hiatus period was distilled water at 37 degrees C. Surface roughness measurements were carried out using profilometry after each bleaching session. Data was analyzed using ANOVA/Scheffe's test at a 0.05 significance level. No significant difference in surface roughness was observed between the bleached and the control groups for all materials. In-office bleaching products are not detrimental to the surface finish of composites, compomers, giomers and resin-modified glass ionomer cements.     

Microleakage of Compoglass-F and Dyract-AP compomers in Class V preparations after salivary contamination

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of salivary contamination on the microleakage within Class V preparations of teeth restored with either Compoglass-F/Syntac SC and Dyract-AP/Prime and Bond 2.1. METHODS: Class V cavity preparations with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in cementum were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted human permanent molar teeth. Preparations were distributed randomly into 4 treatment groups (N = 16) consisting of the two compomers and their respective bonding agents with and without salivary contamination. After treatment, the samples were stored in tap water for 24 hours, thermocycled, stained with dye, sectioned, and scored for microleakage. RESULTS: Salivary contamination had no significant effect on enamel microleakage but significantly increased both linear and penetrating microleakage versus non-contaminated for both compomer/dentin bonding systems. CONCLUSION: These data indicate salivary contamination adversely effects gingival but not enamel microleakage when Class V restorations are restored with either Compoglass F/Syntac SC or Dyract-AP/Prime and Bond 2.1.     

Microleakage of class V resin composite restorations after conventional and Er:YAG laser preparation

This in vitro study compared the microleakage of Class V resin composite restorations at bevelled enamel/composite and dentin/composite interfaces following Er:YAG laser (pre-treatment modalities: laser-etching and/or acid-etching) or conventional preparation and acid-etch, in association with two resin composite formulations and their three-step adhesive system. Class V cavities with conventional bevel produced on the lingual and buccal surfaces of eighty extracted caries- and restoration-free human teeth, were assigned to eight groups: cavities were or Er:YAG-lased and acid-etched (groups 1 and 5); or Er:YAG-lased, laser-etched and acid-etched (groups 2 and 6); or Er:YAG-lased and only laser-etched (groups 3 and 7); or cut by dental drill at high-speed and acid-etched (groups 4 and 8). The specimens were restored with Optibond FL+Herculite XRV (groups 1, 2, 3 and 4) or with Scotchbond MP+Z 100 (groups 5, 6, 7 and 8), stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h, thermocycled 1500 times between 5 and 55 degrees C, placed in a 2% aqueous solution of methylene blue for 24 h at 37 degrees C, embedded in resin and sectioned. Microleakage was assessed according to the depth of dye penetration along the restoration. There were statistically significant differences between occlusal and cervical regions for all groups (P<0.01) except for groups 3 and 7. Pair-wise comparison of groups showed that acid-etch is advocated when using resin composite in Er:YAG-lased Class V cavities; the seal at enamel margins in Er:YAG-lased and laser-etched cavities depended on the resin composite formulation and corresponding adhesive (P<0.05).     

Effect of dentin deproteinization on microleakage of Class V composite restorations

The role of the collagen fibers in dentin adhesion has not clearly been established. Therefore, this laboratory study evaluated the microleakage at resin-dentin and resin-enamel interfaces of Class V composite restorations after etching enamel and dentin with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) or after etching with H3PO4 followed by deproteinization with 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to prevent the formation of a hybrid layer. Ten extracted human molars were used to prepare standardized Class V cavities on both buccal and lingual surfaces. The teeth were randomly divided in two groups: 1) Class V cavities that were etched with H3PO4 for 15 seconds; b) Class V cavities that were etched with H3PO4 for 15 seconds followed by collagen removal with 5% NaOCl for two minutes. The cavities were restored using the Prime & Bond 2.1 bonding system and TPH resin composite. The specimens were stored in water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C and thermocycled 500 times between water baths kept at 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C. After thermocycling, specimens were immersed in a 0.5% aqueous solution of basic fuchsin for 24 hours. Three longitudinal sections of each restoration were obtained and examined with a stereomicroscope for qualitative evaluation of microleakage. The data were statistically analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranked tests. Extra specimens were analyzed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Occlusal margins (enamel margins) resulted in statistical lower degree of leakage than gingival margins (dentin/cementum margins) in both treatment groups. For each type of margin, there were no statistically significant differences between the etched and the etched and deproteinized groups. Under the SEM, occlusal surfaces showed no detachment between enamel and dentin, while dentin/cementum resulted in gap formation.     

Effects of in-office tooth whiteners on hardness of tooth-colored restoratives

This study investigated the effects of in-office tooth whiteners on the hardness of hybrid (Spectrum TPH), polyacid-modified (Dyract AP), PRG (Reactmer) composites and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC). Twenty-seven specimens of each material were fabricated, randomly divided into three groups of nine and treated as follows--Group 1: stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for three weeks (control); Group 2: treated with carbamide peroxide (Opalescence Quick) for 30 minutes/week for three weeks; Group 3: treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide power bleach (Opalescence Xtra) for 30 minutes/week for three weeks. For Groups 2 and 3, specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C during the hiatus periods. The treated specimens were subsequently subjected to microhardness testing (load = 500gf; dwell time = 15 seconds). Results were analyzed using ANOVA/Scheffe's test (p<0.05). For all treatment groups, Spectrum was significantly harder than the other materials and Reactmer was significantly harder than Dyract and Fuji II LC. The effects of in-office tooth whiteners on microhardness were material-dependent. No significant difference in hardness was observed between treatment groups for Dyract and Reactmer. For Spectrum and Fuji II LC, specimens treated with Opalescence Quick were significantly harder than those treated with Opalescence Xtra. No significant difference in hardness was observed between the control and bleached groups for all materials. The hardness of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements, hybrid, polyacid-modified and PRG composites is therefore not significantly affected by the use of 35% carbamide peroxide and 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office tooth whiteners.     

The effect of home bleaching agents on the surface roughness of tooth-colored restoratives with time

This study evaluated the effects of home bleaching agents on the surface roughness of composite restoratives. Two home bleaching gels (10% and 15% carbamide peroxide, Opalescence) and five different tooth-colored restorative materials from the same manufacturer (3M-ESPE) were selected. They included microfill (Filtek A110 [FO]), flowable (Filtek Flow [FF]), polyacid-acid modified (F2000 [FT]) and minifill (Z100 [ZO]; Filtek Z250 [ZT]) composites. Thirty-six specimens of each material were fabricated, randomly divided into three groups (n=12) and treated as follows: Group 1-Stored in distilled water, Group 2-Bleached with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) eight hours/day; Group 3-Bleached with 15% CP eight hours/day. All treatment was conducted at 37 degrees C and fresh gel applied and rinsed off daily for eight weeks. For the bleached groups, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C during the hiatus periods. All the specimens were subjected to roughness testing (Ra) at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 using a profilometer. The results were analyzed using general linear model with Scheffe's post-hoc tests at significance level 0.05. The results showed that the effect of bleaching on surface roughness was material and time dependent. ZT was not affected by bleaching treatment, while FT was significantly roughened after one week of bleaching with 15% CP compared to the control group. FO, FF and ZO were not significantly roughened until eight weeks of bleaching. Repolishing or replacement of tooth-colored restorations may be required after bleaching procedures.