Initial adhesion of glass-fiber-reinforced composite to the surface of porcine calvarial bone

The aim of this preliminary study was to compare the initial bond strength of the glass-fiber-reinforced composite veil to the surface of the porcine calvarial compact bone using different adhesives. Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) made of E-glass fiber veil with the BisGMA-PMMA resin system was used in the study. For the shear bond strength test, porcine calvarial bone cubes were mounted into resin matrix. FRC-veil discs were bonded to compact bone with different types of adhesives: (A) BisGMA-HEMA based (3M-ESPE Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive), (B) 4-META/UDMA/BisGMA based (Unifil Bond Bonding Agent) and MDP based (Clearfil Se Bond adhesive), (C) UDMA/BisGMA/PMMA-based experimental adhesive, and (D) silane-based (APS, ICS, MPS) experimental adhesives. The surface of the bone was mechanically roughened and was either used as such, treated with dental primers (Unifil Bond Self-etching Primer, Clearfil Se Bond Primer), or treated with an experimental silane mixture (APS, ICS, MPS), or with a mixture of the experimental silane liquid and Clearfil Se Bond Primer. The 3M-ESPE Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive and UDMA/BisGMA/PMMA experimental adhesive gave poor results in the shear bond test (0.58 and 0.40 MPa, respectively). Unifil Bond Bonding Agent and Clearfil Se Bond adhesive with respective primers markedly improved the shear bond strength; with Unifil the result was 3.40 MPa, and with Clearfil it was 6.19 MPa. When the bone surface was primed with a mixture of Clearfil Se Bond Primer and Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator, the Clearfil Se Bond adhesive-impregnated FRC veil gave the best adhesion to the bone surface in this test: 9.50 MPa. The addition of bioactive glass granules between the veil and the bone lowered the shear bond strength in the test system described above to 6.72 MPa. The test systems with the silane mixture were also promising. In the SEM study, it was found that the mechanical treatment reveals the pores of the bone surface. Chemical treatments of the bone surface improved the adhesion of the FRC veil to the bone. The results showed that the adhesion of the FRC to the surface of the bone can be significantly improved with mechanical roughening and with special chemical treatments of the bone surface.     

The effect of box preparation on the strength of glass fiber-reinforced composite inlay-retained fixed partial dentures

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Nonstandardized box dimensions for inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (FPDs) may result in uneven distribution of the forces on the connector region of such restorations. PURPOSE: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of box dimensions on the initial and final failure strength of inlay-retained fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) FPDs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one inlay-retained FPDs were prepared using FRC (everStick) frameworks with unidirectional fiber reinforcement between mandibular first premolars and first molars. Boxes were prepared using conventional inlay burs (Cerinlay), and small and large ultrasonic tips (SONICSYS approx). Box dimensions were measured after preparation with a digital micrometer. All restorations were subjected to thermal cycling (6000 cycles, 5 degrees C-55 degrees C). Fracture testing was performed in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Acoustic emission signals were monitored during loading of the specimens. Initial and final fracture strength values (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc tests, alpha =.05) and failure types (Fisher exact test) were statistically compared for each group. RESULTS: Significant differences (P =.0146 and P =.0086) were observed between the groups in the dimensions of the boxes prepared using conventional burs buccolingually (2.8-3.0 mm in molars, 3.1-4.3 mm in premolars) and the small size (2.5-2.9, 2.9-3.8 mm) or large size (2.6-3.8, 3.2-4.9 mm) ultrasonic tips for the premolars and the molars, respectively. No significant differences were found at the initial and final failures between the conventionally prepared group (842 +/- 267 N, 1161 +/- 428 N) and those prepared with either small (1088 +/- 381 N, 1320 +/- 380 N) or large ultrasonic tips (1070 +/- 280 N, 1557 +/- 321 N), respectively. The failure analysis demonstrated no significant difference in failure types but predominant delamination of the veneering resin (85%) in all experimental groups. According to acoustic emission tests, a higher energy level was required for final failure of the FRC FPDs with boxes finished using small ultrasonic tips. CONCLUSION: Standardized box dimensions showed no significant effect on fracture strength at either initial or final failure of the fiber-reinforced FPDs. The FRC FPDs with boxes refined with small ultrasonic burs required a greater energy level before failure. The type of failure observed after the fracture tests was primarily delamination of the veneering resin.     

Effect of water storage of E-glass fiber-reinforced composite on adhesion of Streptococcus mutans

This study investigated the effect of water storage of fiber-reinforced composite on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and its ability to stay adhered and multiply on the FRC. The materials (E-glass fibers and denture base polymer) were stored in water for 14 or 30 days or left dry. Water contact angles of the materials before and after water storage were determined. Test specimens, with or without parotid saliva or serum pellicle, were incubated in a suspension of S. mutans allowing initial adhesion to occur. Bacterial adhesion and multiplication was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Contact angles of both materials were significantly reduced after water storage indicating an increase in surface free energy. When studied without a surface pellicle, water storage significantly increased adhesion of S. mutans to both glass and polymer. Saliva coating of the materials resulted in higher degree of adhesion to glass fibers in comparison with polymer and after 14 days water storage glass bound over twice as much S. mutans cells than the polymer matrix. Bacterial growth and biofilm formation occurred equally on both materials. The results of this in vitro study suggest that in order to avoid the possible increase in S. mutans adhesion, the reinforcing glass fibers should be covered with the matrix polymer of the composite.     

Bonding of restorative and veneering composite resin to some polymeric composites.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine bond strengths between different fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) and visible light-curing composites (VCR). METHODS: A total of 180 specimens comprising eight types of FRC substrates and four types of VCR substrates were fabricated and divided in 36 different groups. Substrate surfaces were ground with 1200-grit silicon carbide paper before adding a repair composite (RC). The shear bond strength was determined for specimens without the use of an intermediate resin (IMR), for specimens with the IMR and for specimens with the IMR and thermocycling. Surface roughness of the substrate was measured with a profilometer before adding RC on the substrate. RESULTS: The univariate analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences (p<0.001) related to the type of the substrate, the IMR and the thermocycling. The highest shear bond strength for FRC substrates was achieved with StickNet/Z-100 combination and for VCR substrates with Sinfony/Sinfony combination. Surface roughness (R(a)) varied from 0.10 microm of Targis VCR to 0.50 microm for Vectris Pontic FRC. SIGNIFICANCE: Surface roughness seemed not to influence shear bond strengths of RC to FRC and VCR substrates. High shear bond strengths were related to specific materials and IMRs used. In some cases materials performed better without the use of the accessory IMR.     

Composite resin reinforced with pre-tensioned fibers: a three-dimensional finite element study on stress distribution

Pre-tensioned construction material is utilized in engineering applications of high strength demands. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the pre-tensioning fibers of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis. The 3D FE models of particulate composite resin (CR), FRC and composite resin reinforced with pre-tensioned fibers (PRE-T-FRC) were constructed. The uniaxial three-point bending test was simulated using FE analysis to calculate the principal stress distribution. In the FRC and PRE-T-FRC, stresses were higher than CR, and they were located in the fiber. However, the maximum principal stress value at the composite of PRE-T-FRC was lower than the FRC and CR. Composite resin reinforced with pre-tensioned fibers was advantageous for stress distribution and lowering the stress at the composite itself. Experimental studies on physical properties of pre-tensioned FRC are encouraged to be conducted.     

Bioactive composite for keratoprosthesis skirt

In this study, the fabrication and properties of a synthetic keratoprosthesis skirt for use in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery are discussed. In the search for a new material concept, bioactive glass and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based composites were prepared. Three different bioactive glasses (i.e. 45S5, S53P4 and 1-98) and one slowly resorbing glass, FL107, with two different forms (i.e. particles and porous glass structures) were employed in the fabrication of specimens. In in vitro studies, the dissolution behaviour in simulated aqueous humour, compressive properties, and pore formation of the composites were investigated. According to the results, FL107 dissolved very slowly (2.4% of the initial glass content in three weeks); thus, the pore formation of the FL107 composite was also observed to be restricted. The dissolution rates of the bioactive glass-PMMA composites were greater (12%-17%). These faster dissolving bioactive glass particles caused some porosity on the outermost surfaces of the composite. The slight surface porosity was also confirmed by a decrease in compressive properties. During six weeks' in vitro dissolution, the compressive strength of the test specimens containing particles decreased by 22% compared to values in dry conditions (90-107?MPa). These results indicate that the bioactive composites could be stable synthetic candidates for a keratoprosthesis skirt in the treatment of severely damaged or diseased cornea.     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of posterior fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial denture Part 2: influence of fiber reinforcement on mesial and distal connectors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of connectors under two different loading conditions on displacement and stress distribution generated in isotropic hybrid composite fixed partial denture (C-FPD) and partially anisotropic fiber-reinforced hybrid composite fixed partial denture (FRC-FPD). To this end, two three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of three-unit FPD from mandibular second premolar to mandibular second molar - intended to replace the mandibular first molar - were developed. The two loading conditions employed were a vertical load of 629 N (applied to eight points on the occlusal surface) and a lateral load of 250 N (applied to three points of the pontic). The results suggested that the reinforcing fibers in FRC framework significantly improved the rigidity of the connectors against any twisting and bending moments induced by loading. Consequently, maximum principal stress and displacement generated in the connectors of FRC-FPD were significantly reduced because stresses generated by vertical and lateral loading were transferred to the reinforcing fibers.     

Effect of colouring green stage zirconia on the adhesion of veneering ceramics with different thermal expansion coefficients

This study evaluated the adhesion of zirconia core ceramics with their corresponding veneering ceramics, having different thermal expansion coefficients （TECs）, when zirconia ceramics were coloured at green stage. Zirconia blocks （N=240; 6 mm x 7 mm x 7 mm） were manufactured from two materials namely, ICE Zirconia （Group 1） and Prettau Zirconia （Group 2）. In their green stage, they were randomly divided into two groups. Half of the specimens were coloured with colouring liquid （shade A2）, Three different veneering ceramics with different TEC （ICE Ceramic, GC Initial Zr and IPS e.max Ceram） were fired on both coloured and non-coloured zirconia cores. Specimens of high noble alloys （Esteticor Plus） veneered with ceramic （VM 13） （n= 16） acted as the control group. Core-veneer interface of the specimens were subjected to shear force in the Universal Testing Machine （0.5 mm-min-1）. Neither the zirconia core material （P=0.318） nor colouring （P=0.188） significantly affected the results （three-way analysis of variance, Tukey＇s test）. But the results were significantly affected by the veneering ceramic （P=0.000）. Control group exhibited significantly higher mean bond strength values （45.7__.8） MPa than all other tested groups （（27.1__.4.1）-（39.7__.4.7） and （27.4__.5.6）-（35.9___4.7） MPa with and without colouring, respectively） （P~0.001）. While in zirconia-veneer test groups, predominantly mixed type of failures were observed with the veneering ceramic covering ~ 1/3 of the substrate surface, in the metal-ceramic group, veneering ceramic was left adhered 1/3 of the metal surface. Colouring zirconia did not impair adhesion of veneering ceramic, but veneering ceramic had a significant influence on the core-veneer adhesion. Metal-ceramic adhesion was more reliable than all zirconia-veneer ceramics tested.     

Bone attachment to glass-fibre-reinforced composite implant with porous surface

A method has recently been developed for producing fibre-reinforced composites (FRC) with porous surfaces, intended for use as load-bearing orthopaedic implants. This study focuses on evaluation of the bone-bonding behaviour of FRC implants. Three types of cylindrical implants, i.e. FRC implants with a porous surface, solid polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) implants and titanium (Ti) implants, were inserted in a transverse direction into the intercondular trabeculous bone area of distal femurs and proximal tibias of New Zealand White rabbits. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 12 weeks post operation, and push-out tests (n = 5–6 per implant type per time point) were then carried out. At 12 weeks the shear force at the porous FRC–bone interface was significantly higher (283.3 ± 55.3 N) than the shear force at interfaces of solid PMMA/bone (14.4 ± 11.0 N; p < 0.001) and Ti/bone (130.6 ± 22.2 N; p = 0.001). Histological observation revealed new bone growth into the porous surface structure of FRC implants. Solid PMMA and Ti implants were encapsulated mostly with fibrous connective tissue. Finite element analysis (FEA) revealed that porous FRC implants had mechanical properties which could be tailored to smooth the shear stress distribution at the bone–implant interface and reduce the stress-shielding effect.