Brazilian gutta-percha points. Part II: thermal properties

This study was undertaken to explore the effect of heating on gutta-percha, analyzing the occurrence of endothermic peaks corresponding to the transformation that occurs in the crystalline structure of the polymer during thermal manipulation. This study also sought to determine the temperature at which these peaks occur, causing a transformation from the beta- to the alpha-form, and from the alpha- to the amorphous phase. Eight nonstandardized gutta-percha points commercially available in Brazil (Konne, Tanari, Endopoint, Odous, Dentsply 0.04, Dentsply 0.06, Dentsply TP, Dentsply FM) and pure gutta-percha (control) were analysed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The transition temperatures were determined and analysed. With the exception of Dentsply 0.04 and Dentsply 0.06, the majority of the products showed thermal behaviour typical of beta-gutta-percha, with two endothermic peaks, exhibiting two crystalline transformations upon heating from ambient temperature to 130 degrees. Upon cooling and reheating, few samples presented two endothermic peaks. It was concluded that heating dental gutta-percha to 130 degrees C causes changes to its chemical structure which permanently alter its physical properties.     

Multiple hyperdontia: Report of an unusual case

Supernumerary teeth are an infrequent developmental anomaly that can appear in any area of the dental arch and can affect any dental organ. Multiple supernumerary teeth, or hyperdontia, is rare in people with no other associated diseases or syndromes. Conditions commonly associated with hyperdontia include cleft lip and palate, trichorhinophalangeal syndrome, cleidocranial dysplasia, and Gardner's syndrome. A black girl, aged 11 years 8 months, came for consultation; radiographs showed 81 teeth: 18 deciduous, 32 permanent, and 31 supernumerary. The main concern initially was to determine whether she was syndromic, and she was referred to a geneticist. G banding analysis showed pericentric inversion of chromosome 9; the chromosome formula was 46, XX, inv (9) (p13q21). Orthodontic treatment for this patient will be a clinical challenge because of the great number of teeth to be extracted and the alterations in the shapes of the teeth. Treatment goals should be established by a multidisciplinary team, where oral surgeon, orthodontist, periodontist, and prosthodontist come together to solve a medical and dental puzzle, eliminating the pieces that do not fit and searching for new ones to obtain an occlusion that will give the patient physiologic conditions of normality and esthetic satisfaction.     

Effect of the adhesive application mode and fiber post translucency on the push-out bond strength to dentin

This study evaluated the effect of the adhesive application mode and fiber post translucency on the push-out bond strength to dentin. Bovine roots were endodontically treated, and 10 roots were used for each adhesive application mode: PB (Prime&Bond 2.1), PB + SC (Self-cure activator), PB + SBM (Scotchbond Multi-purpose adhesive system), BB (Brush&Bond), BB + CAT (chemical catalyst), and BB + SBM. The translucent Light-Post and Aestheti-Post were cemented. The roots/cemented posts were transversally sectioned to originate three thirds (cervical, middle, and apical). The push-out test was performed, and the failure mode of fractured specimens was analyzed. There was no difference between the fiber posts. For PB and BB, the use of hydrophobic adhesive resin SBM increased post bond strength. The use of SC and CAT catalyst did not affect the push-out bond strength values. The apical third presented the lowest bond strengths.     

Unusual presentation of active implant periapical lesions: a report of two cases

Active implant periapical lesion (IPL) is a rare lesion which has been reported as one of the causes of dental implant failures. Usually, an affected implant shows radiolucency in the apical area, while remaining clinically stable. IPL is often accompanied by symptoms of pain, swelling, tenderness, and fistulation. In this paper, we describe two cases of IPL with very unusual findings which led to implant failure. A large IPL associated with an inflammatory cyst in the anterior maxilla, and a mandibular IPL resulting in an extra-oral fistula are presented. The etiology and treatment approaches for IPL are discussed.     

Fracture process characterization of fiber-reinforced dental composites evaluated by optical coherence tomography, SEM and optical microscopy

This study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) compared to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM) to evaluate qualitatively crack propagation and final fracture in restorative composite materials - Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE) - with fiber reinforcement after cyclic loading. Samples were made using a split mold. Initially, 3-point bending tests were performed to determine the maximum force and tension at the fracture moment using samples without fiber reinforcement. Then, mechanical cycling tests were performed using samples with glass fiber embedded internally. The failures were analyzed using the 3 methods described before. OCT permitted good characterization of internal crack propagation of the dental composites, which, however, could not be visualized by either SEM or OM. OCT was proven to be laboratory research tool that is easy to use, does not require any specific preparation of the samples, and is less expensive than SEM.