Bond strength between luting materials and a fiber-reinforced resin composite for indirect restorations

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bond strength between a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) and six luting agents (Panavia F 2.0, Linkmax MC, Chemiace II, Multibond, Super-Bond C&B, and Fuji I). A prosthodontic resin composite material (RC-control) and a luting agent containing no functional monomer (MT) were used as controls. Shear bond strengths between alumina-blasted FRC and the luting agents were determined after 20,000 thermocycles. The FRC showed superior bond strength when compared with the RC-control. Highest bond strengths were achieved when FRC was bonded with Panavia F 2.0, Linkmax MC, Multibond, Super-Bond C&B, and MT, whereas Chemiace II trailed in the list of resin-based luting agents evaluated. Insufficient bonding was obtained with Fuji I. Results of the present study revealed that when fabricating restorations, the clinician should select an appropriate combination of resin composite material and luting agent so as to ensure the longevity of restorations.     

Is there any difference between the British and Japanese de?nitions of the mandibular cortical index (MCI) on panoramic radiographs? A pilot study

Objectives To assess the reproducibility of the mandibular cortical index (MCI) on panoramic radiographs among British and Japanese observers, and to investigate the difference between the British and Japanese observers in the definition of MCI.Methods Three observers, a Japanese oral radiologist, a British oral radiologist, and a British prosthodontist, classified the inferior cortex of the mandible on a set of 100 duplicated films of randomly selected panoramic radiographs twice, 2 weeks apart, using the MCI. The kappa index for intra- and interobserver agreement was calculated for the three observers.Results The kappa index for intraobserver agreement was moderate (0.56) to perfect (0.86) for the three observers. Interobserver agreement between the Japanese and the British oral radiologists was moderate at the first reading (kappa, 0.59) and substantial at the second (0.61). Interobserver agreement between the prosthodontist on the one hand and each of the oral radiologists on the other was fair (0.35, 0.38) at the first reading, but moderate (0.43, 0.60) at the second reading. The prosthodontist tended to overestimate the MCI compared with either of the oral radiologists.Conclusion Our results suggest that the definition of MCI used by Japanese observers is basically similar to that used by British observers, although some improvements in the definition of MCI would be necessary for clinical dental practice.     

Orthodontic treatment of an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor combined with surgical exposure and apicoectomy

The impacted incisor was moved into its proper position with surgical exposure and orthodontic traction. Although apicoectomy was performed during the orthodontic treatment, the incisor showed good stability after the long retention period.     

Deflection fatigue of Ti-6Al-7Nb, Co-Cr, and gold alloy cast clasps

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There is little information about the deflection fatigue of clasps in relation to stress distribution. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the fatigue resistance and permanent deformation of cast clasps made of titanium and other dental alloys and to relate the fatigue resistance with the calculated stress values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five Ti-6Al-7Nb, 25 Co-Cr, and 15 Type IV gold alloy clasps were subjected to cyclic deflection of preset values of 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm, or 0.75 mm, for 10 6 cycles (n = 14). Finite element models were created to calculate principal stresses within the specimens. Fatigue life, retentive force, and permanent deformation were recorded, and the fracture locations were determined microscopically. The results were characterized in relation to the stress within the clasps. One-way analysis of variance and Tamhane's post-hoc tests were used to compare the results of the 9 material-deflection groups (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Ti-6Al-7Nb clasps exhibited significantly less permanent deformation than the other clasps under relatively greater deflections, indicating better adaptation to the tooth surface. However, the fatigue life of the Ti-6Al-7Nb clasps under 0.75-mm deflection, with the stress above the alloy's 0.2% yield strength, was significantly shorter than those under smaller deflections. The gold clasps showed significantly longer fatigue life than the other clasps under the 0.50-mm deflection. High-stress areas within the fatigue clasp specimens coincided with the fracture locations. The probabilities of fatigue fracture and permanent deformation were closely related to the material strengths and the preset deflections. CONCLUSION: To minimize fatigue failures, the cast clasp should be designed with consideration of the stresses distributions within the clasps.     

Strength and elastic modulus of fiber-reinforced composites used for fabricating FPDs

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexural strength and elastic modulus of a new fiber-reinforced composite used for the fabrication of inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (FPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of six materials were used: Vectris, FibreKor, and an experimental material, BR-100, were the types of glass fiber preimpregnated with resin used for making the frameworks; Targis, Sculpture, and Estenia were used as the veneering composites. Five specimens of each material were prepared. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were determined using the three-point bending test. In addition, laminate specimens were fabricated by combination of the veneering composite and framework materials (Targis/Vectris, Sculpture/FibreKor, and Estenia/BR-100), and fracture loads of these specimens were determined. Laminate specimens were fabricated with three different framework thicknesses for Estenia/BR-100. RESULTS: Estenia had the greatest strength and highest modulus of elasticity of the veneering composites. All three framework materials had flexural strength values (567 to 686 MPa) more than three times as great as those of the veneering composites (132 to 193 MPa). Of the laminate specimens, the Estenia/BR-100 with a framework thickness of 1.0 mm had a fracture load more than 50% greater than Targis/Vectris and Sculpture/FibreKor. CONCLUSION: The combination of the experimental framework material BR-100 and the composite Estenia showed higher fracture loads than the other combinations tested.     

Effects of chlorhexidine, minocycline, and metronidazole on Porphyromonas gingivalis strain 381 in biofilms

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis is found in subgingival biofilm and is associated with periodontal disease. Bacteria in biofilms are able to resist higher antimicrobial concentrations than in suspension. Little is known about the susceptibility of P. gingivalis in biofilms to antimicrobial agents. The effects of chlorhexidine gluconate, minocycline hydrochloride, and metronidazole on P. gingivalis biofilms were examined in vitro. METHODS: P. gingivalis strain 381 biofilms were prepared on 32 hydroxyapatite disks. At 0, 24, 72, and 144 hours after perfusion of the three antimicrobial agents, two disks from each device were used to assess the antimicrobial effects by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence, and for morphological investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Close relationships were found between the results of the ATP analyses and the SEM observations in all groups examined. A significant decrease (P < 0.001) in ATP content was found between the chlorhexidine-treated and control groups. The extracellular matrix structure and P. gingivalis cells were altered in the presence of chlorhexidine. Minocycline hydrochloride also caused a decrease (P < 0.05) in the ATP content and morphological change on P. gingivalis biofilms. Metronidazole showed no significant efficacy against P. gingivalis biofilms. CONCLUSION: Chlorhexidine gluconate was effective at reducing the viability of P. gingivalis 381 cells in biofilms, while minocycline hydrochloride and metronidazole exhibited weaker effects.     

Relationship between periodontal disease status and combination of biochemical assays of gingival crevicular fluid

BACKGROUND: Currently, no biochemical assay involving gingival crevicular fluid is utilized routinely as a screening test for periodontal disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of gingival crevicular fluid assay as a screening methodology. METHODS: The subject population was comprised of 27 volunteers. Nine participants were classified as 'subject with periodontal destruction' (SPD) exhibiting at least one site with pocket depth and attachment loss>3.5 mm, whereas the remaining individuals were categorized as 'subject with minimal periodontal destruction' (SMD). Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from fixed sites via a standardized method. Biochemical assays of 12 substances (hemoglobin, albumin, transferrin, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, fibronectin, IgA, IgG, IgM, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase) were conducted at a commercial laboratory. Power transformation of total quantities in gingival crevicular fluid was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Relationships between total quantity of each substance and periodontal disease status were unclear. Logistic regression analysis yielded six predictive models, which consisted of substance pairs: neutrophil elastase/IgA, neutrophil elastase/hemoglobin, neutrophil elastase/alpha(1)-antitrypsin and neutrophil elastase/IgG, and IgA/albumin and IgA/transferrin (p<0.05). Regression lines for SPD and SMD on a scattergram of IgA and neutrophil elastase were nearly parallel within the range of amounts in gingival crevicular fluid. The predictive model derived from both substances afforded sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the combination of IgA and neutrophil elastase in gingival crevicular fluid may be crucial for prediction of periodontal disease status. Furthermore, these data suggested that biochemical assays employing both substances in gingival crevicular fluid may provide a satisfactory screening test for periodontal disease.     

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor arising from the mandibular molar region: a case report and review of the literature

This case report describes a rare case of an adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) arising in the mandibular third molar region of a 20-year-old female. The tumor was a well-circumscribed intraosseous lesion with an embedded tooth. Histologically, the induction of extensive globular calcification was evident in addition to the characteristic histological features of AOT. The present case lends support to the categorization of AOT as an odontogenic tumor consisting of a disorderly mixture of odontogenic epithelium and odontogenic ectomesenchyme with calcification.