An In Vitro Study to Evaluate the Retention of Complete Crowns Prepared with Five Different Tapers and Luted with Two Different Cements

This study includes comparatively evaluating and drawing general conclusion about the best advisable taper and cement for maximal retention. Eighty extracted human maxillary premolar teeth with sound surfaces were selected using dial vernier caliper. Selected teeth were randomly divided into five different taper groups (0°, 3°, 6°, 9° and 12°). The crown preparations with different tapers respectively were achieved by graduated customized device. Preparations were verified with special set up. Crowns were cast with Co–Cr alloy; metal copings were luted with glass ionomer and zinc phosphate cement. Retention was measured (MPa) by separating the metal crowns from the teeth under tension on a universal testing machine, data was recorded and statistically analyzed. Glass ionomer cemented 0° and 12° taper group showed increase in retentive strength (p = 0.003 hs), when compared to zinc phosphate cement. 9° and 12° group showed decreased retentive strength (p = 0.001 vhs) when compared with 0° taper group. No significant difference found between 0° and 3° and 6° group. The choice of cement for crowns prepared within this ideal range (0°–6° taper) might be of limited clinical significance. 3° and 6° taper with zinc phosphate or glass ionomer cement shown to be ideal for maximum retention.     

Modification of mineral trioxide aggregate. Physical and mechanical properties

Aim To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of two cements with a similar chemical composition to mineral trioxide aggregate and to attempt to improve their properties by producing a composite material. Methodology Two cement types were used: a mixture of calcium sulpho‐aluminate cement and Portland cement (CSA) and calcium fluoro‐aluminate cement (CFA) in conjunction with an admixture to improve the handling characteristics. Cements were mixed with an inert filler to produce cement composite. The setting time of the cements was evaluated using an indentation technique. The flexural and uni‐axial compressive strengths and solubility of the cements and cement composites were evaluated. The properties of the materials were compared with proprietary brand glass–ionomer cement. Results The setting time of the CSA and CFA cements was less than 6 min. The use of an admixture to improve the handling properties tended to retard setting. CSA was stronger then CFA in both compression and flexure (P < 0.001). Addition of granite increased the flexural strength of both cements but reduced the compressive strength (P < 0.01). CFA absorbed more water then CSA. Addition of granite reduced the water uptake of both cements. Conclusions Both CSA and CFA cements had adequate setting times and compressive strength values when compared with proprietary brand glass–ionomer cement. CSA was superior to CFA and had more promise as a prospective dental material.     

Effect of a desensitizing agent containing glutaraldehyde and HEMA on bond strength to Er:YAG laser-irradiated dentine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a desensitizing agent (GLUMA Desensitizer) containing glutaraldehyde and HEMA improved the bond strength and bonding durability of a self-etching primer adhesive to Er:YAG-irradiated dentine. METHOD: Dentine of 120 human molars was exposed by wet grinding on SiC paper for bond strength testing. Thirty specimens each were allocated to the following treatment groups: (1) control; (2) Er:YAG laser irradiation; (3) Er:YAG laser irradiation followed by application of GLUMA Desensitizer; (4) Er:YAG laser irradiation followed by application of GLUMA Desensitizer and 10s rinsing with water. Composite cylinders were bonded to the dentine surfaces with a self-etching priming adhesive system. Tensile bond strengths (TBS) of 10 specimens of each treatment group were measured after 24-h water storage, 6 months water storage and 12 months water storage, respectively, and the failure modes were analyzed. TBS data were statistically treated by two-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test at a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: TBSs for the GLUMA-non rinse and GLUMA-rinse groups were significantly higher than for the laser group at 24 h and 12 months. Specimens from the Er:YAG-irradiated dentine group had significantly lower bond strengths than the control group at each storage time. All control specimens showed cohesive fractures in resin close to the bonding interface whereas the Er:YAG laser-irradiated groups showed both dentine cohesive, resin cohesive and dentine-resin mixed failures. CONCLUSION: Application of GLUMA Desensitizer to Er:YAG-irradiated dentine increases the bond strength and durability of the self-etching priming adhesive used.     

光照强度对光固化复合树脂抗压和抗拉强度的影响

目的 :探讨光照强度对光固化复合树脂抗压、抗拉强度的影响。方法 :用WDW 10 0型微机控制电子万能试验机 ,测试比较不同光照强度 [第 1组 ,3 0 0mW /cm2 × 40s ;第 2组 ,5 0 0mW /cm2 × 40s ;第 3组 ,80 0mW /cm2 × 40s ;第 4组 ,(3 0 0mW /cm2 × 10s) + (5 0 0mW /cm2 × 3 0s) ;第 5组 ,(3 0 0mW /cm2 × 10s) + (80 0mW /cm2 × 3 0s) ]对光固化复合树脂抗压强度、微拉伸强度的影响。结果 :采用弱光引导固化方法固化的光固化复合树脂的抗压强度、微拉伸强度明显优于采用传统方法固化的树脂。结论 :采用弱光引导固化对提高复合树脂抗压和抗拉强度有积极意义     

An optimized synthetic substrate for orthodontic bond strength testing

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of different synthetic calcium phosphate based substrates as a biomimetic enamel surface model for orthodontic bond strength testing. METHODS: Carbonated apatite, amorphous calcium phosphate and commercial hydroxyapatite specimens were prepared as substrates for orthodontic bond strength testing. Carbonated apatite specimens were prepared by pressing, sintering and treatment with NaF. The shear bond strength was measured with a universal testing machine. RESULTS: Hydroxyapatite, amorphous and cold pressed carbonated hydroxyapatite exhibited fractures within the substrate after debonding. Mean bond strength values for carbonated hydroxyapatite were 7.38 (1.75) MPa for specimens pressed at 300 degrees C and 9.55 (2.23) MPa for specimens pressed at 300 degrees C and then sintered at 600 degrees C. An additional NaF treatment after sintering resulted in lower bond strength measurements of on average 6.52 (1.03) MPa. SIGNIFICANCE: Hot pressed and sintered carbonated hydroxyapatite showed acceptable shear bond strength values and may represent a suitable biomimetic model for orthodontic bond strength testing.     

Er,Cr:YSGG激光照射对窝沟封闭剂粘结性的影响

目的 :探讨Er,Cr:YSGG激光照射作为窝沟封闭前釉质预处理方式的可能性。方法 :以 40颗离体前磨牙做为标本 ,随机分成 4组 ,唇面釉质分别采用下列方式处理 ,A组 :杯状刷处理 酸蚀 ,B组 :钻切割 酸蚀。C组 :Er ,Cr :YSGG激光照射 ,D组 :Er,Cr :YSGG激光照射 酸蚀。测试窝沟封闭剂与釉质面的抗剪强度 ,并用扫描电镜观察 4种方式处理后釉质表面的形态特征。结果 :Er ,Cr :YSGG激光照射与传统杯状刷或钻处理后酸蚀的釉质面抗剪强度相似无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,Er ,Cr:YSGG激光照射后酸蚀也不增大抗剪强度。SEM观察Er ,Cr :YSGG激光照射后的釉质面不规则 ,鱼鳞状 ,无玷污层。结论 :Er ,Cr :YSGG激光照射可代替传统杯状刷或钻处理后酸蚀 ,是一种较好的窝沟封闭前预处理方式     

The influence of simulated masticatory loading regimes on the bi-axial flexure strength and reliability of a Y-TZP dental ceramic

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of simulated masticatory loading regimes, to which all-ceramic crown or bridge restorations will routinely be subjected during their service-life, on the performance of a yttria-stabilised tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) dental ceramic. METHODS: Ten sets of 30 Y-TZP ceramic discs (13 mm diameter, 1.48-1.54 mm thickness) supplied by the manufacturer were randomly selected. Six groups were loaded for 2000 cycles at 500 N (383-420 MPa), 700N (536-588 MPa) and 800 N (613-672 MPa) with three groups maintained dry and the remaining three groups loaded while immersed in water at 37+/-1 degrees C. A further two groups underwent extended simulated masticatory loading regimes at 80 N (61-67 MPa) for 10(4) and 10(5)cycles under dry conditions. The mean bi-axial flexure strengths, standard deviations and associated Weibull moduli (m) were determined. The surface hardness was also determined using the Vickers hardness indentation technique. RESULTS: No significant difference (P>0.05) was identified in the bi-axial flexure strength of the simulated masticatory loading regimes and the control specimens loaded dry or wet. A significant increase in m was identified for the Y-TZP specimens following loading while immersed in water (8.6+/-1.6, 8.5+/-1.6 and 10.3+/-1.9) compared with the control (7.1+/-1.3). However, the extended loading regime to 10(5)cycles resulted in a significant reduction in the m of the Y-TZP specimens (5.3+/-1.0) compared with the control. Localised areas of increased surface hardness were identified to occur directly beneath the spherical indenter. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of localised areas of increased surface hardness could be the result of either a transformation toughening mechanism or crushing and densification of the material beneath the indentor manifested as the formation of a surface layer of compressive stresses that counteracted the tensile field generated at the tip of a propagating crack which increased the Weibull modulus of the Y-TZP specimens. The reduced reliability of the Y-TZP specimens loaded to 80 N for 10(5)cycles was associated with the accumulation of subcritical damage as a result of the extended nature of loading.     

Fracture strength of teeth with flared root canals restored with glass fibre posts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fracture strength and pattern of failure of teeth with weakened roots reconstructed by different procedures. METHODS: In an in vitro study root posts were placed in 50 endodontically treated canines, divided into 5 groups (n=10) as follows: cast metallic post; glass fibre post with smaller diameter than the root canal; glass fibre post with smaller diameter than the root canal + glass fibre strips; glass fibre post with smaller diameter than the root canal + accessory glass fibre posts; anatomical post (glass fibre post with smaller diameter than the root canal, relined with low viscosity composite resin). Posts were luted with resin cement and the coronal portion of posts was constructed with composite resin. Metallic crowns were cemented on the posts. Specimens were submitted to compressive load in a universal testing machine. Fracture strength values of each group were compared. RESULTS: Fracture strength values were for Groups 1-5 respectively: 1087.06; 745.69; 775.41; 920.64; 876.12kgf, with significant differences between Groups 1 and 2 and between Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.05). Observed patterns of fracture were: Group 1 - 100% of roots fractured; Groups 2 and 4 - variable fracture modes; Group 3 - 60% of fractures occurred in the cervical root third; Group 5 - 50% of failures occurred in the coronal portion of the post. CONCLUSIONS: The fracture strength of teeth with cast metallic posts, teeth with anatomical posts or teeth with glass fibre posts combined with accessory posts was similar. All teeth restored with cast metallic posts presented fractures and were unfavourable to maintenance of the remaining tooth structure. Teeth with fibre posts (Groups 2 to 5) presented variable fracture modes; however, the maximum percentage of unfavourable fractures was 30%.     

Steady-state voltammetry for the reduction of labile metal complexes in the absence and presence of different concentrations of supporting electrolyte1

Steady-state voltammetry for the reduction of labile complexes of lead, cadmium and mercury, in the absence of deliberately added supporting electrolyte and with different concentrations of supporting electrolyte, has been studied at mercury (lead and cadmium) and platinum disc (mercury) microelectrodes. The effects of ionic strength and nature of an inert electrolyte on the migrational component, which usually adds to diffusion in the mass transport in solutions with low electrolyte, have been examined. The results obtained have demonstrated that the ratio of limiting current at different concentrations of supporting electrolyte to diffusive limiting current I_lm/I_ld, depended not only on the charge of the free ion, but also on the amount of labile complexes formed between the metal ion with ligands which may arise from the counter-ion accompanying the metal in its starting salt, from small amounts of supporting electrolyte and from the autoprotolysis of water, i.e., OH^?. Moreover, the I_lm/I_ld ratio is affected by the background electrolyte, which is almost unavoidable in water, and by the hydrolysis of the metal ion which yields protons. A comprehensive theoretical equation, based on already known treatments, has been also derived to predict the limiting current ratios in the presence of all the effects cited above.     

Can poly(acrylic) acid molecular weight mixtures improve the compressive fracture strength and elastic modulus of a glass-ionomer restorative?

Objectives

To optimize the compressive fracture strength (σ) and elastic modulus (E) of a glass-ionomer (GI) restorative using poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) weight average molecular weight (M_w) mixtures.

Methods

174 PAA solutions were prepared (four control PAA M_ws at three PAA concentrations (25, 35 and 45%) (n = 12) and six M_w mixtures (Groups A-F at nine blend ratios and three PAA concentrations (n = 162))). The viscosity (η) of each PAA solution was determined using a digital viscometer. The PAA solutions were hand-mixed with a commercial GI restorative powder (Ionofil Molar; Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany) and σ and E were determined using cylindrical (6 mm height, 4 mm diameter) specimens (n = 20) at 24 h. Data were analyzed using analyses of variance (ANOVA) (three-, two- and one-way) and regression analyses at p < 0.05.

Results

The three- and two-way ANOVAs highlighted significant effects of M_w mixture, blend ratio and PAA concentration (all p < 0.0001) on the η, σ and E data. Regression analyses showed significant increases in η, σ and E (p < 0.0001) with increasing M_w from Groups A to F. There was no significant effect of blend ratio on the σ data for Groups A (p = 0.178), D (p = 0.747) and F (p = 0.107) and on the E data (p > 0.083).

Significance

The current approach to improving the mechanical properties of GI restoratives using PAA M_w mixtures is encouraging, however, further manipulation of the GI restorative system by optimizing PAA M_w mixtures, blend ratios and PAA concentrations is required to elicit further improvements in σ and E without impacting upon the η of the PAA solution.