Microtensile bond strength tests: scanning electron microscopy evaluation of sample integrity before testing

The failure of a certain number of microtensile specimens during their preparation and before loading is a common and undesirable occurrence. This study was aimed at observing, under a scanning electron microscope, enamel and dentin microtensile specimens, in order to find structural faults that might be responsible for their premature failure. In a sample of 80 sticks, none of the specimens was found to be free of defects. These may consist of microcracks in enamel, most often at the periphery of the stick, or in dentin at the level of hybrid layer. Gaps were often seen at the interfaces between the substrates. Voids were sometimes visible within the resin composite thickness. Enamel specimens tended to exhibit more defects than dentin specimens. It is fair to suspect that, because of the brittleness of the tissue, enamel microtensile specimens are intrinsically more prone to failure, thus yielding bond strengths which are not significantly higher than those measured on dentin specimens. This leads one to question the reliability of the microtensile method for testing adhesion on enamel. It seems sensible to develop a method for a quantitative assessment of specimens integrity before loading as a possible predictor for their performance under load.     

Proanthocyanidin encapsulation for sustained bioactivity in dentin bioadhesion: A two-year study

ObjectivesTo determine the long-term effect on the stability of dentin-resin interfaces after the addition of polylactide (PLA) capsules containing proanthocyanidin (PAC) to adhesive resin.MethodsSub-micron (SM) and micron (M) size capsules containing PACs were produced using a combination of emulsification and solvent evaporation techniques and characterized. Human dentin surfaces (n = 8) were etched (35% glycolic acid) and primed (15% enriched Vitis vinifera extract solution - VV_e), followed by the application of an experimental adhesive containing 0 (control), 1.5 wt% of SM or M PAC-filled PLA capsules light cured for 40 s. A crown was built using commercial composite. After 24 h-immersion (37 °C) in simulated body fluid, specimens were serially sectioned into resin-dentin beams. Microtensile bond strength (TBS), micro-permeability and fracture pattern were assessed immediately and after 1 and 2 years. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post-hoc test (α = 0.05).ResultsPolydisperse capsules were manufactured with average diameter of 0.36 µm and 1.08 µm for SM and M, respectively. The addition of capsules did not affect TBS (p = 0.889). After 2 years, TBS significantly decreased in SM (p = 0.006), whereas M showed similar initial values (p = 0.291). Overall, less micro-permeability was found in M than the control and SM group (p < 0.001). After 2 years, fractured surfaces from capsule-containing groups failed within the adhesive layer while control fractured at the bottom of the hybrid layer.SignificanceThe addition of PAC-filled PLA microcapsules in a dental adhesive did not affect the bond strength while increased and sustained the protection against micro-permeability in the interface, likely due to release of PACs.     

Torsional strength and toughness of nickel-titanium rotary files

Introduction

The aim of this investigation was to compare torsional strength, distortion angle, and toughness of various nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files.

Methods

Five NiTi rotary instruments with different cross-sectional geometries were selected: TF and RaCe with equilateral triangle, ProTaper with convex-triangle, ProFile with U-shape, and Mtwo with S-shape. The size 25/.06 taper of TF, RaCe, ProFile, and Mtwo and the ProTaper F1 files were tested, all with the same diameter at D5. A metal mounting block with a cubical hole was constructed in which 5 mm of the file tip was rigidly held in place by filling the mold with a resin composite. The files were subjected to clockwise rotation at 2 rpm in a torsion tester. The torque and angular distortion were monitored until the file failed. The data were compared statistically for the yield and ultimate strengths, plastic hardening period, and toughness.

Results

TF and RaCe had significantly lower yield strength than other systems. TF had a significantly lower ultimate strength than other files, whereas Mtwo showed the greatest. ProFile showed the highest distortion angle at break, followed by TF. ProFile also showed the highest toughness value, whereas TF and RaCe both showed a lower toughness value than the others (P < .05). Fractographic examination revealed typical pattern of torsional fracture for all brands, characterized by circular abrasion marks and skewed dimples near the center of rotation.

Conclusions

Under the limitations of the present study, the 5 tested NiTi rotary files showed a similar mechanical behavior under torsional load, with a period of plastic deformation before actual torsional breakage but with unequal strength and toughness value.     

Effect of chlorhexidine incorporation into a self-etching primer on dentine bond strength of a luting cement

Objectives

This study investigated the effect of incorporating chlorhexidine in a self-etching primer on the bond strength of an adhesive resin cement to dentine and on antibacterial activity.

Methods

Experimental self-etching primers were prepared by adding chlorhexidine (CHX) diacetate to ED primer 2.0 (Kuraray Medical Inc.) to obtain chlorhexidine concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 2.0 wt%. Human occlusal dentine surfaces were conditioned for 30 s using the experimental primers or pure ED primer. Composite blocks were luted using Panavia F 2.0 (Kuraray Medical Inc.). After storage in water for 24 h, the bonded teeth were sectioned into 0.9 mm × 0.9 mm beams and stressed to failure in tension to examine microtensile bond strength (μTBS). Fractured surfaces were examined with a field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The morphology of dentine surfaces that were conditioned with each primer was also observed under FE-SEM. An agar diffusion test was performed to examine the antibacterial effect of each primer against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis.

Results

Addition of chlorhexidine to the primer had significant effects (p < 0.001) on μTBS and antibacterial effect. No significant difference in μTBS was found between the groups that contained 0% and 1% chlorhexidine in the primer (p = 0.095). Conversely, the group that contained 2% chlorhexidine showed significantly lower μTBS and pronounced cohesive failures within the thin layer of the primer.

Conclusions

Incorporation of chlorhexidine into ED primer 2.0 showed significant antibacterial activities. Conditioning with the 1% chlorhexidine-containing primer had no adverse effect on μTBS.     

Silver and fluoride content and short-term stability of 38% silver diamine fluoride

Background

As silver diamine fluoride (SDF) gains popularity for caries arrest, the authors aimed to investigate the content of fluoride and silver in 38% SDF produced for the US market and its short-term stability.

黏结剂Single bond 2不同涂布方式下人牙本质黏结界面的环境扫描电镜观察

目的：比较黏结剂Single bond2 不同涂布方式下牙本质黏结界面的形态学变化，为临床选择黏结剂应用方法提供参考依据。方法：暴露新鲜拔除的人第三磨牙牙本质，应用不同方式（包括涂布力度、方向、层数和同化次数）分组进行黏结剂涂布，然后，在环境扫描电镜下直接观察牙本质黏结界面的形态差异。根据黏结剂分布是否均匀、封闭牙本质小管的程度以及黏结剂渗入牙本质小管的情况判断效果。结果：黏结剂涂布力度方面，轻涂比重涂好；涂布方向，同向涂布比反复涂布好；涂布层数，涂2层较涂1层或4层好；固化方式，固化1次较固化2次好。结论：临床使用第五代黏结剂Single bond 2时，推荐同向轻涂2遍后固化的方法，可使黏结剂均匀分布，并较好地封闭牙本质小管。     

Laboratory strength of glass ionomer cement, compomers, and resin composites

PURPOSE: The study evaluates the compressive, flexural, and diametral tensile strengths of 8 core build-up materials from different material classes (highly viscous glass ionomer cement, autocured resin composite, and compomers). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All materials were manipulated according to the manufacturers' recommendations for use as core materials. At a temperature of 23.0 +/- 1.0 degrees C the properties of compressive, diametral tensile and flexural strength were determined using a universal testing machine at 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours after material preparation. Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple mean value comparisons were performed to determine significant differences (p< or =.05) between the core restoration materials. RESULTS: The values for compressive strength varied from 40.3 +/- 5.2 MPa (compomer) to 237.4 +/- 37.3 MPa (autocured resin composite) for the 3 measurement times. At 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours after first mixing, the ANOVA showed significant differences (p < or =.05) between the resin composite Core Paste and all of the other materials. Diametral tensile strengths ranged from 5.5 +/- 1.1 MPa for glass ionomer cement to 39.1 +/- 2.9 MPa for composite core material. Three-point flexural strength showed values ranging from 12.1 +/- 2.5 MPa for glass ionomer cement to 92.1 +/- 9.7 MPa for compomer between the 3 measurement times. CONCLUSIONS: Setting time influences the mechanical properties of the materials tested in this study. Autopolymerizing resin composite Core Paste demonstrated greater compressive and flexural strengths at the 3 measurement times than the other materials tested. Reinforced composites, in comparison to the autocured resin composites, yielded no improvement in tensile strength. Flexural and tensile strengths of the glass ionomer cement were lower than those of autocured resin composites and compomers.     

Stabilizing sodium hypochlorite at high pH: effects on soft tissue and dentin

Introduction

When sodium hypochlorite solutions react with tissue, their pH drops and tissue sorption decreases. We studied whether stabilizing a NaOCl solution at a high pH would increase its soft-tissue dissolution capacity and effects on the dentin matrix compared with a standard NaOCl solution of the same concentration and similar initial pH.

Methods

NaOCl solutions were prepared by mixing (1:1) a 10% stock solution with water (standard) or 2 mol/L NaOH (stabilized). Physiological saline and 1 mol/L NaOH served as the controls. Chlorine content and alkaline capacity of NaOCl solutions were determined. Standardized porcine palatal soft-tissue specimens and human root dentin bars were exposed to test and control solutions. Weight loss percentage was assessed in the soft-tissue dissolution assay. Three-point bending tests were performed on the root dentin bars to determine the modulus of elasticity and flexural strength. Values between groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (α < .05).

Results

Both solutions contained 5% NaOCl. One milliliter of the standard and the stabilized solution consumed 4.0 mL and 13.7 mL of a 0.1-mol/L HCl solution before they reached a pH level of 7.5, respectively. The stabilized NaOCl dissolved significantly more soft tissue than the standard solution, and the pH remained high. It also caused a higher loss in elastic modulus and flexure strength (P < .05) than the control solutions, whereas the standard solution did not.

Conclusions

NaOH-stabilized NaOCl solutions have a higher alkaline capacity and are thus more proteolytic than standard counterparts.     

Enamel-dentin crown fractures bonded with various bonding agents

Abstract A method is described, by which the fracture strength of bonded, previously fractured incisors can be measured. The study employed incisors from sheep, which could be obtained in suitable numbers and with limited variation in size. The incisors were fractured parallel to the incisal edge. The mean fracture area + SD of central incisors was 8.45 ± 0.89 mm² and of lateral incisors 6.50 ± 0.64 mm². The enamel area constituted about 30% of the total fracture area. Acid etching of the enamel and bonding of the fractures with an unfilled resin yielded a fracture strength, which was approximately 38% of the fracture strength of fractured teeth restored with acid etching of enamel, Gluma treatment of dentin and bonding with the unfilled resin. Teeth restored in this way, but using the dentin bonding agent Tenure or Scotchbond2 instead of Gluma, exhibited mean fracture strengths which were not significantly different from that obtained when Gluma was employed as the bonding agent. The mean fracture strength by using one of the three bonding agents in combination with acid etching of enamel was about 8 MPa, which is approximately 50% of the fracture strength of intact teeth.