A suitable base material for composite resin restorations: Zinc oxide eugenol

Objective

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of a zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) base on the mechanical properties of a composite resin restoration.

Methods

Class I cavities were prepared on plastic teeth and filled with ZOE plus composite resin, following standard clinical procedures. The samples were sectioned sagittally and the ZOE–resin interface was exposed. After polishing, nanoindentation was performed on the region near the interface, and elastic modulus and hardness were plotted in the form of a color contour map. SEM was employed to observe the interface between composite resin and ZOE base.

Results

In the region close to the ZOE base, the elastic modulus and hardness of composite resin reduced to the values of 9.71 ± 0.54 and 0.51 ± 0.05 GPa, respectively. Eugenol from ZOE had detrimental effects on the composite resin only to a distance of less than 100 μm from the ZOE base.

Conclusion

Although eugenol suppresses polymerization slightly, by considering the biological advantages of ZOE, together with the results of the current investigation, ZOE may still be considered a suitable base material for composite resin. Bonding is essential for composite resin restorations over ZOE bases to avoid shrinkage detachment.     

The correlation of DIFOTI to clinical and radiographic images in Class II carious lesions

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a study to evaluate the correlation between digital imaging fiber-optic transillumination (DIFOTI) (KaVo Dental, Lake Zurich, Ill.) and clinical and radiographic images in estimating the true clinical axial extension of Class II carious lesions. METHODS: The authors examined 51 Class II carious lesions visually, imaged them by means of DIFOTI and radiographed them with D-speed film and a complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS)-based digital radiographic sensor. They validated axial extension of the lesions clinically. They compared the clinical and radiographic depths of the carious lesion with the size of the lesion on the DIFOTI images. RESULTS: The authors detected 84 percent of the lesions with DIFOTI, and 82 percent showed a visible dark shadow under the marginal ridge when examined clinically. DIFOTI correlated significantly with the clinical depth of decay (Pearson r = 0.43189). The combination of a CMOS digital sensor and DIFOTI (R2 = 0.7210) provided readings closer to the clinical measures than did the combination of D-speed film and DIFOTI (R2 = 0.6215). CONCLUSIONS: DIFOTI images correlated with clinical depth, especially in smaller lesions, and improved the estimation of lesion size when used in conjunction with the CMOS digital sensor and D-speed images. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Using radiographs in combination with DIFOTI images could help clinicians determine the presence and, to some extent, the size of proximal caries, especially in smaller lesions.     

The Bond Strength of an Adhesive Resin Luting Cement to a Variety of Surface Treatments of a High-Palladium Copper Alloy

Purpose This study evaluated the tensile bond strength of a bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) resin luting cement with four different surface treatments of a high Pd-Cu alloy. Materials and Methods For each surface treatment type (tin-plated, porcelain furnace oxide, air-abraded, and finished-only), 15 opposing half-dumbbell-shaped samples were cast and prepared in new Pd?Cu alloy. Samples were luted with a Bis-GMA resin luting cement at a film thickness of 80 μm using a custom alignment apparatus. Samples were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours, thermocycled for 1,000 cycles, and then stored for 30 days in distilled water at 37°C. Samples were then subjected to fracture in tension at a loading rate of 0.5 cm/min with the bond strengths calculated in megapascals (MPa). The fractured surfaces were examined using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications ranging from 5.5x to 500x to determine the type of bond failure (adhesive, cohesive, or mixed). Results Tensile bond strengths (mean ± SD MPa) were: tin-plated, 30 ± 15.7; porcelain furnace oxide, 23 ± 8.6; air-abraded, 8 ± 8.1; and finished-only, 4 ± 4.5. Statistical analysis of the tensile bond values using an ANCOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test at a significance level of 0.05 indicated that there was no difference between the tin-plated and the furnace oxide groups, as well as between the air-abraded and the furnace oxide groups. However, there was significant difference between the tin-plated, the air-abraded, and the finished-only groups. The observed bond failures were predominantly mixed and cohesive in nature with only one adhesive failure. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the tensile bond strengths between the tin-plated group or the porcelain furnace oxide surface group. This suggests that the less-technique-sensitive porcelain furnace oxide surface treatment offers an alternative for achieving high metal-resin bonds to a high Pd?Cu alloy.     

Asthma and odors: The role of risk perception in asthma exacerbation

Objective

Fragrances and strong odors have been characterized as putative triggers that may exacerbate asthma symptoms and many asthmatics readily avoid odors and fragranced products. However, the mechanism by which exposure to pure, non-irritating odorants can elicit an adverse reaction in asthmatic patients is still unclear and may involve both physiological and psychological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate how beliefs about an odor's relationship to asthmatic symptoms could affect the physiological and psychological responses of asthmatics.

Methods

Asthmatics classified as ‘moderate-persistent’, according to NIH criteria, were exposed for 15 min to a fragrance which was described either as eliciting or alleviating asthma symptoms. During exposure, participants were asked to rate odor intensity, perceived irritation and subjective annoyance while physiological parameters such as electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, and end tidal carbon dioxide (etCO₂) were recorded. Before, immediately after, and at 2 and 24 h post-exposure, participants were required to subjectively assess their asthma symptom status using a standardized questionnaire. We also measured asthma status at each of those time points using objective parameters of broncho-constriction (spirometry) and measures of airway inflammation (exhaled nitric oxide, FeNO).

Results

Predictably, manipulations of perceived risk altered both the quality ratings of the fragrance as well as the reported levels of asthma symptoms. Perceived risk also modulated the inflammatory airway response.

Conclusions

Expectations elicited by smelling a perceived harmful odor may affect airway physiology and impact asthma exacerbations.