Alena Knezevic

Comparison of composite curing parameters: effects of light source and curing mode on conversion, temperature rise and polymerization shrinkage.

This study analyzed the degree of conversion, temperature increase and polymerization shrinkage of two hybrid composite materials polymerized with a halogen lamp using three illumination modes and a photopolymerization device based on blue light emitting diodes. The degree of conversion of Tetric Ceram (TC) (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Filtek Z 250 (F) (3M/ESPE) was measured by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy at the surface and 2-mm depth; temperature rise was measured by digital multimeter, and linear polymerization shrinkage was measured during cure by digital laser interferometry. Composite samples were illuminated by quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit (QTH) (Astralis 7, Ivoclar Vivadent) under the following modes: high power (HH) 40 seconds at 750 mW/cm2, low power (HL) 40 seconds at 400 mW/cm2 and pulse/soft-start (HP) increasing from 150 to 400 mW/cm2 during 15 seconds followed by 25 seconds pulsating between 400 and 750 mW/cm2 in 2-second intervals and by light emitting diodes (LED) (Lux-o-Max, Akeda Dental) with emitted intensity 10 seconds at 50 mW/cm2 and 30 seconds at 150 mW/cm2. A significantly higher temperature increase was obtained for both materials using the HH curing mode of halogen light compared to the HP and HL modes and the LED curing unit after 40 seconds. Significantly lower temperature values after 10-second illumination were obtained when LED was used compared to all halogen modes. For all curing modes, there was no significant difference in temperature rise between 20 and 40 seconds of illumination. Results for the degree of conversion measurements show that there is a significant difference in the case of illumination of resin composite samples with LED at the surface and 2 mm depth. For polymerization shrinkage, lower values after 40 seconds were obtained using LED compared to QTH.

Cytotoxicity of composite materials polymerized with LED curing units

The proper intensity and illumination time of a curing light is of great importance for the complete polymerization of resin composites and long-lasting resin composite restorations. Inadequately cured resin composites can have a cytotoxic effect on pulp tissue by releasing unreacted monomers. This study determined whether there is any difference in cytotoxicity between composite materials illuminated with different curing modes of LED curing units. Thin layers of two composite materials were polymerized using three different modes of the Bluephase C8 LED curing unit: a high intensity mode (HIP-800 mW/cm2, 20 seconds), a soft-start mode (SOF-650 mW/cm2 first 5 seconds, 800 mW/cm2 next 25 seconds) and a low intensity mode (LOP-650 mW/cm2, 30 seconds). Lymphocyte cultures were treated with both polymerized and unpolymerized composites using one of the modes stated above. Cells were analyzed using the trypan blue exclusion test, the acridine orange/ethidium bromide dying technique and an alkaline comet assay. Significant cytotoxicity was observed for 120 mg of unpolymerized composites and those polymerized with the HIP polymerization mode. A significant level of DNA damage was detected for 120 mg of unpolymerized composites. However, curing via the LOP program exhibited the lowest genotoxicity. Longer curing time with lower intensity results in less cytotoxicity than shorter curing exposure using a higher intensity of light emitted from the curing light source.

Simulated tissue using a unique pontic design: a clinical report.

Unfavorable relationships between the residual edentulous ridge, pontic, and gingival papilla may compromise the definitive result of a restoration. Different procedures have been described and developed to improve the relationship between esthetics and functionally acceptable fixed partial dentures. This article describes a unique pontic design as well as the application of pressure during insertion of the pontic to achieve proper tissue displacement. Controlled pressure enhances the interdental papilla and creates the illusion of pontics emerging from the soft tissue, providing the restoration with a natural-looking effect.

Slumping during sculpturing of composite materials

OBJECTIVESnThis study investigated the slumping characteristics of four composite materials during sculpturing prior to their polymerization.nnnMETHODSnFour different composite materials were used to measure shape deformation due to slumping. Silicon impressions of the occlusal plane of three different molars were used as a mould for the composite samples. The surface of the samples was digitized with a laser scanner (400 slices, lateral resolution: 25 microm). Scans were made after 1-4 min. The 3D data sets were numerically superimposed with matching software and differences were calculated relative to the baseline measurement.nnnRESULTSnThe amount of surface deformation increases with increasing observation time. The average coefficient of variation was 0.2. The largest mean amount of slumping was observed for ELS with tooth mould 1 (150.0 microm), and for Clearfil Majesty with tooth mould 2 (98.3 microm) and mould 3 (42.8 microm). Miris 2 Dentin and Synergy D6 Enamel were rather similar and seem to exhibit little deformation. The slump flow of ELS and Clearfil Majesty was up to 400% higher than the formers. The deformation could be sorted in the following order mould 3<mould 2<mould 1 for all materials and all observation time. There was a significant influence (p<0.05) of the three factors, time, mould and composite type (ANOVA).nnnSIGNIFICANCEnThis specific method provides a reproducible approach for the assessment of the handling characteristics of composite materials. The results can identify slumping differences and assist in collecting information about the feasibility of a material for certain indications.

Restoration using gingiva-colored ceramic and a ridge lap pontic with circumferential pressure: A clinical report

Achieving an optimal esthetic result when replacing missing teeth with implant-supported restorations in the esthetic zone is a demanding surgical and restorative challenge. This clinical report describes the use of a cantilevered, cemented, implant-supported restoration with gingiva-colored ceramics and a circumferential pressure-ridge lap pontic to replace 2 incisors and the adjacent tissue.

Visualization of marginal integrity of resin-enamel interface by holographic interferometry

This study determined whether it was possible to detect deformations and fractures in dental hard tissues or in composite material from internal stresses using double-exposure holographic interferometry. On the proximal side of eight intact human permanent premolars, a direct Class II cavity was prepared and restored with a self-etching adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond) and Tetric Ceram, a resin composite. In five of the specimens, Tetric Flow was used as an elastic layer. The samples were illuminated using a helium-neon laser beam, and the holograms of samples were recorded using Agfa 10E75 photographic plates. Hologram reconstructions were captured with an 8-bit monochrome CCD camera and qualitatively analyzed. Deformations and fractures appeared as fringe patterns on all interferograms, where the distribution of fringes provided location information, while the density of fringes gave the amplitude information. Greater fringe densities were observed in samples treated without a flowable composite.

Measurement of the composite resin thickness variations using digital interferometry

Digital interferometry based device for measuring the thickness variations of the resin composite materials during blue light polymerization is described. The proposed device enables two types of quantitative measurements providing data for the total displacement and the dynamic behavior of displacement. The effect of the thermal expansion as well as polymerization shrinkage can be clearly resolved between different materials, curing lights and modes. The effectivness of our experimental device is illustrated with selected results obtained for a commercial dental material.

Toxicity of Pre-heated Composites Polymerized Directly and Through CAD/CAM Overlay

Objectives The aim was to compare cytotoxicity/genotoxicity of pre-heated composites polymerized through CAD/CAM overlays on isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Material and Methods A microhybrid (Z100, 3M ESPE) and nanofilled composite (Filtek Supreme Ultra, 3M ESPE) were heated in a heating unit (Calset, AdDent Inc.) at different temperatures: 37 oC, 54 oC, and 68 oC. A small amount of heated composite was placed in a cylindrical mold (6mm diameter; 0.65mm thick), covered with a Mylar sheet, pressed and light-cured directly and through 2 mm thick CAD/CAM ceramic-reinforced polymer (CRP)(LAVA Ultimate, 3M ESPE) or CAD/CAM lithium disilicate ceramic (LDC)(e.max, Ivoclar/Vivadent) overlay. After curing, the specimens were immediately placed in a prepared lymphocyte cell culture. Cytotoxicity was assessed using a dye exclusion method by simultaneous staining with ethidium bromide and acridine orange, aimed to determine percentages of viable, apoptotic and necrotic cells. Genotoxicity was studied using alkaline comet assay. Results For Z100, the highest percentage of viable cells is recorded at T1 (93.7%) after direct light curing, followed by light curing through CRP (92.3%) and through LDC (91.7%T1,T3). For Filtek Supreme Ultra, the highest percentage of viable cells is recorded while curing through CRP (91.0% T2), followed by LDC (90% T1,T3) and direct light curing (88.7%T2). Conclusion For both tested materials, preheating the procedure at T1 and T2 may be the procedure of choice. In terms of genotoxicity, preheating at T3 may not be suggested.