Aspasia Sarafianou

Color stability and degree of cure of direct composite restoratives after accelerated aging.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the color changes and amount of remaining C = C bonds (%RDB) in three dental composites after hydrothermal- and photoaging. METHODS AND MATERIALS The materials tested were Estelite sigma, Filtek Supreme and Tetric Ceram. Specimens were fabricated from each material and subjected to L* a* b* colorimetry and FTIR spectroscopy before and after aging. Statistical evaluation of the deltaL,* deltaa,* deltab,* deltaE and %deltaRDB data was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukeys test. The %RDB data before and after aging were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test. In all cases an alpha = 0.05 significance level was used. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found in deltaL*, deltaa*, deltaE and %deltaRDB among the materials tested. Tetric Ceram demonstrated a significant difference in deltab*. All the materials showed visually perceptible (deltaE >1) but clinically acceptable values (deltaE < 3.3). Within each material group, statistically significant differences in %RDB were noticed before and after aging (p < 0.05). Filtek Supreme presented the lowest %RDB before aging, with Tetric Ceram presenting the lowest %RDB after aging (p < 0.05). The %deltaRDB mean values were statistically significantly different among all the groups tested. No correlation was found between deltaE and %deltaRDB.

Effectiveness of different adhesive primers on the bond strength between an indirect composite resin and a base metal alloy.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM There is a need for achieving reliable chemical bond strength between veneering composites resins and casting alloys through the use of simplified procedures. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the shear bond strength of an indirect composite resin to a Ni-Cr alloy, using 4 primers and 2 airborne-particle-abrasion procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-six Ni-Cr (Heraenium NA) discs, 10 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in height, were fabricated. Twenty-four discs were airborne-particle abraded with 50-microm Al2O3 particles, while another 24 were airborne-particle abraded with 250-microm Al2O3 particles. The following primers were applied on 6 discs of each airborne-particle-abrasion treatment group: Solidex Metal Photo Primer (MPP50, MPP250), Metal Primer II (MPII50, MPII250), SR Link (SRL50, SRL250), and Tender Bond (TB50, TB250). The Rocatec system was used on another 6 discs, airborne-particle abraded according to the manufacturers recommendations, which served as the control group (R). Two more discs were airborne-particle abraded with 50-microm and 250-microm Al2O3 particles, respectively, to determine the Al content on their surfaces, without any bonding procedure. The indirect composite resin used was Sinfony. Specimens were thermally cycled (5 degrees C and 55 degrees C, 30-second dwell time, 5000 cycles) and tested in shear mode in a universal testing machine. The failure mode was determined with an optical microscope, and selected specimens were subjected to energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Mean bond strength values were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys multiple comparison tests (alpha=.05) and compared to the control group using 1-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys multiple comparison tests (alpha=.05). RESULTS The groups abraded with 50-microm particles exhibited significantly higher bond strength compared to the groups abraded with 250-microm particles. Group MPII50 exhibited the highest mean value (17.4 +/-2 MPa). Groups MPP50, MPP250, and TB50, TB250 showed adhesive failures and significantly lower bond strength compared to group R. Groups MPII50, MPII250, and SRL50, SRL250 showed combination failures and no significant difference compared with group R. EDS revealed interfacial rather than adhesive failures. CONCLUSIONS Airborne-particle abrasion with 50-microm Al2O3 particles may result in improved bond strength, independent of the primer used. The bond strength of Metal Primer II and SR Link specimens was comparable to that of specimens treated with Rocatec.

Matching repeatability and interdevice agreement of 2 intraoral spectrophotometers

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The visual determination of tooth color with standard shade guides is a subjective method of color communication, depending on variables such as the light source, the operator, and the tooth. The assessment of tooth color may be improved by the use of special devices such as colorimeters or spectrophotometers. However, the repeatability and the interdevice agreement of these devices have not been thoroughly investigated. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different illuminants (natural daylight, dental unit lamp, and daylight lamp) on the matching repeatability of 2 intraoral spectrophotometers (Easyshade and SpectroShade). MATERIAL AND METHODS The maxillary right central incisor and canine and the mandibular left central incisor of each of 10 dental students were measured by a single operator using both devices. The color of each tooth was assessed 3 times with each device under each of the 3 different illuminants (natural daylight, a dental unit lamp, and a daylight lamp). The device readings were expressed in Vitapan 3D-Master shade codes. Statistical analysis was performed and the level of agreement was assessed with the Spearman Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS A particularly high to moderate level of agreement among the readings made under natural daylight, a dental unit lamp, and a daylight lamp was observed for both devices (P<.01), suggesting that their matching repeatability was not completely satisfactory for clinical practice. A moderate and a moderate to high level of agreement was found among Easyshade readings when the 3 different illuminants were used. The level of agreement for the respective SpectroShade readings was particularly high to high (P<.001). A particularly low level of agreement was found among the respective Easyshade and SpectroShade readings performed under any of the illuminants tested (P<.05), suggesting poor interdevice reliability. CONCLUSIONS The matching repeatability of both devices under natural daylight, a dental unit lamp, and a daylight lamp was not completely satisfactory for clinical practice. The effects of different illuminants seem to be more pronounced for Spectroshade than for Easyshade. The interdevice agreement between the 2 devices tested was poor, suggesting that the 2 devices were not compatible.

Effect of convergence angle on retention of resin-bonded retainers cemented with resinous cements

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Poor retention is a common cause of failure for resin-bonded restorations. PURPOSE This study evaluated the effect of the convergence angle of tooth preparations on retention of resin-bonded restorations, luted with adhesive and conventional resinous cements. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 80 posterior retainers with four different tooth preparation angles were cemented with two different resinous cements, and retentive strength was measured. RESULTS The results indicated that (1) increased tapering of tooth preparations resulted in loss of retention and this variable was statistically significant for both cements used when convergence angles exceeded 10 degrees and (2) sandblasted nickel-chromium retainers, combined with adhesive resins, should provide sufficient retention for posterior resin-bonded fixed partial dentures.

The Influence of Thermocycling on the Flexural Strength of a Polyamide Denture Base Material

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of thermocycling on the flexural strength of a polyamide base denture material. Materials and methods A polyamide denture base material (Valplast) was tested, whereas a PMMA material (Vertex) was used as a control. Thirty specimens of each material were fabricated for flexural strength testing according to ISO 1567. They were prepared and stored in water at 37°C for 48 hours. The specimens of each material were divided into three equal groups (n=10). Flexural strength testing was performed immediately after water storage and after thermocycling (5°C / 55°C, 2 c/min) for 3000 and 5000 cycles. A three point flexural test was performed on a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The final flexural strength was calculated using the formula: FS = 3 PL/2 bd2. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis using Tukeys procedure was applied at .05 level of statistical significance. Results A statistically significant reduction in flexural strength was recorded after thermocycling at 3000 cycles for PMMA and at 5000 cycles for both materials. The flexural strength of PMMA was significantly higher compared to polyamide for all the conditions tested (p<0.05). Conclusion Thermocycling had a significant adverse effect on the flexural strength of polyamide and PMMA denture base materials.

A Case Series Treatment Outcome Report Following 5 Years of Implant Overdenture Treatment.

PURPOSE To assess clinical performance of bar-retained implant overdentures (IOs) with distally placed ERA attachments on four implants, and patient satisfaction after a follow-up period of 5 years in a convenience selection of 15 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bar-retained IOs with distally placed ERA attachments were placed and clinically monitored. Encountered complications during a 5-year follow-up period were recorded; and a modified OHIP-14 questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction. RESULTS Implant and restoration survival rates of 97.5% and 100%, respectively, were recorded. The most common maintenance requirement was the replacement of ERA retentive elements. A high degree of patient satisfaction was reported. CONCLUSIONS The proposed IO design is a reliable clinical treatment protocol associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction and minor prosthetic complications.