E.H. Greener

Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Degree of Polymerization in Unfilled Resins—Methods Comparison

Two methods of transmission Fourier Transform Infrared analysis were compared to determine the degree of polymerization (DP) in unfilled Bis-GMA-based dental resins. Diluent concentration, curing mode, and activator type were investigated. DP ranged from 55-72% and was highest for the most diluted resins. The effects of polymerization activation mode and type were insignificant. DP was slightly enhanced in the bulk of the resin, as determined by a KBr-pellet technique, in comparison with results from a thin film method, but both techniques seem to provide useful and reproducible results for dental resins.

In Vivo and In Vitro Corrosion Products of Dental Amalgam

Corrosion products of amalgam produced in Ringers solution were compared with products formed in vivo using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, and Potentiostatic anodic polarization. The corrosion products in an old amalgam were probably a mixture of tin-oxide and tin oxychloride. In vitro corrosion of fresh amalgam resulted in the buildup of similar products.

Effect of photoinitiator on degree of conversion of unfilled light-cured resin

In general, the concentrations of photosensitizer and reducing agent in light-cured dental polymers are fixed by manufacturers for a specific product. These concentrations vary from product to product and the effect of photoinitiator concentration on the final network structures is not clear. Accordingly, the influence of varying concentrations of camphorquinone (CQ) and amine reducing agent, 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), on the degree of conversion (DC) of an unfilled light-cured resin was investigated. The resin consisted of 50 wt% triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and 50 wt% 1,6-bis(methacryloxy-2-ethoxycarbonylamino)-2,4,4-trimeth ylhexane (UDMA) activated with varying concentrations of CQ (0.25-5 mol.%) and DMAEMA (0.125-5 mol.%). At low CQ concentrations, the DC measured by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer increased rapidly with increasing concentration of DMAEMA and reached a plateau. At CQ concentrations of 0.5 mol.% and above, the plateau DC values were approximately 75-77%. On the basis of the systematic variations of CQ and DMAEMA, a contour representing the optimal combination of photoinitiator concentration from the standpoint of DC was established.

Detection of leached moieties from dental composites in fluid simulating food and saliva

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to analyze the IR spectra of a liquid simulating food and an artificial saliva following exposure to resin composites. METHODS Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze two solutions in which three commercially available dental composites (Marathon One, Den-Mat Co.; Z100, 3M Co.; Herculite XRV, Kerr Co.) were stored. The solutions used were: a food simulating fluid, 75 vol% ethanol/water, and an artificial saliva, Moi-Stir (Kingwood Labs., Inc.). Specimens (4.3 mm diam. X 2 mm thick) of the three resin composites were stored at 37 degrees C in 60 mL of either Moi-Stir or the 75% ethanol solution for 7, 14, and 30 d. The FTIR spectra were obtained using a liquid sample ATR (attenuated total reflection) cell. RESULTS No obvious leachable materials were seen from any of the composite specimens stored in artificial saliva up to 30 d of immersion. For the composites stored in ethanol, the observed spectra revealed increases in the principal absorption bands for the components of the three composite systems. Methacrylate skeletal vibrations (1015-815 cm(-1)) and -CH3 alkane, C-H asymmetrical deformation vibrations (1520-1460 cm(-1)) appeared after 14 d of storage. A very strong peak characteristic of the aliphatic C=C moiety (1640 cm(-1)) and carbonyl C=O (1730 cm(-1)) occurred after 14 d. The peak heights of these two functional bands increased as a function of time and after 30 d of storage were approximately 5-7 times those produced after 7 d. Irregular O-H bands (3500-3300 cm(-1)) were also observed after 30 d in ethanol. SIGNIFICANCE Irreversible processes such as the leaching of components occurs in the presence of ethanol. This phenomenon may contribute to irreversible material degradation.

Casting Pure Titanium into Commercial Phosphate-bonded SiO2 Investment Molds

Pure titanium was cast into five different phosphate-bonded SiO2 investment mold materials (at 350°C) with an argon-arc melting and pressure casting machine. The mesh castability, the fit of the MOD inlay castings, and the Knoop hardness and the micro-structure in cross-sections of castings were examined. The setting and thermal expansion, the compressive strength, and the x-ray diffraction analysis of the investments were also measured. The castability, the fit, and the thickness of the reacted layer differed in degree among these investments, in spite of the same phosphate-bonded SiO2-type investment. A significant correlation was obtained between the thermal expansion (at 350°C) and the casting accuracy.

Effects of two amine reducing agents on the degree of conversion and physical properties of an unfilled light-cured resin

The influence of varying concentrations of two amine reducing agents commonly used in commercial light-cured composites, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMPT) and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), on the degree of conversion (DC), Knoop hardness, and compressive and transverse strengths of an unfilled light-cured resin was investigated. The DC obtained from employing two different internal standard peaks, carbonyl (C=O) at 1730 cm-1 and urethane (N-H) at 3350 cm-1, was compared. The resin consisted of 50 wt% triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and 50 wt% 1,6-bis(methacryloxy-2-ethoxycarbonylamino)-2,4,4-trimeth ylhexane (UDMA) activated with 0.5 mol% camphorquinone (CQ) and varying concentrations of either DMPT or DMAEMA. The DC calculated by use of either C=O or N-H absorption peak as an internal reference showed similar values. For both amines, the physical properties were directly related to DC and appeared to reach maximal values at an amine/CQ molar ratio of 4.0. The DC, however, appeared to reach a maximum at an amine/CQ molar ratio of 3.0. Generally, for the same amine/CQ molar ratios, the polymers formulated with DMAEMA, had greater DCs and better physical properties than those formulated with DMPT.

Effect of excitation energy on dentine bond strength and composite properties

A number of available dentine adhesives and dental composites require light activation for polymerization. There are many variables which affect the light absorbing properties (e.g. bond strength) of these materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of excitation energy (EE) on the dentine shear bond strength (SBS) of two lengths (2.1 mm and 3.25 mm) of light-cured (or dual-cured) dentine adhesives/dental composites. Diametral tensile (DTS) and compressive (CS) strengths of the same composites were also studied as a function of EE. Three resin composites with their respective adhesives (Marathon One/Tenure, Z100/Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and Herculite XRV/Optibond) were used. Five commercial curing lights were used to produce spectra of 100-650 mW cm-2. The data were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey LSD test. No significant correlation was observed at the P > 0.05 level between EE and SBS in the shorter specimens. The SBS of Optibond is independent of EE and composite length. The SBS data were also analysed with Weibull statistics. The characteristic strengths calculated varied between 14 and 27 MPa. For the composites tested, mean values of DTS varied between 33 and 54 MPa and CS varied between 167 and 414 MPa. The DTS and CS of Z100 were significantly greater than those of the other materials. Intensities > or = 250 mW cm-2 produced equivalent mechanical properties within all composite materials and equivalent bond strengths in systems which included dentine, adhesive and composite resin.

Effect of food and oral simulating fluids on structure of adhesive composite systems.

This work evaluates the degradation of three adhesive/composite systems (Tenure/Marathon One. Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Z100 and Optibond/Herculite XRV) upon immersion in 75% ethanol solution and in an artificial saliva (Moi-Stir). Shear bond strength (SBS) and diametral tensile strength (DTS) specimens were employed for this study. For the SBS specimens, the bonded interface and composite were exposed to food and oral simulating fluids at 37 degrees C for up to 30 days. A similar control series was stored in air. DTS specimens were stored in 75% ethanol at 37 degrees C for up to 30 days. The SBS specimens were sheared to failure. Small quantities of bonding resin were removed from the tooth side of the fractured surface and from the non-fractured fractured end of the composite for Fourier transform infrared microscopic evaluation. Similar scrapings were taken from DTS specimen surfaces. The infrared absorbance intensity (AI) of the major peaks was measured as a function of storage time and ratioed against the aromatic C = C (1609.4 cm-1) peak. The data were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey LSD test. The AI of major peaks was similar for the materials stored either in air or in Moi-Stir for all testing periods. Storage in ethanol caused the AI of aliphatic C = C (1638 cm-1) and of O-H (approximately 3500 cm-1) bonds to significantly decrease (30-50%) for specimens of bonding resin while the AI of C = O bonds (1730 cm-1) increased (60-120%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microprobe Analyses of Gold-Porcelain Bonding

An electron microprobe analyzer was used in area and line-scanning modes at the interfaces of several types of gold-porcelain crown systems. High concentrations of trace elements diffusing to the boundaries were clearly revealed. These trace elements are, therefore, believed to play an important role in the system bonding.

Rheology of Composite Restoratives

Cone and plate viscometry was used to characterize the viscosity and pseudoplastic nature of some setting composites and their components. A method for the determination of the end of the working time using the cone and plate results is also introduced.