Etsuko Watanabe

Interarch tooth size relationships of 3 populations: “Does Bolton’s analysis apply?”

This study evaluates whether Boltons interarch ratios extend across populations and genders. The data were derived from systematically collected preorthodontic casts of 180 patients, including 30 males and 30 females from each of 3 populations (black, Hispanic, and white). Forty-eight mesiodistal contact points were digitized on each model, and the lengths of the anterior, posterior, and overall arch segments were calculated. The results showed significant (P <.05) ethnic group differences in all 6 arch segment lengths and in all 3 interarch ratios. Whites displayed the lowest overall ratio (92.3%), followed by Hispanics (93.1%), and blacks (93.4%). The group differences were due primarily to the relationships between the posterior segments. The arch segments of males were significantly larger than females; the overall and posterior ratios were also significantly larger in males than in females. Multiple regression analyses showed that individual differences in the overall ratio were most closely associated with the size of the lower second premolar, followed by the upper lateral incisors, upper second premolars, and the lower central incisors. In combination, these 4 teeth explained approximately 50% of the variation in the overall ratio between subjects. We conclude that interarch tooth size relationships are population and gender specific. Bolton ratios apply to white females only; the ratios should not be indiscriminately applied to white males, blacks, or Hispanics.

Surface changes induced by fluoride prophylactic agents on titanium-based orthodontic wires☆

This study investigated the effect of fluoride prophylactic agents on the surfaces of titanium-based orthodontic wires. Four types of titanium-based orthodontic wires (2 nickel-titanium alloy wires [nickel-titanium and copper-nickel-titanium] and 2 beta-titanium alloy wires [titanium-molybdenum and titanium-niobium], all from Ormco, Glendora, Calif) with similar sizes were prepared and immersed in 5 fluoride prophylactic agents (2 acidulated phosphate fluoride agents [Nupro APF (Dentsply International, York, Pa) and Florentine III (Confi-Dental, Louisville, Colo)], 1 neutral agent [Neupro Neutral (Dentsply International)] and 2 stannous fluoride agents [Florentine II (Confi-Dental) and Perio-Med (Omni International, Warrenton, Va)]) for 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours. After immersion, average surface roughness and color changes were evaluated. The surface changes were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The average surface roughness data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of alpha = 0.05. There were no significant differences in average surface roughness value among fluoride solutions or orthodontic wires, except for the titanium-molybdenum wire, which showed significantly (P <.05) higher average surface roughness values after immersion in Nupro APF for 24 hours. The results suggested that a few applications of acidulated phosphate fluoride agents might change the surface color of the beta-titanium alloy wires, particularly the titanium-molybdenum wire, which contains a large amount (about 80%) of titanium.

Characterization of the Mineral Trioxide Aggregate–Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Interface in Different Setting Conditions

INTRODUCTION Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been used successfully for perforation repair, vital pulpotomies, and direct pulp capping. However, little is known about the interactions between MTA and glass ionomer cement (GIC) in final restorations. In this study, 2 null hypotheses were tested: (1) GIC placement time does not affect the MTA-GIC structural interface and hardness and (2) moisture does not affect the MTA-GIC structural interface and hardness. METHODS Fifty cylinders were half filled with MTA and divided into 5 groups. The other half was filled with resin-modified GIC either immediately after MTA placement or after 1 or 7 days of temporization in the presence or absence of a wet cotton pellet. The specimens were then sectioned, carbon coated, and examined using a scanning electron microscope and an electron probe microanalyzer (SEM-EPMA) for interfacial adaptation, gap formation, and elemental analysis. The Vickers hardness numbers of the interfacial MTA were recorded 24 hours after GIC placement and 8 days after MTA placement and analyzed using the analysis of variance test. RESULTS Hardness testing 24 hours after GIC placement revealed a significant increase in hardness with an increase of temporization time but not with a change of moisture conditions (P < .05). Hardness testing 8 days after MTA placement indicated no significant differences among groups. SEM-EPMA showed interfacial adaptation to improve with temporization time and moisture. Observed changes were limited to the outermost layer of MTA. The 2 null hypotheses were not rejected. CONCLUSIONS GIC can be applied over freshly mixed MTA with minimal effects on the MTA, which seemed to decrease with time.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of surface treated cast titanium with Nd:YAG laser

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of laser surface treatment of cast titanium alloy on microstructure and mechanical properties. METHODS Dumbbell- and plate-shaped cast titanium specimens were prepared for mechanical testing and microstructure analysis. After the cast surfaces of each specimen were laser-treated using a dental Nd:YAG laser machine at 240 V and 300 V with and without argon gas shielding, tensile testing and microstructure analysis were conducted. Hardness depth profiles were also made from the cross-section of laser-treated cast specimens. Microstructural and chemical analysis were performed by means of the SEM, XRD, AES and WDS. RESULTS The results of tensile testing and Vickers hardness depth profiling showed that laser treatment improved the mechanical properties. Bulk microstructure of as-cast titanium was mainly composed of α-grains with acicular and widmanstatten patterns. The laser melted zone was characterized by columnar beta grains. When the emission voltage of laser increased to 300V, a larger grain size was promoted. The XRD analysis indicated that the beta phase formation was clearly noticeable after laser surface treatment. Supplementary marked peaks of the TiO, TiO(2) and Ti(2)N were detected without argon gas shielding. When argon shielding gas was used, the presence of titanium oxide was significantly reduced and the peaks of titanium nitride disappeared. SIGNIFICANCE Laser treatment on cast titanium surfaces showed significant enhancement of mechanical properties and modification of microstructures, and therefore could produce reliable titanium metal frameworks for dental prostheses.

Assessment of skeletal stability of intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy with one-day maxillary-mandibular fixation followed by early jaw exercise.

PURPOSE Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is an effective surgical technique for cases of mandibular setback, is simpler and has a lower incidence of mental paraesthesia when compared to sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). However, IVRO has a disadvantage in the prolonged duration of postoperative maxillary-mandibular fixation (MMF) required due to the absence of rigid bone fixation. To avoid an extended MMF period, we developed a postoperative management protocol for our IVRO patients, using jaw exercises with elastic bands starting on the second day after surgery. METHODS We evaluated the cephalometric skeletal and dental stabilities of 16 IVRO patients as they followed our protocol. RESULTS The stabilities were confirmed and were similar to those of previous reports. CONCLUSION One-day MMF and early initiation of jaw exercise after IVRO did not affect the jaw position stability. Moreover, our findings suggest that starting jaw exercise earlier after IVRO surgery is beneficial, as it allows patients to avoid a long period of rigid MMF so that they can resume their normal daily activities sooner.

Tensile strength of soldered gold alloy joints

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Little information is available about the mechanical properties of soldered gold alloys after they have undergone various heat treatments. PURPOSE This study investigated the influence of heat treating on the strength properties of soldered joints of two gold alloys (NC Type IV and Sofard), which can be age-hardened at intraoral temperature. MATERIAL AND METHODS Dumbbell-shaped specimens were cast with each gold alloy and were cut at the center of the connecting bar for soldering. The two halves of the casting were then soldered with two different gold-based solders (Maingold and Degulor). Three different heat treatments were performed on the soldered gold alloy assemblies: solution heat treatment (ST) at 700 degrees C for 5 minutes (treatment A); aging at 37 degrees C for 7 days after ST (treatment B); and aging at 250 degrees C (Sofard) or 400 degrees C (NC type IV) for 15 minutes after ST (treatment C). The tensile strength, elongation and microhardness were evaluated after each heat treatment. RESULTS The hardness values of Sofard significantly (p < 0.05) increased during aging at 37 degrees C (treatment B) and produced adequate strengths of the soldered joints, especially with the harder solder (645.7 MPa: Degulor [222 VHN] vs. 493.3 MPa: Maingold [165 VHN]). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicated the possibility of strengthening soldered joints in the oral environment, thus eliminating the necessity for any additional hardening heat treatment.

Effect of surface contamination on adhesive bonding of cast pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM There is little information regarding bond strengths of resin cements to cast titanium surfaces contaminated by investment material. PURPOSE This study examined the effect of surface contamination on the shear bond strength of resin cements to cast titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two types of disks were cast from commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy ingots using an argon-arc pressure casting unit and a phosphate-bonded Al2 O3 /LiAlSiO6 investment. After casting, disks were subjected to 3 surface treatments: (1) cast surface sandblasted (50 microm-sized Al2 O3 ) for 30 seconds; (2) metal surface sanded with silicon-carbide paper (600 grit) after grinding the contaminated cast surface (approximately 200 microm in thickness); and (3) metal surface sandblasted for 30 seconds after treatment 2. Surface structures were examined after each treatment with SEM and optical microscopy. Each type of disk was then bonded with 2 types of luting materials. Bonded specimens were subjected to thermocycling for up to 50,000 cycles, and shear bond strengths were determined after 0 (baseline) and 50,000 thermocycles. Results were statistically analyzed with 3-way ANOVA (P <.05). RESULTS Microscopic observation of cast CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V exhibited noticeable structures on the cast surfaces apparently contaminated with investment material. However, there were no statistical differences (P >.05) in the bond strengths of both cements between contaminated (treatment 1) and uncontaminated surfaces (treatment 3) for both metals at baseline and after 50,000 thermocycles. The bond strength of specimens sanded with silicon-carbide paper (treatment 2) deteriorated dramatically after 50,000 thermocycles. CONCLUSIONS Contamination of the cast metal surfaces by elements of the investment during casting did not affect bond strengths of the luting materials to CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V.

Effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties of age-hardenable gold alloy at intraoral temperature

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various heat treatments on the mechanical properties of gold alloys capable of age-hardening at intraoral temperature. METHODS Dumbbell-shaped patterns (ISO 6871) were cast with three gold alloys (Sofard; NC Type-IV; Aurum Cast, NihombashiTokuriki Co.). The Sofard alloy is age-hardenable at intraoral temperature. The castings underwent various heat treatments [as-cast (AC); solution treatment (ST); high-temperature aging (HA); intraoral aging (IA)]. After these heat treatments, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), 0.2% offset yield strength (YS), and elongation (EL) were measured at a strain rate of 1.7x10(-4)/s. Fracture surfaces of the specimens after tensile testing were observed using SEM. Vickers hardness was also measured after heat treating. RESULTS After IA, the hardness values of the Sofard alloy increased and reached values similar to the hardness of the Sofard specimens aged at high temperature (HA). The hardness values of the NC Type-IV and Aurum Cast specimens slightly increased after IA, but did not reach the values of the specimens after HA. All the Sofard, NC Type-IV and Aurum Cast specimens showed significantly (P<0.05) greater hardness values after HA, compared with the values after any other heat treatments (AC, ST and IA). The UTS and YS of the specimens indicated a tendency similar to the results obtained for hardness. The Sofard specimens with ST showed the greatest elongation compared to the corresponding NC Type-IV and Aurum Cast specimens. However, the elongation of the Sofard specimens was abruptly reduced after intraoral aging. CONCLUSION Intraoral aging significantly improved the mechanical properties and hardness of the Sofard alloy.

Deflection load characteristics of laser-welded orthodontic wires.

OBJECTIVE To compare the deflection load characteristics of homogeneous and heterogeneous joints made by laser welding using various types of orthodontic wires. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four kinds of straight orthodontic rectangular wires (0.017 inch × 0.025 inch) were used: stainless-steel (SS), cobalt-chromium-nickel (Co-Cr-Ni), beta-titanium alloy (β-Ti), and nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti). Homogeneous and heterogeneous end-to-end joints (12 mm long each) were made by Nd:YAG laser welding. Two types of welding methods were used: two-point welding and four-point welding. Nonwelded wires were also used as a control. Deflection load (N) was measured by conducting the three-point bending test. The data (n  =  5) were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance/Tukey test (P < .05). RESULTS The deflection loads for control wires measured were as follows: SS: 21.7 ± 0.8 N; Co-Cr-Ni: 20.0 ± 0.3 N; β-Ti: 13.9 ± 1.3 N; and Ni-Ti: 6.6 ± 0.4 N. All of the homogeneously welded specimens showed lower deflection loads compared to corresponding control wires and exhibited higher deflection loads compared to heterogeneously welded combinations. For homogeneous combinations, Co-Cr-Ni/Co-Cr-Ni showed a significantly (P < .05) higher deflection load than those of the remaining homogeneously welded groups. In heterogeneous combinations, SS/Co-Cr-Ni and β-Ti/Ni-Ti showed higher deflection loads than those of the remaining heterogeneously welded combinations (significantly higher for SS/Co-Cr-Ni). Significance (P < .01) was shown for the interaction between the two factors (materials combination and welding method). However, no significant difference in deflection load was found between four-point and two-point welding in each homogeneous or heterogeneous combination. CONCLUSION Heterogeneously laser-welded SS/Co-Cr-Ni and β-Ti/Ni-Ti wires provide a deflection load that is comparable to that of homogeneously welded orthodontic wires.

Effect of heat treatments on machinability of gold alloy with age-hardenability at intraoral temperature.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of heat treatment on the machinability of heat-treated cast gold alloy with age-hardenability at intraoral temperature using a handpiece engine with SiC wheels and an air-turbine handpiece with carbide burs and diamond points. METHODS Cast gold alloy specimens underwent various heat treatments [As-cast (AC); Solution treatment (ST); High-temperature aging (HA), Intraoral aging (IA)] before machinability testing. The machinability test was conducted at a constant machining force of 0.784N. The three circumferential speeds used for the handpiece engine were 500, 1,000 and 1,500 m/min. The machinability index (M-index) was determined as the amount of metal removed by machining (volume loss, mm(3)). The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Scheffés test. RESULTS When an air-turbine handpiece was used, there was no difference in the M-index of the gold alloy among the heat treatments. The air-turbine carbide burs showed significantly (p<0.05) higher M-indexes than the diamond points after any heat treatments. With the SiC wheels, increasing the circumferential speed increased the M-index values for each heat treatment. The specimens heat-treated with AC, HA and IA had similar M-indexes at the lower speeds (500 and 1,000 m/min). The ST specimens exhibited the lowest M-index at the lower speeds. However, at the highest speed (1,500 m/min), there were no significant differences in the M-indexes among the heat treatments except for HA, which showed the highest M-index. CONCLUSION There was no effect of heat treatment on the machinability of the gold alloy using the air-turbine handpiece. The heat treatments had a small effect on the M-index of the gold alloy machined with a SiC wheel for a handpiece engine.