Guilherme Elias Pessanha Henriques

Stress-relieving and porcelain firing cycle influence on marginal fit of commercially pure titanium and titanium–aluminum–vanadium copings

OBJECTIVESnThis study evaluated: (1) the marginal fit of copings fabricated from commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) and titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) after each firing cycle for a recommended porcelain; and (2) the effectiveness of a stress-relieving treatment on the fit. The results were compared with copings made with Pd-Ag alloy submitted to the recommended porcelain firing protocol.nnnMETHODSnBovine teeth were machined for metal-ceramic crowns and die casts were obtained for waxing patterns. The firing cycle of titanium porcelain was performed on cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V copings obtained using the Rematitan System. A stress-relieving treatment (cp Ti treated and Ti-6Al-4V treated groups) was performed on original invested castings at the first porcelain firing temperature (800 degrees C). Fit (microm) was measured in the as cast condition and after each porcelain firing cycle with a traveling microscope. The values were compared using the analysis of variance and Tukeys test (P<0.05), the Pd-Ag group was compared to titanium groups using Dunnetts test (P<0.05).nnnRESULTSnThe marginal fit values in the as-cast condition (initial) were 84.43 microm for Ti-6Al-4V not treated, 76.35 microm for Ti-6Al-4V treated, 86.09 microm for cp Ti not treated, 97.66 microm for cp Ti treated and 58.11 microm for Pd-Ag group. The Ti-6Al-4V, cp Ti, and Pd-Ag groups exhibit significant differences in marginal fit values when the as-cast condition (initial) was compared with those after the recommended porcelain firing protocol (by Tukeys test at 5% probability level). No significant differences were observed between stress-relieving treated and not treated groups.Significance. The firing cycles used for porcelain build-up may worsen the fit of titanium copings to values that suggest no inferences to the detriment of clinical applications.

The effect of thermal cycling on the bond strength of low-fusing porcelain to commercially pure titanium and titanium–aluminium–vanadium alloy

OBJECTIVESnTitanium-ceramic restorations are currently used in spite of the pending problem of titanium-ceramic bonding, which has only been partially solved. In addition, some titanium-ceramic systems appear to be susceptible to thermal cycling, which can cause weaker bond strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bonding characteristics of titanium porcelain bonded to commercially pure titanium (Ti-Cp) or titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy as well as the effect of thermal cycling on bond strength.nnnMETHODSnA three-point-flexure-test was used to evaluate the bond strength of titanium porcelain bonded to commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy according to DIN 13.927. To evaluate the effect of thermal cycling on the samples, half were thermal cycled in temperatures ranging from 4 degrees C (+/-2 degrees C) to 55 degrees C (+/-2 degrees C). Results were compared with palladium-silver (Pd-Ag) alloy bonded to conventional porcelain (control). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs were taken to characterize the failed surfaces in the metal-ceramic interface. Anova and Tukeys multiple comparison tests were used to analyze the data at a 5% probability level.nnnRESULTSnThermal cycling did not significantly weaken the bond strength of porcelain to titanium interfaces. There was no significant difference in bond strength between commercially pure titanium (23.60 MPa for thermal cycled group and 24.99 MPa for non-thermal cycled group) and Ti-6Al-4V groups (24.98 and 25.60 MPa for thermal cycled and non-thermal cycled groups, respectively). Bond strength values for the control group (47.98 and 45.30 MPa, respectively) were significantly greater than those for commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V combinations.nnnSIGNIFICANCEnThe bond strength of low fusing porcelain bonded to cast pure titanium or Ti-6Al-4V alloy was significantly lower than the conventional combination of porcelain-Pd-Ag alloy. Thermal cycling did not affect the bond strength of any group.

Vickers hardness of cast commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy submitted to heat treatments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatments on the Vickers hardness of commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V cast alloys. Six-millimeter-diameter cylindrical specimens were cast in a Rematitan System. Commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=10) that received the following heat treatments: control (no heat treatment); treatment 1 (T1): heating at 750 degrees C for 2 h; and treatment 2 (T2): annealing at 955 degrees C for 1 h and aging at 620 degrees C for 2 h. After heat treatments, the specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and their surface was ground and polished and hardness was measured. Vickers hardness means (VHN) and standard deviations were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level. For commercially pure titanium, Vickers hardness means of group T2 (259.90 VHN) was significantly higher than those of the other groups (control--200.26 VHN and T1--202.23 VHN), which presented similar hardness means to each other (p>0.05). For Ti-6Al-4V alloy, statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups: T2 (369.08 VHN), T1 (351.94 VHN) and control (340.51 VHN) (p<0.05). The results demonstrated different hardness of CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V when different heat treatments were used. For CP Ti, VHN means of T2 group was remarkably higher than those of control and T1 group, which showed similar VHN means to each other. For Ti-6Al-4V alloy, however, VHN means recorded for each group may be presented as follows: T2>T1>control.

The service life of implant-retained overdenture attachment systems.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMnImplant-retained overdentures are a treatment option for patients who are not satisfied with conventional complete dentures. Although implant-retained overdentures are widely used, little data are available or provided by implant manufacturers about retentive strength and wear of attachments.nnnPURPOSEnThe purpose of this study was to evaluate retentive strength and fatigue resistance of 4 overdenture bar-and-clip attachment systems.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnForty bar-and-clip attachment system specimens were tested (n=10): Conexão Bar Clip (polymer clip), Sterngold Hader Bar (polymer clip), 3i Gold Hader Type Clip (metal clip), or SIN Clipo (metal clip). Specimens immersed in artificial saliva were tested to 5500 cycles at 0.8 Hz using a servohydraulic universal testing machine. Retention strength values (N) were recorded initially and after 1100, 2200, 3300, 4400, and 5500 insertion and removal cycles during the tensile test using a speed of 1 mm/min and a load cell of 1 kN. Data were submitted to a 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA and the Tukey A post hoc test (alpha = .05).nnnRESULTSnAn increase in retention strength values was observed during the fatigue test after 5500 cycles of insertion and removal. No significant difference in retentive strength was observed in the groups using polymer clips (Conexão Bar Clip and Sterngold Hader Bar) (P=.729); the same occurred with metal clip systems (SIN Clipo and 3i Gold Hader Type Clip) (P=.068). The SIN Clipo system demonstrated the smallest retention strength values, which were significantly different from the other 2 attachment systems, the Sterngold Hader Bar (P<.01) and the Conexão Bar Clip (P<.01). Although the 3i Gold Hader Type Clip did not differ significantly, in terms of retentive strength, from the Sterngold Hader Bar (P=.258), its retentive strength was significantly lower than the retentive strength of the Conexão Bar Clip system (P=.030).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe systems evaluated demonstrated satisfactory retention for all time periods tested, as retention strengths from 5 to 7 N should be sufficient to stabilize overdentures. No component fracture or compromise in retention was found for any of the systems tested.

Evaluation of low-fusing ceramic systems combined with titanium grades II and V by bending test and scanning electron microscopy

The bond strength by three point bending strength of two metal substrates (commercially pure titanium or grade II, and Ti-6Al-4V alloy or grade V) combined to three distinct low-fusing ceramic systems (LFC) and the nature of porcelain-metal fracture by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were evaluated. The results were compared to a combination of palladium-silver (Pd-Ag) alloy and conventional porcelain (Duceram VMK68). Sixty metal strips measuring 25x3x0.5mm were made - 30 of titanium grade II and 30 of titanium grade V, with application of the following types of porcelain: Vita Titankeramik, Triceram or Duceratin (10 specimens for each porcelain). The porcelains were bonded to the strips with dimensions limited to 8x3x1mm. The control group consisted of ten specimens Pd-Ag alloy/Duceram VMK68 porcelain. Statistical analyses were made by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test at 5% significance level. Results showed that the bond strength in control group (48.0MPa ± 4.0) was significantly higher than the Ti grade II (26.7MPa ± 4.1) and Ti grade V (25.2MPa ± 2.2) combinations. When Duceratin porcelain was applied in both substrates, Ti grade II and Ti grade V, the results were significantly lower than in Ti grade II/Vitatitankeramik. SEM analysis indicated a predominance of adhesive fractures for the groups Ti grade II and Ti grade V, and cohesive fracture for control group Pd-Ag/Duceram. Control group showed the best bond strength compared to the groups that employed LFC. Among LFC, the worst results were obtained when Duceratin porcelain was used in both substrates. SEM confirmed the results of three point bending strength.

Effects of Thermocycling on the Tensile Bond Strength of Three Permanent Soft Denture Liners

PURPOSEnThis study investigated the effect of in vitro accelerated aging reproduced with thermocycling on the bond strength of three commercially available permanent denture soft liners (PermaSoft, Dentuflex, Ufi-gel) with one heat-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate resin denture base (QC-20) by tensile test.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnTen specimens were prepared for control and test groups of each material for a total of 60 specimens. All controls were stored in water (37 degrees C) for 24 hours before testing. All test groups received 3000 thermal cycles consisting of 1 minute at 5 degrees C and 1 minute at 65 degrees C. All specimens were submitted to a tensile test using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Results were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, p < or = 0.05, Tukeys post-hoc test).nnnRESULTSnThe mean bond strength of control specimens was (MPa): 0.32 (Ufi-gel), 0.49 (PermaSoft), and 1.19 (Dentuflex). There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between Ufi-gel and PermaSoft, but both were statistically different (p < 0.05) when compared to Dentuflex. After thermocycling, the mean bond strength was (MPa): 0.18 (Ufi-gel), 0.81 (PermaSoft), and 3.32 (Dentuflex). All materials were statistically different (p < 0.05). Ufi-gel had the lowest value and Dentuflex the highest in both control and test groups. Dentuflex presented only adhesive failure; in the remaining groups, there was no predominant failure mode, except Ufi-gel control with no adhesive failure.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDespite presenting greater bond strength, thermocycling had a deleterious effect in Dentuflex; Ufi-gel may be adequate for short-term use.

Passive fit of frameworks in titanium and palladium-silver alloy submitted the laser welding.

This study evaluated the precision of fit of implant frameworks cast in titanium (cp Ti) and palladium-silver alloy (Pd-Ag), made by the one-piece cast and laser welding techniques. From a metal matrix with five implants, 20 master casts were obtained, to which replicas of implants were incorporated. On these masters 10 frameworks were made for each type of material (cp Ti and Pd-Ag alloy). Half of these were made by the one-piece cast technique and the other half by the laser welding technique. The implant/prosthesis interface was analysed and measured in the vestibular and lingual regions of the central and distal implants with the help of a measuring microscope. The results indicated that in the central cylinders, the Tukey test (P<0.0005) showed a significant difference in the passive fit between the laser-welded frameworks (34.73 microm) and those one-piece cast frameworks (151.39 microm), and as regards materials, the palladium-silver alloy (66.30 microm) showed better results than the titanium (119.83 microm). In the distal cylinders there was no significant difference between the frameworks cast in titanium and palladium-silver by the one-piece technique. However, after laser welding, there was a significant difference for the frameworks cast in titanium (31.37 microm) and palladium-silver (106.59 microm).

The compatibility of denture cleansers and resilient liners

Purpose: Difficulty in cleaning resilient denture liners remains a material disadvantage. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of denture cleansers on hardness of resilient liner materials. Materials and Methods: Three resilient liners, Luci Sof® (Dentsply), Molloplast-B® (Dentax), and Sofreliner® (Tokuyama), and two denture cleansers, Efferdent® (Warner-Lamber), and 0.5% alkaline hypochlorite preparation were used. Twenty specimens of each material were prepared, measuring 25X15X3mm. Two denture cleansing approaches were used: 1) alkaline hypochlorite, for 20 minutes; 2) alkaline peroxide, for 30 minutes. This procedure was repeated 8 times a day, during 90 days. The specimens were evaluated before and after 360 and 720 cycles, to simulate 1 and 2 years of clinical cleaning procedures, respectively. The Shore A hardness was evaluated in a durometer (Teclock GS-709A), with a penetrating load of 10N for 1 second. Any macroscopic changes, such as loss of color or alteration in surface texture were recorded by one observer. All numeric data were subject to ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Tukeys test (α= 0.05). Results: All materials were significantly different, independently to time and treatment. Initially, Luci Sof® and Sofreliner® immersed in either hypochlorite or peroxide increased the hardness mean values significantly. These hardness mean values decreased significantly after 720 cycles. Molloplast-B® showed no significant difference after the treatments, in any time. Conclusions: Denture cleansers had no effect on hardness of the resilient denture liners evaluated after 2 years of in vivo simulated conditions of hygiene. Sofreliner® was the smoothest material before and after all treatments.

Effects of laser-weld joint opening size on fatigue strength of Ti-6Al-4V structures with several diameters

This study was conducted to evaluate the fatigue strength of Ti-6Al-4V laser-welded joints with several diameters and joint openings. Sixty dumbbell rods were machined in Ti-6Al-4V alloy with central diameters of 1·5, 2·0 and 3·5 mm. The specimens were sectioned and then welded using two joint openings (0·0 and 0·6 mm). The combination of variables created six groups, which when added to the intact groups made a total of nine groups (n = 10). Laser welding was executed as follows: 360 V per 8 ms (1·5 and 2·0 mm) and 380 V per 9 ms (3·5 mm) with focus and frequency regulated to zero. The joints were finished, polished and submitted to radiographic examination to be analysed visually for the presence of porosity. The specimens were then subjected to a mechanical cyclic test, and the number of cycles until failure was recorded. The fracture surface was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn test (α = 0·05) indicated that the number of cycles required for fracture was lower for all specimens with joint openings of 0·6 mm, and for 3·5-mm-diameter specimens with joint openings of 0·0 mm. The Spearman correlation coefficient (α = 0·05) indicated that there was a negative correlation between the number of cycles and the presence of porosity. So, laser welding of Ti-6Al-4V structures with a thin diameter provides the best conditions for the juxtaposition of parts. Radiographic examination allows for the detection of internal voids in titanium joints.

Effect of Accelerated Aging on Permanent Deformation and Tensile Bond Strength of Autopolymerizing Soft Denture Liners

PURPOSEnThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different accelerated aging times on permanent deformation and tensile bond strength of two soft chairside liners, acrylic resin (T) and silicone (MS) based.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnDifferent specimens were made for each test of each reliner. The specimens (n = 10) were submitted to accelerated aging for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 cycles. Tensile bond strength testing was performed at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min and permanent deformation with a compressive load of 750 gf. Data were submitted to Mann-Whitney test to compare the materials at different times, and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for comparing aging intervals within a given reliner.nnnRESULTSnMS presented a lower percentage of permanent deformation (p < 0.0001) and higher tensile bond strength (p < 0.0001) than T in all time intervals and was not affected by the accelerated aging process, which reduced the permanent deformation and increased tensile bond strength of T (p < 0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONnMS presented lower permanent deformation and higher tensile bond strength than T. Although T presented changes in those properties after accelerated aging, both materials might be suited for long-term use.