José Bauer

Microhardness of Ni-Cr alloys under different casting conditions

This study evaluated the microhardness of Ni-Cr alloys used in fixed prosthodontics after casting under different conditions. The casting conditions were: (1-flame/air torch) flame made of a gas/oxygen mixture and centrifugal casting machine in a non-controlled casting environment; (2-induction/argon) electromagnetic induction in an environment controlled with argon; (3-induction/vacuum) electromagnetic induction in a vacuum environment; (4-induction/air) electromagnetic induction in a non-controlled casting environment. The 3 alloys used were Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti, Ni-Cr-Mo-Be, and Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb. Four castings with 5 cylindrical, 15 mm-long specimens (diameter: 1.6 mm) in each casting ring were prepared. After casting, the specimens were embedded in resin and polished for Vickers microhardness (VH) measurements in a Shimadzu HMV-2 (1,000 g for 10 s). A total of 5 indentations were done for each ring, one in each specimen. The data was subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukeys multiple comparison tests (alpha = 0.05). The VH values of Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti (422 +/- 7.8) were statistically higher (p < 0.05) than those of Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb (415 +/- 7.6). The lowest VH values were found for Ni-Cr-Mo-Be (359 +/- 10.7). The VH values obtained in the conditions induction/argon and induction/vacuum were similar (p > 0.05) and lower than the values obtained in the conditions induction/air and flame/air torch (p < 0.05). The VH values in the conditions induction/air and flame/air were similar (p > 0.05). The microhardness of the alloys is influenced by their composition and casting method. The hardness of the Ni-Cr alloys was higher when they were cast with the induction/air and flame/air torch methods.

Characterization of two Ni–Cr dental alloys and the influence of casting mode on mechanical properties

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the tensile strength, elongation, microhardness (MHV), composition and microstructure of two Ni-Cr based alloy, cast under different casting conditions. METHODS Before casting, the alloy ingots were evaluated as regards composition (EDX) and microstructure (Optical microscopy, SEM and EDX). The casting conditions were as follows: electromagnetic induction in an environment controlled with argon (EWA), electromagnetic induction in an environment under vacuum (EWV), electromagnetic induction without atmosphere control (EWNC) and blowtorch (BT). For each condition, 16 specimens were obtained, each measuring 25 mm high and 2.5mm in diameter. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) tests were performed in a Kratos machine (1.0mm/min). Fractured specimens were embedded in bakelite resin and polished for Vickers Microhardness analysis (1000 g/10s) with 4 penetrations in each specimen. The UTS, EL and MHV results were evaluated for two-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (α=0.05). RESULTS The cross-product interaction was statistically significant for all properties evaluated (p<0.0001), lower UTS, VHN and high elongation means were observed for the Ni-Cr-Mo-Be alloy tested when cast under the induction/argon (p<0.05). Higher UTS means were found for Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti alloy tested when cast under the induction/vacuum, and induction/air and flame/air condition (p<0.05). The two alloys show a microstructure with a dendritic formation with the presence of eutectic presence. CONCLUSION The Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti alloy showed high UTS, MHV and lowest EL comparaded with the tradicional Ni-Cr-Mo-Be, that show lowest UTS, MHV and higher EL when cast on induction/argon.

Effect of light-activation methods and water storage on the flexural strength of two composite resins and a compomer

The present study evaluated the flexural strength of three composite resins recommended for direct esthetic restorations: a polyacid modified composite (Dyract AP), a unimodal composite resin (Filtek Z250) and a hybrid composite resin (Point 4). The variation factors, apart from the type of composite resin, were the light activation method and the water storage period. The composite resins were light-cured in continuous mode (40 s, 500 mW/cm2) or in ramp mode (0-800 mW/cm2 for 10 s followed by 30 s at 800 mW/cm2) and stored for 24 hours or 30 days in distilled water at 37 degrees C. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test for multiple comparisons (alpha = 0.05). The composite resin Z250 presented the highest mean flexural strength (166.74 MPa) and Dyract AP presented the lowest one (129.76 MPa). The storage for 30 days decreased the flexural strength in ramp mode (24 h: 156.64 MPa; 30 days: 135.58 MPa). The light activation method alone did not lead to different flexural strength values.

Effect of argon purity on mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture mode of commercially pure (cp) Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys for ceramometal dental prostheses

Provision of an inert gas atmosphere with high-purity argon gas is recommended for preventing titanium castings from contamination although the effects of the level of argon purity on the mechanical properties and the clinical performance of Ti castings have not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of argon purity on the mechanical properties and microstructure of commercially pure (cp) Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys. The castings were made using either high-purity and/or industrial argon gas. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), proportional limit (PL), elongation (EL) and microhardness (VHN) at different depths were evaluated. The microstructure of the alloys was also revealed and the fracture mode was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The data from the mechanical tests and hardness were subjected to a two-and three-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (alpha = 0.05). The mean values of mechanical properties were not affected by the argon gas purity. Higher UTS, PL and VHN, and lower EL were observed for Ti-6Al-4V. The microhardness was not influenced by the argon gas purity. The industrial argon gas can be used to cast cp Ti and Ti-6Al-4V.

Effect of airborne-particle abrasion on dentin with experimental niobophosphate bioactive glass on the microtensile bond strength of resin cements

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of two resin cements bonded to dentin pre-treated with experimental niobophosphate bioactive glass (NBG). METHODS The experimental bioactive glass was prepared by mixing different amounts of NbO5; (NH4)2HP4; CaO; Na2CO3. The particle size distribution and composition of the bioactive glass powder were determined. Twenty flat dentin surfaces from sound extracted human molars were polished with 600-grit SiC paper and air-abraded using experimental bioactive glass niobium powder. The bonding procedures were accomplished by the application of two resin cements: self-etching Panavia F or self-adhesive RelyX U-100. The resin-bonded specimens were cut and the μTBS test was performed after 24h. The failure mode was determined with a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification. The results were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). RESULTS The two-way ANOVA did not detect interactions between factors, but only a difference between the self-etching and self-adhesive cement (p=0.001). The self-etching resin cement Panavia F obtained a higher μTBS than the self-adhesive cement Relyx U-100. The predominant failure mode of the cements was adhesive/mixed between the resin cement and dentin. CONCLUSION A new bioactive glass containing niobium did not interfere with the immediate bonding performance of self-etching and self-adhesive cements.

Influence of calcium hydroxide intracanal medication on bond strength of two endodontic resin-based sealers assessed by micropush-out test

AIM To evaluate the influence of calcium hydroxide (CH) paste used as intracanal medication on the bond strength of AH Plus (AH) and Epiphany (EP) sealers to root dentin. METHODOLOGY Sixty palatal canals were prepared in human maxillary first molars, using a rotary system. Half of the specimens received distilled water, and the other ones received intracanal medication with CH for 14 days. Thereafter, the CH was removed and both groups were further divided into two subgroups, filled with either AH or EP. The test specimens were submitted to the micropush-out test at a speed of 0.5 mm min(-1) . Results were statistically analyzed with anova and Tukeys test at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS The use of CH had statistically significant (P < 0.05) influence on AH only, increasing its bond strength from 19.7 ± 4.5 to 23.8 ± 2.5 (mean ± SD in MPa). In both EP groups, with (1.8 ± 0.5 MPa) and without (1.5 ± 0.9 MPa) CH, the bond strength values were statistically significantly lower than in either of the AH groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication for 14 days had a positive influence on the bond strength of AH to root dentin whereas the effect on EP was insignificant. Regardless of the intracanal medication used, AH showed considerably higher bond strength values compared with EP sealer.

Effectiveness of nano-calcium phosphate paste on sensitivity during and after bleaching: a randomized clinical trial

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of in-office bleaching and associated tooth sensitivity on application of nano-calcium phosphate paste as desensitizing agent. Bleaching was performed with 35% hydrogen peroxide gel in 40 patients who were randomly divided into placebo and nano-calcium phosphate paste groups. Bleaching efficacy (BE) was evaluated using a value-oriented Vita shade guide. Tooth sensitivity was recorded using a numeric rating scale (0-4) during bleaching and up to 48 h after each session. The primary outcome of absolute risk of tooth sensitivity was compared using the Fishers exact test (α = 0.05). The intensity of tooth sensitivity and the efficacy of in-office bleaching were also statistically evaluated. No significant differences in absolute risk and intensity of tooth sensitivity were detected between the groups (p = 1.0 and p = 0.53, respectively). BE was also found to be similar between the groups (p = 0.67). Although the use of a nano-calcium phosphate paste associated with fluoride and potassium nitrate did not influence the whitening outcome, but it also did not reduce bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity.

Properties of Composite Materials Used for Bracket Bonding

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the shear bond strength to enamel, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and contraction stress of one orthodontic composite and two flowable composites. Orthodontic brackets were bonded to 45 human maxillary premolars with the composites Transbond XT, Filtek Z-350 flow and Opallis flow and tested for shear bond strength. For measurement of flexural strength and flexural modulus, specimens were fabricated and tested under flexion. For the contraction stress test, cylindrical specimens were tested and an extensometer determined the height of the specimens. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (α=0.05). The shear bond strength values were significantly lower (p<0.05) for the flowable composites compared with the orthodontic composite. For the flexural strength, no statistically significant difference was found among the composites (p>0.05) while the flexural modulus was significantly higher (p<0.05) for Transbond XT than for Filtek Z-350 flow and Opallis flow. The orthodontic composite presented significantly lower contraction stress values than the flowable composites (p<0.05). The light-activated orthodontic composite material presented higher flexural modulus and shear bond strength and lower contraction stress than both flowable composites.

Micro Push-out Bond Strength and Bioactivity Analysis of a Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer

Introduction: Bioactive endodontic sealers have been developed to improve the quality of root canal obturation. EndoSequence Bioceramic (BC) Sealer is amongst calcium silicate-based materials recently developed for permanent root canal filling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of BC Sealer and its micro push-out bond strength to dentin compared to AH-Plus (AH) sealer. Methods and Materials: To perform the micro push-out test, 24 root canals of mandibular premolars were instrumented and divided into two groups (n=12). Each root was cut into 4 slices and lumens of the canals were filled with the sealers and submitted to micro push-out test. Failure mode was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bioactivity of BC sealer was investigated with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Bioactivity assessments were reported descriptively. Bond strength data were analyzed by parametric t-test (α=5%). Results: In micro push-out test AH had higher bond strength mean values (16.29 MPa) than BC sealer (9.48 MPa) (P<0.05). Both groups had low amount of adhesive failure. SEM showed the presence of a mineral precipitate after 30 days and EDS analysis showed that those precipitates have high proportion of Ca. XRD showed peaks of crystalline phases of calcium carbonate compatible with the bioactivity. Conclusion: BC sealer showed indications of bioactivity and lower bond strength to dentine compared to AH.

Ions Release and pH of Calcium Hydroxide-, Chlorhexidine- and Bioactive Glass-Based Endodontic Medicaments

This study evaluated pH and release of calcium, sodium and phosphate ions from different medications in human dentin. Fifty premolars were prepared and randomly divided into groups: (CHX) - 2% chlorhexidine gel; (CHX + CH) - CHX + calcium hydroxide PA; (CH) - CH + propylene glycol 600; (NPBG) - experimental niobium phosphate bioactive glass + distilled water; (BG) - bioactive glass (Bio-Gran) + distilled water. The specimens were immersed in deionized water and the pH variations were measured. The quantification of ions in the solutions was made by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) at 10 min, 24 h, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey`s test, with a significance level of 5%. CH had the highest level of calcium ions release at 30 days, while CHX and BG released more sodium ions. BG, NPBG and CHX released a higher amount of phosphate ions. The pH of CH was significantly higher compared with the other groups. CH favored the greatest increase of pH and calcium ions release. The bioactive glasses released more sodium and phosphate ions and presented an alkaline pH immediately and after 30 days.