Masaki Asakura

The effect of zinc levels in a gold-based alloy on porcelain–metal bonding

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the amount of Zn in gold alloys contributes to porcelain-metal bonding. METHODS Experiments were carried out using a commercial Pd-free gold alloy with a nominal composition of 88.7 wt% Au, 9.49 wt% Pt, 1.5 wt% Zn, 0.1 wt% Mn, 0.2 wt% Rh, and 0.1 wt% Ir, which contains Zn and no other elements (In, Sn, Fe) known to affect porcelain-metal bond strength. To establish the effect of oxidation of the metal surface, porcelain was applied both to preoxidized and to non-preoxidized metal specimens. The bond strength was evaluated by means of the ISO 9693: 1999 crack initiation test. A conventional gold alloy was used as a control. The elemental distributions at the porcelain/alloy interfaces were analyzed in cross section by electron probe microanalysis. Additionally, after the bond strength test, cross-sections of the interfaces of the debonded specimens were microscopically analyzed to characterize the fracture mode. RESULTS The Pd-free gold alloy joints showed significantly higher bond strength values than joints made with conventional gold alloy. Preoxidation treatment significantly increases the bond strength, in the preoxidized joints Zn was highly localized at the interface and diffused into the porcelain up to about 10 μm from the interface, and the joint failed by cohesive fracture in the porcelain. In contrast, the non-preoxidized joint showed mainly adhesive fracture at the porcelain/alloy interface. SIGNIFICANCE The presence of Zn in gold alloys plays a part in establishing chemical bonding thus improving the bond strength between porcelain and alloy.

Fracture strength testing of crowns made of CAD/CAM composite resins

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) composite resin crowns have sufficient strength to withstand the bite force of the molar teeth. The null hypothesis was that the fracture strength of CAD/CAM composite resin crowns is lower than the average maximum bite force of the molar tooth. METHODS The crowns, which shape is the right maxillary first molar, were fabricated using four CAD/CAM blanks made of composite resins (Block HC: HC, KZR-CAD HR: HR, KZR-CAD HR2: HR2, Avencia Block: AVE) and one CAD/CAM blank made of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD: IPS), which was used as a control. Fracture strength of fabricated crowns bonded to metal abutment and biaxial flexural strength of the materials were evaluated. RESULTS The results of fracture strength test and biaxial flexural strength test showed different tendencies. The fracture strength of CAD/CAM composite resin crowns except HC ranged from 3.3kN to 3.9kN, and was similar to that of IPS (3.3kN). In contrast, biaxial flexural strength of CAD/CAM composite resins ranged from 175MPa to 247MPa, and was significantly lower than that of IPS (360MPa). CONCLUSIONS All CAD/CAM composite resin crowns studied presented about 3-4 times higher fracture strength than the average maximum bite force of the molar tooth (700-900N), which result leads to the conclusion that CAD/CAM composite resin crowns would have sufficient strength to withstand the bite force of the molar teeth.

Proliferation of mouse fibroblast-like and osteoblast-like cells on pure titanium films manufactured by electron beam melting.

The physical characteristics and biological compatibility of surfaces produced by electron beam melting (EBM) are not well known. In particular, there are not many reports on biocompatibility qualities. In this study, pure Ti films were manufactured using EBM. While it is reported that moderately hydrophilic biomaterial surfaces display improved cell growth and biocompatibility, contact angle measurements on the EBM‐produced pure Ti films showed slight hydrophobicity. Nonetheless, we found the cell count of both fibroblast‐like cells (L929) and osteoblast‐like cells (MC3T3‐E1) increased on pure Ti films, especially the MC3T3‐E1, which increased more than that of the control. In addition, the morphology of L929 and MC3T3‐E1 was polygonal and spindle‐shaped and the cytoskeleton was well developed in the pure Ti surface groups. Upon staining with Alizarin red S, a slight calcium deposition was observed and this level gradually rose to a remarkable level. These results indicate that pure Ti films manufactured by EBM have good biocompatibility and could be widely applied as biomedical materials in the near future.

Improving biocompatibility of zirconia surface by incorporating Ca ions

Though zirconia has been used in dental implant fixtures, the biocompatibility of the zirconia surface is not optimal for the surrounding tissue, and many surface modifications have been attempted. We have developed a novel method for improving the biocompatibility of zirconia by incorporating Ca ions. Elemental analysis showed that calcium ions become thoroughly incorporated into the zirconia surface after firing with calcium acetate. Mechanical tests indicated that the Ca ions had little effect on the flexural strength and hardness. Moreover, incorporating Ca ions also dramatically improved the water wettability of specimens that had been soaked in a simulated body fluid. The surface of the Ca-modified zirconia demonstrated good initial cell attachment.

Immature muscular tissue differentiation into bone-like tissue by bone morphogenetic proteins in vitro, with ossification potential in vivo

The objective of this study was to induce bone formation from immature muscular tissue (IMT) in vitro, using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) as a cytokine source and an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) scaffold. In addition, cultured IMTs were implanted subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to determine their in vivo ossification potential. BMPs, extracted from bovine cortical bones, were applied to embryonic SD rat IMT cultures, before 2 weeks culture on ePTFE scaffolds. Osteoblast-like cells and osteoid tissues were partially identified by hematoxylin-eosin staining 2 weeks after culture. Collagen type I (Col-I), osteopontin (OP), and osteocalcin (OC) were detected in the osteoid tissues by immunohistochemical staining. OC gene expression remained low, but OP and Col-I were upregulated during the culture period. In vivo implanted IMTs showed slight radiopacity 1 week after implantation and strong radiopacity 2 and 3 weeks after implantation. One week after implantation, migration of numerous capillaries was observed and ossification was detected after 2 weeks by histological observation. These results suggest that IMTs are able to differentiate into bone-like tissue in vitro, with an ossification potential after implantation in vivo.

Rheological approach for determining yield stresses in flowable resin composites prior to setting

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for quantifying the fluidity of flowable resin composites using determinations of yield stress. Five commercially available composites (AliteFlo LV, Flow-it ALC, Venus flow, Tetric N-flow, Revolution Formula2) were investigated. Yield stress values were obtained by plotting shear stresses for a range of shear rates, followed by fitting of Casson fluid models to flow curve data and extrapolation to the stress axis. To confirm that yield stress reflected fluidity, apparent viscosity at the lower shear rate (0.2 s-1) was calculated from flow curves. Yield stresses ranged from 5.4 to 43.1 Pa, and were found to capture differences in the fluidity of composites that were not captured by viscosity measurement at the low shear rate. Yield stress is directly proportional to fluidity, and could serve as a simple and precise indicator for selecting flowable resin composites for use in various clinical applications.