Mauro Antônio de Arruda Nóbilo

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.

Effect of retorque on loosening torque of prosthetic screws under two levels of fit of implant-supported dentures

This study evaluated the influence of retorque on loosening torque (Lt) of prosthetic screws in implant-supported dentures with different fit levels. Ten mandibular implant-supported dentures were fabricated and then 20 cast models were then prepared using prosthetic structures to create 2 fit levels: passive fit (Pf) and misfit (Mf). Two tightening techniques were also evaluated: initial torque only (T1); and initial torque and retorque after 10 min (T2). Gold or titanium screws were used, resulting in 4 groups to each one: Pf/T1, Pf/T2, Mf/T1, Mf/T2. The Lt was measured 24 h after the tightening torque using digital torque meter. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (alpha=0.05), separately for each screw material. For titanium screws, no significant difference (p>0.05) was found between Pf/T1 and Pf/T2, or between Pf/T2 and Mf/T2. However, statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between Pf/T1 and Mf/T1, and between Mf/T1 and Mf/T2. Mf reduced the Lt using T1, while and T2 increased the Lt for Mf. Retorque and fit were shown to have no significant influence on the Lt of the gold screws. Retorque application made insignificant the misfit effect on the Lt of the titanium screws, suggesting that this procedure should be performed routinely during the screw tightening in multi-unit dentures.

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.

Effect of toothbrushing, chemical disinfection and thermocycling procedures on the surface microroughness of denture base acrylic resins.

OBJECTIVEnThis study verified the surface microroughness of denture acrylic resins submitted to toothbrushing, chemical disinfection and thermocycling procedures.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnSamples were prepared according to conventional, microwaved and boiled resins and submitted to microroughness measurements before and after procedures using a profilometer (Ra). Data were subjected to anova and Tukeys test (5%).nnnRESULTSnBefore thermocycling, a difference was found among treatments for microwaved and boiled resins, with greater values for toothbrushing and lower values for Efferdent and hypochlorite; control was intermediate. Differences among resins were observed for treatments, with higher values for boiled resin and lower values for conventional and microwaved resins. After thermocycling, differences were found for microwaved resin, with a higher value for toothbrushing and a lower value for Efferdent and hypochlorite; control was intermediate. Tooth-brushed boiled resin presented higher values and hypochlorite lower values; control and Efferdent were intermediates. Differences among resins were seen for treatments, with higher values for boiled resin and lower values for conventional and microwaved resins. Boiled resin presented differences for toothbrushing and hypochlorite, before and after thermocycling procedures were compared.nnnCONCLUSIONSnFor microwaved and boiled resins, toothbrushing and chemical disinfection promoted different levels of surface microroughness when associated or not with thermocycling.

Micro-leakage at the implant-abutment interface with different tightening torques in vitro

Objectives This study evaluated the microleakage at the implant/abutment interface of external hexagon (EH) implants and abutments with different amounts of bacteria and tightening torques. Material and Methods A bacterial suspension was prepared to inoculate the implants. The first phase of this study used nine EH implants and abutments that were divided into three groups with different amounts of bacterial suspension (n=3): V0.5: 0.5 µL; V1.0: 1.0 µL e V1.5: 1.5 µL, and tightened to the manufacturers recommended torque. The second phase of this experiment used 27 assemblies that were similar to those used in the first phase. These samples were inoculated with 0.5 µL of bacterial suspension and divided into three groups (n=9). T10: 10 Ncm; T20: 20 Ncm and T32: 32 Ncm. The samples were evaluated according to the turbidity of the broth every 24 hours for 14 days, and the bacteria viability was tested after that period. The statistical evaluation was conducted by Kruskal-Wallis testing (p<.05). Results During the first phase, groups V1.0 and V1.5 was presented with bacterial contamination in all samples after 24 h. During the second phase, two samples from group T10 and one from T20 presented positive results for bacterial contamination. Different amounts of bacterial solution led to overflow and contamination during the first 24 h of the experiment. The tightening torques did not statistically affect the microleakage in the assemblies. However, the group that was tightened to 32 Ncm torque did not show any bacterial contamination. Conclusion After 14 days of experimentation, the bacteria were proven to remain viable inside the implant internal cavity.

Influence of chemical and mechanical polishing on water sorption and solubility of denture base acrylic resins

Influence of polishing methods on water sorption and solubility of denture base acrylic resins was studied. Eighty samples were divided into groups: Classico (CL), and QC 20 (QC) - hot water bath cured; Acron MC (AC), and Onda Cryl (ON) - microwave cured; and submitted to mechanical polishing (MP) - pumice slurry, chalk powder, soft brush and felt cone in a bench vise; or chemical polishing (CP) - heated monomer fluid in a chemical polisher. The first desiccation process was followed by storage in distilled water at 37 +/- 1 degrees C for 1 h, 1 day, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Concluding each period, water sorption was measured. After the fourth week, a second desiccation process was done to calculate solubility. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, followed by Tukey test (p<or=0.05). Means of water sorption (%) and solubility (%), respectively, were: CL-MP: 1.92 and 0.02; CL-CP: 1.98 and 0.52; QC-MP: 2.31 and -0.05; QC-CP: 2.32 and 0.25; AC-MP: 2.45 and -0.07; AC-CP: 2.43 and 0.41; ON-MP: 2.32 and -0.06; ON-CP: 2.34 and 0.27. Mechanical polishing promoted significantly lower solubility of acrylic resins; initially, water sorption values were higher for chemically polished samples, however, after 4 weeks all groups were similar.

Evaluation of Anodic Behavior of Commercially Pure Titanium in Tungsten Inert Gas and Laser Welds

PURPOSEnThis study evaluated the resistance to corrosion in welds made with Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) in specimens made of commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) in comparison with laser welds.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA total of 15 circular specimens (10-mm diameter, 2-mm thick) were fabricated and divided into two groups: control group-cp Ti specimens (n = 5); experimental group-cp Ti specimens welded with TIG (n = 5) and with laser (n = 5). They were polished mechanically, washed with isopropyl alcohol, and dried with a drier. In the anodic potentiodynamic polarization assay, measurements were taken using a potentiostat/galvanostat in addition to CorrWare software for data acquisition and CorrView for data visualization and treatment. Three curves were made for each working electrode. Corrosion potential values were statistically analyzed by the Students t-test.nnnRESULTSnStatistical analysis showed that corrosion potentials and passive current densities of specimens welded with TIG are similar to those of the control group, and had lower values than laser welding. TIG welding provided higher resistance to corrosion than laser welding.nnnCONCLUSIONnControl specimens welded with TIG were more resistant to local corrosion initiation and propagation than those with laser welding, indicating a higher rate of formation and growth of passive film thickness on the surfaces of these alloys than on specimens welded with laser, making it more difficult for corrosion to occur.

Influence of Crown-to-Implant Ratio on Stress Around Single Short-Wide Implants: A Photoelastic Stress Analysis

PURPOSEnThe aim of this study was to evaluate the photoelastic fringe patterns around two short-wide implants supporting single crowns with different crown-to-implant (C/I) ratios.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnExternal hexagon (EH) cylindrical implants (5 × 7 mm) or Morse Taper (MT) conical implants (5 × 6 mm) were embedded individually into photoelastic resin blocks. Each implant received a single metal-ceramic crown, with a C/I ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 (n = 10). Each set was positioned in a polariscope and submitted to a 0.5 kgf compressive load, applied axially or obliquely (30°). The polariscope images were digitally recorded, and based on isoclinal and isochromatic fringes, the shear stress was calculated at 5 predetermined points around each implant. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05).nnnRESULTSnUnder axial loading, the stress was concentrated at the crestal region, and there were no differences between C/I ratio or implant types. In contrast, under oblique loading, EH implants showed lower stress values than the MT group and the 2:1 C/I ratio showed higher stress concentration for both implant types (p < 0.05). Moreover, MT implants showed stress distribution through a higher area than the EH implant did, with a tendency to direct the stress toward the implants apex under oblique loading.nnnCONCLUSIONnMT conical short-wide implants showed higher stress values that were distributed through a higher area directed to the implant apex. The C/I ratio influences the stress distribution only under oblique loading.