Norbert Krämer

Fatigue behaviour of different dentin adhesives

Abstract The aim of this in vitro study was to compare quasistatic and cyclic fatigue dentin bond strength of modern adhesive systems representing different generations. One hundred and fifty cavities were made in discs of freshly extracted human third molars and filled with direct resin composite restorations. Dentin adhesives of different generations (SY = Syntac Classic, multi-step system with self-etching primer; SE = Syntac Classic with additional phosphoric acid etching prior to application of the self-etching primer; SB = Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, multi-step system with total etching; PE = Prime&Bond 2.1, single-step system with and without [PB] total etching) were used in combination with one hybrid composite. After 21 days of storage, 10 specimens for each adhesive system were subjected to thermocycling (1150 cycles) for 24 h and were afterwards debonded in a push-out test. Another 20 specimens were tested with cyclic fatigue according to the staircase method with 5000 cycles for each specimen. Static and cyclic push-out bond strengths, respectively, for each group were (MPa): SY 16.9±0.9 and 14.2±1.7, SE 17.5±1.8 and 14.8±3.4, SB 18.5±1.7 and 13.9±2.1, PB 14.6±2.2 and 7.2±2.4, PE 13.4±2.2 and 6.8±1.8. Both quasistatic and dynamic bond strengths revealed better values for the multi-step systems (P<0.05). All adhesive systems tested revealed a significant fatigue behaviour which was more pronounced for the one-bottle system with a decrease of about 50% independent of additional dentin etching.

IPS Empress inlays and onlays after four years — a clinical study

OBJECTIVE Ceramic inlays are used as esthetic alternatives to amalgam and other metallic materials for the restoration of badly damaged teeth. However, only limited clinical data are available regarding adhesive inlays and onlays with proximal margins located in dentine. In a prospective, controlled clinical study, the performance of IPS Empress inlays and onlays with cuspal replacements and margins below the amelocemental junction was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-six IPS Empress fillings were placed in 34 patients by six clinicians. The restorations were luted with four different composite systems. The dentin bonding system Syntac Classic was used in addition to the acid-etch-technique. At baseline and after 6 months, one, two and four years after placement the restorations were assessed by two calibrated investigators using modified USPHS codes and criteria. A representative sample of the restorations was investigated by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate wear. RESULTS Seven of the 96 restorations investigated had to be replaced (failure rate 7%; Kaplan-Meier). Four inlays had suffered cohesive bulk fractures and three teeth required endodontic treatment. After four years in clinical service, significant deterioration (Friedman 2-way Anova; p < 0.05) was found to have occurred in the marginal adaptation of the remaining restorations. Seventy-nine percent of the surviving restorations exhibited marginal deficiencies, independent of the luting composite. Neither the absence of enamel margins, nor cuspal replacement significantly affected the adhesion or marginal quality of the restorations. CONCLUSION After four years, extensive IPS Empress inlays and onlays bonded with the dentin bonding system Syntac Classic were found to have a 7% failure rate with 79% of the remaining restorations having marginal deficiencies.

Crack formation of all-ceramic crowns dependent on different core build-up and luting materials

OBJECTIVES The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate various core build-up and luting materials regarding their effect on crack formation of all-ceramic crowns. METHODS Fifty-six freshly extracted sound human third molars were prepared according to a standardized procedure obtaining a circular shoulder of 1.5 mm with all margins located in dentin. Sixty percent of the dentin volume were removed and restored with totally bonded build-up composite resins or resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIC) or compomers. Cast IPS-Empress caps were manufactured and luted with the different materials. For each material group, the volumes of the core build-ups and of the luting cements were determined. The caps were examined for cracks after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months storage in 0.9% saline solution at 37 degrees C. RESULTS The tested groups revealed no major differences in the percentage of the core build-ups and in the volume of the luting cements. After 12 months only the group with composite resin build-up and luting showed no crack formation. RMGIC/compomer build-up or RMGIC/compomer luting always resulted in cracking of the caps. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of this study it can be concluded that the hygroscopic expansion of RMGIC/compomer materials led to failure of all-ceramic crowns, when the materials are used for both core build-up or adhesive bonding.

Long-term degradation of enamel and dentin bonds: 6-year results in vitro vs. in vivo

OBJECTIVES To evaluate marginal integrity of direct resin composite restorations before and after thermo-mechanical loading in vitro, and before and after 6 years of clinical service in a prospective clinical trial. METHODS For the in vitro part, MO cavities with the proximal box beneath the cemento-enamel junction were prepared in 32 extracted human third molars. The specimens were randomly assigned to four groups (n=8) and received bonded resin composite restorations (two groups each Grandio bonded with Solobond M and Tetric Ceram bonded with Syntac). Specimens were subjected to three different aging protocols: 6-year water storage (WS), thermo-mechanical loading (TML; 100,000×50N; 2500×+5/+55°C), and 6-year water storage plus thermo-mechanical loading (WS+TML). Initially and after aging, marginal qualities in enamel and dentin were evaluated using replicas at 200× magnification (SEM). For the in vivo part, 30 patients received 68 direct resin composite restorations of the same materials in a prospective clinical trial. Replicas of 11 selected subjects per group were assessed for marginal quality under a SEM at 200×. RESULTS in vitro, all initial results showed nearly 100% gap-free margins. For TML, percentages of gap-free margins dropped to 87-90% in enamel and to 58-66% in dentin (p<0.05). For WS, enamel margins still were at 97-99% whereas dentin margins exhibited 67-75% gap-free margins, and for WS+TML, enamel margins were at 85-87% and dentin margins at 42-52% gap-free margins. In vivo, gap-free enamel margins were reduced from initially 86-90% to 74-80% after 6 years of clinical service (p<0.05). Proximally exposed dentin margins were not recordable by impressions, however, clinically no considerable problems like recurrent caries or discolorations were detected. SIGNIFICANCE In vitro, hydrolytic degradation supports mechanical fatigue in dentin-composite bonds over time. In vivo, wear phenomena are superimposing marginal quality aspects. Gaps between enamel and resin composite did not play a major role.

Operator vs. material influence on clinical outcome of bonded ceramic inlays

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to clinically evaluate the suitability of Definite Multibond and Definite ormocer resin composite for luting of Cergogold glass ceramic inlays in a two-center trial involving two dentists. METHODS Thirty-nine patients received 98 Cergogold inlays with at least one inlay luted with Definite Multibond/Definite (n=45) and at least one inlay luted with Syntac/Variolink Ultra (n=53) in a split mouth design. Treatments were carried out in two private practices by two operators (Operator A: n=38; Operator B: n=60). Forty-four cavities required caries profunda treatment, 23 cavities exhibited no enamel at the cervical margin. At baseline (2 months), and after 6, 14, 27, and 51 months of clinical service, the restorations were investigated according to modified USPHS criteria. RESULTS The drop-out rate was 3% after 4 years. After 48 months of clinical service, 21 restorations in 16 patients (9 luted with Definite, 12 with Variolink; 2 placed by operator A and 19 by operator B) had to be replaced due to inlay fracture (n=11), tooth fracture (n=4), hypersensitivities (n=3), or marginal gap formation (n=3). Seventy-seven inlays were in good condition (survival rate 89.9%, median survival time 4.2 years (95% confidence interval +/-0.25; survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier algorithm). Survival rate after 4 years was 97.4% for operator A, and 75.4% for operator B (p=0.002; Log Rank/Mantel-Cox) resulting in annual failure rates of 0.6% and 6.2%, respectively. The operators did not differently judge the clinical behaviour of the luting procedures (Mann-Whitney U-test, p>0.05). Independent of the operator and the used luting system, the following criteria significantly changed over time: color match, marginal integrity, tooth integrity, inlay integrity, sensitivity, hypersensitivity, and X-ray control (p<0.05; Friedman test). Significant differences between operators over the whole period were computed for the criteria marginal integrity, tooth integrity, and inlay integrity (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). Differences between luting materials were only present during single recalls. SIGNIFICANCES For luting of ceramic inlays, only slight differences between the two luting systems were detectable. The operator influence on clinical outcome was clearly proven.

Internal adaptation and overhang formation of direct class II resin composite restorations

Abstract The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate different restorative concepts for posterior resin composite fillings in terms of internal adaptation and overhang formation. Eighty standard occluso-distal cavities with and without a 1.5-mm bevel were restored in a phantom head using Syntac Classic and Tetric Ceram with and without Tetric Flow as thin lining or Solid Bond and Solitaire with and without FlowLine. The restorations were finished intraorally and afterwards subjected to thermal loading (1150× +5°C/+55°C) for 24 h. The proximal margins of the original specimens were analyzed for overhangs under a stereo light microscope (100-fold magnification) before and after intraoral control with loupes, including additional polish. Afterwards the teeth were cut longitudinally, replicated, and their internal integrity analyzed under a SEM (200-fold magnification). The combination of flowable and viscous composites resulted in enhanced internal adaptation for both adhesive systems. However, Syntac Classic exhibited superior adaptation characteristics compared with Solid Bond. In terms of overhang formation, the use of flowable materials always led to higher percentages of marginal overhangs in beveled cavities. Higher viscous materials alone resulted in higher percentages of underfilled margins of beveled than box-shaped cavities. It was clear that the use of magnifying glasses during finishing was beneficial for reducing marginal overhangs up to 40%.

Nanohybrid vs. fine hybrid composite in extended Class II cavities after six years

OBJECTIVES In a controlled prospective split-mouth study, clinical behavior of two different resin composites in extended Class II cavities was observed over six years. METHODS Thirty patients received 68 direct resin composite restorations (Solobond M + Grandio: n=36; Syntac + Tetric Ceram: n=32) by one dentist in a private practice. All restorations were replacement fillings, 35% of cavities revealed no enamel at the bottom of the proximal box, in 48% of cavities remaining proximal enamel width was <0.5mm. Restorations were examined according to modified USPHS criteria at baseline, and after six months, one, two, four, and six years. RESULTS Success rate was 100% after six years of clinical service, while the drop out of patients was 0%. Neither materials nor localization of the restoration (upper vs. lower jaw) had a significant influence on clinical outcome in any criterion after six years (p>0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test). Molar restorations performed worse regarding marginal integrity (4 years), filling integrity (6, 12, 24, 48 months), and tooth integrity (4 and 6 years). Irrespective of the resin composite used, significant changes over time were found for all criteria recorded (Friedman test; p<0.05). Marginal quality revealed a major portion of overhangs having been clearly reduced after the one year recall (baseline: 44%; 6 months: 65%; 1 year: 47%; 2 years: 6%; 4 years: 4%; and 6 years: 3%). Beyond the 1 year recall, negative step formations significantly increased due to wear (p<0.05), having been more pronounced in molars (87% bravo after 4 years) than in premolars (51% bravo after 4 years). Tooth integrity significantly deteriorated due to enamel cracks, which increased over time (p<0.05). Enamel chippings and cracks were significantly more frequent in molars (26% bravo after 4 years to 35% after six years) than in premolars (9% bravo after 4 years, 11% after six years). Restoration integrity over time mainly suffered surface roughness and wear (28% after one year, 75% after two years, 84% after four years, 91% after six years). SIGNIFICANCES Both materials performed satisfactorily over the 6-year observation period. Due to the extension of the restorations, wear was clearly visible after six years of clinical service with 91% bravo ratings.

Role of preliminary etching for one-step self-etch adhesives.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of preliminary phosphoric acid etching of enamel and dentine before the application of two, one-step self-etch adhesive systems. The systems were applied onto acid-etched or smear-layer-covered enamel and dentine. The treatment groups were as follows: group 1, Adper Easy Bond (3M ESPE) on etched substrate; group 2, Adper Easy Bond (control); group 3, iBond Self-Etch (Heraeus Kulzer) on etched substrate; and group 4, iBond Self-Etch (control). Enamel and dentine bond strengths were calculated using microshear and microtensile bond-strength tests. Additional specimens were prepared to evaluate nanoleakage at the dentine-adhesive interface and were investigated using light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy. Both adhesives demonstrated higher microshear bond strengths when enamel was pre-acid-etched with phosphoric acid (Adper Easy Bond 28.7 ± 4.8 MPa; iBond Self-Etch 19.7 ± 3.6 MPa) compared with controls (Adper Easy Bond 19.2 ± 3.3 MPa; iBond Self-Etch 17.5 ± 2.7 MPa) and increased microtensile bond strength when applied on acid-etched (Adper Easy Bond 35.8 ± 5.7 MPa; iBond Self-Etch 24.3 ± 7.9 MPa) vs. smear-layer-covered dentine (Adper Easy Bond 26.9 ± 6.2 MPa; iBond Self-Etch 17.6 ± 4.3 MPa). Adper Easy Bond showed lower nanoleakage than iBond Self-Etch, irrespective of preliminary etching. The results of this study support the use of phosphoric acid etching before the application of one-step self-etch adhesive systems.

Leucite-reinforced glass ceramic inlays luted with self-adhesive resin cement: A 2-year in vivo study

OBJECTIVES Aim of the present prospective controlled clinical study was to compare the clinical performances of two different cementation procedures to lute IPS Empress inlays and onlays. METHODS Eighty-three IPS Empress restorations (70 class-II inlays, 13 onlays/47 premolars, 36 molars) were placed in 30 patients (19 females/11 males, mean age=39 years). Two cementation procedures were tested: group 1: forty-three restorations were luted with a self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem, RX, 3M ESPE); group 2: forty restorations were luted with an etch-and-rinse multistep adhesive (Syntac Classic, Ivoclar-Vivadent) and Variolink II low (SV, Ivoclar-Vivadent). All restorations were evaluated after 2 weeks (baseline=1st recall=R1, n=83), 6 months (R2, n=83), 1 year (R3, n=82), and 2 years (R4, n=82) by two independent blinded calibrated examiners using modified USPHS criteria. RESULTS From R1 to R4, one failure occurred in the SV group (at R2) due to marginal enamel chipping. After 2 years of clinical service (R4), better marginal and tooth integrity (p<0.05) was found in group 2 (SV) compared to the use of the self-adhesive cement (RX, group 1), while no differences were found for all remaining investigated criteria (p>0.05). The absence of enamel in proximal boxes (10% with no enamel and 51% of the restorations with less than 0.5mm enamel width at the bottom of the proximal box) did not affect marginal performance (p>0.05). SIGNIFICANCE The self-adhesive resin cement RelyX Unicem showed clinical outcomes similar to a conventional multi-step cementation procedure after 2 years of clinical service for most of the tested criteria.

Four-year clinical performance and marginal analysis of pressed glass ceramic inlays luted with ormocer restorative vs. conventional luting composite

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ormocer Definite (Degudent, Hanau, Germany) as resin luting cement. METHODS In a controlled prospective clinical study, 57 Cergogold (Degudent) all-ceramic inlays were placed in 24 patients by four dentists. The restorations were luted with two different systems (MD=Definite Multibond+Definite; SV=Syntac+Variolink Ultra, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein) without lining. At baseline, after 12, 24, and 48 months, restorations were examined according to modified USPHS scores and criteria. RESULTS One patient including three restorations missed the 4 years recall (dropout). After 48 months of clinical service, four restorations in four patients (three luted with Definite, one with Variolink) failed due to inlay fracture (n=3) and tooth fracture (n=1), all other fillings were clinically acceptable (survival rate 93.3% for Definite vs. 95.2% for Variolink; Kaplan-Meier algorithm). Except for the rate of hypersensitivity at baseline (MD: 27%; SV 0%; p<0.05), no differences were evident between the luting cements at any recalls (Mann-Whitney U-test; p>0.05). Between the four recalls, a statistically significant deterioration was detected for both groups regarding the criteria marginal adaptation, filling integrity (cracks/chippings/fractures), and tooth integrity (Friedman test; p<0.001). After 4 years, mainly distinct deterioration with marginal fractures or chippings in proximal and marginal areas of the inlays were observed. No differences were found for surface roughness, color matching, and proximal contact (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS For luting of ceramic inlays, only slight differences between the two luting systems were detectable.