Paulo Amarante de Araújo

Comparative analysis of the shrinkage stress of composite resins

The aim of this study was to compare the shrinkage stress of composite resins by three methods. In the first method, composites were inserted between two stainless steel plates. One of the plates was connected to a 20 kgf load cell of a universal testing machine (EMIC-DL-500). In the second method, disk-shaped cavities were prepared in 2-mm-thick Teflon molds and filled with the different composites. Gaps between the composites and molds formed after polymerization were evaluated microscopically. In the third method, the wall-to-wall shrinkage stress of the resins that were placed in bovine dentin cavities was evaluated. The gaps were measured microscopically. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (α=0.05). The obtained contraction forces were: Grandio = 12.18 ± 0.428N; Filtek Z 250 = 11.80 ± 0.760N; Filtek Supreme = 11.80 ± 0.707 N; and Admira = 11.89 ± 0.647 N. The gaps obtained between composites and Teflon molds were: Filtek Z 250 = 0.51 ± 0.0357%; Filtek Supreme = 0.36 ± 0.0438%; Admira = 0.25 ± 0.0346% and Grandio = 0.16 ± 0.008%. The gaps obtained in wall-to-wall contraction were: Filtek Z 250 = 11.33 ± 2.160 μm; Filtek Supreme = 10.66 ± 1.211μm; Admira = 11.16 ± 2.041 μm and Grandio = 10.50 ± 1.224 μm. There were no significant differences among the composite resins obtained with the first (shrinkage stress generated during polymerization) and third method (wall-to-wall shrinkage). The composite resins obtained with the second method (Teflon method) differed significantly regarding gap formation.

Wear and superficial roughness of glass ionomer cements used as sealants, after simulated toothbrushing

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the properties (wear and roughness) of glass ionomer cements that could influence their indication as pit and fissure sealants. The utilized materials were Fuji Plus, Ketac-Molar and Vitremer (in two different proportions: 1:1 and :1). The resin-based sealant Delton was used as control. By means of an electronic balance (precision of 10-4 g), wear was measured in function of weight loss after simulated toothbrushing. Superficial roughness was determined by means of a surface roughness-measuring apparatus. The results revealed that diluted Vitremer and Fuji Plus were less resistant to toothbrushing abrasion and had the greatest increase in superficial roughness. Although in clinical situations luting or diluted ionomer cements are often utilized as alternatives to resin-based sealants, the resultsof this study revealed that the properties of those cements are worse than those of restorative ionomers, whichpresented results similar to those of the evaluated resin sealant.

The role of surface sealants in the roughness of composites after a simulated toothbrushing test.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of two surface sealants (BisCover/Single Bond) and three application techniques (unsealed/conventional/co-polymerization) on the roughness of two composites (Filtek Z250/Z350) after the toothbrushing test. METHODS Seventy-two rectangular specimens (5 mm x10 mm x 3 mm) were fabricated and assigned into 12 groups (n=6). Each sample was subjected to three random roughness readings at baseline, after 100,000 (intermediate), and 200,000 (final) toothbrushing strokes. Roughness (R) at each stage was obtained by the arithmetic mean of the reading of each specimen. Sealant removal was qualitatively examined (optical microscope) and classified into scores (0-3). Data were analyzed by Students paired t-test, two-way ANOVA/Tukeys test, and by Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Millers test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS Z250 groups at baseline did not differ statistically from each other. Unsealed Z350 at baseline had lower R values. All the unsealed groups presented gradual decrease in R from baseline to final brushing. From baseline to the intermediate stage, Z250 co-polymerized groups presented a significant reduction in R (score 3). Conventionally sealed groups had no significant changes in R (scores 2-0.8). From baseline to the intermediate stage, the conventionally sealed Z350 Single Bond group had an increase in R (score 1.5). In the final stage, all the conventionally sealed groups presented a reduction in R (scores 0.7-0). Co-polymerized Single Bond groups had a significant reduction in R (scores 2.5-2.7), and co-polymerized BisCover groups an increase in R (scores 2.8-3). CONCLUSIONS At any brushing stage, sealed composites presented superior performance when compared with unsealed composites.

Influence of glutaraldehyde priming on bond strength of an experimental adhesive system applied to wet and dry dentine

OBJECTIVES This study tested the following null hypotheses: (1) there is no difference in resin-dentine bond strength when an experimental glutaraldehyde primer solution is added prior to bonding procedures and (2) there is no difference in resin-dentine bond strength when experimental glutaraldehyde/adhesive system is applied under dry or wet demineralized dentine conditions. METHODS Extracted human maxillary third molars were selected. Flat, mid-coronal dentine was exposed for bonding and four groups were formed. Two groups were designated for the dry and two for the wet dentine technique: DRY: (1) Group GD: acid etching+glutaraldehyde primer (primer A)+HEMA/ethanol primer (primer B)-under dried dentine+unfilled resin; (2) Group D: the same as GD, except for primer A application; WET: (3) Group GW: the same as GD, but primer B was applied under wet dentine condition; (4) Group W: the same as GW, except for primer A application. The bonding resin was light-cured and a resin core was built up on the adhesive layer. Teeth were then prepared for microtensile bond testing to evaluate bond strength. The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA and Tukeys test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS Glutaraldehyde primer application significantly improved resin-dentine bond strength. No significant difference was observed when the same experimental adhesive system was applied under either dry or wet dentine conditions. These results allow the first null hypothesis to be rejected and the second to be accepted. CONCLUSION Glutaraldehyde may affect demineralized dentine properties leading to improved resin bonding to wet and dry substrates.

Fluoride release of six restorative materials in water and pH-cycling solutions

The fluoride release of restorative materials in deionized water has been the subject of many studies, but the behavior of these materials under conditions of acid challenge that simulates the oral cavity, needs to be further explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride release of restorative materials in two storage protocols: deionized water and pH- cycling system (demineralizing solution-pH 4.3 and remineralizing solution-pH 7.0) for 15 days. Eight disks of each material (Vitremer™-positive control, Dyract AP, Ariston pHc, Definite®, Tetric®Ceram and Z100-negative control) were prepared (11.0 mm x 1.5 mm) and suspended individually in 4.0 mL of each solution, which were daily changed. Daily fluoride release was analyzed with an ion specific electrode (Orion 9609) by the direct method or after HMDS-facilitated diffusion, following 1, 7 and 15 days. The values obtained were converted into μgF/mm2 and the data analyzed by ANOVA and Tukeys test (p< 0.05). The results showed that all materials released more fluoride in the pH-cycling system, except for Ariston pHc which maintained a constant release during the experiment. The highest fluoride release was presented by the positive control, Vitremer™ in pH- cycling and by Ariston pHc, in deionized water. The negative control Z100 and the resins Definite® and Tetric®Ceram did not present statistically significant differences.

The accuracy of soldering investment.

Testing soldering investments of different thermal expansions established that an acceptable dimensional change in a three-unit fixed partial denture occurs with an investment which expands at 0.70% to 0.72%.

Tissue reaction to dispersion alloy amalgam

Dental amalgam implanted in rat connective tissue is injurious for the first 16 days. At 32 days, the implanted amalgam is tolerated. The increased copper content of Dispersalloy did not evoke a more serious response of the connective tissue than Fine Cut or Spheraloy amalgam.

Effect of dentin adhesives on contraction of restorative resins in cavities surrounded by acid-etched enamel

Enamel-surrounded cavities prepared in extracted human teeth were treated with an enamel-bonding agent, one of two commercial dentin adhesives (Scotchbond 2 and Tenure), or one of two recent modifications of the Gluma system. In all cases the enamel margins were subjected to some form of acid etching. The cavities were filled with one of two different light-cured posterior resins, and the wall-to-wall polymerization contraction was assessed in the enamel surface level and, after grinding, measured and presented as linear shrinkage in the dentin surface level. The linear shrinkage varied from 0.66% in the control group, in which only composite resin was applied, to 0.28% in a group in which the cavities were pretreated with dentin adhesive. No difference could be demonstrated between the dentin adhesives or between the dentin adhesives and the enamel-bonding agent.

Crystallization of zinc phosphate cement

Abstract A microscopic study indicated that ZnHPO 4 ·3H 2 O was formed during the crystallization of zinc phosphate cement powder and liquid. Long crystals of ZnHPO 4 ·3H 2 O radiated from a nucleus of crystallization. Apparently, the surface tension force plays a role in partially inhibiting the growth of these crystals. This same surface tension may be one of the causes of the shrinkage that occurs during setting of zinc phosphate cement.