Pekka K. Vallittu

Effect of surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of luting cement to ceramics

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the effect of three different surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of a Bis-GMA based luting cement to six commercial dental ceramics. METHODS Six disc shaped ceramic specimens (glass ceramics, glass infiltrated alumina, glass infiltrated zirconium dioxide reinforced alumina) were used for each test group yielding a total number of 216 specimens. The specimens in each group were randomly assigned to one of the each following treatment conditions: (1) hydrofluoric acid etching, (2) airborne particle abrasion, (3) tribochemical silica coating. The resin composite luting cement was bonded to the conditioned and silanized ceramics using polyethylene molds. All specimens were tested at dry and thermocycled (6.000, 5-55 degrees C, 30 s) conditions. The shear bond strength of luting cement to ceramics was measured in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). RESULTS In dry conditions, acid etched glass ceramics exhibited significantly higher results (26.4-29.4 MPa) than those of glass infiltrated alumina ceramics (5.3-18.1 MPa) or zirconium dioxide (8.1 MPa) (ANOVA, P<0.001). Silica coating with silanization increased the bond strength significantly for high-alumina ceramics (8.5-21.8 MPa) and glass infiltrated zirconium dioxide ceramic (17.4 MPa) compared to that of airborne particle abrasion (ANOVA, P<0.001). Thermocycling decreased the bond strengths significantly after all of the conditioning methods tested. SIGNIFICANCE Bond strengths of the luting cement tested on the dental ceramics following surface conditioning methods varied in accordance with the ceramic types. Hydrofluoric acid gel was effective mostly on the ceramics having glassy matrix in their structures. Roughening the ceramic surfaces with air particle abrasion provided higher bond strengths for high-alumina ceramics and the values increased more significantly after silica coating/silanization.

Flexural properties of acrylic resin polymers reinforced with unidirectional and woven glass fibers

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Fiber-reinforced plastics for dental applications have been under development for some time. A major difficulty in using reinforcing fibers with multiphase acrylic resins, such as powderliquid resins, has been improper impregnation of fibers with the resin. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe and test a novel system to use polymer-preimpregnated reinforcing fibers with commonly used multiphase acrylic resins. MATERIAL AND METHODS Continuous unidirectional and woven preimpregnated glass fiber reinforcements (Stick and Stick Net) were used to reinforce heat-curing denture base and autopolymerizing denture base polymers. A temporary fixed partial denture polymer was also reinforced with Stick reinforcement material. Five test specimens were fabricated for unreinforced control groups and for Stick- and Stick Net-reinforced groups. A 3-point loading test was used to measure transverse strength and flexural modulus of the materials and ultimate strain at fracture was calculated. Cross-sections of test specimens were examined with a SEM to evaluate degree of impregnation of fibers with polymer matrix. Quantity of fibers in test specimens was determined by combustion analysis. RESULTS Transverse strength of heat-curing denture base polymer was 76 MPa, Stick reinforcement increased it to 341 MPa, and flexural modulus increased from 2550 to 19086 MPa. Stick Net reinforcement increased transverse strength of heat-curing denture base polymer to 99 MPa and flexural modulus to 3530 MPa. Transverse strength of autopolymerizing denture base polymer was 71 MPa; Stick increased it to 466 MPa; and flexural modulus increased from 2418 to 16749 MPa. Stick Net increased the transverse strength of autopolymerizing denture base polymer to 96 MPa and flexural modulus to 3573 MPa. Transverse strength of temporary fixed partial denture polymer increased from 58 to 241 MPa and flexural modulus from 1711 to 7227 MPa. ANOVA showed that reinforcement type and polymer brand affected transverse strength and modulus (P <.001). Stick Net reinforcement increased the strain at fracture, whereas Stick reinforcement decreased the strain values. SEM examination revealed well-impregnated glass fibers with polymer matrix. Quantity of glass fibers varied from 6 to 28 vol-%, the lowest being with Stick Net reinforcement and the highest with Stick reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Novel glass fiber reinforcements may considerably enhance flexural properties of multiphase dental polymers, which is due to proper impregnation of fibers with polymer matrix. By using Stick or Stick Net reinforcement, the strain at fracture of the material can be modified.

Flexural properties of fiber reinforced root canal posts

OBJECTIVES Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) root canal posts have been introduced to be used instead of metal alloys and ceramics. The aim of this study was to investigate the flexural properties of different types of FRC posts and compare those values with a novel FRC material for dental applications. METHODS Seventeen different FRC posts of various brands (Snowpost, Carbopost, Parapost, C-post, Glassix, Carbonite) and diameters, (1.0-2.1 mm) and a continuous unidirectional E-glass FRC polymerized by light activation to a cylindrical form (everStick, diameter 1.5 mm) as a control material were tested. The posts (n=5) were stored at rooms humidity or thermocycled (12.000 x, 5 degrees C/55 degrees C) and stored in water for 2 weeks before testing. A three-point bending test (span=10 mm) was used to measure the flexural strength and modulus of FRC post specimens. RESULTS Analysis of ANOVA revealed that thermocycling, brand of material and diameter of specimen had a significant effect (p<0.001) on the fracture load and flexural strength. The highest flexural strength was obtained with the control material (everStick, 1144.9+/-99.9 MPa). There was a linear relationship between fracture load and diameter of posts for both glass fiber and carbon fiber posts. Thermocycling decreased the flexural modulus of the tested specimens by approximately 10%. Strength and fracture load decreased approximately 18% as a result of thermocycling. SIGNIFICANCE Considerable variation can be found in the calculated strength values of the studied post brands. Commercial prefabricated FRC posts showed lower flexural properties than an individually polymerised FRC material.

The influence of short-term water storage on the flexural properties of unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced composites

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine flexural properties of unidirectional E-glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) with polymer matrices of different water sorption properties. METHODS Rhombic polymer and FRC test specimens made of three commercially available diacrylate resin (Sinfony Activator, Triad Gel, 3M Scotchbond Adhesive) and different volume fractions of fibers were tested with three-point bending test according to ISO 10477 after storing in water for 30 days. Water sorption of specimens was also measured. RESULTS Flexural strength of specimens with 45 vol% fraction E-glass fibers varied from 759 to 916 MPa in dry conditions. Water-stored specimens showed flexural strengths of 420-607 MPa. ANOVA analysis revealed that the fiber-volume fraction and the water sorption of the polymer matrix had a significant effect (p < 0.001) on the flexural properties. Dehydration of specimens recovered the mechanical properties. Decrease of flexural properties after water immersion was considered to be mainly caused by the plasticizing effect of water and the decrease depended on water sorption. SIGNIFICANCE Use of polymers with low-water sorption seems to be beneficial in order to optimize the flexural properties of FRC.

The effect of glass fiber reinforcement on the fracture resistance of a provisional fixed partial denture

PURPOSE This study determined the load required to fracture a three-unit provisional fixed partial denture restoration, which had been reinforced with an experimental glass fiber reinforcement. MATERIAL AND METHODS Provisional fixed partial dentures (n = 5) were fabricated from a resin of polyethyl methacrylate powder and n-butylmethacrylate liquid. The fixed partial dentures in the control group were unreinforced. In the other groups, the fixed partial dentures were reinforced either with one, two, or three unidirectional glass fiber reinforcements and one glass fiber weave reinforcement. The load was applied to the fixed partial dentures by a steel ball placed in the cavity in the middle fossa of the pontic tooth. A longitudinal section of the fixed partial denture was made to determine the position of the reinforcements. Means were compared by analysis of variance. RESULTS The load required to fracture the unreinforced fixed partial denture was 614 N, while incorporation of one unidirectional reinforcement increased the load to 660 N, two reinforcements to 818 N, three reinforcements to 827 N, and three reinforcements with one weave reinforcement to 973 N. It was found that the unidirectional reinforcements were positioned on the side of the occlusal surface of the fixed partial denture, namely, the side of compression during loading. CONCLUSION The results suggest that, even though the glass fiber reinforcements were positioned on the least favorable side of the fixed partial denture in terms of the physical properties of the materials, these reinforcements considerably increased the fracture resistance of the provisional fixed partial denture.

Acrylic resin-fiber composite—part I: The effect of fiber concentration on fracture resistance

This study tested the effect on the fracture resistance of acrylic resin test specimens when different amounts of fibers were incorporated in the resin matrix. The fibers used included glass, carbon, and aramid fibers, with 30 test specimens of each concentration of fibers. Transverse sections of the specimens were studied by scanning electron microscope to establish how the fibers behave in the polymerization process. The results indicated that an increase in the amount of fibers enhanced the fracture resistance of the test specimens (p < 0.001). The SEM micrographs of transverse sections of test polymerized specimens revealed void spaces of different sizes inside the fiber roving.

The semi-interpenetrating polymer network matrix of fiber-reinforced composite and its effect on the surface adhesive properties

This aim of this study was to examine the effect of further-impregnation time of polymer pre-impregnated fiber-reinforcement on polymer matrix structure of the fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) used in dental applications. In addition, shear bond strength between the FRC and veneering composite after various length of further-impregnation was studied. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) pre-impregnated glass fiber-reinforcement was further-impregnated with a diacrylate monomer resin by using five lengths of further-impregnation from 10 min to 24 h. The test specimens (n=5) from each five groups were treated with the solvent tetrahydrofuran and examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determinate the existence of linear PMMA in the polymer matrix of the FRC. The same lengths of further-impregnation were used to form an adhesive substrate for veneering composite and to measure the shear bond strength (n=8). The SEM examination showed that linear PMMA-polymer and cross-linked diacrylate polymer formed two independent networks for the polymer matrix of FRC. The highest mean shear bond strength value (18.7±2.9 MPa) was achieved when the fiber reinforcement was further-impregnated for 24 h. The shortest further-impregnation, 10 min, resulted in the lowest mean shear bond strength (12.7±2.9 MPa). A correlation between increased shear bond strength and longer further-impregnation was found (0.689, p<0.001). The results revealed that linear PMMA network of the polymer matrix of the FRC remained in the structure regardless of the various lengths of the further-impregnation with diacrylate resin.

Physical properties and depth of cure of a new short fiber reinforced composite

OBJECTIVES To determine the physical properties and curing depth of a new short fiber composite intended for posterior large restorations (everX Posterior) in comparison to different commercial posterior composites (Alert, TetricEvoCeram Bulk Fill, Voco X-tra base, SDR, Venus Bulk Fill, SonicFill, Filtek Bulk Fill, Filtek Superme, and Filtek Z250). In addition, length of fiber fillers of composite XENIUS base compared to the previously introduced composite Alert has been measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS The following properties were examined according to ISO standard 4049: flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, polymerization shrinkage and depth of cure. The mean and standard deviation were determined and all results were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance ANOVA (a=0.05). RESULTS XENIUS base composite exhibited the highest fracture toughness (4.6MPam(1/2)) and flexural strength (124.3MPa) values and the lower shrinkage strain (0.17%) among the materials tested. Alert composite revealed the highest flexural modulus value (9.9GPa), which was not significantly different from XENIUS base composite (9.5GPa). Depth of cure of XENIUS base (4.6mm) was similar than those of bulk fill composites and higher than other hybrid composites. The length of fiber fillers in XENIUS base was longer (1.3-2mm) than in Alert (20-60μm). CONCLUSIONS The new short fiber composite differed significantly in its physical properties compared to other materials tested. This suggests that the latter could be used in high-stress bearing areas.

Wetting the repair surface with methyl methacrylate affects the transverse strength of repaired heat-polymerized resin.

This study investigated the transverse strength of repaired test specimens of heat-cured acrylic resin. The repair surfaces of the specimens were wetted with methyl methacrylate for various amounts of time before the autopolymerizing acrylic resin was applied to the joint space. A three-point loading test was used to determine the transverse strength of the test specimens, and the morphologic changes in the methyl methacrylate-wetted repair surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Visual inspection was used to determine whether the failures were adhesive or cohesive. The results revealed that repaired test specimens were weaker than those unrepaired (p < 0.001). The strength of the test specimens increased as the duration of methyl methacrylate wetting of the repair surfaces increased (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the number of adhesive failures was small if the repair surfaces were adequately wetted with methyl methacrylate. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that after 60- and 180-second wetting periods, the poly(methyl methacrylate) was noted to be dissolved with a smooth surface texture. This study suggests that proper wetting of the repair surface makes an important contribution to the strength of repaired acrylic resin.

Dentin moisture conditions affect the adhesion of root canal sealers.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraradicular moisture conditions on the push-out bond strength of root canal sealers. METHODS Eighty root canals were prepared using rotary instruments and, thereafter, were assigned to 4 groups with respect to the moisture condition tested: (1) ethanol (dry): excess distilled water was removed with paper points followed by dehydration with 95% ethanol, (2) paper points: the canals were blot dried with paper points with the last one appearing dry, (3) moist: the canals were dried with low vacuum by using a Luer adapter for 5 seconds followed by 1 paper point for 1 second, and (4) wet: the canals remained totally flooded. The roots were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the sealer used: (1) AH Plus (Dentsply-Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK), (2) iRoot SP (Innovative BioCeramix Inc, Vancouver, Canada), (3) MTA Fillapex (Angelus Indústria de Produtos Odontológicos S/A, Londrina, Brasil), and (4) Epiphany (Pentron Clinical Technologies, Wallingford, CT). Five 1-mm-thick slices were obtained from each root sample (n = 25 slices/group). Bond strengths of the test materials to root canal dentin were measured using a push-out test setup at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed statistically by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests at P = .05. RESULTS Irrespective of the moisture conditions, iRoot SP displayed the highest bond strength to root dentin. Statistical ranking of bond strength values was as follows: iRoot SP > AH Plus > Epiphany ≥ MTA Fillapex. The sealers displayed their highest and lowest bond strengths under moist (3) and wet (4) conditions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The degree of residual moisture significantly affects the adhesion of root canal sealers to radicular dentin. For the tested sealers, it may be advantageous to leave canals slightly moist before filling.