Pier Antonio Acquaviva

Degree of conversion of three composite materials employed in the adhesive cementation of indirect restorations: A micro-Raman analysis

OBJECTIVES Adhesive luting of indirect restorations can be carried out employing dual- or light-curing materials. This in vitro study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of the materials employed in this procedure, seeking how the combination of time and power of curing applied during polymerisation, as well as the temperature of the light-curing composite, influenced the DC. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and eighty onlays of different thicknesses (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm) were luted with three different composites: two dual-curing cements (Variolink II and Calibra) and a light-curing composite (Venus). The same halogen lamp was used with three different modalities selected to provide a constant quantity of energy. The time/power combinations tested were 400 mW/cm(2) for 120 s, 800 mW/cm(2) for 60s and 1200 mW/cm(2) for 40 s. The light-curing composite was employed at room temperature and after preheating at 54 degrees C. Each sample was examined in three positions using the Micro-Raman Dilor HR LabRam spectrometer to evaluate the polymer conversion degree. The data were analysed using analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p=0.05). RESULTS The dual-curing materials showed average conversion percentages close to 64%, although onlays thickness clearly influence the degree of conversion, the light-curing composite showed satisfactory results only when onlays thickness was thin, however preheating significantly improved the performance of the light-curing composite under onlays of great thickness. CONCLUSIONS Optimal luting of indirect restorations is clearly dependent from light source power, irradiation time and dual-cure luting cement or light-curing composite chosen. It should be calibrated for each material to acquire high DCs. Preheating of light-curing only composites allows for the materials to reach optimal conversion degrees.

Degree of conversion and adhesion of methacrylate-based resin cements with phosphonic or phosphoric acid acrylate to glass fiber posts at different regions of intraradicular dentin

Abstract This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) and adhesion of methacrylate-based resin cements to glass fiber posts at different regions of intraradicular dentin. Single-rooted teeth (N = 24, n = 12 per group) were cut at the cement–enamel junction (CEJ), endodontically treated and post space (depth = 8 mm) was prepared. Teeth were randomly divided into two groups according to the resin cements: (a) Group ML: methacrylate-based cement with phosphonic acid acrylate (Multilink Automix, Ivoclar Vivadent); (b) Group RXU: methacrylate-based cement with phosphoric acid acrylate (RelyX Unicem 2 Automix, 3 M ESPE). Fiber-reinforced composite root posts (RelyX Fiber Post, 3 M ESPE) were cemented according to the manufacturers’ instructions of the resin cements. Root slices of 2-mm thickness (n = 3 per tooth) were cut below the CEJ 1, 3, and 5 mm apically. The DC of each section was analyzed with micro-Raman spectrometer and push-out test was performed in the Universal Testing Machine (0.5 mm/min). After debonding, all specimens were analyzed using optical microscope to categorize the failure modes. While data (MPa) were statistically evaluated using Kruskal Wallis, Mann–Whitney U tests for DC data 3-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests were used (α = 0.05). Regardless of the resin cement type, the mean push-out bond strength results (MPa), were significantly higher for the coronal slices (ML: 9.1 ± 2.7; RXU: 7.3 ± 4.1) than those of the most apical ones (ML: 7 ± 4.9; RXU: 2.89 ± 1.5) (p = 0.002). Resin cement type and (p < 0.001) root level (p = 0.002) significantly affected the DC values, while the interaction terms were not significant (p = 0.606). Overall, DC was significantly higher for ML (67 ± 8.2%) than RXU (26 ± 8.8%) (p < 0.001). Adhesive failures at the cement–dentin interface were more commonly experienced in RXU than in ML, whereas ML presented more incidences of adhesive failures at the cement–post interface. Considering the push-out bond strength, DC and failure types, methacrylate-based cement with phosphonic acid acrylate should be preferred to those containing phosphoric acid to adhere glass fiber posts in the root canal.

Effect of restorative, endodontic, and fatigue treatments on the cuspal deflection of maxillary premolars subjected to different cyclic occlusal forces: an in vitro study.

This study aimed to determine the effect of adhesive direct composite restorations, endodontic treatments, and fatigue treatments on the cuspal deflection of maxillary premolars subjected to different cyclic occlusal forces. Thirty intact maxillary second premolars were selected. Ten teeth were left untreated (group IN), 10 teeth were subjected to endodontic and restorative treatment (group FL), and the remaining 10 teeth were subjected to endodontic, restorative, and fatigue treatments (group FT). All teeth were subjected to 5 occlusal compressive loading forces (98, 147, 196, 245, and 294 N) with a universal testing device. A total of 15 experimental groups were obtained with 3 tooth conditions (IN, FL, FT) and 5 different occlusal loading values. Deflection amounts (μm) were measured with laser sensors and recorded, and obtained data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Mean cuspal deflection values (μm) and SDs of experimental groups ranged as follows: IN-98 (24.4 ± 19.8), IN-147 (34.8 ± 28.9), IN-196 (43.8 ± 34.7), IN-245 (54.5 ± 46.4), IN-294 (60.3 ± 50.6), FL-98 (56 ± 49.1), FL-147 (62.6 ± 49.6), FL-196 (72.4 ± 52.1), FL-245 (81.3 ± 56), FL-294 (92.2 ± 60.9), FT-98 (77.2 ± 80.9), FT-147 (83.4 ± 81.3), FT-196 (92.6 ± 83.7), FT-245 (102.7 ± 85.4), and FT-294 (124.2 ± 89.5). Mean values of three main experimental groups were as follows: IN (43.5 μm), FL (72.9 μm) and FT (96.0 μm). Significant differences were found between the three main groups and relevant subgroups (P < .001). Highest cuspal deflection values (CDV) were obtained in FT groups. Lowest CDV were obtained in IN groups. FL groups showed higher deflection values than IN groups. CDV increased progressively as the teeth were restored and subjected to fatigue treatment.