R.G. Craig

Correlation of Parameters used to Estimate Monomer Conversion in a Light-cured Composite:

The sensitivities of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Knoop hardness, water sorption, and resin leaching were compared for their ability to distinguish differences between composite samples cured through different thicknesses of overlying resin. The method developed allowed samples of light-cured composite to be made with controlled conversion for parameter testing, and eliminated effects of resin lost to slurry during polishing or an increase in conversion as a result of heat generated during grinding. Sensitivity to differences was greatest and equal for FTIR spectroscopy and Knoop hardness, while resin leaching proved to have moderate sensitivity, and water sorption none. The ability of these parameters to predict monomer conversion as measured by FTIR spectroscopy was also determined. Knoop hardness proved the best conversion predictor, resin leaching the next best, and water sorption the worst. Water sorption values did not vary with changes in specimen conversion.

Cytotoxic Effects of Resin Components on Cultured Mammalian Fibroblasts

The objectives of this study were to determine the cytotoxic concentrations of 11 components of resin composites on monolayers of cultured Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts, to study the inhibitory effects of these components on DNA synthesis, total protein content, and protein synthesis, and to determine whether effects were reversible when the components were withdrawn from the medium. These data were reported as concentrations which inhibited 10% (ID10) and 50% (ID50) of a particular metabolic process as well as the range of concentrations over which cell metabolism was irreversibly inhibited. For any individual component, the ID50 values for all three metabolic parameters were of the same magnitude. The same was true for the ranges of irreversibility. Ethoxylated Bis-phenol A dimethacrylate (E-BPA) was the most toxic molecule of the group (ID50 being between 1 and 10 μmol/L). The ID50 concentrations for three of the components, including Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA, and Bis-phenol A, ranged between 10 and 100 μmol/L, while the ID 50 values of three components (N,N dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine, camphoroquinone, and N,N dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) were above 100 μmol/L. The concentrations to which the cells and tissues are exposed in uiuo are not known. This study should help to identify the concentrations of organic composite components which pose clinical cytotoxic hazards.

The Release of Elements of Dental Casting Alloys into Cell-culture Medium

Ten dental casting alloys were tested for alloy-element release into cell-culture medium, and this release was related to alloy composition, alloy microstructure, and alloy cytotoxicity (previously determined). Cell-culture medium was analyzed for alloy elements by flame atomic absorption. Concentrations of elements in the medium were normalized by dividing them by their atomic abundance in the alloy, giving element medium-alloy ratios (EMA ratios). Results showed that Au, In, and Pd generally did not dissolve into the medium, but that Ag, Cd, Cu, Ga, Ni, and Zn frequently dissolved. Comparison of EMA ratios for Ag, Cu, and Zn showed that each element retained a behavioral identity in diverse metallurgical environments, but that these environments influenced the release behavior to some degree. Some EMA ratios in multiphase alloys were greater than those in solid solutions, and EMA ratios showed great diversity within all the alloys. Nominal composition seemed to be of little value in the prediction of metal release unless the composition supported multiple-phase formation. In addition, release of alloy elements did not, in itself, completely predict alloy cytotoxicity measured previously. However, cytotoxicity was associated with metal release in each case. The commercial alloys used in this study exhibited more complex and less predictable release behavior than did the simpler ternary alloy systems used by previous investigators. It is believed that the use of commercial preparations is necessary for their in vivo behavior to be modeled.

Photoelastic and finite element stress analysis of a restored axisymmetric first molar

Abstract First molars with full gold crown preparations and a shoulder geometry were idealized by an axisymmetric model and analyzed by the photoelastic, as well as the finite element method. The photoelastic model was constructed in two pieces, the restoration and the tooth with the preparation. The two pieces were then luted together and the model was loaded axisymmetrically with 100 lb; it was stress frozen, sliced, and analyzed with the help of a polariscope. The finite element model was subdivided into 348 elements. The radial and axial stresses were plotted as a function of the radius along various horizontal planes in the model. The maximum shear stresses calculated by the finite element method were compared to those obtained by the photoelastic method, and they were found to compare favorably.

Accuracy of four types of rubber impression materials compared with time of pour and a repeat pour of models

The accuracy of four types of elastomeric impression materials was studied as a function of model location, time of pouring, and repetition of pouring. There was little change in dimension among abutment preparations for all materials, for all times of pour, and with a repeat pouring. It appears that measurements between posts are not sensitive to detecting differences between materials and that other dimensions should be examined to discern where differences might lie. The diameter of the stone post was larger than the standard for the AS and PS materials and was unchanged or smaller than the standard for the CS and the PE. The vertical dimensions of stone posts were, in general, shorter than the standard for all materials, with the AS demonstrating the smallest change. The AS and CS products demonstrated the best recovery from undercuts and the least change in dimensions between an initial and second pour of an impression. The AS and PE were the least affected with delays of 1, 4, and 24 hours in pouring the impression.

Accuracy of addition silicones as a function of technique

Both addition and condensation silicones produced stone dies that were larger in diameter and shorter in height than the tooth preparation. For both materials, there was little change in the distance between stone die preparations compared with the standard. The most significant difference between types of silicone was that condensation silicones produced significantly shorter dies (-0.24% to -0.37%) than addition silicones (-0.08%). Among addition silicones, Cinch produced more than twice as much vertical change (-0.16%) than the other three products (-0.06%). Since castings made from a short die will not seat completely on the prepared tooth, these results support the use of three of the four addition silicones tested. The same accuracy of impressions was achieved for all techniques (that is, putty/wash, single mix, and double mix) when addition silicones were used, whereas the putty/wash technique produced the most accurate dies for the condensation silicones. The custom tray produced dies that were much more accurate in vertical dimensions (-0.03%) than the stock trays (-0.15% to -0.21%). Thus the custom tray is the impression tray of choice, even for addition silicones, which produce relatively little polymerization shrinkage and are dimensionally stable.

Physical property comparison of 11 soft denture lining materials as a function of accelerated aging

Soft denture-lining materials are an important treatment option for patients who have chronic soreness associated with dental prostheses. Three distinctly different types of materials are generally used. These are plasticized polymers or copolymers, silicones, or polyphosphazene fluoroelastomer. The acceptance of these materials by patients and dentists is variable. The objective of this study is to compare the tensile strength, percent elongation, hardness, tear strength, and tear energy of eight plasticized polymers or copolymers, two silicones, and one polyphosphazene fluoroelastomer. Tests were run at 24 hours after specimen preparation and repeated after 900 hours of accelerated aging in a Weather-Ometer device. The data indicated a wide range of physical properties for soft denture-lining materials and showed that accelerated aging dramatically affected the physical and mechanical properties of many of the elastomers. No soft denture liner proved to be superior to all others. The data obtained should provide clinicians with useful information for selecting soft denture lining materials for patients.

Cytotoxicity of Experimental Casting Alloys Evaluated by Cell Culture Tests

The cytotoxicity of a series of 29 experimental alloys and six pure metals was determined with cell culture techniques and succinic dehydrogenase histochemistry. The width of any ring of inhibition, optical density of the histochemically stained cells, and a visual ranking of the intensity of the blue color of the stained cells were compared for determination of cytotoxicity. Twenty-four of the 35 metals and alloys (-70%) had the same rankings by the three methods. Of the pure metals, Au, Pd, and Ti were the least cytotoxic, followed by Ag, then Ni, and finally, Cu. Single-phase alloys with moderately high Cu and without high Pd and Au concentrations had high cytotoxicity, as did multiphase alloys, even when they were high in Au and Ag. High Pd was more effective in maintaining the biocompatibility of alloys containing Cu than was Au. Single-phase alloys with compositions typical of those to be used for porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations showed good biocompatibility, as did those base metal alloys that formed adherent oxide surface layers.

Wettability of a hydrophilic addition silicone impression material

Silicone impression materials, long noted for their poor wettability, have typically demonstrated contact angles with water greater than 90 degrees. This study compared the wettability of a new hydrophilic addition silicone with that of other impression materials. Specimens from various viscosities of polyether, polysulfide, hydrophobic addition silicone, and hydrophilic addition silicone were formed against a smooth surface. The advancing contact angle of a saturated aqueous solution of CaSO4 on the impression materials was measured after 1 minute. Mean contact angles were calculated and results were analyzed by ANOVA and a multiple comparison of means procedure. Differences between pairs of contact angle means were found to be statistically significant except for the polyether-hydrophilic addition silicone pair. The wettability of the hydrophilic addition silicone impression material was found to be not significantly different from that of a polyether impression material.

Friction and Wear of Restorative Dental Materials

Friction coefficients for a variety of material couples are reported. The relative abrasive wear of materials followed the order of their hardness, with one exception.