Virendra B. Dhuru

Composite microfiller content and its effect on fracture toughness and diametral tensile strength

Previous studies have examined the relationship between total filler content in hybrid restorative composites and some of their mechanical properties. This investigation evaluated the effect of varying the amount of microfiller in an experimental hybrid composite on fracture toughness (single edge-notch technique) and diametral tensile strength. The microfiller content in the experimental hybrid composite was varied from 0-44 wt% for seven specimen groups, while the total filler content ranged from 77-84 wt%. It was found that 9 wt% microfiller loading produced the highest mean fracture toughness (1.33 MPa.m(1/2)) and 44 wt% loading produced the lowest mean value (0.80 MPa.m(1/2)). Only the 9 wt% microfiller content group differed significantly in fracture toughness from the other specimen groups. The diametral tensile strength displayed only small differences for the range of microfiller content studied with mean values ranging from 42.1-49.6 MPa. Additional research on the viscoelastic properties of these heavily filled hybrid composites may provide some insight into the differences for the fracture toughness and diametral tensile strength results.

Comparison of accuracy of multiunit one-piece castings

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of one-piece castings of FPDs consisting of three, four, and five units with a ceramometal alloy cast in a large circular ring. A three-piece aluminum mold with stainless steel dies simulating the various lengths of the FPDs was used. A total of 18 castings, six castings for each FPD, were fabricated. Marginal discrepancies of the castings on the dies and the length of the castings were compared before and after sectioning the castings at the connectors. The following conclusions were drawn from the study. Seating of the castings improved approximately 50% after sectioning, which indicates that the castings were distorted. The distortion was a three-dimensional phenomenon, with the greatest discrepancy on the mesiogingival surface of the anterior retainer and on the distolingual surface of the posterior retainer. The distortion was least for the three-unit FPDs and greatest for the five-unit FPDs. The lingual-facial diameter of the castings at the gingival axial line angle was significantly larger than the dies in most cases. The mesiodistal diameter of the castings at the gingival axial line angle was smaller than that of the dies but was only significant with the three-unit FPDs. Although the castings were slightly oversized or undersized, the primary reason the castings did not seat was warpage.

Effect of phosphate group addition on the properties of denture base resins.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Acrylic resins are prone to microbial adherence, especially by Candida albicans. Surface-charged resins alter the ionic interaction between the denture resin and Candida hyphae, and these resins are being developed as a means to reduce microbial colonization on the denture surface. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of phosphate-containing polymethyl methacrylate resins for their suitability as a denture material. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using PMMA with cross-linker (Lucitone 199) as a control, 4 experimental groups containing various levels of phosphate with and without cross-linker were generated. The properties examined were impact strength, fracture toughness, wettability (contact angle), and resin bonding ability to denture teeth. Impact strength was tested in the Izod configuration (n=16), and fracture toughness (n=13) was measured using the single-edge notched bend test. Wettability was determined by calculating the contact angle of water on the material surface (n=12), while ISO 1567 was used for bonding ability (n=12). The data were analyzed by 1- and 2-way ANOVA (alpha=.05). RESULTS A trend of increased hydrophilicity, as indicated by lower contact angle, was observed with increased concentrations of phosphate. With regard to the other properties, no significant differences were found when compared with the control acrylic resin. CONCLUSIONS No adverse physical effect due to the addition of a phosphate-containing monomer was found in the acrylic denture resins. Additional mechanical and physical properties, biocompatibility, and clinical efficacy studies are needed to confirm the in vivo anti-Candida activity of these novel resins.

A comparison of bond strength between direct- and indirect-bonding methods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength and the sites of bond failure for brackets bonded to teeth, using two indirect-bonding material protocols and a direct-bonding technique. Sixty extracted human premolars were collected and randomly divided into three groups. The direct-bonded group (group 1) used a light-cured adhesive and primer (Transbond XT). One indirect-bonded group (group 2) consisted of a chemical-cured primer (Sondhi Rapid Set) and light-cured adhesive (Transbond XT), whereas the other group (group 3) used a light-cured primer (Orthosolo) and adhesive (Enlight LV). Forty hours after bonding, the samples were debonded. Mean shear bond strengths were 16.27, 13.83, and 14.76 MPa for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance showed no significant difference in mean bond strength between groups (P = .21). Furthermore, a Weibull analysis showed all three groups tested provided over a 90% survival rate at normal masticatory and orthodontic force levels. For each tooth, an Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) score was determined. Group 2 was found to have a significantly lower ARI score (P < .05) compared with groups 1 and 3. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficients indicated no strong correlation between bond strength and ARI score within or across all groups.

The qualitative effects of various types of hygiene instrumentation on commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy implant abutments: an in vitro and scanning electron microscope study ☆ ☆☆ ★ ★★ ♢ ♢♢ ♦

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Implant survival depends on proper and timely oral hygiene maintenance, and a wide variety of oral prophylaxis procedures have been recommended and used on implant abutments. PURPOSE This in vitro study compared the surface quality of both commercially pure titanium and titanium-alloy implant abutments, subjected to various hygiene methods and instruments with a standardized, clinically applicable scaling force. MATERIAL AND METHODS Commercially pure titanium and titanium-alloy abutments were exposed to five oral hygiene methods; a gold-alloy-tipped scaler, a high-grade resin scaler, a graphite-reinforced scaler, an air-powder abrasive system, and a rubber cup with tin oxide slurry. A customized test device that simulated the scaling motion and allowed the application of a standard load at the tip of the scaler was used. Scanning electron photomicrographs (x200) of the pretreatment and treated surfaces were obtained and compared qualitatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS No significant surface alteration was produced by the air abrasive system. All other hygiene methods either created significant surface alterations, left residual particles on the abutment surfaces, or both.

Effect of a commercial bonding agent upon the fracture toughness (K'Ic) of repaired heavily filled composite

Abstract The “repair strength” of a very heavily filled composite has been determined by the measurement of the fracture toughness at the interface. The adherend surface (obtained by fracture at 24 h) was repaired immediately, or after 1 h storage in an artificial saliva. Composite paste was applied either directly to this surface or after the surface had been coated with a bonding agent (Scotchbond). The fracture toughness of each repair was determined 24 h later. This was high (but still significantly less than that for the material itself) when the composite paste was added directly to the “clean” surface. Contamination of the surface before repair produced a further significant reduction. The presence of the bonding agent overcame this inhibition to raise the value to that obtained against an uncontaminated surface.

Shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to provisional crown materials utilizing two different adhesives.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the shear bond strength of brackets bonded to provisional crown materials (PCMs) using two adhesive agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four PCMs were tested: Integrity, Jet, Protemp, and Snap. Forty cylindrical specimens of 10 mm diameter x 5 mm were prepared for each PCM. Ten specimens from each group were bonded to one of the two brackets, Clarity or Victory, using one of the two adhesives, Fuji Ortho LC or Ortho Bracket Adhesive. The brackets were debonded in shear at a cross-head speed of 5 mm/min, and the shear bond strength (SBS) was calculated. The type of failure was visually determined. The numeric data were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance and Tukey multiple range test at alpha = .05. RESULTS The mean SBSs ranged from 2.81 MPa to 9.65 MPa. There was a significant difference between Snap and the other three materials (P < .0001). There was no significant difference between the two brackets or the two adhesives (P > .05). The bond failure for all the specimens was of the adhesive type between the PCM and the adhesive resin. CONCLUSIONS The PCM Snap yielded a significantly lower mean SBS value compared to the other three materials. No significant differences were found between the brackets or the adhesives. The bond failure was of the adhesive type.

Fracture toughness and load relaxation of dentin bonding resin systems

OBJECTIVES The fracture toughness (KIC) and load relaxation of four dentin bonding resins were determined to characterize some of the mechanical properties of these materials after polymerization. METHODS A total of 40 single-edge notch bar specimens were fabricated, 10 each of four commercially available brands, and subjected to three-point bending until fracture, as described in ASTM Standard E399-83 (1991a). The critical stress intensification factor, KIC, was derived for each specimen and compared by analysis of variance and Scheffés multiple comparisons test (p < 0.01). To study the load relaxation characteristics, five rectangular specimens (without notches) of each brand were subjected to three-point loading until a predetermined limiting load value was reached. The test load was allowed to relax for 4 min, after which the specimen was unloaded to the zero load condition, and the load was allowed to build up on its own accord for 3 min. Load relaxation values were measured from the chart, and the mean percent load drop was calculated. The load relaxation data were compared using analysis of variance and Scheffés multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). RESULTS The fracture toughness (KIC) values of the four adhesive resins studied in this investigation ranged from 0.37-0.94 MPa.m0.5 and were statistically different from each other (p < 0.001). The load relaxation values were found to be greatest within the first 0.5 min, with the total load relaxation of the four bonding agents ranging from 16%-30%. Two of the materials studied showed significantly different short-term load relaxation behavior than the other two resins (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE Bonding agents can be implicated as one of the factors that weaken the interface between the dentin and the composite restorative material. These materials are capable of a rapid short-term response, demonstrating significant load relaxation in the first 0.5 min after loading.