Zoran R. Vulicevic

Light transmission through fiber post: The effect on adhesion, elastic modulus and hardness of dual-cure resin cement

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fiber post light transmitting ability to the continuity of resin cement-root dentin (C-RD) and resin cement-fiber post (C-FP) interface, elastic modulus and hardness of a dual-cure resin cement. METHODS Spectrophotometric measurements were applied for the determination of light transmission at coronal, middle and apical level as well as at the apical tip through Tech 21 X-OP (TECH) and DT Light Post (DT). Posts were cemented using dual-cured resin cement (Calibra). Roots were sectioned longitudinally through the post. Epoxy resin replicas were made and used to evaluate C-RD and C-FP interface under SEM. Modulus of elasticity (E) and Vickers hardness (VH) of the cement layer were assessed. RESULTS No light transmission was detected through TECH. Light transmission through DT decreased from coronal to apical and rose at the apical tip. TECH presented a significantly lower percentage of continuous C-RD and C-FP interface in comparison to DT. Coronal third of C-RD interface in TECH specimens had a significantly higher percentage of continuity than apical third. No regional differences in continuity of C-RD interface were found in DT specimens. E and VH were significantly lower when TECH was used, and decreased from coronal to apical for both posts. SIGNIFICANCE Cementation of fiber post with no light transmitting ability using a dual-cured resin cement resulted in lower E and VH of the cement layer, and lower percentage of continuous C-RD and C-FP interface in comparison to cementation of light transmitting fiber post.

Microtensile vs microshear bond strength of all-in-one adhesives to unground enamel.

PURPOSE to determine the bond strength to unground enamel of all-in-one adhesives in comparison with an etch-andrinse system and to compare the reliability of microtensile and microshear methods in providing such measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS the bonding procedure was performed on enamel of 64 extracted molars. The tested all-inone adhesives were: Bond Force (Tokuyama), AdheSE One (Ivoclar-Vivadent), and Xeno V (Dentsply). Prime&Bond NT (Dentsply) served as control. Microtensile specimens were obtained from 4 teeth per group. Twelve teeth per group were used for microshear testing. Microtensile specimens that failed prior to testing were included in statistical calculations; they were assigned the lowest value measured in the respective group. Failure modes were observed under light microscope and classified (cohesive within substrates, adhesive, mixed). Statistically significant differences in bond strength were assessed among the adhesives within each testing method and between microshear and microtensile data for each adhesive. Failure mode distributions were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS all-in-one adhesives had similar microshear and microtensile bond strengths. In both testing methods, the etch-and-rinse system achieved the strongest bond. For all adhesives, significantly higher bond strengths were measured with the microshear test. In microtensile testing, specimens bonded with the etch-and-rinse adhesive exhibited a significantly different distribution of failure modes. The coefficients of variation were extremely high for microtensile bond strength data, particularly of all-in-one adhesives. CONCLUSION the adhesive potential to intact enamel of recently introduced all-in-one adhesives was inferior to that of an etch-and-rinse system. When testing bond strength to enamel of all-in-one adhesives, microshear testing may be a more accurate method than microtensile.

Morphological Evaluation of 2- and 1-step Self-etching System Interfaces with Dentin

This in vitro study evaluated the resin-dentin interface formed by two 2-step and two 1-step self-etching adhesive systems under SEM. Class V cavities (4 x 2.5 x 1.5 mm) were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 25 extracted intact human third molars using a carbide bur in a high-speed handpiece. Four self-etching systems with corresponding resins were used: two 2-step systems, AdheSE (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Contax (DMG Hamburg), one 1-step/2 components system Futurabond NR (Voco) and a 1-step/1 component adhesive G-Bond (GC Corp). An etch and rinse system, PQ Clear (Ultradent), was used as a control. The teeth were thermocycled (500 cycles, 5 degrees /55 degrees C, 30 seconds dwell time), and 2 sections were made longitudinally through the restorations with a low-speed diamond saw, producing approximately 1-mm wide samples. The samples were polished with silicon carbide paper of increasing grit (400-1000), demineralized (6N HCl, 30 seconds), deproteinized (2.5% NaOC1, 10 minutes), left to air dry for 24 hours in a desiccator under low vacuum pressure, gold sputtered and viewed under SEM (JEOL-JSM-6460LV). In the AdheSE, Contax and Futurabond NR specimens, resin tag penetration into the tubules and lateral tags could be seen. G-Bond showed different interface morphology, with a tight, thin continuous junction and almost no resin penetration into tubules. PQ Clear samples exhibited the highest number of resin tags with numerous lateral tags. A clearly defined hybrid layer was seen in the Contax and PQ Clear specimens. Investigated self-etching systems showed similar interfacial morphology with dentin, except for the 1 step/1 component adhesive G-Bond. The degree of demineralization and interaction with dentin correlated with the acidity of the self-etching primers/adhesives. Fewer resin tags were formed with self-etching primers/adhesives than with the etch and rinse system.

Shear Bond Strength to Enamel and Flexural Strength of Different Fiber-reinforced Composites

PURPOSE To assess the shear bond strength to unground human enamel (ESBS) and flexural strength (FS) of different reinforcing fibers used in combination with a flowable composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS For ESBS testing, 90 human molars were selected and randomly divided into 9 groups (n = 10) according to the reinforcing fiber to be tested: 1. RTD Quartz Splint additionally impregnated at chairside with Quartz Splint Resin (RTD); 2. RTD Quartz Splint without additional impregnation; 3. Ribbond-THM (Ribbond) impregnated with OptiBond FL Adhesive; 4: Ribbond Triaxial (Ribbond) impregnated with OptiBond FL Adhesive; 5. Connect (Kerr) impregnated with OptiBond FL Adhesive; 6. Construct (Kerr) impregnated with Opti- Bond FL Adhesive; 7. everStick PERIO (Stick Tech); 8. everStick C&B (Stick Tech); 9. nonreinforced composite Premise flowable (Kerr). Cylinders of flowable composite reinforced with the fibers were bonded to the intact buccal surface of the teeth. After 24 h of storage, shear loading was performed until failure occurred. FS was assessed performing three-point bending test according to ISO Standard 4049/2000. ESBS and FS data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukeys HSD test for post-hoc comparisons (p < 0.05). RESULTS For each group, the ESBS and FS, respectively, in MPa were: 1. 17.07 ± 4.52 and 472.69 ± 30.49; 2. 14.98 ± 3.92 and 441.77 ± 61.43; 3. 18.59 ± 5.67 and 186.89 ± 43.89; 4. 16.74 ± 6.27 and 314.41 ± 148.52; 5. 14.38 ± 4.14 and 223.80 ± 77.35; 6. 16.00 ± 5.55 and 287.62 ± 85.91; 7. 16.42 ± 3.67 and 285.35 ± 39.68; 8. 23.24 ± 5.81 and 370.46 ± 29.26; 9. 12.58 ± 4.76 and 87.75 ± 22.87. For most fibers, no significant difference in ESBS was found compared to the control group, except for everStick C&B, which yielded higher ESBS. Nonreinforced composite exhibited the lowest FS, while all fibers positively affected the FS. CONCLUSIONS Fiber reinforcement of flowable composite does not affect its ESBS. The flexural strength of FRCs is significantly influenced by fiber composition and pattern.

Influence of luting agent translucency on fiber post retention.

The aim was to assess the influence of cement translucency on the retentive strength of luted fiber posts. Twenty extracted human premolars were randomly divided into four equal groups, based on the combinations of materials to be tested. Two post types of the same size, shape, and chemical composition, but different light-transmission properties [Translucent post (TP) and Opaque post (OP)] were selected. The two post types were luted using the etch-and-rinse, light-curing adhesive in combination with two shades of the same resin cement of markedly different light-transmitting ability [Transparent shade (TS) and Opaque shade (OS)]. Early post retention was assessed using the thin-slice push-out test. Post type did not significantly influence post retention; however, cement translucency emerged as a relevant factor in intraradicular cementation, with the TS achieving higher push-out strengths. The between-factor interaction was also statistically significant; specifically, OP-OS yielded significantly lower retentive strengths than all the other groups. Post translucency did not influence post retention, provided that a highly translucent cement was utilized for luting.

Prosthetics in Paediatric Dentistry

Summary Premature loss of teeth in children may lead to both functional and esthetic problems. Missing teeth in both anterior and posterior regions may cause malfunctions in mastication and proper pronunciation. If the missing teeth are not replaced, further complications may occur, including adjacent tooth migration, loss of alveolar bone, and irregular occlusion. Considering the sensitive nature of children, loss of teeth may cause the development of insecurities and low self esteem problems. Due to dynamic nature of growth in children and adolescents, prosthetic appliances must not hinder development of orofacial system, and must meet adequate esthetic and functional standards. Dental prosthetic appliances in paediatrics must be planned with respect to the special conditions that led to tooth loss or damage. Multi-disciplinary approach is needed, under constant supervision of paediatric dentist and orthodontist, as well as regular checkups with clinical and radiographical examinations.