Effects of mechanical cycling on the bonding of zirconia and fiber posts to human root dentin

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cyclical mechanical loading on the bond strength of a fiber and a zirconia post bonded to root dentin.Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted human teeth (maxillary incisors and canines) were sectioned, and the root canals were prepared at 12 mm. Twenty randomly seleced specimens received a quartz fiber post (FRC) (D.T. Light-Post) and 20 others received a zirconia post (ZR) (Cosmopost). The posts were resin luted (All Bond 2 + resin cement Duo-link) and each specimen was embedded in epoxy resin inside a PVC cylinder. Ten specimens with FRC post and 10 specimens with ZR post were submitted to fatigue testing (2,000,000 cycles; load: 50 N; angle of 45 degrees; frequency: 8 Hz), while the other 20 specimens were not fatigued. Thus, 4 groups were formed: G1: FRC+O cycles; G2: FRC+2,000,000 cycles; G3: ZR+O cycles; G4: ZR+2,000,000 cycles. Later, the specimens were cut perpendicular to their long axis to form 2-mm-thick disk-shaped samples (4 sections/specimen), which were submitted to the push-out test (1 mm/min). The mean bond strength values (MPa) were calculated for each tooth (n = 10) and data were submitted to statistical analysis (alpha = 0.05).Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed that the bond strength was significantly affected by mechanical cycling (p = 0.0014) and root post (p = 0.0325). The interaction was also statistically significant (p = 0.0010). Tukey's test showed that the mechanical cycling did not affect the bonding of FRC to root dentin, while fatigue impaired the bonding of zirconium to root dentin.Conclusion: (1) the bond strength of the FRC post to root dentin was not reduced after fatigue testing, whereas the bonding of the zirconia post was significantly affected by the fatigue. (2) Cyclical mechanical loading appears to damage the bond strength of the rigid post only.

Effect of conditioning methods on the microtensile bond strength of phosphate monomer-based cement on zirconia ceramic in dry and aged conditions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the durability of bond strength between a resin cement and aluminous ceramic submitted to various surface conditioning methods. Twenty-four blocks (5 X 5 X 4 mm 3) of a glass-in filtrated zirconia-alumina ceramic (inCeram Zirconia Classic) were randomly divided into three surface treatment groups: ST1-Air-abrasion with 110-mu m Al2O3 particles + silanization; ST2-Laboratory tribochemical silica coating method (110-mu m Al2O3, ilO-PM Silica) (Rocatec) + silanization; ST3-Chairside tribochemical silica coating method (30-mu m SiOx) (CoJet) + silanization. Each treated ceramic block was placed in its silicone mold with the treated surface exposed. The resin cement (Panavia F) was prepared and injected into the mold over the treated surface. Specimens were sectioned to achieve nontrimmed bar specimens (14 sp/block) that were randomly divided into two conditions: (a) Dry-microtensile test after sectioning; (b) Thermocycling (TC)-(6,000X, 5-55 degrees C) and water storage (150 days). Thus, six experimental groups were obtained (11 = 50): Gr1-ST1 + dry; Gr2-ST1 + TC. Gr3-ST2 + dry; Gr4-ST2 + TC; Gr5-ST3 + dry; Gr6ST3 + TC. After microtensile testing, the failure types were noted. ST2 (25.1 +/- 11) and ST3 (24.1 +/- 7.4) presented statistically higher bond strength (MPa) than that of STI (17.5 +/- 8) regardless of aging conditions (p < 0.0001). While Gr2 revealed the lowest results (13.3 +/- 6.4), the other groups (21.7 +/- 7.4-25. 9 +/- 9.1) showed statistically no significant differences (two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test, a 0.05). The majority of the failures were mixed (82%) followed by adhesive failures (18%). Gr2 presented significantly higher incidence of ADHESIVE failures (54%) than those of other groups (p = 0.0001). Both laboratory and chairside silica coating plus silanization showed durable bond strength. After aging, airabrasion with 110-mu m Al2O3 + silanization showed the largest decrease indicating that aging is fundamental for bond strength testing for acid-resistant Arconia ceramics in order to estimate their long-term performance in the mouth. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Flexural Strength of Glass-Infiltrated Zirconia/Alumina-Based Ceramics and Feldspathic Veneering Porcelains

Purpose: To compare the flexural strength of two glass-infiltrated high-strength ceramics and two veneering glass-ceramics.Materials and Methods: Four ceramic materials were tested: two glass-infiltrated high-strength ceramics used as framework in metal-free restorations [In-Ceram Zirconia IZ (Gr1) and In-Ceram Alumina IA (Gr2)], and two glass-ceramics used as veneering material in metal-free restorations [Vita VM7 (Gr3) and Vitadur-alpha (Gr4)]. Bar specimens (25 x 5 x 2 mm(3)) made from core ceramics, alumina, and zirconia/alumina composites were prepared and applied to a silicone mold, which rested on a base from a gypsum die material. The IZ and IA specimens were partially sintered in an In-Ceram furnace according to the firing cycle of each material, and then were infiltrated with a low-viscosity glass to yield bar specimens of high density and strength. The Vita VM7 and Vitadur-alpha specimens were made from veneering materials, by vibration of slurry porcelain powder and condensation into a two-part brass Teflon matrix (25 x 5 x 2 mm(3)). Excess water was removed with absorbent paper. The veneering ceramic specimens were then removed from the matrix and were fired as recommended by the manufacturer. Another ceramic application and sintering were performed to compensate the contraction of the feldspar ceramic. The bar specimens were then tested in a three-point bending test.Results: The core materials (Gr1: 436.1 +/- 54.8; Gr2: 419.4 +/- 83.8) presented significantly higher flexural strength (MPa) than the veneer ceramics (Gr3: 63.5 +/- 9.9; Gr4: 57.8 +/- 12.7).Conclusion: In-Ceram Alumina and Zirconia were similar statistically and more resistant than VM7 and Vitadur-alpha.

Effect of testing methods on the bond strength of resin to zirconia-alumina ceramic: microtensile versus shear test

This study tested the bond strength of a resin cement to a glass-infiltrated zirconia-alumina ceramic after three conditioning methods and using two test methods (shear-SBS versus microtensile-MTBS). Ceramic blocks for MTBS and ceramic disks for SBS were fabricated. Three surface conditioning (SC) methods were evaluated: (1) 110-mu m Al(2)O(3)+Silanization; (2) Chairside silica coating+silanization: (3) Laboratory silica coating+silanization. Following surface conditioning, the resin cement (Panavia F) was bonded to the conditioned ceramics. Although no statistically significant differences (p=0.1076) were seen between the test methods, results yielded with the different surface conditioning methods showed statistically significant differences (p<0.0001) (SC2=SC3>SC1.). As for the interaction between the factors, two-way ANOVA showed that it was not statistically significant (p=0.1443). MTBS test resulted in predominantly mixed failure (85%), but SBS test resulted in exclusively adhesive failure. on the effects of different surface conditioning methods, chairside and laboratory tribochemical silica coating followed by silanization showed higher bond strength results compared to those of aluminum oxide abrasion and silanization, independent of the test method employed.

Effect of multiple firing and silica deposition on the zirconia-porcelain interfacial bond strength

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that multiple firing and silica deposition on the zirconia surface influence the bond strength to porcelain.Materials and methods. Specimens were cut from yttria-stabilized zirconia blocks and sintered. Half of the specimens (group S) were silica coated (physical vapor deposition (PVD)) via reactive magnetron sputtering before porcelain veneering. The remaining specimens (group N) had no treatment before veneering. The contact angle before and after silica deposition was measured. Porcelain was applied on all specimens and submitted to two (N2 and S2) or three firing cycles (N3 and S3). The resulting porcelain-zirconia blocks were sectioned to obtain bar-shaped specimens with 1 mm(2) of cross-sectional area. Specimens were attached to a universal testing machine and tested in tension until fracture. Fractured surfaces were examined using optical microscopy. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05) and Weibull analysis.Results. Specimens submitted to three firing cycles (N3 and S3) showed higher mean bond strength values than specimens fired twice (N2 and S2). Mean contact angle was lower for specimens with silica layer, but it had no effect on bond strength. Most fractures initiated at porcelain-zirconia interface and propagated through the porcelain.Significance. The molecular deposition of silica on the zirconia surface had no influence on bond strength to porcelain, while the number of porcelain firing cycles significantly affected the bond strength of the ceramic system, partially accepting the study hypothesis. Yet, the Weibull modulus values of S groups were significantly greater than the m values of N groups. (C) 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stabilization of a (3+1)-dimensional soliton in a Kerr medium by a rapidly oscillating dispersion coefficient

Using the numerical solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation and a variational method it is shown that (3 + 1)-dimensional spatiotemporal optical solitons can be stabilized by a rapidly oscillating dispersion coefficient in a Kerr medium with cubic nonlinearity. This has immediate consequence in generating dispersion-managed robust optical soliton in communication as well as possible stabilized Bose-Einstein condensates in periodic optical-lattice potential via an effective-mass formulation. We also critically compare the present stabilization with that obtained by a rapid sinusoidal oscillation of the Kerr nonlinearity parameter.

Stabilization of bright solitons and vortex solitons in a trapless three-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate by temporal modulation of the scattering length

Using variational and numerical solutions of the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation we show that a bright soliton can be stabilized in a trapless three-dimensional attractive Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) by a rapid periodic temporal modulation of scattering length alone by using a Feshbach resonance. This scheme also stabilizes a rotating vortex soliton in two dimensions. Apart from possible experimental application in BEC, the present study suggests that the spatiotemporal solitons of nonlinear optics in three dimensions can also be stabilized in a layered Kerr medium with sign-changing nonlinearity along the propagation direction.

Stabilization of a light bullet in a layered Kerr medium with sign-changing nonlinearity

Using the numerical solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation and a variational method, it is shown that (3+1)-dimensional spatiotemporal optical solitons, known as light bullets, can be stabilized in a layered Kerr medium with sign-changing nonlinearity along the propagation direction.

Stabilization of the electroweak scale in 3-3-1 models

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Structure of nanoporous zirconia-based powders synthesized by different gel-combustion routes

Zirconia-based ceramics that retain their metastable tetragonal phase at room temperature are widely studied due to their excellent mechanical and electrical properties. When these materials are prepared from precursor nanopowders with high specific surface areas, this phase is retained in dense ceramic bodies. In this work, we present a morphological study of nanocrystalline ZrO2-2.8 mol% Y2O3 powders synthesized by the gel-combustion method, using different organic fuels - alanine, glycine, lysine and citric acid - and calcined at temperatures ranging from 873 to 1173 K. The nanopore structures were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering. The experimental results indicate that nanopores in samples prepared with alanine, glycine and lysine have an essentially single-mode volume distribution for calcination temperatures up to 1073 K, while those calcined at 1173 K exhibit a more complex and wider volume distribution. The volume-weighted average of the nanopore radii monotonically increases with increasing calcination temperature. The samples prepared with citric acid exhibit a size distribution much wider than the others. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique was used to determine specific surface area and X-ray diffraction, environmental scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were also employed for a complete characterization of the samples.

Erbium-activated silica-zirconia planar waveguides prepared by sol-gel route

Er(3+) doped (100-x)SiO(2)-xZrO(2) planar waveguides were prepared by the sol-gel route, with x ranging from 10 up to 30 mol%. Multilayer films doped with 0.3 mol% Er(3+) ions were deposited on fused quartz substrates by the dip-coating technique. The thickness and refractive index were measured by m-line spectroscopy at different wavelengths. The fabrication protocol was optimized in order to confine one propagating mode at 1.5 mu m. Photoluminescence in the near and visible region indicated a crystalline local environment for the Er(3+) ion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Upconversion luminescence in Er3+ doped and Er3+/Yb3+ codoped zirconia and hafnia nanocrystals excited at 980 nm

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Stabilization of fluoroindate glasses by magnesium fluoride and other heavy metal fluorides

Their extended transparency in the IR makes them attractive for use as optical fibers for CO laser power delivery and optical amplification. This paper firstly describes the spectacular stabilizing effect of MgF2 on the binary system InF3-BaF2. The investigation of the InF3-BaF2-MgF2 system led to samples up to 5mm in thickness. Further optimization of this system was achieved by incorporation of limited amounts of other fluorides and resulted in increased resistence to devitrification. The second approach of this work was concerned to the investigation of the pseudo-ternary system InF3-GdF3-GaF3 at constant concentrations of ZnF2-SrF2-BaF2-NaF. Several compositions were studied in this system. The samples presented a better thermal stability when compared to other families of fluoride glasses. Therefore, these glasses seem to be very promising for the fabrication of special optical fibers. Thermal data are reported.

Effects of oral environment stabilization procedures on Streptococcus mutans counts in pregnant women

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar o efeito da adequação do meio bucal sobre a contagem de Streptococcus mutans em gestantes de alto risco à cárie, participantes de um programa de prevenção em uma instituição de ensino público, antes e após adequação do meio bucal. Amostras de saliva de 30 gestantes (18 a 43 anos) que procuraram atendimento na Clínica de Odontologia Preventiva da FOAr-UNESP foram coletadas antes e após procedimentos de adequação do meio bucal, e examinadas para observação e contagem das UFCs de S. mutans. Foi demonstrado que houve diminuição na quantidade das UFCs (p<0,0001) entre as amostras. em relação à faixa etária, 70,0% das gestantes tinham entre 18 e 30 anos de idade e 30,0% pertenciam à faixa etária de 31 a 43 anos. Dados relativos ao período da gestação revelaram que 73,4% estavam no 2º trimestre e 13,3% estavam igualitariamente no 1º e 3º trimestres. A adequação do meio bucal se mostrou eficaz na diminuição das UFCs de S. mutans presentes na saliva de gestantes de alto risco de cárie. Este procedimento é simples e extremamente efetivo, atendendo às necessidades de tratamento básico de gestantes que procuram atendimento odontológico no serviço público de saúde.

Attitude stabilization of a rigid spacecraft in the geomagnetic field

An analytical method is proposed to study the attitude stability of a triaxial spacecraft moving in a circular Keplerian orbit in the geomagnetic field. The method is developed based on the electrodynamics effect of the influence of the Lorentz force acting on the charged spacecraft's surface. We assume that the rigid spacecraft is equipped with an electrostatic charged protective shield, having an intrinsic magnetic moment. The main elements of this shield are an electrostatic charged cylindrical screen surrounding the protected volume of the spacecraft. The rotational motion of the spacecraft about its centre of mass due to torques from gravitational force, as well Lorentz and magnetic forces is investigated. The equilibrium positions of the spacecraft in the orbital coordinate system are obtained. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the spacecraft's equilibrium positions are constructed using Lyapunov's direct method. The numerical results have shown that the Lorentz force has a significant influence on the stability of the equilibrium positions, which can affect the attitude stabilization of the spacecraft. (C) 2007 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.