Influence of surface sealants on microleakage of composite resin restorations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the influence of surface sealants and dentin adhesive systems on the microleakage of composite restorations. Methods: Class V cavities were made on the buccal faces of 100 permanent third molars and restored with Z250. After 24 hours, they were submitted to polishing and finishing processes. The teeth were divided into groups according to the sealant agent: group 1 - Single Bond; group 2 - Opti Bond Solo Plus; group 3 - Fortify; group 4 - Fortify Plus; and group 5 - control without sealant. The analysis of immediate microleakage was performed in 10 restorations from each group, soon after the sealing. The other 10 specimens from each group were submitted to tooth-brushing and thermal cycles. The teeth were isolated and immersed in 2% methylene blue solution, washed in tap water, and sectioned in the buccolingual direction. The percentage of marginal leakage was calculated using an image analysis program, and results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Results: All the sealed groups demonstrated lower microleakage values compared to the control group. Group 3, sealed with Fortify, presented the lowest mean microleakage values. Conclusion: The application of surface sealants effectively decreased the microleakage in composite resin restorations.

Prevalence of dental trauma in patients with cerebral palsy

This study presents the findings of a record review that evaluated the prevalence of dental trauma in patients with cerebral palsy and evaluated its possible relationship with age, type of palsy, and epilepsy. The dental records of 2,200 patients with special needs admitted to the special care clinic of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba/UNESP, Brazil, between 1998 and 2003 were reviewed. Of the records that were analyzed, 500 patients who had cerebral palsy were selected for this study. Information regarding age, gender, type of palsy and dental trauma was collected and statistically analyzed. It was observed that 10.6% of the subjects (n = 53) had sustained dental trauma. The number of traumatized teeth was 84. Enamel or enamel/dentin fractures were the most frequent types of traumatic injury (84.9%). The permanent maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth (50%). The frequency of traumatic injuries showed no significant correlation (p>.05) with the type of cerebral palsy or gender and they were more frequent in subjects between the ages of 0 and 12 years. Having epilepsy was not a statistically significant risk factor (p>.05) for dental trauma. © 2008 Special Care Dentistry.

Length of resin tags in pit-and-fissure sealants: all-in-one self-etching adhesive vs phosphoric acid etching.

PURPOSE: To investigate the penetration (tags) of adhesive materials into enamel etched with phosphoric acid or treated with a self-etching adhesive, before application of a pit-and-fissure sealant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised six study groups with six specimens each. Before pit-and-fissure sealing with the materials Clinpro SealantTM (Groups I and II), Vitro Seal ALPHA (Groups III and IV) and Fuji II LC (Groups V and VI), the teeth in Groups I, III, and V were etched with 35% phosphoric acid for 30 seconds. Teeth in Groups II, IV, and VI received application of the self-etching adhesive Adper Prompt L-Pop. The treated teeth were sectioned buccolingually, ground to 100-microm thickness, decalcified, and analyzed by conventional light microscopy at 400x magnification. RESULTS: The teeth etched with phosphoric acid exhibited significantly greater penetration than specimens treated with self-etching adhesive. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: When compared with enamel treated with a self-etching adhesive, the penetration (tags) of adhesive materials into enamel was greater when applied on enamel etched with phosphoric acid.

Resin bonding to root canal dentin: Effect of the application of an experimental hydrophobic resin coating after an all-in-one adhesive

Aim: Based on the hypothesis the application of a low-viscosity hydrophobic resin coating improves the bond of all-in-one adhesive, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the bond strength of four adhesive systems to bovine root dentin using the push-out test method. Methods and Materials: The root canals of 32 bovine roots (16 mm) were prepared to a length of 12 mm using a FRC Postec Plus preparation drill. The specimens were allocated into four groups according to the adhesive system used: (Group 1) All-in-one Xeno III; (Group 2) All-in-one Xeno III+ScotchBond Multi-Purpose Plus Adhesive; (Group 3) Simplified Etch & Rinse One Step Plus; and (Group 4) Multi-Bottle Etch & Rinse All-Bond 2. A fiber-reinforced composite retention post was reproduced using an additional silicon impression and fabricated with DuoLink resin cement. The root specimens were treated with the selected adhesive systems, and the resin posts were luted in the canals with DuoLink resin cement. Each root specimen was cross sectioned into four samples (±1.8 mm in thickness), and the post sections were pushed-out to determine the bond strength to dentin. Results: Group 2 (2.9±1.2) was statistically higher than Group 1 (1.1±0.5) and Group 3 (1.1±0.5). Groups 1 and 3 showed no statistically significant difference while Group 4 (2.0±0.7) presented similar values (p>0.05) to Groups 1, 2, and 3 [(one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)] and Tukey test, α=0.05). Conclusion: The hypothesis was accepted since the application of the additional layer of a low-viscosity bonding resin improved the bond of the all-in-one adhesive. Further studies must be conducted to evaluate the long-term bond.

Edentulous patients' knowledge of dental hygiene and care of prostheses

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse denture users' oral care habits with regard to the use of their prostheses. Background: Rehabilitative treatment is only successful when patients are motivated and aware of correct prosthesis use and hygiene. Materials and methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 150 complete denture users at the Federal University of Bahia School of Dentistry, the Esmeralda Natividade Health Center, the Bahian Science Development Foundation and a Salvador nursing home. The questionnaire included information on gender, age, length of prosthesis use, cleaning methods and materials, etc. The data were analysed using EpiInfo version 6 software. The chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Questionnaire results showed that 78% of the subjects, with an average age of 67.3 years, had used the same complete denture for over 5 years. 64% slept with their prostheses and 44% removed them from the mouth only for cleaning. None of the patients interviewed knew anything about brushes designed specifically for complete dentures. 37.3% had a restricted diet and 44% believed that a complete denture would last for more than 10 years. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the edentulous patients surveyed had limited awareness of prosthetic hygiene and long-term oral care despite extended periods of denture use. © 2008 The Authors.

In vitro assessment of pulp chamber temperature of different teeth submitted to dental bleaching associated with LED/laser and halogen lamp appliances

This study sought to assess the pulp chamber temperature in different groups of human teeth that had been bleached using hydrogen peroxide gel activated with halogen lamps or hybrid LED/laser appliances. Four groups of ten teeth (maxillary central incisors, mandibular incisors, mandibular canines, and maxillary canines) were used. A digital thermometer with a K-type thermocouple was placed inside pulp chambers that had been filled with thermal paste. A 35% hydrogen peroxide-based red bleaching gel was applied to all teeth and photocured for a total of three minutes and 20 seconds (five activations of 40 seconds each), using light from an LED/laser device and a halogen lamp. The temperatures were gauged every 40 seconds and the data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test. Regardless of the light source, statistically significant differences were observed between the groups of teeth. The mean temperature values (±SD) were highest for maxillary central incisors and lowest for mandibular canines. The halogen lamp appliance produced more pulp chamber heating than the LED/laser appliance. The increase in irradiation time led to a significant increase in temperature.

In vitro-evaluation of secondary caries formation around restoration.

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate demineralization around restorations. Class V preparations were made on the buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth. TPH (Group 1), Fuji II LC (Group 2), Tetric (Group 3), Dyract (Group 4), GS 80 (Group 5) and Chelon Fil (Group 6) were randomly placed in equal numbers of teeth. The teeth were submitted to a pH-cycling model associated with a thermocycling model. Sections were made and the specimens were examined for the presence of demineralization under polarized light microscopy. Demineralization was significantly reduced with Chelon Fil (Group 6). Furthermore, a similar inhibitory effect on the development of demineralization was observed in Groups 2, 4 and 5.

Response of human dental pulp capped with MTA and calcium hydroxide powder

Objectives: To compare the response of human dental pulp capped with a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Ca(OH) 2 powder. Methods and Material: Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor of 40 permanent premolars. The pulp was then capped with either Ca(OH) 2 powder (CH) or MTA and restored with resin composite. After 30 days (groups CH30 and MTA30) and 60 days (groups CH60 and MTA60), the teeth were extracted and processed for HE and categorized in a histological score system. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Conover tests (α=0.05). Results: In regard to dentin bridge formation, CH30 showed a tendency towards superior performance compared to MTA30 (p>0.05), although the products showed comparable results at day 60. In the item Inflammation and General State of the Pulp (p>0.05), CH showed a tendency towards presenting a higher inflammatory response. In the item Other Pulpal Findings, MTA and Ca(OH) 2 showed equal and excellent performance after 30 and 60 days (p>0.05). Conclusion: After 30 days, Ca(OH) 2 powder covered with calcium hydroxide cement showed faster hard tissue bridge formation compared to MTA. After 60 days, Ca(OH) 2 powder or MTA materials showed a similar and excellent histological response with the formation of a hard tissue bridge in almost all cases with low inflammatory infiltrate. © Operative Dentistry, 2008.

Dental trauma involving root fracture and periodontal ligament injury: A 10-year retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the cases of traumatic dental injuries involving root fracture and/or periodontal ligament injury (except avulsion) treated at the Discipline of Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, from January 1992 to December 2002. Clinical and radiographic records from 161 patients with 287 traumatized teeth that had sustained root fracture and/or injuries to the periodontal ligament were examined. The results of this survey revealed that subluxation (25.09%) was the most common type of periodontal ligament injury, followed by extrusive luxation (19.86%). There was a predominance of young male patients and most of them did not present systemic alterations. Among the etiologic factors, the most frequent causes were falls and bicycle accidents. Injuries on extraoral soft tissues were mostly laceration and abrasion, while gingival and lip mucosa lacerations prevailed on intraoral soft tissues injuries. Radiographically, the most common finding was an increase of the periodontal ligament space. The most commonly performed treatment was root canal therapy. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that traumatic dental injuries occur more frequently in young male individuals, due to falls and bicycle accidents. Subluxation was the most common type of periodontal ligament injury. Root canal therapy was the type of treatment most commonly planned and performed.

Adhesive cementation of zirconia posts to root dentin: Evaluation of the mechanical cycling effect

This study evaluated the effect of mechanical cycling on the bond strength of zirconia posts to root dentin. Thirty single-rooted human teeth were transversally sectioned to a length of 16 mm. The canal preparation was performed with zirconia post system drills (CosmoPost, Ivoclar) to a depth of 12 mm. For post cementation, the canals were treated with total-etch, 3-steps All-Bond 2 (Bisco), and the posts were cemented with Duolink dual resin cement (Bisco). Three groups were formed (n = 10): G1 - control, no mechanical cycling; G2 - 20,000 mechanical cycles; G3 - 2,000,000 mechanical cycles. A 1.6-mm-thick punch induced loads of 50 N, at a 45° angle to the long axis of the specimens and at a frequency of 8 Hz directly on the posts. To evaluate the bond strengths, the specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis of the teeth, generating 2-mm-thick slices, approximately (5 sections per teeth), which were subjected to the push-out test in a universal testing machine at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. The push-out bond strength was affected by the mechanical cycling (1-way ANOVA, p = .0001). The results of the control group (7.7 ± 1.3 MPa) were statistically higher than those of G2 (3.9 ± 2.2 MPa) and G3 (3.3 ± 2.3 MPa). It was concluded that the mechanical cycling damaged the bond strength of zirconia posts to root dentin.

In vivo biological behavior of calcium phosphate cements with different Ca/P ratio

Bioceramics with different Ca/P ratio were prepared from a mechanical mixture of NaPO3, CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 and phosphate buffer solution and implanted in rats subcutaneous tissues. The cements were characterized by Thermo gravimetric analysis (TG-TDA), X-ray diffraction and 31P-NMR. The implant sites were excised after 1, 4 and 16 weeks, fixed, dehydrated, included in paraffin wax for serial cutting and examined under the light transmitted microscope. They were biocompatible and biodegradable when implanted in rat subcutaneous. None of the materials induced ectopic osteogenesis. According to the results, the studied materials seem to be able for manufacturing reabsorbable bone implants.

Changes on degree of conversion of dual-cure luting light-cured with blue LED

The indirect adhesive procedures constitute recently a substantial portion of contemporary esthetic restorative treatments. The resin cements have been used to bond tooth substrate and restorative materials. Due to recently introduction of the self-bonding resin luting cement based on a new monomer, filler and initiation technology has become important to study the degree of conversion of these new materials. In the present work the polymerization reaction and the filler content of dual-cured dental resin cements were studied by means of infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetry (TG). Twenty specimens were made in a metallic mold (8 mm diameter × 1 mm thick) from each of 2 cements, Panavia® F2.0 (Kuraray) and RelyX™ Unicem Applicap (3M/ESPE). Each specimen was cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm 2 for 30 s. Immediately after curing, 24 and 48 h, and 7 days DC was determined. For each time interval 5 specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FT-IR. The TG measurements were performed in Netzsch TG 209 under oxygen atmosphere and heating rate of 10°C/min from 25 to 700°C. A two-way ANOVA showed DC (%) mean values statistically significance differences between two cements (p < 0.05). The Tukey's test showed no significant difference only for the 24 and 48 h after light irradiation for both resin cements (p > 0.05). The Relx-Y™ Unicem mean values were significantly higher than Panavia® F 2.0. The degree of conversion means values increasing with the storage time and the filler content showed similar for both resin cements. © 2009 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Comparison of resin push-out strength to root dentin of bovine- and human-teeth

Aim : To compare the push-out strength of bovine- and human-root dentin and, thus, evaluate the suitability of bovine-root dentin to substitute human-root dentin for bond strength testing. Materials and Methods : Ten single-rooted human-teeth and ten bovine incisors were prepared using a #3 bur of a fiber post system (12 mm long). The posts were duplicated with resin cement (Duolink). The root canals were treated with All Bond 2 adhesive system and the resin posts were cemented using Duolink. The specimens were cut perpendicular to their long axis, yielding disc-specimens with 1.5 mm thickness, which were submitted to a push-out test (1 mm/min). Ten bond strength values per group (n = 10) were used for statistical analysis (Student t test, a =.05). Results : Statistically significant differences were found for the bond strength values between bovine- (4.1 1.3 MPa) and human-root dentin (8.6 5.7 MPa) (P =.0001). Conclusion : The push-out strengths of bovine- and human-root dentin were statistically different.