Marginal and Internal Adaptation of Zirconia Crowns: A Comparative Study of Assessment Methods

Abstract Marginal and internal adaptation is critical for the success of indirect restorations. New imaging systems make it possible to evaluate these parameters with precision and non-destructively. This study evaluated the marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia copings fabricated with two different systems using both silicone replica and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) assessment methods. A metal master model, representing a preparation for an all-ceramic full crown, was digitally scanned and polycrystalline zirconia copings were fabricated with either Ceramill Zi (Amann-Girrbach) or inCoris Zi (Dentslpy-Sirona), n=10. For each coping, marginal and internal gaps were evaluated by silicone replica and micro-CT assessment methods. Four assessment points of each replica cross-section and micro-CT image were evaluated using imaging software: marginal gap (MG), axial wall (AW), axio-occlusal angle (AO) and mid-occlusal wall (MO). Data were statistically analyzed by factorial ANOVA and Tukey test (a=0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the methods for MG and AW. For AO, there were significant differences between methods for Amann copings, while for Dentsply-Sirona copings similar values were observed. For MO, both methods presented statistically significant differences. A positive correlation was observed determined by the two assessment methods for MG values. In conclusion, the assessment method influenced the evaluation of marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia copings. Micro-CT showed lower marginal and internal gap values when compared to the silicone replica technique, although the difference was not always statistically significant. Marginal gap and axial wall assessment points showed the lower gap values, regardless of ceramic system and assessment method used.

Resumo A adaptação marginal e interna é fundamental para o sucesso das restaurações indiretas e novos sistemas de imagem permitem avaliar esses parâmetros de maneira não-destrutiva e com precisão. Este estudo avaliou a adaptação marginal e interna de copings de zircônia fabricados com dois sistemas diferentes, utilizando as técnicas da réplica em silicone e micro-CT. Um modelo-mestre de metal, representando um preparo para uma coroa totalmente cerâmica foi digitalizado e copings de zirconia policristalina (Ceramill Zi, Amann Girrbach e inCoris Zi, Dentslpy Sirona, n=10) foram fabricados. Para cada coping, a adaptação marginal e interna foi avaliada pelas técnicas da réplica em silicone e micro-CT. Foram avaliados quatro pontos de cada seção transversal e imagem de micro-CT: adaptação marginal (MG), parede axial (AW), ângulo axial-oclusal (AO) e parede centro-oclusal (MO) utilizando um software de imagem. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por ANOVA e teste de Tukey (a=0,05). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as duas técnicas para MG e AW. Para AO, houve diferenças significativas entre as técnicas para copings da Amann, enquanto que para copings da Dentsply Sirona foram observados valores semelhantes. Para o MO, ambas as técnicas apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre os valores de adaptação determinados pelas duas técnicas. O método de avaliação influenciou a avaliação da adaptação marginal e interna de copings de zircônia. Pode-se concluir que a micro-CT mostrou menores valores de adaptação marginal e interna quando comparado com a técnica de réplica em silicone. Os pontos de avaliação da margem e da parede axial mostraram os menores valores de adaptação, independente do sistema cerâmico e da técnica de avaliação utilizados.

Resistência de união ao microcisalhamento da interface esmalte dentário, adesivo ortodôntico e bráquetes cerâmicos / Micro-shear bond strength of orthodontic adhesives to different ceramic brackets and enamel

Bráquetes cerâmicos estéticos com diferentes microestruturas podem apresentar diferenças em relação à estabilidade da interface de união e remoção. Este estudo objetivou avaliar, por meio de teste de microcisalhamento, a resistência de união entre um adesivo resinoso ortodôntico, o esmalte dentário e dois tipos de bráquetes cerâmico (monocristalino e policristalino). Inicialmente o esmalte de molares humanos foi planificado e preparado para a adesão de cilindros (0,7 mm de diâmetro e 1 mm de altura) do adesivo resinoso Transbond XT (3M, n=10). Em seguida, cilindros do mesmo adesivo foram confeccionados sobre as bases dos dois tipos de bráquetes cerâmicos (Inspire-Ormco e ClarityAdvanced-3M, n=10). Todos os espécimes foram incluídos em cilindros de PVC com resina acrílica para serem submetidos ao ensaio de resistência de união por microcisalhamento em uma máquina de ensaios universal, com velocidade de travessa de 0,5 mm/min até a fratura. Posteriormente, os espécimes foram examinados para a análise de falha. Os resultados de resistência de união foram submetidos à análise de Kruskal-Wallis (α = 0,05). Não houve diferença estatística significante entre as médias dos grupos testados (p = 0,1657). O esmalte apresentou a maior média (10,81 ± 1,85MPa), seguido do ClarityAdvanced (9,35 ± 5,30 MPa) e Inspire (7,77 ± 4,04 MPa). Todos os grupos apresentaram predominantemente a falha do tipo adesiva. Concluiu-se que os bráquetes cerâmicos, independentemente da microestrutura, apresentaram resistência de união semelhante à obtida ao esmalte dentário...

Ceramic brackets with different microstructures may exhibit differences in stability of the bond and removal interface. The aim of this study was to evaluate, via a micro-shear test, the strength of the bond between an orthodontic resin adhesive, the dental enamel, and two types of ceramic brackets (monocrystalline and polycrystalline), respectively. The human molar enamel was flattened and prepared for the 0.7 mm (diameter) ´ 1 mm (height) cylinder adhesion of the resin adhesive Transbond XT (3M, n=10). Cylinders of the same type of adhesive were subsequently built from the two types of ceramic brackets (Inspire-Ormco and ClarityAdvanced-3M, n=10). All of the specimens were then inserted in PVC cylinders with acrylic resin and subjected to bond strength assay by micro-shear in a universal testing machine; loads were applied at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until the specimens fractured. Afterwards, the specimens were examined for the presence of cracks. The bond strength results were analyzed via the Kruskal-Wallis test (α= 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found among the groups tested (p = 0.1657). In fact, the enamel ClarityAdvanced and Inspire groups had mean bond strengths of 10.81 ± 1.85 MPa, 7.77 ± 4.04 MPa, and 9.35 ± 5.30 MPa, respectively, and all three groups exhibited mainly adhesive-type fractures. It was concluded that ceramic brackets, regardless of the microstructure, exhibit similar bond strength to that of dental enamel...

Marginal and internal fit of zirconia copings obtained using different digital scanning methods

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fit of zirconia copings obtained with different digital scanning methods. A human mandibular first molar was set in a typodont with its adjacent and antagonist teeth and prepared for an all-ceramic crown. Digital impressions were made using an intraoral scanner (3Shape). Polyvinyl siloxane impressions and Type IV gypsum models were also obtained and scanned with a benchtop laboratory scanner (3Shape D700). Ten zirconia copings were fabricated for each group using CAD-CAM technology. The marginal and internal fit of the zirconia copings was assessed by the silicone replica technique. Four sections of each replica were obtained, and each section was evaluated at four points: marginal gap (MG), axial wall (AW), axio-occlusal edge (AO) and centro-occlusal wall (CO), using an image analyzing software. The data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). They showed statistically significant differences for MG, AO and CO. Regarding MG, intraoral scanning showed lower gap values, whereas gypsum model scanning showed higher gap values. Regarding AO and CO, intraoral digital scanning showed lower gap values. Polyvinyl siloxane impression scanning and gypsum model scanning showed higher gap values and were statistically similar. It can be concluded that intraoral digital scanning provided a lower mean gap value, in comparison with conventional impressions and gypsum casts scanned with a standard benchtop laboratory scanner.

Determination of final occlusal vertical dimension by cephalometric analysis

Introduction: Most of techniques for determining the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) of edentulous patients are based on soft tissues references, which lead to measurement discrepancies. Objective: To propose a method to obtain the OVD of edentulous patients during the confection of complete dentures considering the lower facial height established by Ricketts (LFHr) or the lower facial height obtained from cephalometric analysis of dentulous patients (LFHd). Material and methods: The OVD of 11 edentulous patients was determined by the association of 3 clinical methods. On each patient's bite plates a metallic ball was fixed and the patient was submitted to lateral radiographic to obtain the lower facial height (LFHe) from cephalometric analysis. Additionally, from 40 lateral cephalograms of dentulous patients the LFHd was obtained. After that, the distance between metallic balls (DMB, in mm) was calculated to verify the linear difference when LFHe was changed to LFHd or LFHr, which provided the amount of wax to be added or removed from the bite plates, establishing a new method of OVD determination. LFHe, LFHd and LFHr values were submitted to t e z statistical tests and DMB differences were analyzed by Student's t-test (α=0.05). Results: LFHr (47.0±4.0o a) was statistically higher than LFHd (44.9±5.6o b) and LFHe (43.5±3.5o b). There was statistical difference on linear discrepancies calculated between the LFHe and LFHd (1.7±4.1mm a) or LFHr (4.2±4.1mm b). Conclusion: The use of the cephalometric analysis showed to be a useful auxiliary tool in determining the intermaxillary relationship. However, this method must be associated with different clinical methods of OVD determination and it is recommended that regional references are used to calculate the linear discrepancies.

Dimensional stability of a novel polyvinyl siloxane impression technique

AIM: To introduce a modification of the reline impression technique (MRIT), and compare the dimensional changes of impressions obtained by MRIT and by conventional reline impression technique (CRIT). METHODS: An acrylic resin tablet was milled by a CAD-CAM system to simulate three abutments (A, B and C) with different distances among them. The abutments were molded using both impression techniques. For MRIT, before completing the putty silicone polymerization, the relieve procedure was made by compression and it was immediately repositioned to complete the polymerization. Impressions were stored dry at room temperature for different periods (immediately, 1 h, 2 days and 7 days). The distances were obtained by scanning. The differences between the impressions and their respective matrix reference measurements were calculated to determine the dimensional changes. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS: For AB and BC distances, there was no statistically significant difference between CRIT and MRIT (p=0.0597 and p=0.2167, respectively). For AC, there was statistically significant difference between the techniques for the immediate storage time (p=0.006). In general, for CRIT the material showed expansion, while for MRIT it showed contraction. CONCLUSIONS: It was verified that the addition silicon impressions obtained by both impression techniques showed dimensional stability, except for the immediate time-point...

Analysis of tensile strength of poly(lactic-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) membranes used for guided tissue regeneration

Introduction: The challenge of restoring patient's function that presented some loss of an organ or tissue encourages the Tissue Engineering and Biotechnology to develop materials that promote bone regeneration. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer is among of the most biomaterials used. Objective: To evaluate the tensile strength of PLGA membranes at different conditions of humidity and temperature. Material and methods: PLGA membranes were hourglass-shape cut and prepared at three different conditions of temperature and humidity (n = 10): (I) dry membrane at environment temperature of about 20ºC (control group), (II) moist membrane plasticized at 55ºC, (III) moist membrane plasticized at 55ºC, which subsequently underwent cooling. Subsequently, the membranes were subjected to tensile tests in a universal testing machine (DL-2000, EMIC) at 1.0 mm/min. Data was submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: Group I showed the highest tensile strength mean (16.7 ± 1.9a MPa, p = 0.0022). There was no statistically significant difference between the means of groups II (14.6 ± 1.4 MPab) and III (13.9 ± 1.7 MPab). Conclusion: The dried PLGA membranes showed higher tensile strength than the membranes that were only either plasticized or cooled.

Influence of the interposition of ceramic spacers on the degree of conversion and the hardness of resin cements

This study evaluated: I) the effect of photo-activation through ceramics on the degree of conversion (DC) and on the Knoop hardness (KHN) of light- and dual-cured resin cements; and II) two different protocols for obtaining the spectra of uncured materials, to determine the DC of a dual-cured resin cement. Thin films of cements were photo-activated through ceramics [feldspathic porcelain (FP); lithium disilicate glass-ceramics of low translucency (e.max-LT), medium opacity (e.max-MO) and high translucency (e.max-HT); glass-infiltrated alumina composite (IC) and polycrystalline zirconia (ZR)] with thicknesses of 1.5 and 2.0 mm. DC was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Two protocols were used to obtain the spectra of the uncured materials: I) base and catalyst pastes were mixed, and II) thin films of base and catalyst pastes were obtained separately, and an average was obtained. KHN assessment was performed with cylindrical specimens. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05). The light-cured cement showed higher DC (61.9%) than the dual-cured cement (55.7%). The DC varied as follows: FP (65.4%), e.max-HT (65.1%), e.max-LT (61.8%), e.max-MO (60.9%), ZR (54.8%), and IC (44.9%). The light-cured cement showed lower KHN (22.0) than the dual-cured (25.6) cement. The cements cured under 1.5 mm spacers showed higher KHN (26.2) than when polymerized under 2.0 mm ceramics (21.3). Regarding the two protocols, there were significant differences only in three groups. Thus, both methods can be considered appropriate. The physical and mechanical properties of resin cements may be affected by the thickness and microstructure of the ceramic material interposed during photo-activation.

O alcance dos LEDs quanto à profundidade de polimerização de resinas compostas / The reach oi the LED units on the curing depth of campasite resins

Objetivo: Verificar a profundidade de polimerização, por meio da microdureza Knoop (KHN), de quatro resinas compostas fotoativadas por cinco aparelhos diferentes. Materiais e métodos: Foram confeccionados corpos-de-prova em forma de barra (2x3x6mm, n=5) utilizando os seguintes compósitos: Charisma/Heraeus Kulzer (CH), Filtek Z250/3M ESPE (FZ), TetricCeram/lvoclar Vivadent (TC) e TPH/Dentisply (TP). Cada corpo-de-prova foi fotoativado por 40s pelos seguintes aparelhos: Bluephase/lvoclar Vivadent (BP), Elipar Freelight 213M ESPE (EF), Flashlite/Discus Dental (FL), Ultra-Iume LED 5/Ultradent (UL) e XL 2500/3M ESPE (XL). Após 24h, KHN foi determinada em uma das faces laterais do corpo-de-prova, em seis medidas de profundidade a partir da face irradiada: 0,2; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; 4,0 e 5,Omm. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA e teste de Tukey (p<0,05). A KHN relativa de cada material foi calculada. Resultados: Para a resina CH, o aparelho UL garantiu uma dureza semelhante à obtida na superfície até 2,Omm de profundidade (36±2), enquanto que para a resina TP este aparelho garantiu essa dureza até 4,Omm de profundidade (39±4). Para FZ e Te, não houve diferença estatística entre as médias obtidas até 2,0 e 1,Omm de profundidade, respectivamente. Para FZ, as maiores médias foram obtidas com os aparelhos BP(59± 12), UL(58± 13), FL(57± 12) e XL(56± 15). E para Te, as maiores médias foram alcançadas com UL(40± 10) e BP(40± 14). Em 5,Omm as resinas, independentemente do aparelho, apresentaram uma redução de aproximadamente 40% na dureza. Conclusão: Até 2,Omm o grau de polimerização foi semelhante ao obtido na superfície irradiada para a maioria das resinas e aparelhos testados.

Objective: To verify the curing depth in terms of Knoop microhardness (KHN) of four commercial composite resins photoactivated by five different curing units. Materiais and methods: Bar-shaped specimens were built (2x3x6mm, n=5) using the following composites: Charisma/Heraeus Kulzer (CH), Filtek Z250/3M ESPE (FZ), TetricCeram/lvoclar Vivadent (TC) and TPH/Dentisply (TP). Each specimen was photoactivated for 40s by the subsequent curing units: Bluephase/lvoclar Vivadent (BP), Elipar Freelight 213M ESPE (EF), Flashlite/Discus Dental (FL), Ultra-Iume LED 5/Ultradent (UL) and XL 2500/3M ESPE (XL). After 24h, KHN was measured in one lateralsurface of the specimen at six depth measurements from the irradiated surface: 0.2; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0 e 5.0mm. The data was submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05). The relative KHN of each material was calculated. Results: For CH, UL guaranteed similar microhardess as the obtained at the irradiated surface until 2.0mm of depth (36±2), while for TP; this unit guaranteed this microhardess until 4.0mm of depth (39±4). For FZ and Te, there was no statistical difference between the means obtained until 2.0 and 1.0mm of depth, respectively. For FZ, higher means were achieved by BP(59± 12), UL(58± 13), FL(57± 12) and XL(56± 15) units. For TC, higher means were obtained by UL(40± 10) and BP(40± 14) units. At 5.0mm of depth, the resins showed a reduction of approximately 40% in microhardness, irrespective of the curing unit. Conclusion: Until 2.0mm the degree of curing was similar as the obtained at the irradiated surface for the most composite resins and curing units tested.

Tenacidade à fratura, crescimento subcrítico de trinca e limite de fadiga de compósitos resinos experimentais com diferentes tamanhos de partículas de carga / Fracture toughness, subcritical crack growth and fatigue limit of experimental resin composites with different filer sizes

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a influência de diferentes tamanhos de partículas de carga na tenacidade à fratura (KIc), nos parâmetros do crescimento subcrítico de trinca (n e f0) e de Weibull (m e 0), na longevidade estimada pelo diagrama tensão-probabilidade-tempo (SPT) e no limite de fadiga cíclica (LFC) de compósitos resinosos experimentais. Quatro compósitos foram preparados contendo 78% em massa (59% em volume) de conteúdo inorgânico, constituído por 67% de pó de vidro com diferentes tamanhos de partículas (d50 = 0,5; 0,9; 1,2 e 1,9 µm) e 11% de sílica pirogênica. Dados de KIc obtidos pelo método single-edge notched beam (25x5x2,8 mm; n=15) foram submetidos a ANOVA/teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). n e f0 foram determinados através do ensaio de fadiga dinâmica (10-2 a 102 MPa/s) utilizando um dispositivo de flexão biaxial (12x1,2 mm; n=10). Para determinar m e 0, mais 20 espécimes de cada compósito foram testados na taxa de 100 MPa/s. Os diagramas SPT foram obtidos a partir dos dados da fadiga dinâmica e análise de Weibull. No ensaio de fadiga cíclica, um dispositivo de flexão biaxial (12x1,2 mm) foi utilizado para se obter a resistência à flexão inicial (RFI; n=14) e o LFC (n=20). LFC foi obtido pelo método escada após 105 ciclos. Para todos os testes, os espécimes foram armazenados em água destilada a 37oC por 24h. Foi realizada a fractografia dos espécimes fraturados nas taxas 10-2 e 10-1 MPa/s da fadiga dinâmica e nos ensaios para determinação da RFI e LFC. Houve relação direta entre d50 e KIc (C0,5: 1,2±0,1b; C0,9: 1,3±0,1ab; C1,2: 1,3±0,1ab; C1,9: 1,4±0,2a, em MPa.m0,5). C0,5 (31,2±6,2a) e C1,9 (34,7±7,4a) apresentaram valores de n superiores a C0,9 (20,3±3,0b) e C1,2 (17,3±1,8b). C1,2 (166,42±0,01a) apresentou o maior valor de f0 (em MPa), seguido pelo C1,9 (159,82±0,02b), C0,9 (159,59±0,02c) e C0,5 (158,40±0,02d). Não houve diferença estatística entre os valores de m (6,6 a 10,6) e 0 (170,6 a 176,4 MPa) dos compósitos

As reduções na tensão de fratura para uma probabilidade de falha de 5% após 10 anos estimadas pelo diagramas SPT foram de aproximadamente 22% para C0,5 e C1,9 e 36% para C0,9 e C1,2. Não houve diferença estatística entre as médias de RFI (155,4 a 170,7 MPa). C0,5 (93,0±18,6a) apresentou o maior LFC (em MPa), seguido pelo C1,2 (91,8±11,1ab), C1,9 (87,2±3,0b) e C0,9 (82,5±8,0c). Defeitos sub-superficiais e superficiais foram as principais origens de fratura. A trinca se propagou pela matriz polimérica ao redor das partículas (deflexão de trinca) e todas as superfícies apresentaram características de fratura frágil. Como conclusão, compósitos com partículas maiores apresentaram maior KIC, enquanto que partículas menores contribuíram para um maior LFC. Compósitos com distribuição granulométrica mais ampla, independentemente do d50, apresentaram maior resistência ao SCG. Nos demais parâmetros e propriedades avaliados (m, 0 e RFI) não houve influência do tamanho das partículas

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of different filler sizes in the fracture toughness (KIc), subcritical crack growth (n e f0) and Weibull (m e 0) parameters, longevity estimated by the strength-probability-time (SPT) diagram and cyclic fatigue limit (CFL) of experimental resin composites. Four composites were prepared, each one containing 78 w% (59 vol%) of inorganic content, in which 67 w% were glass powder with different filler sizes (d50 = 0.5; 0.9; 1.2 e 1.9 µm) and 11 w% were pyrogenic silica. KIc data was obtained by the single-edge notched beam test and submitted to ANOVA/Tukey tests (p < 0.05). n and f0 were determined by the dynamic fatigue test (10-2 a 102 MPa/s) using a biaxial flexural device (12x1.2 mm; n=10). 20 specimens of each composite were tested at 100 MPa/s to determine Weibull parameters. SPT diagrams were constructed using the dynamic fatigue and Weibull data. For the cyclic fatigue test, a biaxial flexural device (12x1.2 mm) was used to obtain the initial flexural strength (IFS; n=14) and CFL (n=20). CFL was determined by staircase method after 105 cycles. For all tests, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37oC for 24h. It was done the fractography of the fractured specimens that was subjected to the 10-2 e 10-1 MPa/s rates of the dynamic fatigue and to the IFS and CFL tests. There was a direct relation between d50 e KIc (C0.5: 1.2±0.1b; C0.9: 1.3±0.1ab; C1.2: 1.3±0.1ab; C1.9: 1.4±0,2a, in MPa.m0,5). C0.5 (31.2±6.2a) and C1.9 (34.7±7.4a) presented higher n values than C0.9 (20.3±3.0b) and C1.2 (17.3±1.8b). C1.2 (166.42±0.01a) showed the highest f0 value (in MPa), followed by C1.9 (159.82±0.02b), C0.9 (159.59±0.02c) and C0.5 (158.40±0.02d). There were no statistical differences among the m (6.6 to 10.6) and 0 (170.6 to 176.4 MPa) values of the composites

The reductions in fracture stress at 5% failure probability for a lifetime of 10 years estimated by the SPT diagrams were approximately 22% for C0.5 and C1.9 and 36% for C0.9 and C1.2. There were no statistical differences among the IFS means (155.4 to 170.7 MPa). C0.5 (93.0±18.6a) showed the highest CFL (in MPa), followed by C1.2 (91.8±11.1ab), C1.9 (87.2±3.0b) and C0.9 (82.5±8.0c). Near-surface and surface flaws were the main fracture origins. The crack propagated by the polymeric matrix around the fillers (crack deflection) and all the fracture surfaces showed brittle fracture features. As conclusion, composites with large fillers presented the highest KIC, while the small fillers contributed to increase the CFL. Composites with broader granulometric size distribution, regardless of d50, showed higher resistance to SCG. There was no influence of the composites filler sizes in the others parameters and properties evaluated (m, 0 and IFS)

Tenacidade à fratura, crescimento subcrítico de trinca e limite de fadiga de compósitos resinos experimentais com diferentes tamanhos de partículas de carga / Fracture toughness, subcritical crack growth and fatigue limit of experimental resin composites with different filer sizes

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a influência de diferentes tamanhos de partículas de carga na tenacidade à fratura (KIc), nos parâmetros do crescimento subcrítico de trinca (n e f0) e de Weibull (m e 0), na longevidade estimada pelo diagrama tensão-probabilidade-tempo (SPT) e no limite de fadiga cíclica (LFC) de compósitos resinosos experimentais. Quatro compósitos foram preparados contendo 78% em massa (59% em volume) de conteúdo inorgânico, constituído por 67% de pó de vidro com diferentes tamanhos de partículas (d50 = 0,5; 0,9; 1,2 e 1,9 µm) e 11% de sílica pirogênica. Dados de KIc obtidos pelo método single-edge notched beam (25x5x2,8 mm; n=15) foram submetidos a ANOVA/teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). n e f0 foram determinados através do ensaio de fadiga dinâmica (10-2 a 102 MPa/s) utilizando um dispositivo de flexão biaxial (12x1,2 mm; n=10). Para determinar m e 0, mais 20 espécimes de cada compósito foram testados na taxa de 100 MPa/s. Os diagramas SPT foram obtidos a partir dos dados da fadiga dinâmica e análise de Weibull. No ensaio de fadiga cíclica, um dispositivo de flexão biaxial (12x1,2 mm) foi utilizado para se obter a resistência à flexão inicial (RFI; n=14) e o LFC (n=20). LFC foi obtido pelo método escada após 105 ciclos. Para todos os testes, os espécimes foram armazenados em água destilada a 37oC por 24h. Foi realizada a fractografia dos espécimes fraturados nas taxas 10-2 e 10-1 MPa/s da fadiga dinâmica e nos ensaios para determinação da RFI e LFC. Houve relação direta entre d50 e KIc (C0,5: 1,2±0,1b; C0,9: 1,3±0,1ab; C1,2: 1,3±0,1ab; C1,9: 1,4±0,2a, em MPa.m0,5). C0,5 (31,2±6,2a) e C1,9 (34,7±7,4a) apresentaram valores de n superiores a C0,9 (20,3±3,0b) e C1,2 (17,3±1,8b). C1,2 (166,42±0,01a) apresentou o maior valor de f0 (em MPa), seguido pelo C1,9 (159,82±0,02b), C0,9 (159,59±0,02c) e C0,5 (158,40±0,02d). Não houve diferença estatística entre os valores de m (6,6 a 10,6) e 0 (170,6 a 176,4 MPa) dos compósitos...

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of different filler sizes in the fracture toughness (KIc), subcritical crack growth (n e f0) and Weibull (m e 0) parameters, longevity estimated by the strength-probability-time (SPT) diagram and cyclic fatigue limit (CFL) of experimental resin composites. Four composites were prepared, each one containing 78 w% (59 vol%) of inorganic content, in which 67 w% were glass powder with different filler sizes (d50 = 0.5; 0.9; 1.2 e 1.9 µm) and 11 w% were pyrogenic silica. KIc data was obtained by the single-edge notched beam test and submitted to ANOVA/Tukey tests (p < 0.05). n and f0 were determined by the dynamic fatigue test (10-2 a 102 MPa/s) using a biaxial flexural device (12x1.2 mm; n=10). 20 specimens of each composite were tested at 100 MPa/s to determine Weibull parameters. SPT diagrams were constructed using the dynamic fatigue and Weibull data. For the cyclic fatigue test, a biaxial flexural device (12x1.2 mm) was used to obtain the initial flexural strength (IFS; n=14) and CFL (n=20). CFL was determined by staircase method after 105 cycles. For all tests, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37oC for 24h. It was done the fractography of the fractured specimens that was subjected to the 10-2 e 10-1 MPa/s rates of the dynamic fatigue and to the IFS and CFL tests. There was a direct relation between d50 e KIc (C0.5: 1.2±0.1b; C0.9: 1.3±0.1ab; C1.2: 1.3±0.1ab; C1.9: 1.4±0,2a, in MPa.m0,5). C0.5 (31.2±6.2a) and C1.9 (34.7±7.4a) presented higher n values than C0.9 (20.3±3.0b) and C1.2 (17.3±1.8b). C1.2 (166.42±0.01a) showed the highest f0 value (in MPa), followed by C1.9 (159.82±0.02b), C0.9 (159.59±0.02c) and C0.5 (158.40±0.02d). There were no statistical differences among the m (6.6 to 10.6) and 0 (170.6 to 176.4 MPa) values of the composites...