Effect of elastomeric urethane monomer on physicochemical properties and shrinkage stress of resin composites

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an elastomeric urethane monomer (Exothane-24) in different concentrations on physicochemical properties, gap formation, and polymerization shrinkage stress of experimental resin composites. All experimental composites were prepared with 50 wt.% of Bis-GMA and 50 wt.% of TEGDMA, to which 0 wt.% (control), 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 30 wt.%, and 40 wt.% of Exothane-24 were added. Filler particles (65 wt.%) were then added to these resin matrixes. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS: n = 10), flexural strength (FS: n = 10), flexural modulus (FM: n = 10), hardness (H: n = 10), hardness reduction (HR: n = 10), degree of conversion (DC: n = 5), gap width (GW: n = 10), and polymerization shrinkage stress in Class I (SS-I: n = 10) and Class II (SS-II: n = 10) simulated configuration. All test data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05; β= 0.2). Exothane-24 in all concentrations decreased the H, HR, DC, GW, SS-I, and SS-II (p < 0.05) without affecting the UTS, and FS (p > 0.05). Reduction in FM was observed only in the Exothane 40% and 30% groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). Exothane-24 at concentrations 20% and 30% seems suitable since it reduced GW and polymerization SS without affecting the properties of the composite resins tested, except for H.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de um monômero elastomérico de uretano (Exothane-24) em diferentes concentrações em propriedades físico-químicas, formação de fenda e tensão de contração de polimerização de resinas compostas experimentais. Todos os compósitos experimentais foram preparados com 50% em peso de Bis-GMA e 50% em peso de TEGDMA, nos quais 0% (controle), 10%, 20%, 30% e 40% em peso de Exothane-24 foram adicionados. Partículas de carga (65% em peso) foram então adicionadas as matrizes resinosas. Resistência coesiva (RC: n = 10), resistência à flexão (RF: n = 10), módulo de flexão (MF: n = 10), dureza (D: n = 10), redução de dureza (RD: n = 10), grau de conversão (GC: n = 5), largura de fenda (LF: n = 10) e tensão de contração de polimerização em simulações de cavidades Classe I (TC-I: n = 10) e Classe II (TC-II: n = 10). Todos os dados do teste foram analisados usando one-way ANOVA e teste de Tukey (α = 0,05; β = 0,2). O Exothane-24 em todas as concentrações diminuiu a D, RD, GC, LF, TC-I e TC-II (p < 0,05) sem afetar o RC e RF (p > 0,05). A redução da MF foi observada apenas nos grupos Exothane 40% e 30% em relação ao controle (p < 0,05). O Exothane-24 nas concentrações de 20% e 30% pareceu ser adequado, pois reduziu LF e TC de polimerização sem afetar as propriedades das resinas compostas testadas, exceto para D.

Patients´ satisfaction concerning direct anterior dental restoration

Abstract The objective of this study was to observe patients' satisfaction with their in-service direct anterior dental restorations and to compare it with clinical evaluation using FDI (Federation Dental International) criteria. Patients scored their own anterior dental restorations regarding satisfaction (satisfactory /dissatisfactory). If dissatisfaction was mentioned, then, they would be interviewed about the complaint. In the same session, the dental restorations were clinically evaluated by two dentists using FDI criteria (1-5 score) concerning esthetic, functional, and biological domains. Descriptive statistics were used for frequencies of scores attributed by patients and clinicians. In order to compare patients' to clinicians' frequencies, the Chi-square test was applied (p ≤ 0.05). A total of 106 restorations were evaluated by patients and clinicians. Patients reported 52.8% of restorations satisfactory and 47.8% dissatisfactory. Overall, clinicians reported the same restorations as 82,3% satisfactory and 17,6% dissatisfactory. Patients' most frequent complaints referred to color, followed by anatomical form, fracture of material and retention, and approximal anatomical form. Comparing patients' satisfaction and dissatisfaction rates to clinicians' evaluation per criteria, there was no difference regarding esthetics. The frequency of dissatisfactory restorations by clinicians was significantly lower when functional and biological properties were compared with patients' opinions. Direct anterior dental restorations were more frequently reported as satisfactory by patients and clinicians, being the main complaints related to esthetic issues. When clinicians and patients' evaluations were compared, it was observed that the frequencies of satisfactory restoration by patients and clinicians were similar regarding esthetic properties, and significantly different regarding functional and biological properties.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi observar a satisfação dos pacientes com suas restaurações dentárias anteriores diretas e compará-las com a avaliação clínica do dentista usando os critérios FDI (Federation Dental International). Os pacientes pontuaram suas restaurações dentárias (n=106) anteriores em relação à satisfação (satisfatória / insatisfatória). Quando insatisfatória, ele foi entrevistado sobre a queixa. Na mesma sessão, as restaurações dentárias foram avaliadas clinicamente por dois dentistas utilizando os critérios FDI (escore 1-5) quanto aos aspectos estéticos, funcionais e biológicos. Estatística descritiva foi usada para frequências de escores atribuídos por pacientes e clínicos. Para comparar as frequências dos pacientes e dos clínicos, foi aplicado o teste Qui-quadrado (p ≤ 0,05). Os pacientes relataram suas restaurações como 52,8% satisfatórias e 47,8% insatisfatórias. Os clínicos reportaram as mesmas restaurações, 82,3% satisfatória e 17,6% insatisfatória. As queixas mais frequentes dos pacientes referiam-se à cor, seguida da forma anatômica, fratura e retenção do material e forma anatômica proximal. Comparando os índices de satisfação e insatisfação dos pacientes com os clínicos, não houve diferença em relação à estética. A frequência de restaurações insatisfatórias por dentistas foi significativamente menor quando as propriedades funcionais e biológicas foram comparadas com as opiniões dos pacientes. As restaurações foram mais frequentemente relatadas como satisfatórias pelos pacientes, sendo as principais queixas relacionadas a questões estéticas. Quando as avaliações dos clínicos e dos pacientes foram comparadas, observou-se que as frequências de restaurações satisfatórias por pacientes e clínicos foram semelhantes em relação às propriedades estéticas e significativamente diferentes em relação às propriedades funcionais e biológicas.

Microtensile Bond Strength of Adhesive Systems in Different Dentin Regions on a Class II Cavity Configuration

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives systems compared in different dentin regions (central-CD or proximal-PD) in a class II cavity configuration. A class II (mesial-oclusal-distal) cavity configuration was simulated on 20 extracted human third-molars (4 mm wide/3 mm deep). Etch-and-rinse adhesive (Scotchbond Multi Purpose, n=5, SBMP and Optibond FL, n=5, OPFL) and self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond, n=5, CSE and Optibond XTR, n=5, OPXTR) were applied. Class II restorations were performed by incremental technique and photo-activated (Bluephase/G2). Samples were sectioned to beam shape (1 mm² cross-section), placed on Geraldeli's device for µTBS test (0.5 mm/min cross-head speed). Fracture patterns were analyzed on stereomicroscope and classified as cohesive-resin, adhesive, mixed/resin or mixed/dentin. Samples (n=4) were prepared for scanning electron microscope observation. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA with Split-Plot arrangement and Tukey's test (α=0.05). There were no statistically significant differences among SBMP, OPFL, CSE and OPXTR on CD (p>0.05). However, on PD for SBMP and OPFL, µTBS values were significantly lower compared to CSE and OPXTR (p<0.05). In all groups, mixed failure pattern was more frequently observed, except for SBMP/CD (adhesive). In class II type cavity configuration, PD location negatively influenced bond strength of etch-and-rinse adhesive systems. Opposite to self-etching adhesives, which presented higher bond strength values compared to etch-and-rinse adhesives in PD.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união à microtração (µTBS) de sistemas adesivos auto-condicionantes e convencionais comparados por entre diferentes regiões dentinárias (central-DC ou proximal-DP) em um preparo cavitário classe II. Um preparo cavitário classe II (mesio-ocluso-distal) foi simulado em 20 terceiros molares humanos (4 mm largura/3 mm profundidade). Adesivos convencionais (Scotchbond Multi Purpose, n=5, SBMP e Optibond FL, n=5, OPFL) e adesivos auto-condicionantes (Clearfil SE Bond, n=5, CSE e Optibond XTR, n=5, OPXTR foram aplicados. As restaurações classe II foram realizadas usando a técnica incremental e fotoativadas (Bluephase/G2). As amostras foram seccionadas em forma de palito (1 mm2 secção transversal), posicionadas no dispositivo de Geraldeli para o teste µTBS (velocidade transversal de 0,5 mm/min). O padrão de fratura foi analisado em estereoscópio e classificado em coesivo-resina, adesivo, misto/resina, misto/dentina. Amostras (n=4) foram preparadas para observação em microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Os dados foram submetidos a ANOVA um fator e teste de Turkey (α=0,05). Não houve diferença estatística significante entre SBMP, OPFL, CSE, e OPXTR em DC (p>0,05). Entretanto, para SBMP e OPFL em DP, valores µTBS foram significativamente menores comparados com CSE e OPXTR (p<0,05). Em todos os grupos, o padrão de fratura misto foi o mais frequentemente observado, exceto em SBMP/CD (adesivo). Em um preparo classe II, a localização da DP influenciou negativamente a resistência de união de sistemas adesivos convencionais. Oposto aos adesivos auto-condicionantes, que em DP apresentaram valores de resistência de união maiores comparados com adesivos convencionais.

Efficiency of polymerization of bulk-fill composite resins: a systematic review

Abstract This systematic review assessed the literature to evaluate the efficiency of polymerization of bulk-fill composite resins at 4 mm restoration depth. PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched with no restrictions on year, publication status, or article's language. Selection criteria included studies that evaluated bulk-fill composite resin when inserted in a minimum thickness of 4 mm, followed by curing according to the manufacturers' instructions; presented sound statistical data; and comparison with a control group and/or a reference measurement of quality of polymerization. The evidence level was evaluated by qualitative scoring system and classified as high-, moderate- and low- evidence level. A total of 534 articles were retrieved in the initial search. After the review process, only 10 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles included (80%) were classified as high evidence level. Among several techniques, microhardness was the most frequently method performed by the studies included in this systematic review. Irrespective to the "in vitro" method performed, bulk fill RBCs were partially likely to fulfill the important requirement regarding properly curing in 4 mm of cavity depth measured by depth of cure and / or degree of conversion. In general, low viscosities BFCs performed better regarding polymerization efficiency compared to the high viscosities BFCs.

Comparing depth-dependent curing radiant exposure and time of curing of regular and flow bulk-fill composites

Abstract The effect of restoration depth on the curing time of a conventional and two bulk-fill composite resins by measuring microhardness and the respective radiosity of the bottom surface of the specimen was investigated. 1-, 3- and 5-mm thick washers were filled with Surefil SDR Flow-U (SDR), Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill-IVA (TEC) or Esthet-X HD-B1 (EHD), and cured with Bluephase® G2 for 40s. Additional 1-mm washers were filled with SDR, TEC or EHD, placed above the light sensor of MARC®, stacked with pre-cured 1-, 3- or 5-mm washer of respective material, and cured for 2.5~60s to mimic 2-, 4- and 6-mm thick composite curing. The sensor measured the radiosity (EB) at the bottom of specimen stacks. Vickers hardness (VH) was measured immediately at 5 locations with triplicate specimens. Nonlinear regression of VH vs EB by VH=α[1-exp(-EB/β)] with all thickness shows that the values of α, maximum hardness, are 21.6±1.0 kg/mm2 for SDR, 38.3±0.6 kg/mm2 for TEC and 45.3±2.6 kg/mm2 for EHD, and the values of β, rate parameter, are 0.40±0.06 J/cm2 for SDR, 0.77±0.04 J/cm2 for TEC and 0.58±0.09 J/cm2 for EHD. The radiosity of the bottom surface was calculated when the bottom surface of each material attained 80% of α of each material. The curing times for each material are in agreement with manufacturer recommendation for thickness. It is possible to estimate time needed to cure composite resin of known depth adequately by the radiosity and microhardness of the bottom surface.