Scanning electron microscopy assessment of the load-bearing capacity of cad/cam-fabricated molar crowns

Abstract Although fiber-reinforced composites are commonly used in dental practice, whether fiber-reinforced crowns and fixed partial dentures can be used as definitive prostheses remains to be determined. This study used scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of non-reinforced and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) molar crowns prepared by computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). The crowns were fabricated from three empirical FRC blocks, one empirical composite block, and one commercial ceramic block. The FRC resin was prepared by mixing BaO silicate particles, E-glass fiber, and dimethacrylate resin. Specimens were divided into five groups (n = 10), differing in the amounts of filler, resin, and fiber. Crowns were statically loaded until fracture. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc multiple comparison tests were used for statistical analyses. The groups showed significant differences in load-bearing capacity; empirical bidirectional FRC resin blocks had the highest capacity, while commercial ceramic blocks had the lowest capacity. Molar crowns formed from FRC resin blocks had higher load-bearing capacity compared to non-reinforced composite resin and ceramic blocks. These results show that fiber reinforcement increased the load-bearing capacity of molar crowns.

Effect of endodontic chelating solutions on the bond strength of endodontic sealers

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of various chelating solutions on the radicular push-out bond strength of calcium silicate-based and resin-based root canal sealers. Root canals of freshly-extracted single-rooted teeth (n = 80) were instrumented by using rotary instruments. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the chelating solutions being tested: (1) 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); (2) 9% etidronic acid; (3) 1% peracetic acid (PAA); and (4) distilled water (control). In each group, the roots were further assigned into 2 subgroups according to the sealer used: (1) an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) and (2) a calcium silicate-based sealer (iRoot SP). Four 1 mm-thick sections were obtained from the coronal aspect of each root (n = 40 slices/group). Push-out bond strength test was performed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min., and the bond strength data were analyzed statistically with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Failure modes were assessed quantitatively under a stereomicroscope. Irrespective of the irrigation regimens, iRoot SP exhibited significantly higher push-out bond strength values than AH Plus (p < 0.05). For both the sealers, the use of chelating solutions increased the bond strength, but to levels that were not significantly greater than their respective controls (p > 0.05). iRoot SP showed higher resistance to dislocation than AH Plus. Final irrigation with 17% EDTA, 9% Etidronic acid, and 1% PAA did not improve the bond strength of AH Plus and iRoot SP to radicular dentin.

Does the Period of Air-Drying Affect Dentin Bond Strength of Different Adhesive Systems.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of air-drying time of adhesives on shear bond strength of different adhesive systems. Methodology: The occlusal surfaces of 175 mandibular third molars were ground to obtain flat dentin surfaces and then divided into three groups according to three adhesive systems used: (1) Conventional three-step adhesive (Scotchbond Multi-purpose Plus); 2) Self-etch adhesive (Adper Easy Bond) and 3) Single bottle self-etch adhesive (Scotchbond Universal adhesive). Regarding the application of adhesives before resin composite application, it was gently air-dried for 3 s in Groups 1, whereas, the adhesive was left wet in Group 2. The group 3, that was air-dried until the liquid did not move (5 s), was served as control. Following bonding of resin cement (Filtek Supreme) to dentin, the specimens were light cured for 20s with a LED. After storage in water at 37ºC for one week, the strength measurements were accomplished with universal testing machine (Lloyd LRX) until the failure occurs. Failure modes were examined using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance Original Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(27): 4523-4532, 2014 4524 (ANOVA) and TukeyHSD tests (α=0.05). Results: The two-way ANOVA revealed that adhesive systems had a significant effect on shear bond strength values (p<0.001). However, air-drying time did not influence shear bond strength (p=0.442). Additionally, there was no interaction effect between adhesive systems and air-drying time (p=0.835). Conclusion: The data suggests that increased air-drying time of adhesives does not significantly affect bond strength.