Effect of atmospheric plasma versus conventional surface treatments on the adhesion capability between self-adhesive resin cement and titanium surface

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of atmospheric plasma (APL) versus conventional surface treatments on the adhesion of self-adhesive resin cement to Ti-6Al-4V alloy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty plates of machined titanium (Ti) discs were divided into five groups (n=12): 1) Untreated (CNT); 2) Sandblasted (SAB); 3) Tribochemically treated (ROC); 4) Tungsten CarbideBur (TCB); 5) APL treated (APL). SEM analysis and surface roughness (Ra) measurements were performed. Self-adhesive resin cement was bonded to the Ti surfaces and shear bond strength (SBS) tests, Ra and failure mode examinations were carried out. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and chi-squared test. RESULTS: The lowest SBS value was obtained with CNT and was significantly different from all other groups except for APL. The ROC showed the highest SBS and Ra values of all the groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the effect of APL on SBS and Ra was not sufficient and it may not be a potential for promoting adhesion to titanium.

Cone beam CT evaluation of maxillary sinus septa prevalence, height, location and morphology in children and an adult population

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, height, location and morphology of maxillary sinus septa in dentate, partially dentate and edentulous adults as well as in mixed dentition children using cone beam computed tomography [CBCT] for maxillary sinus surgical interventions. Five hundred and fifty-four sides in the CBCT scans of 272 patients [30 children and 242 adults] were retrospectively analyzed. The prevalence, location and morphology were assessed in axial, sagittal, cross-sectional and panoramic 3-dimensional images. The height of septa was measured with the angle between the direction of the septum and median palatine suture. The differences among age, localization and measurements were statistically analyzed. The prevalence of maxillary sinus segments with septa was 58%. There were a total of 13 [3.2%] septa of completely edentulous [CE], 198 [53.9%] septa of edentate and 14 [3.8%] septa of the mixed dentition maxillary segments. The location of septa observed in all study groups demonstrated a greater prevalence [69.1%] in the middle region than in the anterior and posterior regions. No statistically significant differences were observed with regard to gender or age, for septum height [p > 0.05]. However, maxillary sinus septa are higher in partially edentulous patients than edentate and CE ones [p < 0.05]. Septa of various heights and courses developed in all parts of the maxillary sinus, therefore to prevent possible complications during sinus surgery, extensive evaluation with an appropriate radiographic technique was indispensable