Influence of number and position of porcelain specimens in the furnace on flexural strength and translucency

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the quantity and positioning of feldspathic ceramic specimens inside the furnace on their flexural strength and translucency. The tested hypotheses were that the arrangement of specimens in the furnance would not influence 1) the translucency or 2) the biaxial strength of the porcelain. Methods: Ninety porcelain specimens were made (1.2 mm thickness and 13.5 mm diameter) and assigned into two main groups (n=15): G1 group - 15 firing cycles containing only one specimen each, always at the center of the refractory; and G5 group - 15 firing cycles containing five specimen each, where one specimen was at the center of the refractory and four specimens positioned equidistantly on the periphery. The translucency test was performed using a spectrophotometer, followed by the flexural strength test, according to ISO 6872:2015. T-student test was performed for both the mechanical and optical obtained data. Results: The flexural strength of the porcelain was not affected by the positioning (center x periphery) of the specimens inside the furnace (p =0.08), but the translucency was affected (periphery > center; p =0.009). Regarding to the number of feldspathic ceramic specimens, the biaxial flexural strength was affected (p =0.025), as well as the translucency (p <0.05). Conclusion: A higher quantity of feldspathic ceramic specimens for each firing cycle decreased its biaxial flexural strength and translucency. Also, specimens positioned at the center of the refractory became less translucent than those positioned at the periphery.

Effect of immediate dentin sealing and temporary cement removal on bond strength of resin cements to dentin / Efeito do selamento dentinário imediato e da remoção do cimento provisório na resistência de união de cimentos resinosos à dentina

Objective: To evaluate the influence of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) and mechanical methods for removing the temporary cement on the bond strength between dentin and resin cements. Material and Methods: Bovine incisors were ground until dentin exposure and divided according to two factors: "dentin surface treatment"' - cleaning with manual dental excavator (DE), with Robinson bristle brush and pumice paste (PP) or IDS application with Single Bond 2 (IDS/SB+PP) or Single Bond Universal (IDS/SBU+PP) plus cleaning with PP; and "resin cement" - Self-adhesive (RelyX U200) or conventional cement with self-etching adhesive (Multilink Automix). Simulating provisional restoration, acrylic resin plates were cemented onto the dentin surface (with or without IDS) with a non-eugenol temporary cement, and stored in distilled water (37 ºC; 7 days). The acrylic plates were removed, the dentin surface was cleaned (PP or DE), and starch tubes were positioned on the dentin where the resin cements were applied. After 24 h, the specimens were submitted to a microshear test (wire-loop method). Results: Two-way analysis of variance showed statistically significant influence of dentine surface treatments (p< 0.001) and resin cement (p= 0.001) in the bond strength values. The IDS/SBU+PP/U200 (7.24 MPa) and IDS/SBU+PP/MULTI (6.40 MPa) groups presented higher values when compared to cleaning with DE (DE/U200= 4.60 MPa; DE/MULTI= 1.45 MPa) and PP (PP/U200= 3.74 MPa; PP/MULTI= 3.14 MPa). Statistical difference was also found between the cements when dental excavator treatment was used (RelyX U200 ˃ Multilink Automix). The IDS/SBU+PP protocol presented a higher percentage of cohesive failures. The micrographs showed differences in dentin surface characteristics among the groups. Conclusion: Immediate dentin sealing increased the bond strength of the resin cements to dentin compared to mechanical cleaning only, regardless the resin cement. (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do selamento dentinário imediato (IDS) e dos métodos mecânicos de remoção do cimento provisório na resistência de união entre dentina e cimentos resinosos. Materiais e Métodos: Incisivos bovinos foram desgastados até a exposição da dentina e divididos de acordo com dois fatores: "tratamento da superfície dentinária" - limpeza com cureta dentária manual (DE), com escova de cerdas Robinson e pasta de pedra-pomes (PP) ou aplicação de IDS com Single Bond 2 (IDS/SB +PP) ou Single Bond Universal (IDS/SBU+PP) mais limpeza com PP; e "cimento resinoso" - autoadesivo (RelyX U200) ou cimento convencional com adesivo autocondicionante (Multilink Automix). Simulando a restauração provisória, placas de resina acrílica foram cimentadas na superfície dentinária (com ou sem IDS) com um cimento provisório sem eugenol e armazenadas em água destilada (37 ºC; 7 dias). As placas de acrílico foram removidas, a superfície dentinária foi limpa (PP ou DE) e tubos de amido foram posicionados na dentina onde os cimentos resinosos foram aplicados. Após 24 h, os corpos-de-prova foram submetidos ao ensaio de microcisalhamento (método wire-loop). Resultados: A análise de variância de dois fatores mostrou influência estatisticamente significativa dos tratamentos de superfície dentinária (p< 0,001) e cimento resinoso (p= 0,001) nos valores de resistência de união. Os grupos IDS/SBU+PP/U200 (7,24 MPa) e IDS/SBU+PP/MULTI (6,40 MPa) apresentaram valores maiores quando comparados à limpeza com DE (DE/U200= 4,60 MPa; DE/MULTI= 1,45 MPa) e PP (PP/U200= 3,74 MPa; PP/MULTI= 3,14 MPa). Uma diferença estatística também foi encontrada entre os cimentos quando o tratamento com cureta dentária foi usado (RelyX U200 ˃ Multilink Automix). O protocolo IDS/SBU+PP apresentou maior percentual de falhas coesivas. As micrografias mostraram diferenças nas características da superfície dentinária entre os grupos. Conclusão: O selamento dentinário imediato aumentou a resistência de união dos cimentos resinosos à dentina em comparação com a limpeza mecânica apenas, independentemente do cimento resinoso.(AU)

The influence of roughness on the resistance to impact of different CAD/CAM dental ceramics

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of surface roughness (polished vs. CAD/CAM milling simulation) on impact strength of five dental ceramics for manufacturing CAD/CAM monolithic restorations. Specimens of five ceramics (FC- feldspathic glass-ceramic; PICN- polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network; ZLS- zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic; LD- lithium disilicate glass-ceramic; YZ- yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic) to be tested under impact (15×10×2mm3; n= 15) were divided into two groups, according to surface treatment: polishing (pol) and grinding (gri) as CAD/CAM milling simulation. Impact strength was tested using the Dynstat method. Roughness, topographic, fractographic and finite element analyses were performed. The impact strength data were analyzed by Weibull, and Pearson correlation was used to correlate roughness and impact strength data. The CAD/CAM milling simulation led to significantly (p<0.05) greater roughness (Ra and Rz) and statistically reduced the impact strength for PICN (polPICN= 4.59 to griPICN= 1.09; ±76% decrease), for LD (polLD= 17.69 to griLD= 10.09; ±43% decrease) and for YZ (polYZ= 74.99 to griYZ= 20.67; ±72% decrease) ceramics; and also promoted a more irregular topography with scratches and grooves. Fractographic and FEA analyses depicted the origin of failure at the higher stress concentration side during the impact test, where the pendulum impacted. The CAD/CAM milling simulation significantly decreased the impact strength of the evaluated ceramic materials.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o efeito da rugosidade da superfície (polido vs. simulação da usinagem em CAD/CAM) na resistência ao impacto de cinco cerâmicas odontológicas indicadas na fabricação de restaurações monolíticas em CAD/CAM. Espécimes de cinco cerâmicas (FC- vitrocerâmica feldspática; PICN- rede de cerâmica infiltrada com polímero; ZLS- vitrocerâmica de silicato de lítio reforçada com zircônia; LD- vitrocerâmica de dissilicato de lítio; YZ- cerâmica policristalina de zircônia tetragonal estabilizada com ítria), a serem testados sob impacto (15 × 10 × 2mm3; n= 15), foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o tratamento superficial: polimento (pol) e desgaste (gri), usado como simulação da usinagem em CAD/CAM. A resistência ao impacto foi testada usando o método Dynstat. Foram realizadas as análises de rugosidade, topografia, fractografia e análise de elementos finitos. Os dados de resistência ao impacto foram analisados pela análise de Weibull, e a correlação de Pearson foi usada para correlacionar os dados de rugosidade e resistência ao impacto. A simulação da usinagem em CAD/CAM levou a uma rugosidade (Ra e Rz) significativamente maior (p < 0,05) para todas as cerâmicas, e reduziu estatisticamente a resistência ao impacto para as cerâmicas PICN (polPICN = 4,59 para griPICN = 1,09; redução de ± 76%), LD (polLD = 17,69 para griLD = 10,09; ± 43% de redução) e YZ (polYZ = 74,99 para griYZ = 20,67; ± 72% de redução); e também promoveu uma topografia mais irregular apresentando riscos e sulcos acentuados. As análises de fractografia e de elementos finitos mostraram a origem da falha no lado de maior concentração de tensão durante o teste de impacto, onde o pêndulo impactou o espécime. A simulação da usinagem em CAD/CAM reduziu significativamente a resistência ao impacto dos materiais cerâmicos avaliados.

Polishing of ground y-tzp ceramic is mandatory for improving the mechanical behavior

Abstract It evaluated the effect of aging by Low Temperature Degradation (LTD), executed after post- processing surface treatments (polishing, heat treatment and glazing), on the surface characteristics (micromorphology and roughness) and on the structural stability (phase transformation and mechanical behavior-flexural strength and structural reliability) of a ground yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic. Discs of Y-TZP (VITA In-Ceram YZ) were manufactured (ISO:6872-2015; 15 mm in diameter and 1.2 ± 0.2 mm in thickness) and randomly assigned into 10 groups according two factors: "aging" in 2 levels (with or without) and "surface treatment" in 5 levels (Ctrl: as-sintered; Gr: grinding with coarse diamond bur; Gr + HT: grinding plus heat treatment; Gr + Pol: grinding plus polishing; Gr + Gl: grinding plus glazing). Roughness (n=30), biaxial flexural test (n=30), phase transformation (n=2), and surface topography (n=2) analyses were performed. Aging led to an intense increase in monoclinic (m) phase content for all the tested conditions, being the as-sintered samples (Ctrl= 65.6%) more susceptible to the t-m phase transformation. Despite of increasing the m-phase content, aging was not detrimental for characteristic strength (except to the grinding condition). There was no significant reduction in the Weibull modulus after surface treatments. Additionally, heat treatment and glazing after grinding led to a decrease in characteristic strength, while polishing presented the highest characteristic strength values. Thus, polishing is mandatory after grinding the Y-TZP ceramic, while performing glazing or heat-treatment alone after grinding lead to the worst mechanical performance.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou o efeito do envelhecimento através da degradação a baixas temperaturas (low temperaturare degradation - LTD) após a realização de tratamentos de superfície pós- sinterização (polimento, tratamento térmico e glaze) nas características superficiais (micromorfologia e rugosidade), e na estabilidade estrutural (transformação de fase e comportamento mecânico - resistência flexural e confiabilidade estrutural) de uma cerâmica de zircônia tetragonal policristalina estabilizada por ítria (Y-TZP) desgastada. Discos de cerâmica Y-TZP (VITA In-Ceram YZ) foram confeccionados (ISO:6872-2015; 15mm de diâmetro e 1,2 ± 0,2mm de espessura) e randomicamente divididos em 10 grupos de acordo com dois fatores: "envelhecimento" (com e sem) e "tratamento de superfície" (Ctrl - sem tratamento; Gr - desgaste com ponta diamantada grossa; Gr + HT - desgaste mais tratamento térmico; Gr + Pol - desgaste mais polimento; Gr + Gl - desgaste mais glazeamento). Foram realizadas as análises de rugosidade (n=30), flexão biaxial (n=30), transformação de fase (n=2) e topografia de superfície (n=2). O envelhecimento levou a um aumento intenso no conteúdo de fase monoclínica (m) em todas as condições testadas, sendo observada uma maior susceptibilidade de transformação de fase t-m nas amostras do grupo controle (Ctrl= 65.6%). Apesar de provocar elevada transformação de fase, o envelhecimento não apresentou efeitos negativos nos desfechos avaliados. Não houve redução significativa do módulo de Weibull após os tratamentos. Além disso, o tratamento térmico e o glaze após desgaste levaram a uma redução da resistência característica, enquanto que o grupo polimento apresentou o mais alto valor de resistência característica. O glaze e o tratamento térmico geraram o pior desempenho mecânico, portanto a realização do polimento após desgaste de uma cerâmica Y-TZP é obrigatória.

Effect of Grinding and Multi-Stimuli Aging on the Fatigue Strength of a Y-TZP Ceramic

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of grinding and multi-stimuli aging on the fatigue strength, surface topography and the phase transformation of Y-TZP ceramic. Discs were manufactured according to ISO-6872:2008 for biaxial flexure testing (diameter: 15 mm; thickness: 1.2 mm) and randomly assigned considering two factors "grinding" and "aging": C- control (as-sintered); CA- control + aging; G- ground; GA- ground + aging. Grinding was carried out with coarse diamond burs under water-cooling. Aging protocols consisted of: autoclave (134°C, 2 bars pressure, 20 hours), followed by storage for 365 days (samples were kept untouched at room temperature), and by mechanical cycling (106 cycles by 20 Hz under a load of 50% from the biaxial flexure monotonic tests). Flexural fatigue strengths (20,000 cycles; 6 Hz) were determined under sinusoidal cyclic loading using staircase approach. Additionally, surface topography analysis by FE-SEM and phase transformation analysis by X-ray Diffractometry were performed. Dixon and Mood methodology was used to analyze the fatigue strength data. Grinding promotes alterations of topographical pattern, while aging apparently did not alter it. Grinding triggered t-m phase transformation without impacting the fatigue strength of the Y-TZP ceramic; and aging promoted an intense t-m transformation that resulted in a toughening mechanism leading to higher fatigue strength for as-sintered condition, and a tendency of increase for ground condition (C < CA; G = GA). It concludes that grinding and aging procedures did not affect deleteriously the fatigue strength of the evaluated Y-TZP ceramic, although, it promotes surface topography alterations, except to aging, and t-m phase transformation.

Resumo Este estudo objetivou investigar o efeito do desgaste e envelhecimento (estímulos combinados) na resistência à fadiga, topografia superficial e transformação de fase de uma cerâmica Y-TZP. Discos para teste de flexão biaxial foram confeccionados segundo as normas da ISO-6872:2008 (15 mm Ø; 1,2 mm espessura) e randomicamente distribuídos de acordo com os fatores "desgaste" e "envelhecimento": C- controle (sinterizado); CA- controle envelhecido; G- desgaste; GA- desgaste envelhecido. O desgaste foi feito com pontas diamantadas de granulação grossa sob irrigação com água. Os protocolos de envelhecimento consistiram em: autoclave (134°C, 2 bar de pressão, 20 horas), 365 dias armazenados em temperatura ambiente, e ciclagem mecânica (106 ciclos a 20 Hz em um intervalo de carga de até 50% da carga monotônica observada em testes estáticos). A resistência à fadiga foi determinada para 20.000 ciclos à 6 Hz sob carregamento sinusoidal através do método de escada. Adicionalmente, análises de topografia superficial em microscopia eletrônica de varredura e de transformação de fase por difração de raios-X foram executadas. A metodologia de Dixon e Mood foi usada para analisar os dados de resistência à fadiga. Foi observado que o desgaste promove uma alteração de padrão topográfico superficial; enquanto o envelhecimento aparentemente não demonstra influência. Em relação à transformação de fase e resistência à fadiga, o desgaste desencadeou um aumento de fase m sem impactar na resistência à fadiga da cerâmica Y-TZP; já o envelhecimento promoveu uma intensa transformação de fase, resultando no mecanismo de tenacificação, que gerou um aumento na resistência à fadiga para a condição sinterizada e uma tendência a aumento na condição desgaste (C < CA; G = GA). Os dados elucidam que o desgaste e o envelhecimento não impactaram negativamente na resistência à fadiga da cerâmica Y-TZP, apesar de promoverem alterações de topografia superficial e intensa transformação de fase de t-m respectivamente.

Effect of different impression methods and ceramic materials on adaptation of inlays / Efeito de diferentes métodos de moldagem e materiais cerâmicos na adaptação de inlays

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal and marginal adaptation of inlays fabricated from different types of impressions (conventional and digital) and different ceramics (feldspathic and lithium disilicate). Material and Methods: Forty premolars were prepared for all-ceramic inlay restoration and assigned to 4 groups (n=10), according to the impression method (conventional with addition silicone and digital impression) and ceramic type (lithium disilicate and feldspathic ceramic blocks). For each type of impression, 10 inlays were milled from lithium disilicate blocks and the other 10 from feldspathic ceramic blocks in a CAD-CAM facility. The internal adaptation was analyzed by the replica technique. The marginal fit was analyzed under a stereo microscope by directly measuring the gap formed between the inlay and the tooth in the proximal and occlusal regions. Results: The marginal or internal adaptations were not affected by type of impression (conventional = digital impression), irrespective of the ceramic type. Only the internal adaptation was affected by the material type, i.e., feldspathic ceramic had lower values than lithium dissilicate ceramic, when considering the digital impression. Conclusion: The conventional and digital impressions promoted similar marginal and internal adaptation for feldspathic and disilicate ceramic inlays. For the digital impression the feldspathic inlays showed better internal adaptation than lithium dissilicate inlays. (AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adaptação interna e marginal de inlays confeccionadas a partir de diferentes tipos de moldagens (convencional e digital) e diferentes materiais cerâmicos (feldspática e dissilicato de lítio). Materiais e Métodos: Quarenta pré-molares foram preparados para inlay totalmente cerâmica e distribuídos em 4 grupos (n = 10) segundo o método de moldagem (convencional com silicone de adição e moldagem digital) e tipo cerâmica (dissilicato de lítio e blocos de cerâmica feldspática). Para cada tipo de moldagem, 10 inlays foram confeccionadas a partir de pastilhas de dissilicato de lítio e as outras 10 de blocos de cerâmica feldspática, por meio do sistema CAD-CAM. A adaptação interna foi analisada pela técnica da réplica. O ajuste marginal foi analisado com estéreo microscópio medindo diretamente o espaço entre a inlay e o dente nas regiões proximal e oclusal. Resultados: As adaptações marginais e internas não foram afetadas pelo tipo de moldagem (convencional = impressão digital), independentemente do tipo de cerâmica. Somente a adaptação interna foi afetada pelo material, sendo que a cerâmica feldspática apresentou menores valores que a cerâmica de dissilicato, considerando a moldagem digital. Conclusão: As moldagens convencional e digital promoveram adaptação marginal e interna semelhante de inlays de cerâmica feldspática e dissilicato testadas. Para moldagem digital, a cerâmica feldspática mostrou melhor adaptação interna do que a dissilicato de lítio (AU)

In vitro methods to evaluate the mechanical behavior of teeth restored with post and core: a structured review

To critically assess in vitro methods used to evaluate the mechanical behavior of endodontically treated teeth restored with intra-radicular posts and cores. Literature review: a literature search of in vitro studies was conducted in PubMed database using the search terms: ("endodontic*" OR "intracanal post") AND ("fracture" OR "resistance" OR "load" OR "strength"). A filter for publication date was set to return studies from the last five years (from October 2010 to October 2015). The research strategy resulted in 1,556 studies. After the analysis of the eligibility criteria, 92 articles were included in a descriptive analysis. Human upper central incisors were used most frequently. The natural mobility of teeth was simulated using an artificial periodontal ligament in 66.7% of the studies. In 32.2% of the studies, the load to fracture was applied directly to the core. Thermocycling was performed in 27.2% of the studies. Cyclic loading was used in 38% of the studies. Final considerations: periodontal ligament simulation, thermocycling and cyclic loads are some methods that have been employed to approximate laboratory studies to the clinical conditions that teeth restored intra-radicular posts and cores are submitted. Novel test methodologies, such as step-test and staircase approach, have been used to evaluate the fatigue behavior of this systems. However, it is important do highlight that, considering the context in which most of the included studies were performed, the extrapolation of the results to the clinical practice should be made carefully

Clinical performance and failure modes of pulpless teeth restored with posts: a systematic review

Abstract The aim of this systematic review was to compare the clinical performance and failure modes of teeth restored with intra-radicular retainers. A search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Central and ClinicalTrials databases for randomized clinical trials comparing clinical behavior and failures of at least two types of retainers. From 341 detected papers, 16 were selected for full-text analysis, of which 9 met the eligibility criteria. A manual search added 2 more studies, totalizing 11 studies that were included in this review. Evaluated retainers were fiber (prefabricated and customized) and metal (prefabricated and cast) posts, and follow-up ranged from 6 months to 10 years. Most studies showed good clinical behavior for evaluated intra-radicular retainers. Reported survival rates varied from 71 to 100% for fiber posts and 50 to 97.1% for metal posts. Studies found no difference in the survival among different metal posts and most studies found no difference between fiber and metal posts. Two studies also showed that remaining dentine height, number of walls and ferrule increased the longevity of the restored teeth. Failures of fiber posts were mainly due to post loss of retention, while metal post failures were mostly related to root fracture, post fracture and crown and/or post loss of retention. In conclusion, metal and fiber posts present similar clinical behavior at short to medium term follow-up. Remaining dental structure and ferrule increase the survival of restored pulpless teeth. Studies with longer follow-up are needed.

Mechanical behavior of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal: Effects of different aging regimens

Abstract This study aimed to characterize and compare the effect of different aging regimens on surface characteristic (topography and roughness), structural stability (phase transformation) and mechanical performance (Weibull analysis) of a Y-TZP ceramic. Discs (15 × 1.2 mm; VITA In-Ceram YZ) were prepared according to ISO 6872-2015 for biaxial flexural strength testing and randomly assigned into five groups (n = 30): as-sintered, no aging treatment (CTRL); 20 h in autoclave at 134°C, 2 bar pressure (AUT); intermittent mechanical loading at 20 Hz/106 load pulses (MechLoad); AUT followed by MechLoad (AUT+MechLoad); and storage in distilled water at 37°C, for 1 year (STO). The following analyses were performed: roughness (n = 30), surface topography (n = 2), phase transformation (n = 2) and biaxial flexure strength (n = 30). Phase transformation (increase of m-phase content) was shown to be a spontaneous, unavoidable and time-dependent process, occurring even under ambient conditions (dry storage after 1 year = 6.0% increase), and is considerably accelerated in the presence of moisture (STO = 17.6%; AUT= 63.1%; and AUT+MechLoad = 59.9%). For roughness parameters, only Ra was affected by aging, and the highest values were observed for AUT+MechLoad (0.25 ± 0.07 µm). For Weibull analysis, structural reliability (Weibull moduli) and characteristic strength were not impaired after aging, and some aging conditions led to increased values (highest weibull moduli in AUT, and highest characteristic strength in STO). Phase transformation proves to be a time-dependent spontaneous mechanism that is accelerated in the presence of different stimuli. However, none of the aging regimens had a negative effect on the characteristic strength and structural reliability of Y-TZP ceramic.

Effect of root canal preparation, type of endodontic post and mechanical cycling on root fracture strength

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the type of root canal preparation, intraradicular post and mechanical cycling on the fracture strength of roots. Material and Methods: eighty human single rooted teeth were divided into 8 groups according to the instruments used for root canal preparation (manual or rotary instruments), the type of intraradicular post (fiber posts- FRC and cast post and core- CPC) and the use of mechanical cycling (MC) as follows: Manual and FRC; Manual, FRC and MC; Manual and CPC; Manual, CPC and MC; Rotary and FRC; Rotary, FRC and MC; Rotary and CPC; Rotary, CPC and MC. The filling was performed by lateral compactation. All root canals were prepared for a post with a 10 mm length, using the custom #2 bur of the glass fiber post system. For mechanical cycling, the protocol was applied as follows: an angle of incidence of 45°, 37°C, 88 N, 4 Hz, 2 million pulses. All groups were submitted to fracture strength test in a 45° device with 1 mm/ min cross-head speed until failure occurred. Results: The 3-way ANOVA showed that the root canal preparation strategy (p<0.03) and post type (p<0.0001) affected the fracture strength results, while mechanical cycling (p=0.29) did not. Conclusion: The root canal preparation strategy only influenced the root fracture strength when restoring with a fiber post and mechanical cycling, so it does not seem to be an important factor in this scenario. .

Canal Preparation and Filling Techniques do not Influence the Fracture Resistance of Extensively Damaged Teeth

The purpose of this study was to assess the fracture resistance of extensively damaged teeth after two root canal preparation techniques (hand and rotary files) and after two filling techniques (active and passive compaction). Sixty-eight maxillary canines roots with an apical diameter equal to that of a #25 K-file were embedded in acrylic resin and the periodontal ligament was simulated by using a polyether impression material. The roots were randomly distributed into four groups (n=17): hand preparation and active compaction (HA), hand preparation and passive compaction (HP), rotary preparation and active compaction (RA), and rotary preparation and passive compaction (RP). All roots were restored with glass fiber post and metallic crown. The specimens were mechanically cycled (500,000 cycles, 45°, 37°C, 133 N, 2 Hz) and then subjected to a fracture resistance test. A single blinded examiner analyzed the external root surface and classified the failure pattern as favorable or unfavorable. The fracture resistance values ranged between 621.15 N (HP) and 785.71 N (HA). However, the Kruskal-Wallis test did not reveal differences in the fracture resistance values among the four groups (p =0.247). Under the tested conditions, root canal preparation and filling techniques had no influence on the fracture resistance of extensively damaged teeth restored with fiber post and metallic crown.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência à fratura de dentes amplamente destruídos após duas técnicas de preparo (limas manual e rotatória) e após duas técnicas obturadoras (compactação ativa e passiva). Sessenta e oito raízes de caninos superiores com diâmetro apical igual a uma lima K #25 foram embutidas em resina acrílica e o ligamento periodontal foi simulado utilizando um material de moldagem à base de poliéter. As raízes foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=17): preparo manual e compactação ativa (MA), preparo manual e compactação passiva (MP), preparo rotatório e compactação ativa (RA) e preparo rotatório e compactação passiva (RP). Todas as raízes foram restauradas com pino de fibra de vidro e coroa metálica. Os espécimes foram ciclados mecanicamente (500.000 ciclos, 45°, 37°C, 133 N, 2 Hz) e depois submetidos ao teste de resistência à fratura. Um único examinador cego analisou a superfície externa das raízes e classificou o padrão de falha em favorável ou desfavorável. Os valores de resistência à fratura variaram entre 621,15 N (MP) e 785,71 N (MA). Entretanto, o teste de Kruskal-Wallis não revelou diferença nos valores de resistência à fratura entre os quatro grupos (p=0,247). Diante das condições testadas, as técnicas de preparo e de obturação do canal radicular não influenciam na resistência à fratura de dentes amplamente destruídos restaurados com pino de fibra de vidro e coroa metálica.

Root Canal Filling: Fracture Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Composite-Restored Roots and Finite Element Analysis

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of root canal filling techniques on root fracture resistance and to analyze, by finite element analysis (FEA), the expansion of the endodontic sealer in two different root canal techniques. Thirty single-rooted human teeth were instrumented with rotary files to a standardized working length of 14 mm. The specimens were embedded in acrylic resin using plastic cylinders as molds, and allocated into 3 groups (n=10): G(lateral) - lateral condensation; G(single-cone) - single cone; G(tagger) - Tagger's hybrid technique. The root canals were prepared to a length of 11 mm with the #3 preparation bur of a tapered glass fiber-reinforced composite post system. All roots received glass fiber posts, which were adhesively cemented and a composite resin core was built. All groups were subjected to a fracture strength test (1 mm/min, 45°). Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA with a significance level of 5%. FEA was performed using two models: one simulated lateral condensation and Tagger's hybrid technique, and the other one simulated the single-cone technique. The second model was designed with an amount of gutta-percha two times smaller and a sealer layer two times thicker than the first model. The results were analyzed using von Mises stress criteria. One-way ANOVA indicated that the root canal filling technique affected the fracture strength (p=0.004). The G(lateral) and G(tagger) produced similar fracture strength values, while G(single-cone) showed the lowest values. The FEA showed that the single-cone model generated higher stress in the root canal walls. Sealer thickness seems to influence the fracture strength of restored endodontically treated teeth.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da técnica de obturação na resistência à fratura de raízes e analisar, por meio de análise de elementos finitos (AEF), a expansão do cimento endodôntico em duas diferentes técnicas de obturação. Trinta dentes humanos unirradiculares foram instrumentados com limas rotatórias, com um comprimento de trabalho padronizado (14 mm). Os espécimes foram embutidos em um cilindro plástico com resina acrílica, e distribuídos em 3 grupos (n=10): G(lateral) - condensação lateral; G(cone único) - cone único; G(tagger) - técnica híbrida de Tagger. Os canais radiculares foram preparados num comprimento de 11 mm com a broca de preparo do sistema de pinos de fibra reforçado por compósito. Todas as raízes receberam pinos de fibra de vidro, as quais foram adesivamente cimentadas, e a reconstrução do núcleo foi realizada com resina composta. Todos os grupos foram submetidos ao teste de resistência à fratura (1 mm/min, 45°). Os dados foram submetidos ao teste de análise de variância 1 fator. A AEF foi executada através de dois modelos: um simulou a técnica da condensação lateral e a técnica híbrida de Tagger, e o outro simulou a técnica do cone único. O último foi desenhado com a guta-percha duas vezes menor e com a espessura de cimento duas vezes maior que o primeiro modelo. Os resultados foram analisados usando o critério de tensão Von Mises. A análise de variância a um fator indicou que a técnica de obturação afetou a resistência à fratura (p=0.004). G(lateral) e G(tagger) obtiveram similares valores de resistência à fratura, enquanto G(cone único) apresentou os menores valores. A AEF mostrou que o modelo do cone único gerou um aumento de tensão nas paredes do canal radicular. A espessura do cimento pareceu influenciar a resistência à fratura dos dentes tratados endodonticamente e restaurados.

Surface agents' influence on the flexural strength of bilaminated ceramics

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface agents on the flexural strength of a ceramic system. Eighty bar-shaped specimens of zirconia were divided into four groups according to the agent to be used: group Control - to be cleaned with alcohol; group VM9 - application of a fluid layer of porcelain; group Effect Bonder - application of a bonding agent; and group Coloring Liquid - application of coloring liquid. All specimens received the porcelain application by the layering technique and were then subjected to thermocycling. The four-point bending test was performed to calculate the strength values (σ, MPa) and the failure modes were classified. ANOVA did not detect significant differences among the groups. The Weibull modulus were 5 (Control, VM9 and Effect Bonder) and 6 (Coloring Liquid). The cracking of the porcelain ceramic toward the interface was the predominant failure mode. It was concluded that the surface agents tested had no effect on the flexural strength of the bilaminated ceramic specimens.