Effect of Silicon Carbide Fiber Length on the Flexural Strength and Flexural Modulus of Short Silicon Carbide Fiber-Reinforced Resin.

Silicon carbide fibers have superior flexural properties and chemical stability compared to glass fibers. We investigated the flexural strength and modulus of an experimental, short silicon carbide fiber-reinforced resin. Short silicon carbide fibers with lengths of ~0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mm were prepared and silanized. Urethane dimethacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate were mixed at a 70:30 wt% ratio and used as the matrix resins. Each length of short silicon carbide fibers and the matrix resin were combined using a mixing machine and then used for specimen preparation. The three-point bending test conditions were in accordance with ISO 4049:2009. The fracture surfaces of the specimens after the three-point bending test were observed using secondary electron images. The data were statistically analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD test (α = 0.05). The flexural strength and modulus of the specimens containing 2 mm or 3 mm silicon carbide fibers were significantly higher than the other specimens. The river pattern was observed more clearly in specimens containing shorter silicon carbide fibers, although this pattern was observed in all specimens.

Metallization by Sputtering to Improve the Bond Strength between Zirconia Ceramics and Resin Cements.

Zirconia has been used as a prosthesis material for over a decade because of its excellent mechanical properties and esthetics. The surface treatment for zirconia generally involves sandblasting and the application of primers for favorable bond strength between the surface and resin. However, sandblasting causes the microcracking and chipping of the zirconia surface. To overcome these challenges, the metallization of the zirconia surface was performed. Ti and Au were sputtered on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) disks and heated to 800 °C for 15 min in air. These disks were bonded to stainless-steel rods using resin cement. Then, shear bond strength tests were performed using an Instron-type testing machine. The shear bond strength of the Ti sputtering group was significantly higher than that of the other groups. According to the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis, the Ti-sputtered YSZ surface contained both sub-titanium oxide and titanium oxide before heating. Sub-titanium oxide was converted to titanium oxide by heating. These results suggest that metallization using Ti is effective for zirconia surface treatment to improve the shear bond strength between YSZ and resin cement. This metallization technique for YSZ has potential in clinical applications.

Effect of pre-coating with methyl methacrylate containing UV photoinitiators on the bond strength of poly(ether ether ketone).

This study investigates the effect of pre-coating with methyl methacrylate (MMA) containing ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiators on the bond strength of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). Cylindrical PEEK blocks were irradiated with 365 nm UV light for 5-20 s after they were coated with MMA containing 0.4-3.0 wt% UV photoinitiators: [1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione (PPD)], [diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) (TMDPO)], and [phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BTMPO)]. Pre-coated PEEKs were bonded to PEEK blocks with a MMA-based adhesive resin. The shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Secondary electron images were captured to observe failure surfaces. The data were analyzed with one- and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (p<0.05). The highest bond strength (20.7±5.1 MPa) was observed for pre-coating with MMA containing 0.4 wt% BTMPO, for 20 s of UV irradiation. Cohesive failure of the adhesive resin was observed. The use of this pre-coating led to improved bonding performance of PEEK.

Effect of Modification with Helium Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma and Deep-Ultraviolet Light on Adhesive Shear Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Poly(ether-ether-ketone) Polymer.

We investigated the effect of helium atmospheric-pressure plasma (PL) and deep-ultraviolet (UV) light treatments on the adhesive properties of fiber-reinforced poly(ether-ether-ketone) polymer (PEEK). PEEK disks reinforced with carbon (CPEEK) or glass (GPEEK) fibers were polished, modified with PL and UV for 60 s, and the surface energy was calculated by measuring the contact angles. The disk surfaces were analyzed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Shear bond strength testing was performed using a universal testing machine, and the fracture surfaces were observed by electron probe microanalyzer. Data were analyzed with one and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05). The surface energies were increased by the modifications, which created OH functional groups on the surfaces. The bond strengths of CPEEK were increased by PL, and those of GPEEK were increased by PL and UV, owing to chemical bonding at the interface.

Biological reaction control using topography regulation of nanostructured titanium.

The micro- and nanosize surface topography of dental implants has been shown to affect the growth of surrounding cells. In this study, standardized and controlled periodic nanopatterns were fabricated with nanosized surface roughness on titanium substrates, and their influence on bone marrow stromal cells investigated. Cell proliferation assays revealed that the bare substrate with a 1.7 nm surface roughness has lower hydrophilicity but higher proliferation ability than that with a 0.6 nm surface roughness. Further, with the latter substrate, directional cell growth was observed for line and groove patterns with a width of 100 nm and a height of 50 or 100 nm, but not for those with a height of 10 or 25 nm. With the smooth substrate, time-lapse microscopic analyses showed that more than 80% of the bone marrow cells on the line and groove pattern with a height of 100 nm grew and divided along the lines. As the nanosized grain structure controls the cell proliferation rate and the nanosized line and groove structure (50-100 nm) controls cell migration, division, and growth orientation, these standardized nanosized titanium structures can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which surface topography regulates tissue responses to biomaterials.

A multi-factorial analysis of bone morphology and fracture strength of rat femur in response to ovariectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis develops due to a deficiency of estrogen that causes a decrease in bone mass and changes in the macro- and micro-architectural structure of the bone, leading to the loss of mechanical strength and an increased risk of fracture. Although the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) has been widely used as a gold standard for diagnostic screening of bone fracture risks, it accounts for only a part of the variation in bone fragility; thus, it is necessary to consider other determinants of bone strength. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the architectural changes of the bone that influence bone fracture strength, together with the different sensitivities of cortical and trabecular bone in response to ovariectomy (OVX). METHODS: Bone morphology parameters were separately analyzed both in cortical and in trabecular bones, at distal-metaphysis, and mid-diaphysis of OVX rat femurs. Three-point bending test was performed at mid-diaphysis of the femurs. Correlation of OVX-induced changes of morphological parameters with breaking force was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: OVX resulted in a decline in the bone volume of distal-metaphysis trabecular bone, but an increase in distal-metaphysis and mid-diaphysis cortical bone volume. Tissue mineral density (TMD) remained unchanged in both the trabecular and cortical bone of the distal metaphysis but decreased in cortical bone of the mid-diaphysis. The OVX significantly increased the breaking force at mid-diaphysis of the femurs. CONCLUSIONS: OVX decreased the trabecular bone volume of the distal-metaphysis and increased the cortical bone volume of the distal-metaphysis and mid-diaphysis. Despite the reduction in TMD and increased cortical porosity, bone fracture strength increased in the mid-diaphysis after OVX. These results indicate that analyzing a single factor, i.e., BMD, is not sufficient to predict the absolute fracture risk of the bone, as OVX-induced bone response vary, depending on the bone type and location. Our results strongly support the necessity of analyzing bone micro-architecture and site specificity to clarify the true etiology of osteoporosis in a clinical setting.

Chemical properties of 1,3-bis(3-methacryloxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane-methyl methacrylate copolymer.

This study evaluated the chemical properties such as water sorption, water solubility and solvent resistance of a new resin material consisting of 1,3-bis(3-methacryloxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (BMPMS) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Water sorption was evaluated by immersing the specimens in water at 37±1°C for 1 week, water solubility was evaluated by keeping the specimens in a desiccator under dry conditions at 37±1°C until the weight became constant, and solvent resistance was evaluated by immersing the specimens in acetone for 1 week and measuring the dissolved weight of acetone volatilized from those liquids. The water sorption and solvent resistance of the new resin were improved with increasing amount of BMPMS, whereas the water solubility remained the same value and did not depend on the amount of BMPMS.

Quantification of in vitro produced wear sites on composite resins using contact profilometry and CCD microscopy: a methodological investigation.

BACKGROUND: Although attritive and abrasive wear of recent composite resins has been substantially reduced, in vitro wear testing with reasonably simulating devices and quantitative determination of resulting wear is still needed. Three-dimensional scanning methods are frequently used for this purpose. The aim of this trial was to compare maximum depth of wear and volume loss of composite samples, evaluated with a contact profilometer and a non-contact CCD camera imaging system, respectively. METHOD: Twenty-three random composite specimens with wear traces produced in a ball-on-disc sliding device, using poppy seed slurry and PMMA suspension as third-body media, were evaluated with the contact profilometer (TalyScan 150, Taylor Hobson LTD, Leicester, UK) and with the digital CCD microscope (VHX1000, KEYENCE, Osaka, Japan). The target parameters were maximum depth of the wear and volume loss.Results - The individual time of measurement needed with the non-contact CCD method was almost three hours less than that with the contact method. Both, maximum depth of wear and volume loss data, recorded with the two methods were linearly correlated (r(2) > 0.97; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The contact scanning method and the non-contact CCD method are equally suitable for determination of maximum depth of wear and volume loss of abraded composite resins.

Radiopacity of experimental composite resins containing radiopaque materials.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the radiopacity of an experimental light-cured composite resin and the amount and type of its radiopaque material: Ti, SrCO3, ZrO2, BaSO4, or Bi2O3. Radiopacity of each material was evaluated in terms of aluminum equivalent thickness using an aluminum step wedge. Then, the half-value layer thickness of the experimental composite resin, which had an aluminium equivalent thickness of 1 mm, was evaluated. It was found that the effects of elemental composition were not identical when evaluated in terms of aluminum equivalent thickness and by half-value layer. Nevertheless, both measurement methods indicated that radiopacity increased with increase in radiopaque material content as well as increase in atomic number of the element.