Influence of interim cements on the optical properties of interim restorations.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Even if the appropriate resin shade is selected for an interim restoration, how the optical characteristics of the interim cement affect the esthetics of the interim restoration is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of interim cements on the optical properties of interim restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty dentin disks (6×1 mm) were obtained from the labial surface of bovine incisors. Disks of acrylic and bis-acrylic resins (n=20) with the same dimensions were prepared and cemented over the dentin using the following cements: Bifix Temp (resin-based; VOCO), ClearTemp LC (resin-based; Ultradent Products, Inc), Provicol (VOCO), TempCem NE (Coltène). The same dentin and resin disks were used for all cements. After cementation, the color difference (ΔE00), translucency parameter (TP), and fluorescence of the dentin/cement/resin combinations were compared with each other and with a control group (C), in which a transparent liquid (polyethylene glycol 400; LabSynth) was applied. Color and translucency were evaluated with a spectrophotometer (CM-2600; Konica Minolta) and fluorescence with a spectrofluorophotometer (RF-5301PC; Shimadzu). ΔE00 and TP data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA. For fluorescence, 1-way ANOVA was used. The Tukey test was used for multiple comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: ΔE00 values were significantly influenced by the interim material (P<.001) and the interim cement (P<.001). Bifix Temp showed the lowest significant ΔE00 values (P<.001). The highest ΔE00 values were observed for TempCem NE. No differences were observed between the interim resins with respect to TP (P=.318). The lowest translucency values were measured for TempCem NE, followed by Provicol, ClearTemp LC, Bifix Temp, and the control group (P<.001), with no significant differences among the interim resin-based cements. Among the cements, Bifix Temp and TempCem NE yielded fluorescence similar to that of the natural tooth for both interim resins. A similar result was found for bis-acrylic resin combined with Provicol. CONCLUSIONS: Cementation with interim resin-based cements resulted in better esthetics. However, the high fluorescence of the ClearTemp LC may reduce the esthetics of interim restorations in environments with predominantly UV light.

Interaction between total-etch and self-etch adhesives and conventional and self-adhesive resin cements

The aim of this study was to compare the bond strength to enamel between resin cements combined with total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems and a self-adhesive cement. Eighty bovine incisors had their buccal surface ground flat exposing a plane area in the enamel. Eighty Artglass resin cylinders measuring 3 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height were fabricated. The teeth were divided into eight groups of 10 teeth each and the resin cylinders were cemented with different adhesive systems and resin cements: G1: RelyX Unicem (self-adhesive cement); G2: H3PO4 + Single Bond + RelyX ARC; G3: AdheSE + Variolink II; G4: H3PO4 + Excite + Variolink II; G5: Xeno III + Enforce; G6: H3PO4 + Prime&Bond NT + Enforce; G7: Bistite Primers 1 and 2 + Bistite II DC; G8: H3PO4 + Bistite Primers 1 and 2 + Bistite II DC. After application of the adhesives, the cylinders were cemented according to manufacturer instructions. The specimens were submitted to 2000 thermal cycles at a temperature ranging from 5±5ºC to 55±5ºC, and shear bond strength was then tested at a velocity of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the TukeyÆs test (á=5%), obtaining a p value of 0.00. The following mean (±standard deviation) bond strength values were observed for each group: G1: 5.14(±0.99)a; G3: 16.23(±4.69)b; G7: 17.82(±3.66)b; G5: 18.48(±2.88)bc; G8: 20.15(±4.12)bc; G4: 22.85(±3.08)cd; G2: 24.96(±2.89)d; G6: 26.07(±1.69)d. Groups followed by the same letters did not differ significantly. For most of the resin cements tested, the application of adhesive systems using acid etching resulted in a higher bond strength when compared to the self-etch adhesive systems and to the self-adhesive cement.