Microbial communities of titanium versus zirconia abutments on implant-supported restorations: Biodiversity composition and its impact on clinical parameters over a 3-year longitudinal prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Shifts in microbial communities are common over time, but they may disturb the host-microbiome homeostasis and result in inflammation of the peri-implant issues if a dysbiotic biofilm is established. PURPOSE: Considering that different oral substrate surfaces may have a relevant impact on the microbial adhesion and colonization, the aim of this study was to investigate the microbial communities of the biofilm formed on single-implant restorations using titanium or zirconia abutments and how they correlate with clinical parameters after 3-years of implant loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons was used to characterize the oral biofilms of individuals (n = 20) who were sampled longitudinally during 3 years of masticatory loading. Bioinformatics analysis and multivariate statistical analysis were used to evaluate the microbial diversity and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Microbiomes of both abutment materials presented high alpha-diversity indices during all the experimental period, irrespective of the time of sampling. Microbial communities of titanium and zirconia were quite different over time, differing about 30% after 3 years of functional loading. Similarity of microbiomes between tested abutments and contralateral teeth was also low, ranging between 45% and 50% after 3 years of investigation. Periodontal pathogens commonly associated with peri-implantitis were found in both groups. Furthermore, both abutment materials presented strong correlations of diversity indices and microbial taxa with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The type of abutment substrate significantly influenced diversity and clustering of communities during 3 years of functional loading. The time of sampling had no effect on the variables. Large correlations were found between microbial findings and clinical outcomes.

Wear resistance of a pressable low-fusing ceramic opposed by dental alloys.

Dental alloys have increasingly replaced by dental ceramics in dentistry because of aesthetics. As both dental alloys and ceramics can be present in the oral cavity, the evaluation of the wear resistance of ceramics opposed by dental alloys is important. The aim of the present study was to evaluate wear resistance of a pressable low-fusing ceramic opposed by dental alloys as well as the microhardness of the alloys and the possible correlation of wear and antagonist microhardness. Fifteen stylus tips samples of pressable low-fusing ceramic were obtained, polished and glazed. Samples were divided into three groups according to the disk of alloy/metal to be used as antagonist: Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr), Cobalt-Chromium (Co-Cr) and commercially pure titanium (cp Ti). Vickers microhardness of antagonist disks was evaluated before wear tests. Then, antagonist disks were sandblasted until surface roughness was adjusted to 0.75µm. Wear tests were performed at a speed of 60 cycles/min and distance of 10mm, in a total of 300,000 cycles. Before and after wear tests, samples were weighted and had their profile designed in an optical comparator to evaluate weight and height loss, respectively. Ni-Cr and cp Ti caused greater wear than Co-Cr, presenting greater weight (p=.009) and height (p=.002) loss. Cp Ti microhardness was lower than Ni-Cr and Co-Cr (p<.05). There is a positive correlation between weight and height loss (p<.05), but weight (p=.204) and height (p=.05) loss are not correlated to microhardness. The results suggest that pressable low-fusing ceramic presents different wear according to the dental alloy used as antagonist and the wear is not affected by antagonist microhardness.

Comparison of retentive systems for composites used as alternatives to porcelain in fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The bond strength between framework metals and composites, used as alternatives to porcelain, requires further study because adhesive failures can promote microleakage, discoloration, and stains in composites. PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze and compare the tensile strength between the base metal Ni-Cr alloys: (Wirocer and Wiron 99) and 2 composites (Artglass and Solidex) with 2 types of mechanical retention (0.4-mm and 0.6-mm beads); 2 types of chemical treatment (Siloc system and Metal Photo Primer system) and the combination of both treatments on a metal framework; to verify whether these composite systems were strong enough to be used as alternatives to porcelain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 144 specimens, cylindrical metal rods (3 mm diameter x 60 mm length), were cast in Ni-Cr alloy (Wiron 99 or Wirocer), divided into 6 equal groups corresponding to 6 types of retention: airborne particle abrasion/control (A), chemical (C), mechanical with 0.4-mm (M4) and 0.6-mm beads (M6), and chemical/mechanical with 0.4-mm (CM4) and 0.6-mm beads (CM6). Composite rings formed around the rods (6.0 mm diameter X 2.0 mm thickness) of Artglass or Solidex were light polymerized in the UniXS unit (wavelength range of 320-520 nm for 540s) according to the manufacturer's specifications. Specimens were invested, and their tensile strength was measured at fracture with an EMIC-MEM 2000 universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2.0 mm/min and 500 kgf load cell. Statistical analysis was carried out with analysis of variance and Tukey's test at significance level P=.01. RESULTS: The highest mean retention values were recorded for groups CM6 (63.57 MPa) and M6 (63.05 MPa). The lowest mean retention values were recorded for groups A (30.63 MPa) and C (25.07 MPa). No significant difference was found regarding the alloys used in this study (P<.01). There was a significant difference in shear strength (P<.01) between Solidex (52.33 MPa) and Artglass (43.18 MPa). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, mechanical retention with 0.6-mm beads and chemical/mechanical retention with 0.6-mm beads increased the metal-composite tensile bond strength. No significant difference was found between these 2 retention systems. Chemical and airborne particle abrasion/control retentions were statistically weaker than the other types of retention tested. The retention means corresponding to the commercial-grade Ni-Cr alloys used were statistically different. The composite Solidex showed a tensile strength mean statistically higher than Artglass. All values observed were higher than that recommended for metal-ceramic dental restorative systems (25 MPa-ISO 9693).