The effect of touch-cure polymerization on the push-out bond strength of fiber posts.

Objective: To assess the impact of a novel touch-cure polymerization of dual-curing resin cement on the push-out bonding strength (PBS) of the conventional prefabricated glass fiber-reinforced composite (GFRC) and custom-made glass fiber (GF) posts at different root sections. Methods: Forty single-root mandibular first premolars were treated endodontically and prepared for receiving the posts, the prepared roots were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group I: A prefabricated (GFRC) post was cemented by G-CEM ONE resin cement with adhesive-enhancing primer (AEP). Group II: A prefabricated (GFRC) post was cemented by G-CEM ONE without AEP. Group III: A customized (GF) post was cemented by G-CEM ONE with AEP. Group IV: A customized (GF) post was cemented by G-CEM ONE without AEP. (n = 10 for each group). The PBS was tested with a universal testing machine, and the values were analyzed with (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test at a P ≤ 0.05 significance level. Results: Group III revealed the greatest PBS values, followed by Group IV, Group I, and finally, Group II showed the lowest PBS values. The coronal root slices showed the highest PBS in comparison with the middle and apical third. Conclusion: The touch-cure polymerization improved the PBS of the prefabricated and customized fiber posts. Therefore, ?touch and cure" cement may be considered a clinical alternative to conventional types of resin cement. The customized (GF) posts exhibited a higher PBS than the prefabricated (GFRC). The combination of customized posts and G-CEM ONE with AEP is recommended as a new strategic approach to improve interfacial adhesion.

The efficacy of reinforcement of glass fibers and ZrO2 nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of autopolymerizing provisional restorations (PMMA).

Objective: to investigate and compare the reinforcing effects of glass fibers (GFs) and ZrO2 nanoparticles at different ratios on the Flexural Strength (FS), Microhardness (MH), and Surface Roughness (SR) of autopolymerizing provisional PMMA. Methods: A total of one hundred and twenty specimens of autopolymerizing PMMA were prepared for FS, MH, and SR tests and grouped as follows: no additives (control group), for the tested groups, different ratios of GFs and ZrO2 at 5% of autopolymerizing PMMA were incorporated. The ratios of GFs/ZrO2 nanoparticles were 0%-5%, 1%-4%, 2%-3%, 2.5%-2.5%, 3%-2%, 4%-1% and 5%-0% (n = 5). The FS was evaluated using the three-point bending test, MH was evaluated using the Vickers microhardness tester and SR was evaluated using a contact-type profilometer. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test, and Person correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Results: The unreinforced group had the lowest FS, MH, and SR mean values followed by (0%GFs + 5% ZrO2), (1% GFs + 4% ZrO2), (2% GFs + 3% ZrO2), (2.5% GFs + 2.5% ZrO2), (3% GFs + 2% ZrO2), (4% GFs + 1% ZrO2) and (5% GFs + 0% ZrO2) which had the highest values. Conclusion: Hybrid reinforcement with GFs, ZrO2 nanoparticles, or a combination of them effectively improved flexural strength and microhardness of autopolymerizing provisional PMMA that would create provisional restorations with extended clinical service. GFs demonstrated superior reinforcing effects compared to ZrO2 nanoparticles. However, reinforcement with 2.5-5% GFs increased the surface roughness for provisional restoration.

Influence of medium-translucency monolithic zirconia thicknesses and light-curing time on the polymerization of dual-cure resin cements

Aim: To investigate and compare the effects of different thicknesses of medium-translucency monolithic zirconia and light curing times on the polymerization of two types of dual-cured resin cement. Methods: A total of 200 cement specimens were prepared from TheraCem and RelyX U200 cement. The specimens were divided into 5 groups: Group I, without interposing zirconia; Group II, 0.50 mm thickness; Group III, 1.00 mm; Group IV, 1.50 mm; and Group V, 2.00 mm thickness. Each group was subdivided into (1) RelyX U200 and (2) TheraCem. Each subgroup was subdivided according to the light-curing time into (a) 20 s and (b) 40 s (n =5). The polymerization was tested using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and a Vickers microhardness tester. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, an independent sample t-test, and Tukey's test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The control group had the highest values of DC and VMH, followed by 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mm, respectively, while the 2.00 mm group showed the lowest values. The specimens irradiated for 40 s had greater DC and VMH than those irradiated for 20 s. RelyX U200 revealed higher values for both parameters compared to TheraCem cement. Conclusion: The polymerization of selfadhesive cement depends on the thickness of the monolithic zirconia, the light curing time, and the composition of the cement. The cement should be irradiated for a longer period than recommended to overcome the light attenuation of zirconia. TEGDMA-based self-adhesive cement showed a higher DC and VMH than BISGMA-based cement

Influence of different surface treatments of nickel chrome metal alloy and types of metal primer monomers on the tensile bond strength of a resin cement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different surface treatments of nickel chrome (NiCr) with the type of metal primer monomers on the conventional tensile bond strength (CTBS) of resin cement. METHODS: Forty disks of NiCr alloy were prepared for CTBS test and grouped as follows: group (1) no surface treatment (control group), group (2) oxide layer only, group (3) air abrasion, and group (4) air abrasion with an oxide layer. Each main group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 5) depending upon the type of metal primer used for metal treatment. All specimens were bonded with resin cements. The CTBS was tested using a tensile testing machine. The data were statistically analyzed with One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, and T-test at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Significant differences in the mean value of the CTBS between different surface treatments (P ≤ 0.05) were observed. Tukey's test showed that air abrasion surface treatment had the highest mean value followed by the air abrasion with an oxide layer and oxide layer only. The control group showed the lowest value of significant difference compared to all treated groups (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CTBS of self-adhesive resin cement to NiCr is dependent on surface treatment. Two types of the metal primer of different monomer contents 10-methacryloyloxydecyldihydrogenphosphate (MDP) or Thiophosphoricmethacrylate (MEPS) show similar behavior on the tensile bond strength.