Influence of leptin and its receptors on individuals under chronic social stress behavior.

Stress is the body's physiological reaction to a dangerous or threatening situation, leading to a state of alertness. This reaction is necessary for developing an effective adaptive response to stress and maintaining the body's homeostasis. Chronic stress, caused mainly by social stress, is what primarily affects the world's population. In the last decades, the emergence of psychological disorders in humans has become more frequent, and one of the symptoms that can be observed is aggressiveness. In the brain, stress can cause neuronal circuit alterations related to the action of hormones in the central nervous system. Leptin, for example, is a hormone capable of acting in brain regions and neuronal circuits important for behavioral and emotional regulation. This study investigated the correlation between chronic social stress, neuroendocrine disorders, and individual behavioral changes. Then, leptin and its receptors' anatomical distribution were evaluated in the brains of mice subjected to a protocol of chronic social stress. The model of spontaneous aggression (MSA) is based on grouping young mice and posterior regrouping of the same animals as adults. According to the regrouping social stress, we categorized the mice into i) harmonic, ii) attacked, and iii) aggressive animals. For leptin hormone evaluation, we quantified plasma and brain concentrations by ELISA and evaluated its receptor and isoform expression by western blotting. Moreover, we verified whether stress or changes in leptin levels interfered with the animal's body weight. Only attacked animals showed reduced plasma leptin concentration and weight gain, besides a higher expression of the high-molecular-weight leptin receptor in the amygdala and the low-molecular-weight receptor in the hippocampal region. Aggressive animals showed a reduction in the cerebral concentration of leptin in the hippocampus and a reduced high-and low-molecular-weight leptin receptor expression in the amygdala. The harmonic animals showed a reduction in the cerebral concentration of leptin in the pituitary and a reduced expression of the high-molecular-weight leptin receptor in the amygdala. We then suggest that leptin and its receptors' expression in plasma and specific brain areas are involved in how individuals react in stressful situations, such as regrouping stress in MSA.

Ceramic firing protocols and thermocycling: effects on the load-bearing capacity under fatigue of a bonded zirconia lithium silicate glass-ceramic.

This study evaluated the effect of different firing processes (without firing, additional crystallization and glaze firing) and thermal-cycling (with or without) on the fatigue behavior of simplified zirconia-lithium silicate (ZLS) glass ceramic restorations cemented to a dentin-like material. Materials and Methods. One hundred twenty-nine (129) discs (diameter = 12 mm and thickness = 1.2 mm) of ZLS (Celtra Duo, Dentsply Sirona) and fiber-reinforced epoxy resin (diameter = 12 mm and thickness = 2.3 mm) were produced and tested under fatigue according to 2 study factors: a firing protocol with 3 levels (without firing, additional crystallization and glaze firing) and thermocycling of 2 levels (absence/presence), composing 6 study groups. Ceramic and epoxy resin discs had their surfaces treated and adhesive cementation was performed (Multilink N, Ivoclar). Half of the samples were immediately tested; the other half were subjected to thermal-cycling (10,000 cycles in water; 5-55 °C). The staircase method determined the fatigue failure load (100,000 cycles at a frequency of 20 Hz). The fatigue data (in N) were submitted to 2-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). Fractographic analyses were also carried out. Thermocycling decreased the fatigue failure load (FFL) of all groups when compared to those without aging. Bonferroni's test indicated that the groups with crystallization/glazing process behaved better in terms of FFL than those without firing in the same storage condition. All the samples had radial cracks and all fractures originated from defects on the cementation surface of the ceramic discs. Crystallization and glaze firing had a positive effect on the fatigue failure load of adhesively cemented ZLS glass ceramic compared to the group without crystallization firing, in both storage conditions (with or without thermocycling).

Mechanical performance of monolithic materials cemented to a dentin-like substrate.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Studies on the mechanical behavior of restorative materials bonded to tooth structure and considering the properties of the material and the bonding between both substrates are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the hardness, fracture toughness, load-to-failure, cyclic fatigue, and stress distribution of 4 computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) materials when bonded to a substrate similar to dentin (G10). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Disks (11×1.2 mm) of lithium disilicate (LD), feldspathic ceramic (FC), polymer-infiltrated ceramic (PC), and a nanohybrid composite resin (NC) were fabricated (n=45) and had their surfaces polished. Microhardness was measured by the Knoop indentation (19.61 N, 12 seconds, n=5). Indented specimens were subjected to biaxial flexural strength testing, and the fracture origin defect was measured to calculate fracture toughness (n=5). Forty disks from each material were adhesively bonded to G10. Half of the specimens were subjected to load-to-failure testing, and remaining specimens (n=20) were subjected to cyclic fatigue (400 N, 106 cycles). The test was suspended every 200 000 cycles, and specimens were examined for cracks, debonding, or catastrophic failure. Obtained data were evaluated by analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test (α=.05). Weibull analysis was also performed. A 3D model of the tested specimens was constructed in a design software program, and the stress distribution was evaluated by finite element analysis, with the application of a 100-N load normal to the restoration surface. RESULTS: Hardness values with statistically significant differences were LD (540.4)>FC (474.6)>PC (176.6)>NC (58.26). Fracture toughness vales (MPa.m1/2) and statistical significance were as follows: LD (2.25)=NC (2.46)>FC (1.14)=PC (1.18). Load-to-failure values (N) were LD (2881.6)=FC (2881.6)=PC (3200.6)>NC (2367.5). A specimen each of LD and NC fractured during the fatigue test, and LD and PC had a high percentage of subsurface cracks (55% and 75%, respectively). The FC had the lowest debonding rate after load-to-failure testing and no catastrophic fractures or cracks during fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The materials tested had different mechanical behaviors depending on the tests performed. Feldspathic ceramic had the best fatigue behavior when cemented to a dentin-like substrate.

Short communication: Influence of retainer configuration and loading direction on the stress distribution of lithium disilicate resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses: 3D finite element analysis.

The present study elucidates the mechanical performance of different designs of resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses made of lithium disilicate simulating masticatory loads of anterior or canine guidance. A three-dimensional model of maxilla was constructed containing central incisor and canine teeth, with edentulous space of the lateral incisor. Three designs of prosthesis were created: retained in central incisor (1-I), retained in canine (1-C) and fixed in both teeth (2-IC). The computational analysis was performed for load in canine and central incisor separately (100N, 45°). The tensile and shear stresses were calculated for the resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis, bonding surface of each retainer and cement layer using 3D finite element analysis. The 20 highest stress values were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test, all with α = 5%. The computational analysis showed that 2-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis presented the worst prognosis regardless of the mandibular movement. ANOVA showed that Mandibular movement*Retainer interaction influenced on the tensile and shear stresses values (p < 0.01). Higher stresses were observed in the connector region for all groups (13-82.2 MPa; 11-70.2 MPa). In order to reduce the stress concentration in the resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis and the retainer made of lithium disilicate, the occlusion may serve as the selection criteria of the unitary abutment for better sustainability.

Short communication: Influence of restorative material and cement on the stress distribution of posterior resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses: 3D finite element analysis.

The goal of this study was to compare the mechanical response of resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) made in zirconia, metal, lithium disilicate and composite resin cemented using resin cements with different elastic modulus. For the finite element analysis, a three-dimensional model of partial right maxilla was used to create a model with edentulous space in the second premolar and the cavity's preparation on the first pre-molar and first molar to receive a RBFDP. The model was imported to the analysis software in which they were divided into mesh composed by nodes (371,101) and tetrahedral elements (213,673). Each material was considered isotropic, elastic and homogeneous. No-separation contacts were considered between restoration/resin cement and resin cement/tooth. For all other structures the contacts were considered ideal. The model fixation occurred at the base of the bone and an axial load of 300 N was applied on the pontic occlusal surface. To simulate polymerization shrinkage effects on the cement, the thermal expansion approach was used. The displacement and maximum principal stress (in MPa) were selected as failure criteria. The prosthesis made in composite resin showed higher displacement, while in zirconia showed higher stress concentration. Tensile stress between restoration/cement, cement and cement/cavity was directly proportional to the restorative material's elastic modulus. The more rigid cement increases the tensile zones in the cement layer but decreases the stress between prosthesis and cement. The molar cavity showed higher stress concentration between restoration/cement than the preparation in the pre-molar tooth. The use of composite resin for the manufacturing of RBFDP increases the displacement of the set during the loading. However, it reduces the amount of stress concentration at the adhesive interface in comparison with the other materials.

Silica coating followed by heat-treatment of MDP-primer for resin bond stability to yttria-stabilized zirconia polycrystals.

This study evaluated the influence of silica coating, primer type and its heat treatment on bond strength durability between resin cement and an yttrium-stabilized polycrystalline tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP). Eighty (80) Y-TZP blocks were allocated into 16 groups considering four factors: silica coating (without and with); type of primer (RelyX Ceramic Primer, a silane-based primer; Single Bond Universal, a universal MDP-based primer); heat treatment of the primer (without and with); aging (without and with). After zirconia treatments, resin cement cylinders (RelyX ARC) (n = 20; N = 320) were built. Half of the samples were tested after 24 h, and another half were subjected to aging (thermocycling 5-55°C/5.000, and storage in water for 6 months). Shear bond strength test and failure analysis were performed. Bond strength data were submitted to four-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p = 0.05). All factors were statistically significant (p < 0.001) for bond strength (MPa): silica coating (7.3 ± 5.9) > no-treatment (3.6 ± 4.3); universal primer (6.7 ± 4.8) > silane (4.2 ± 5.8); heat-treatment (6.5 ± 6.3) > no-heating (4.4 ± 4.3); no-aging (8.2 ± 5) > aging (2.7 ± 4.4). Tukey test revealed that the association of silica coating + universal primer + heat-treatment promoted higher and stable resin bond strength. Silica coating, universal adhesive application and heat treatment improve/increase durability and bond strength of zirconia. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 104-111, 2019.

The Influence of Ceramic Re-pressing on Surface Properties, Bond Strength, and Color Stability of Leucite Ceramic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of recycling a pressed ceramic material on surface properties, color stability and bond strength to composite cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight (48) ingots from a heat-pressed ceramic (PM9, Vita Zahnfabrik) were fabricated through the lost-wax technique and then polished with SiC sandpaper to standardize the dimensions (diameter: 12 mm; length: 4 mm). Leftover material from processing the pressed groups was retrieved and used to repeat heat pressing for the re-pressed groups. The ingots were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the number of injections - one, two, or three times. Ra, Rz, and RSm surface roughness parameters were evaluated through a contact rugosimeter. Topography was analyzed using SEM and the chemical constituents using EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy). Color stability was evaluated according to CIE-Lab parameters to determine color variation (∆E). Composite ingots with the same dimensions were cemented over each ceramic, then this set was cut into sticks with a 1-mm2 cross-sectional area. Half of the sticks were submitted to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) testing after 24 h. The other half was tested after thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5°C-55°C) and storage in water at 37°C for 6 months. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA showed that the number of injections influenced both Rz and RSm roughness parameters (p = 0.00), but not Ra (p = 0.97). One injection exhibited higher (Rz) and grooves with less space between them (RSm) compared to the other groups. For color stability, the values of L*, a*, and b* were influenced by the number of injections (p = 0.00). ∆E = 5 was found for 2 injections and ∆E = 3 for 3 injections, using a control group as reference. One-way ANOVA showed that the number of injections significantly influenced wettability values: 1inj (63 ± 5.3)A > 2inj (49 ± 8.2)B > 3inj (45.8 ± 15.8)B. However, the evaluated factor did not influence the bond strength of non-aged groups. Furthermore, aged groups showed that 1inj (21 ± 37)a presented higher mean values than 2inj (10 ± 8)b or 3inj (12 ± 10.)b. CONCLUSION: Re-pressing the evaluated ceramic improves roughness and wettability, but compromises the color stability and decreases bond strengths after long-term aging.

Effects of ciprofloxacin-containing scaffolds on enterococcus faecalis biofilms.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic-containing polymer-based nanofibers (hereafter referred to as scaffolds) have demonstrated great potential for their use in regenerative endodontics from both an antimicrobial and cytocompatibility perspective. This study sought to evaluate in vitro the effects of ciprofloxacin (CIP)-containing polymer scaffolds against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. METHODS: Human mandibular incisors were longitudinally sectioned to prepare radicular dentin specimens. Sterile dentin specimens were distributed in 24-well plates and inoculated with E. faecalis for biofilm formation. Infected dentin specimens were exposed to 3 groups of scaffolds, namely polydioxanone (PDS) (control), PDS + 5 wt% CIP, and PDS + 25 wt% CIP for 2 days. Colony-forming units (CFU/mL) (n = 10) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n = 2) were performed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the antimicrobial effectiveness, respectively. RESULTS: PDS scaffold containing CIP at 25 wt% showed maximum bacteria elimination with no microbial growth, differing statistically (P < .05) from the control (PDS) and from PDS scaffold containing CIP at 5 wt%. Statistical differences (P < .05) were also seen for the CFU/mL data between pure PDS (5.92-6.02 log CFU/mL) and the PDS scaffold containing CIP at 5 wt% (5.39-5.87 log CFU/mL). SEM images revealed a greater concentration of bacteria on the middle third of the dentin specimen after 5 days of biofilm formation. On scaffold exposures, SEM images showed similar results when compared with the CFU/mL data. Dentin specimens exposed to PDS + 25 wt% CIP scaffolds displayed a practically bacteria-free surface. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the data presented, newly developed antibiotic-containing electrospun scaffolds hold promise as an intracanal medicament to eliminate biofilm/infection before regenerative procedures.

Effects of aging procedures on the topographic surface, structural stability, and mechanical strength of a ZrO2-based dental ceramic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of different aging methods on the degradation and flexural strength of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) METHODS: Sixty disc-shaped specimens (∅, 12mm; thickness, 1.6mm) of zirconia (Vita InCeram 2000 YZ Cubes, VITA Zahnfabrik) were prepared (ISO 6872) and randomly divided into five groups, according to the aging procedures (n=10): (C) control; (M) mechanical cycling (15,000,000 cycles/3.8Hz/200N); (T) thermal cycling (6,000 cycles/5-55°C/30s); (TM) thermomechanical cycling (1,200,000 cycles/3.8Hz/200N with temperature range from 5°C to 55°C for 60s each); (AUT) 12h in autoclave at 134°C/2bars; and (STO) storage in distilled water (37°C/400 days). After the aging procedures, the monoclinic phase percentages were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and topographic surface analysis was performed by 3D profilometry. The specimens were then subjected to biaxial flexure testing (1mm/min, load 100kgf, in water). The biaxial flexural strength data (MPa) were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The data for monoclinic phase percentage and profilometry (Ra) were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed that flexural strength was affected by the aging procedures (p=0.002). The M (781.6MPa) and TM (771.3MPa) groups presented lower values of flexural strength than did C (955MPa), AUT (955.8MPa), T (960.8MPa) and STO (910.4MPa). The monoclinic phase percentage was significantly higher only for STO (12.22%) and AUT (29.97%) when compared with that of the control group (Kruskal-Wallis test, p=0.004). In addition, the surface roughnesses were similar among the groups (p=0.165). SIGNIFICANCE: Water storage for 400 days and autoclave aging procedures induced higher phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic; however, they did not affect the flexural strength of Y-TZP ceramic, which decreased only after mechanical and thermomechanical cycling.

Effects of thickness, processing technique, and cooling rate protocol on the flexural strength of a bilayer ceramic system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the thickness, processing technique, and cooling protocol of veneer ceramic influence the flexural strength of a bilayer ceramic system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four bar-shaped specimens (20mm×4mm×1mm) of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Vita In-Ceram YZ, Vita) were fabricated (ISO 6872) and randomly divided into 8 groups (n=8) according to the factors "processing technique" (P - PM9 and V - VM9), "thickness" (1mm and 3mm), and "cooling protocol" (S - slow and F - fast). The veneer ceramics were applied only over one side of the bar-shaped specimens. All specimens were mechanically cycled (2×10(6) cycles, 84N, 3.4Hz, in water), with the veneer ceramic under tension. Then, the specimens were tested in 4-point bending (1mm/min, load 100kgf, in water), also with the veneer ceramic under tension, and the maximum load was recorded at first sign of fracture. The flexural strength (σ) was calculated, and the mode of failure was determined by stereomicroscopy (30×). The data (MPa) were analyzed statistically by 3-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: ANOVA revealed that the factor "thickness" (p=0.0001) was statistically significant, unlike the factors "processing technique" (p=0.6025) and "cooling protocol" (p=0.4199). The predominant mode of failure was cracking. SIGNIFICANCE: The thickness of the veneer ceramic has an influence on the mechanical strength of the bilayer ceramic system, regardless of processing technique and cooling protocol of the veneer ceramic.

Air-particle abrasion on zirconia ceramic using different protocols: effects on biaxial flexural strength after cyclic loading, phase transformation and surface topography.

This study evaluated the effect of different air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength and structural stability of zirconia ceramics. Zirconia ceramic specimens (ISO 6872) (Lava, 3M ESPE) were obtained (N=336). The specimens (N=118, n=20 per group) were randomly assigned to one of the air-abrasion protocols: Gr1: Control (as-sintered); Gr2: 50 µm Al2O3 (2.5 bar); Gr3: 50 µm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr4: 110 µm Al2O3(2.5 bar); Gr5: 110 µm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr6: 30 µm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (CoJet); Gr7: 30 µm SiO2(3.5 bar); Gr8: 110 µm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (Rocatec Plus); and Gr9: 110 µm SiO2 (3.5 bar) (duration: 20 s, distance: 10 mm). While half of the specimens were tested immediately, the other half was subjected to cyclic loading in water (100,000 cycles; 50 N, 4 Hz, 37 °°C) prior to biaxial flexural strength test (ISO 6872). Phase transformation (t→m), relative amount of transformed monoclinic zirconia (FM), transformed zone depth (TZD) and surface roughness were measured. Particle type (p=0.2746), pressure (p=0.5084) and cyclic loading (p=0.1610) did not influence the flexural strength. Except for the air-abraded group with 110 µm Al2O3 at 3.5 bar, all air-abrasion protocols increased the biaxial flexural strength (MPa) (Controlnon-aged: 1,030 ± 153, Controlaged: 1,138 ± 138; Experimentalnon-aged: 1,307 ± 184-1,554 ± 124; Experimentalaged: 1,308 ± 118-1,451 ± 135) in both non-aged and aged conditions, respectively. Surface roughness (Ra) was the highest with 110 µm Al2O3(0.84 µm. FM values ranged from 0% to 27.21%, higher value for the Rocatec Plus (110 µm SiO2) and 110 µm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure. TZD ranged between 0 and 1.43 µm, with the highest values for Rocatec Plus and 110 µm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure.

Zirconia-porcelain bonding: effect of multiple firings on microtensile bond strength.

PURPOSE: To determine the bond strength between zirconia and porcelain with varying numbers of veneer firing cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty specimens of zirconia veneered with feldspathic ceramic were submitted to one (1-firing), two (2-firings), three (3-firings), four (4-firings), or five (5-firings) firing cycles to sinter the porcelain. After the respective number of firings, the specimens were embedded into acrylic resin and sectioned into bars with a 1-mm2 cross-sectional area. The microbars were bonded to a special device and attached to a universal testing machine (Emic DL 1000). Microtensile bond strength testing (MTBS) was performed at 0.5 mm/min. The maximum load for fracture was recorded (N) and the microtensile bond strength was calculated in MPa. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The Weibull modulus and characteristic strength was also calculated for each experimental group. RESULTS: Specimens submitted to a single firing cycle presented the lowest bond strength values (14.1 MPa), two firing cycles provided intermediate bond strength values (15 MPa) and the other groups presented equivalently high values (18.1 - 18.4 MPa). The Weibull modulus did not change between the groups. CONCLUSION: More than three firing cycles of a veneer ceramic provided higher bond strengths between zirconia and the veneering ceramic.

Effect of air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength, surface characteristics and phase transformation of zirconia after cyclic loading.

This study evaluated the effect of air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength, surface characteristics and phase transformation of zirconia after cyclic loading. Disc-shaped zirconia specimens (Ø: 15mm, thickness: 1.2mm) (N=32) were submitted to one of the air-particle abrasion protocols (n=8 per group): (a) 50µm Al2O3 particles, (b) 110µm Al2O3 particles coated with silica (Rocatec Plus), (c) 30µm Al2O3 particles coated with silica (CoJet Sand) for 20s at 2.8bar pressure. Control group received no air-abrasion. All specimens were initially cyclic loaded (×20,000, 50N, 1Hz) in water at 37°C and then subjected to biaxial flexural strength testing where the conditioned surface was under tension. Zirconia surfaces were characterized and roughness was measured with 3D surface profilometer. Phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic was determined by Raman spectroscopy. The relative amount of transformed monoclinic zirconia (FM) and transformed zone depth (TZD) were measured using XRD. The data (MPa) were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's tests and Weibull modulus (m) were calculated for each group (95% CI). The biaxial flexural strength (MPa) of CoJet treated group (1266.3±158(A)) was not significantly different than that of Rocatec Plus group (1179±216.4(A,B)) but was significantly higher than the other groups (Control: 942.3±74.6(C); 50µm Al2O3: 915.2±185.7(B,C)). Weibull modulus was higher for control (m=13.79) than those of other groups (m=4.95, m=5.64, m=9.13 for group a, b and c, respectively). Surface roughness (Ra) was the highest with 50µm Al2O3 (0.261µm) than those of other groups (0.15-0.195µm). After all air-abrasion protocols, FM increased (15.02%-19.25%) compared to control group (11.12%). TZD also showed increase after air-abrasion protocols (0.83-1.07µm) compared to control group (0.59µm). Air-abrasion protocols increased the roughness and monoclinic phase but in turn abrasion with 30µm Al2O3 particles coated with silica has increased the biaxial flexural strength of the tested zirconia.

Effect of different polymerization devices on the degree of conversion and the physical properties of an indirect resin composite.

Polymerization of indirect resin composites (IRC) is carried out in the 'laboratories using special photo-polymerization devices to achieve a higher degree of conversion (DC). Such devices present variation in chambers and light output which may have consequences on the chemical and physical properties of IRCs. This study evaluated the effect of different polymerization devices on the flexural strength, Vickers microhardness and DC of an IRC. Specimens were prepared from an IRC material, Sinfony (3M ESPE), using special molds for flexural strength test (N=30) (25 x 2 x 2 mm, ISO 4049), Vickers microhardness test (N=30) (5 x 4 mm) and for DC (N=30) utilizing Micro-raman Spectroscopy. All specimens were submitted to initial polymerization with a Visio Alpha unit (3M ESPE) and then randomly divided into three groups (n=10/ group). Specimens in Group 1 (control) received additional polymerizations using a Visio Beta Vario device (3M ESPE), and those in Group 2 and Group 3 using Powerlux (EDG) and Strobolux (EDG) devices, respectively. DC and mechanical tests were then conducted. For the mechanical tests, the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05) and for DC, one-way ANOVA was used. Polymerization in Strobolux (Group 3) resulted in significantly lower flexural strength (MPa) values (134 +/- 27) compared to Visio Beta Vario (165 +/- 20) (Group 1) (p < 0.05). The lowest microhardness values (Kg/mm2) were obtained in Group 3 (30 +/- 1) (p < 0.05). DC was similar in all groups (75 +/- 1, 91 +/- 5, 85 +/- 7% for Visio Beta Vario, Powerlux and Strobolux, respectively) (p = 0.1205). The type of polymerization device may affect the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the IRC tested. DC also seems to be affected by the type of polymerization device but the results were not significant.

Effect of different polymerization devices on the degree of conversion and the physical properties of an indirect resin composite

Polymerization of indirect resin composites (IRC) is carried out in the laboratories using special photo-polymerization devices to achieve a higher degree of conversion (DC). Such devices present variation in chambers and light output which may have consequences on the chemical and physical properties of IRCs. This study evaluated the effect of different polymerization devices on the flexural strength, Vickers microhardness and DC of an IRC. Specimens were prepared from an IRC material, Sinfony (3M ESPE), using special molds for flexural strength test (N=30) (25x2x2 mm, ISO 4049), Vickers microhardness test (N=30) (5x4 mm) and for DC (N=30) utilizing Micro-raman Spectroscopy. All specimens were submitted to initial polymerization with a Visio Alpha unit (3M ESPE) and then randomly divided into three groups (n=10/ group). Specimens in Group 1 (control) received additional polymerizations using a Visio Beta Vario device (3M ESPE), and those in Group 2 and Group 3 using Powerlux (EDG) and Strobolux (EDG) devices, respectively. DC and mechanical tests were then conducted. For the mechanical tests, the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p<0.05) and for DC, one-way ANOVA was used. Polymerization in Strobolux (Group 3) resulted in significantly lower flexural strength (MPa) values (134±27) compared to Visio Beta Vario (165±20) (Group 1) (p<0.05). The lowest microhardness values (Kg/mm2) were obtained in Group 3 (30±1) (p<0.05). DC was similar in all groups (75±1, 91±5, 85±7 % for Visio Beta Vario, Powerlux and Strobolux, respectively) (p=0.1205). The type of polymerization device may affect the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the IRC tested. DC also seems to be affected by the type of polymerization device but the results were not significant.

As polimerizacoes de resinas compostas indiretas (RCI) sao realizadas em Laboratorio em dispositivos fotopolimerizadores especiais para que seja alcancado um maior grau de conversao (GC). Estes dispositivos apresentam variacoes nas cameras e nas lampadas polimerizadoras as quais podem gerar consequencias nas propriedades fisicas e quimicas das RCIs. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes unidades polimerizadoras na resistencia a flexao, dureza Vickers e GC de uma RCI. Amostras da RCI Sinfony (3M ESPE) foram preparadas, utilizando matrizes especiais para o teste de resistencia a flexao (N=30) (25x2x2 mm, ISO 4049), teste de microdureza Vickers (N=30) (5x4 mm) e para o GC (N=30), utilizando a espectroscopia Micro-raman. Todas as amostras foram submetidas a polimerizacao inicial na unidade Visio Alpha (3M ESPE) e em seguida elas foram divididas aleatoriamente em tres grupos (n=10/por grupo). As amostras do Gr1 (controle) tiveram sua polimerizacao final realizada na unidade Visio Beta Vario (3M ESPE), e as do Gr2 e Gr3 nas unidades Powerlux (EDG) e Strobolux (EDG), respectivamente e entao os testes mecanicos e do GC foram conduzidos. Para os testes mecanicos, os dados foram analisados utilizando a analise de Variancia (ANOVA) e o teste de Tukey (p<0.05) e ANOVA 1-fator para o GC. A polimerizacao na unidade Strobolux (Gr3) gerou valores de resistencia a flexao (MPa) significativamente inferiores (134±27) comparado a unidade Visio Beta Vario (165±20) (Gr1) (p<0.05). Os menores valores de microdureza (Kg/mm2) foram obtidos para o Gr3 (30±1) (p<0.05). O GC em todas as unidades polimerizadoras (75±1, 91±5, 85±7 % para Visio Beta Vario, Powerlux e Strobolux, respectivamente) foi semelhante entre os grupos (p=0.1205). O tipo de unidade polimerizadora afetou a resistencia a flexao e a dureza Vickers da RCI testada. O GC tambem foi afetado pelo tipo de unidade polimerizadora, mas a diferenca nao foi significativa.

Conversion degree of indirect resin composites and effect of thermocycling on their physical properties.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of four indirect resin composites (IRCs) with various compositions processed in different polymerization units and investigated the effect of thermal aging on the flexural strength and Vicker's microhardness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were prepared from four IRC materials, namely Gr 1: Resilab (Wilcos); Gr2: Sinfony (3M ESPE); Gr3: VITA VMLC (VITA Zahnfabrik); Gr4: VITA Zeta (VITA Zahnfabrik) using special molds for flexural strength test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (25 x 2 x 2 mm(3), ISO 4049), for Vicker's microhardness test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (5 x 4 mm(2)) and for DC (N = 10) using FT-Raman Spectroscopy. For both flexural strength and microhardness tests, half of the specimens were randomly stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours (Groups 1 to 4), and the other half (Groups 5 to 8) were subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5 to 55 +/- 1 degree C, dwell time: 30 seconds). Flexural strength was measured in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 0.8 mm/min). Microhardness test was performed at 50 g. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha= 0.05). The correlation between flexural strength and microhardness was evaluated with Pearson's correlation test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: A significant effect for the type of IRC and thermocycling was found (p= 0.001, p= 0.001) on the flexural strength results, but thermocycling did not significantly affect the microhardness results (p= 0.078). The interaction factors were significant for both flexural strength and microhardness parameters (p= 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Thermocycling decreased the flexural strength of the three IRCs tested significantly (p < 0.05), except for VITA Zeta (106.3 +/- 9.1 to 97.2 +/- 14 MPa) (p > 0.05) when compared with nonthermocycled groups. Microhardness results of only Sinfony were significantly affected by thermocycling (25.1 +/- 2.1 to 31 +/- 3.3 Kg/mm(2)). DC values ranged between 63% and 81%, and were not significantly different between the IRCs (p > 0.05). While a positive correlation was found between flexural strength and microhardness without (r = 0.309) and with thermocycling (r = 0.100) for VITA VMLC, negative correlations were found for Resilab under the same conditions (r =-0.190 and -0.305, respectively) (Pearson's correlation coefficient). CONCLUSION: Although all four IRCs presented nonsignificant DC values, flexural strength and microhardness values varied between materials with and without thermocycling.

Does the thickness of the resin cement affect the bond strength of a fiber post to the root dentin?

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cement thickness on the bond strength of a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) post system to the root dentin. Eighteen single-rooted human teeth were decoronated (length: 16 mm), the canals were prepared, and the specimens were randomly allocated to 2 groups (n = 9): group 1 (low cement thickness), in which size 3 FRC posts were cemented using adhesive plus resin cement; and group 2 (high cement thickness), in which size 1 FRC posts were cemented as in group 1. Specimens were sectioned, producing 5 samples (thickness: 1.5 mm). For cement thickness evaluation, photographs of the samples were taken using an optical microscope, and the images were analyzed. Each sample was tested in push-out, and data were statistically analyzed. Bond strengths of groups 1 and 2 did not show significant differences (P = .558), but the cement thicknesses for these groups were significantly different (P < .0001). The increase in cement thickness did not significantly affect the bond strength (r2 = 0.1389, P= .936). Increased cement thickness surrounding the FRC post did not impair the bond strength.