Effect of accelerated aging and double application on the dentin bond strength of universal adhesive system.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many advantages of simplified adhesive systems, there are concerns about the durability of the adhesive layer over time. The aim was to investigate the effects of various aging methods and double application of an adhesive layer on the bond strength of the universal adhesive system using etch-and-rinse (ER) and self-etch (SE) strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, the occlusal enamel of 120 extracted, intact human third molars was removed to expose the dentin. Then, the samples were randomly divided into four groups of thirty according to All-Bond Universal (ABU) adhesive application strategy (ER and SE) and the number of adhesive layers (1 or 2). Then, each group was subdivided into three subgroups of ten according to aging method (control, thermal cycling, and 10% sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl]). The shear bond strength was measured at the strain rate of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The effect of adhesive application strategy (P < 0.001) and aging method (P < 0.001) on the bond strength was statistically significant, but the effect of the double application was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, the interactive effect of adhesive application strategy-aging method was significant (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Using ABU with ER strategy leads to higher dentin bond strength compared to the SE method in the control and thermal cycling groups. However, no significant differences were observed between ER and SE strategies after aging with the NaOCl. Furthermore, the double application might not have any effect on the bond strength and durability.

Surface Roughness of Different Composite Resins after Application of 15% Carbamide Peroxide and Brushing with Toothpaste: An In-Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of toothbrushing after application of 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) on the surface roughness of three types of composite resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty samples, measuring 4 mm in height and diameter, were fabricated of three composite resins namely microfilled (MF) Heliomolar HB, nanohybrid (NH) IPS Empress Direct and microhybrid (MH) Tetric Ceram HB. After polishing, the initial surface roughness was measured with a profilometer. The tray technique was used to apply 15% CP gel for 6 hours. Then, cleaning was carried out with an Oral-B electric toothbrush for 3 minutes in a tank containing a freshly mixed toothpaste. These procedures were repeated for 21 days. Then, the surface roughness was measured again and compared with the initial values. A mixed-design ANOVA model was used for the analysis of data (P<0.05). RESULTS: The baseline roughness was significantly lower in MF compared to the NH and MH composites (P<0.001). Roughness increased in all study groups during the intervention period; however, this increase was not significant in the MH group (P=0.17). Furthermore, the increase in roughness in MF was smaller than that in NH (P<0.001) and MH (P=0.02) groups. CONCLUSION: The effect of intervention was more pronounced on NH and MH groups. Surface roughness changes were minor in MF composite resin.

Effect of Different Intraorifice Barriers and Bleaching Agents on the Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Anterior Teeth.

INTRODUCTION: Intraorifice barriers (IOBs) are usually used before internal bleaching for coronal sealing and the prevention of cervical resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different IOBs on the fracture resistance (FR) of endodontically treated anterior teeth bleached with various bleaching agents (BAs). METHODS: After performing root canal treatment for 72 extracted bovine upper incisors, the coronal 3 mm of gutta-percha was removed, and samples were classified into 3 based on the type of IOB: calcium-enriched mixture, mineral trioxide aggregate, and resin-modified glass ionomer. After applying IOBs, samples of each group were subdivided into 4 based on the BA: carbamide peroxide 45% (CP), hydrogen peroxide 35% (HP), sodium perborate (PB), and distilled water as the control. At the end of bleaching, the access cavities were restored with composite resin. The FR was measured with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and least significant difference post hoc tests (P < .05). RESULTS: The effect of BAs on the FR was significant (P < .05); however, the effect of the IOB and the interactive effect of these variables were not significant (P > .05). The FR in the HP and PB groups was significantly different from the control (P < .05) but that of CP was not significantly different from the control (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium-enriched mixture act similarly to resin-modified glass ionomer as an IOB. CP, unlike HP and PB, did not significantly decrease the FR.

Push-out Bond Strength of Fiber Posts to Intraradicular Dentin Using Multimode Adhesive System.

INTRODUCTION: Because there is little information about bond strength of fiber posts cemented with a universal adhesive system (UAS) with different resin cements, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of different bonding strategies in the application of UASs on push-out bond strength of fiber posts to intraradicular dentin. METHODS: Seventy-two single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups: self-adhesive resin cement (SAC), dual-cure resin cement (DCC), UAS in the etch-and-rinse (E&R) mode and SAC (E&R + SAC), UAS in the self-etch (SE) mode and SAC (SE + SAC), UAS in the E&R mode and DCC (E&R + DCC), and UAS in the SE mode and DCC (SE + DCC). The push-out test was conducted at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed with 2-way analysis of variance (P < .05). RESULTS: Bond strength was significantly influenced by the adhesive strategies (P < .001). However, post space region did not have a significant effect on bond strength (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: ClearfilSA Luting SAC (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc, New York, NY) cannot be used alone for fiber post adhesion; it needs an adhesive. Universal adhesive in the SE mode is suggested. When UAS is used for luting fiber posts, the type of cement does not have any effect on bond strength.

Effect of different mechanical and chemical surface treatments on the repaired bond strength of an indirect composite resin.

This study compared the effects of two mechanical surface preparation techniques, air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser, with the use of two adhesive systems, self-etch and etch and rinse, on the repair bond strengths of an indirect composite resin. One hundred fifty cylindrical samples of an indirect composite resin were prepared and randomly divided into six groups (n = 25). In groups 1-3, the composite resin surfaces were respectively prepared as follows: no roughening, roughening by air abrasion, and roughening by Nd:YAG laser, followed by application of an etch-and-rinse adhesive. In groups 4-6, the preparation techniques were respectively the same as those in groups 1-3, followed by application of a self-etch adhesive. Subsequently, a direct composite resin was added and repair bond strengths were measured. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test. Mean bond strength value was significant based on the preparation technique (P < 0.001), i.e., in air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser groups, bond strengths were significantly higher compared to no-preparation groups (P < 0.0005). There were significant differences in bond strength values between air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser groups, with significantly higher values in air abrasion groups (P < 0.0005). However, there were no significant differences in bond strength values between the adhesive systems. Furthermore, the cumulative effects of the adhesive system and the surface preparation technique were not significant. Surface preparation of the indirect composite resin with air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser resulted in a significant increase in the repair bond strength, with air abrasion being more effective. There were no significant differences in bond strength between the two adhesives.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser pulse energy on mercury vapor release from the dental amalgam.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different pulse energies of Nd:YAG laser on the amalgam ablation, and its effect on the amount of mercury vapor release from amalgam. BACKGROUND DATA: Toxic vapor release from amalgam restorations at the laser focus site is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five amalgam samples (4 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height) were placed in sealed containers and underwent Nd:YAG laser irradiation with pulse energies of 50, 150, and 250 mJ at a distance of 1 mm from the amalgam surface for 4 sec. Subsequently, 150 mL of air was collected from the inside of the container using an Apex Pump to analyze the amount of mercury vapor in the air samples using a mercury vapor analyzer. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: The amount of mercury vapor release significantly increased with an increase in the pulse energy of Nd:YAG laser (p<0.001). In addition, the amount of mercury vapor release with 250 mJ pulse energy was significantly higher compared with the standard mercury vapor concentration (50 µg/m(3)) (p<0.001). Nd:YAG laser produced cavities on the amalgam surface, which increased in size with an increase in the energy of the laser beam. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of mercury vapor significantly increased with an increase in the pulse energy of the laser beam, and was significantly higher than the standard mercury vapor concentration with 250 mJ pulse energy.

Effect of three different contamination removal methods on bond strength of a self-etching adhesive to dentin contaminated with an aluminum chloride hemostatic agent.

AIM: This study evaluated the effect of three different contamination removal methods on bond strength of one-step self-etching adhesive to dentin contaminated with an aluminum chloride hemostatic agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred noncarious adult molars were used in this study; 2-mm-thick dentin disks were prepared and randomly assigned to 5 groups (n = 20). Group I: control; group II: hemostatic agent-contaminated; group III: hemostatic agent-contaminated and rinsing with water; group IV: hemostatic agent-contaminated and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) application; and group V: hemostatic agent-contaminated and phosphoric acid application. Clearfil S3 Bond was used to bond composite to dentin surfaces. Subsequent to adding composite cylinders the shear bond strength test was performed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Two additional specimens from each group were prepared and evaluated under scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in bond strength among the groups (p < 0.001). In two-by-two comparisons statistically significant differences were observed in bond strength values between all the groups (p < 0.001) except for groups I and IV (p = 0.933). CONCLUSION: Aluminum chloride hemostatic agent adversely affected the bond strength of self-etch adhesive to dentin. However, application of EDTA increased the bond strength to the level of normal dentin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: EDTA and phosphoric acid removed aluminum chloride hemostatic agent contamination of dentin surfaces. However, unlike EDTA phosphoric acid failed to increase the bond strength of self-etch adhesive to dentin to the level of the control group.

The effect of composite fiber insertion along with low-shrinking composite resin on cuspal deflection of root-filled maxillary premolars.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three methods of composite fiber placement along with siloranebased composite resin on cuspal deflection and fracture strength of root-filled maxillary premolars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesio-occluso-distal cavities were prepared in 60 extracted premolars subsequent to endodontic treatment. The remaining thickness of buccal and lingual walls at height of contour was 2.5 ± 0.2 mm and the gingival cavosurface margin was 1.5 mm coronal to cementoenamel junction. Subsequent to measurement of primary intercuspal distances, the teeth were randomly divided into four groups. In group 1, the cavities were only filled with Filtek Silorane composite resin. In the other three groups, preimpregnated glass fibers were placed at gingival, middle and occlusal thirds respectively, and the cavities were restored similar to the group 1. Cuspal deflection was recorded in micrometer using a stereomicroscope. Fracture strength of the samples was measured in Newton subsequent to thermocycling. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The highest cuspal deflection was recorded in the group 1, and the difference between group 1 and other groups was significant (p < 0.001). Fracture resistance in group 4 was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In restoring root-filled premolars with siloranebased composite resins, cuspal deflection decreased with the use of preimpregnated glass fibers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Using preimpregnated glass fibers along with silorane-based composite resin may lead to better results in cuspal deflection and fracture resistance of endodonticallytreated maxillary premolars.

Chewing side preference in first and all mastication cycles for hard and soft morsels.

Preferred chewing side is a still controversial matter and various methods used have yielded some inconsistencies. The aim of this study is to compare the preference determined in different conditions. Nineteen healthy subjects were offered hard (walnut) and soft (cake) foods, while the electromyography was recorded from their masseter muscles, in 2009 in the Research Center of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Four occurrences were determined as the side of the first chews/all chews in the two food types, and then analyzed for correlations and agreements. For hard food 73.68% and for soft food 57.89% of the subjects showed preference. The comparison of all chews showed a highly significant preference towards the right side in both food types (p=0.000 & 0.003). There was both correlation and agreement between the first chew preferences in both food types, and an agreement between the first and all chew preferences in the hard food. Therefore, there seems to exist some laterality in mastication, which is more explicit when using hard food and assessing all chews.

Shear bond strength of self-etching adhesive systems with different pH values to bleached and/or CPP-ACP-treated enamel.

PURPOSE: To compare shear bond strengths of three different self-etching adhesive systems of different pH values to enamel bleached with carbamide peroxide, treated with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), or treated with CPP-ACP subsequent to bleaching with carbamide peroxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six human third molars were cut into 4 sections and randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 36): group I: no treatment; group II: bleaching; group III: CPP-ACP; group IV: bleaching and CPP-ACP. After surface treatments, the samples of each group were further divided into three subgroups (n = 12) based on the adhesive used. The adhesives Clearfil SE Bond (CSE), AdhesE (ADE), and Adper SE Plus (ADP) were applied, and resin composite cylinders with a diameter of 2 mm and a height of 4 mm were bonded to the enamel. Then the specimens were subjected to shear bond strength testing. Two-way ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences between the adhesive systems (p < 0.001) and surface treatments (p < 0.001), but no significant interactions were observed between these variables (p = 0.78). The CSE adhesive system showed the highest bond strength, and the bleaching procedure reduced bond strengths (p = 0.001). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in shear bond strength values between the control and CPP groups. However, the differences between other groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bleaching reduced shear bond strength to enamel, but CPP-ACP application did not affect the bond strength to intact and previously bleached enamel. The bond strength of adhesives with different pH values to enamel was material dependent.

Effect of three different mouthrinses on microleakage of composite resin restorations with two adhesive systems after bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide.

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the effects of Oral-B (OB), Listerine (LN) and Rembrandt Plus (RM) mouthrinses on microleakage of composite resin restorations bonded with two adhesive systems after bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 Cl V cavities were prepared on human premolars. The occlusal and gingival margins were placed 1 mm occlusal to and apical to CEJ respectively. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups based on the adhesive system used: Excite (EX) and Clearfil SE Bond (CSE) groups. After composite resin restoration of cavities, thermocycling and bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide for 2 hours daily for 14 days, the teeth in each adhesive group were further subdivided into three subgroups and were immersed for 12 hours in the three OB, RM and LN mouthrinses. The teeth were then placed in 2% basic fuschin for 24 hours. After dissecting the teeth, microleakage was evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 16×. Data was analyzed with multifactor ANOVA and Bonferroni test at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Microleakage with EX was significantly higher than that with CSE (p = 0.009). Microleakage at gingival margins was significantly higher than that at occlusal margins (p = 0.15). Microleakage with OB was higher than that with LN (p = 0.02). However, there were no significant differences in microleakage between LN and RM (p = 1) and between RM and OB (p = 0.15). In addition, with the EX adhesive system, microleakage with OB was higher than that with LN and RM (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In the present study, microleakage of composite resin restorations was influenced by the type of the adhesive system, mouthrinse type and the location of the cavity margin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Use of some mouthrinses, such as OB after bleaching can increase postrestoration microleakage of resin composite restorations bonded with etch-and-rinse adhesive systems.

Effect of acid and laser etching on shear bond strength of conventional and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements to composite resin.

Success in sandwich technique procedures can be achieved through an acceptable bond between the materials. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 35% phosphoric acid and Er,Cr:YSGG laser on shear bond strength of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) to composite resin in sandwich technique. Sixty-six specimens were prepared from each type of glass-ionomer cements and divided into three treatment groups as follows: without pretreatment, acid etching by 35% phosphoric acid for 15 s, and 1-W Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment for 15 s with a 600-µm-diameter tip aligned perpendicular to the target area at a distance of 1 mm from the surface. Energy density of laser irradiation was 17.7 J/cm(2). Two specimens in each group were prepared for evaluation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after surface treatment and the remainder underwent bonding procedure with a bonding agent and composite resin. Then the shear bond strength was measured at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Two-factor analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test showed that the cement type, surface treatment method, and the interaction of these two factors significantly affect the shear bond strength between glass-ionomer cements and composite resin (p < 0.05). Surface treatment with phosphoric acid or Er,Cr:YSGG laser increased the shear bond strength of GIC to composite resin; however, in RMGIC only laser etching resulted in significantly higher bond strength. These findings were supported by SEM results. The fracture mode was evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×20.

Comparison of shear bond strength of calcium-enriched mixture cement and mineral trioxide aggregate to composite resin.

AIM: Adhesion of composite resin and pulp capping biomaterials remarkably influences treatment outcomes. This in vitro study aimed to compare the shear bond strength of composite resin to calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) with or without acid etching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 cylindrical acrylic blocks containing a central hole, measuring 4 mm diameter and 2 mm height were prepared. The blocks were randomly divided into three experimental groups based on being filled with CEM, MTA or RMGI. Samples in each group were then randomly divided into two subgroups, i.e. with or without phosphoric acid etching. Placing composite resin cylinders on the samples, shear bond strengths were measured using a universal testing machine. Failure modes of the samples were evaluated under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. RESULTS: Shear bond strengths in the etched and nonetched samples were not significantly different (p = 0.60). There was a significant difference in shear bond strength values of the three experimental materials (p < 0.001) and RMGI showed the highest strength values (p < 0.001); no significant difference was observed between MTA and CEM (p = 0.51). The interaction of the type of material and surface etching was statistically significant (p < 0.001). All of the samples showed cohesive failure mode. CONCLUSION: Acid etching of MTA, CEM and RMGI do not improve the shear bond strength of these materials to composite resin. Besides, shear bond strength values of MTA and CEM to composite resin, are favorable due to their cohesive mode of failure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: When MTA and CEM biomaterials are used in vital pulp therapy, it is advisable to cover these materials with RMGI. In addition, if it is not possible to use RMGI, the surface etching of MTA and CEM biomaterials is not necessary prior to composite restoration using total-etch adhesive resin.

Comparison of the effect of hydrogel and solution forms of sodium ascorbate on orthodontic bracket-enamel shear bond strength immediately after bleaching: an in vitro study.

AIM: This study compared the effects of hydrogel and solution forms of sodium ascorbate (SA) with two different application times on bracket bond strength subsequent to bleaching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 sound premolars were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12): An unbleached control group (group one) and five experimental groups of carbamide peroxide. Specimens in group two were bonded immediately after bleaching; specimens in groups three and four were bleached, then treated with SA solution for ten minutes and three hours, respectively, and then bonded. In groups five and six, SA hydrogel was used and the specimens were prepared similar to groups three and four, respectively. Following debonding, bond strengths were recorded in MPa. To evaluate the amount of resin left on the enamel surfaces, adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were used. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The bond strength data were analyzed with ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were made by Tukey test. The ARI data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis test and two-by-two comparisons were made by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in bond strengths between the groups ( P < 0.0005). However, the differences between groups three, four, five and six were not significant. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between group one and groups four and six, whereas the differences between the other groups were significant ( P < 0.05). Regarding ARI, there were significant differences among the groups ( P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Bleaching significantly decreased the bracket bond strength. Compromised bonding was reversed with a three-hour application of both forms of SA.

Effects of in-office and home bleaching gels on the surface mercury levels of dental amalgam.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different in-office and home bleaching gels on the surface mercury levels of dental amalgam. METHODS: Sixty disk-shaped amalgam specimens (GS-80, SDI- Australia) were prepared and randomly divided into the following treatment groups: 1. Distilled water (control); 2. 15% home-bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF, Ultra dent, USA) applied for 6 h/day for 3 weeks; and 3. 35% in-office bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence Quick, Ultradent) applied for 30 min/week for 3 weeks. Levels of mercury were measured as weight percentages using an energy dispersive x-ray micro-analyzer detector connected to an electron microscope. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey tests (P<.05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the surface mercury levels measured following treatment with the tested home-bleach and in-office bleach products (P=0.71). However, both materials yielded significantly more mercury levels than that of the control group (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The tested bleaching products significantly elevated the surface mercury levels of amalgam in vitro.

Effect of 10% sodium ascorbate on bleached bovine enamel surface morphology and microhardness.

Sodium ascorbate has recently been suggested to compensate decreased bond strength of composite resin to bleached tooth surfaces. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of 10% sodium ascorbate on bleached bovine enamel morphology and microhardness considering the possibility of its effect on enamel surface characteristics. A total of 69 bovine enamel slabs were prepared and mounted in acrylic resin. Subsequent to polishing, they were randomly divided into 3 groups of 23 specimens each; 3 for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis and 20 for hardness test. In group 1 the specimens were immersed in distilled water as control group; in group 2 the specimens were bleached with 35% carbamide peroxide for 30 min a week for 3 consecutive weeks; and in group 3 the specimens were exposed to 10% sodium ascorbate for 30 min subsequent to bleaching similar to group 1. After 3 weeks Vickers hardness of the specimens was measured at 3 points with equal distances from each other under a force of 50 g. The mean of the hardness values of each specimen was calculated and data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05). The highest and lowest microhardness values were observed in group 1 and group 2, respectively. However, there were no statistically significant differences in microhardness between the groups (P = 0.12). The use of 35% carbamide peroxide alone or with 10% sodium ascorbate does not affect bovine enamel hardness. SEM analysis showed a network of sodium ascorbate adsorbed to the bleached enamel surface.

The effect of three composite fiber insertion techniques on fracture resistance of root-filled teeth.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three methods of fiber insertion on fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars in vitro. Sixty extracted human maxillary premolars received endodontic treatment followed by mesioocclusodistal (MOD) cavities with 2.5 +/- 0.2 mm thicknesses of buccal and lingual cusps at height of contour. The gingival cavosurface margin was 1.5 mm coronal to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Subsequently, the teeth were randomly divided into four groups. In the no-fiber group, the cavities were restored with composite, and in other groups, composite impregnated glass fibers were placed in the gingival, middle, and occlusal third surfaces of the cavities, respectively, and were restored similar to the no-fiber group. Subsequent to thermocycling and exertion of compressive forces, statistical analysis showed that the fracture resistance in the occlusal fiber group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.0005). In addition, the highest favorable fracture and the lowest cusp detachment rates were observed in the occlusal fiber group.

In vitro fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars.

UNLABELLED: Many endodontically-treated teeth require quick, simple, low-cost restorations. This study evaluated the effect of horizontal pins and flowable composites on the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars directly restored with resin composite. In this in vitro study, 64 intact human maxillary premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were randomly divided into four groups of 16. Standard access cavities were prepared in such a way that the buccal cusp had a buccolingual thickness of 3 mm measured at the height of contour. The palatal cusp was reduced to 1.5 mm coronal to CEJ. The specimens were prepared as follows: Group 1: resin composite restoration without horizontal self-threading pins or flowable composite (control group). Group 2: resin composite restoration without horizontal self-threading pins but with a 2 mm thickness of the flowable composite. Group 3: resin composite restoration with two horizontal self-threading pins in the buccal cusp but without flowable composite. Group 4: resin composite restoration with two horizontal self-threading pins in the buccal cusp and flowable composite with a thickness of 2 mm. Subsequent to thermocycling, all specimens were loaded to failure. The data were analyzed using a two-factor ANOVA test (alpha = 0.05). The maximum mean of fracture resistance was in Group 1 (632.86 +/- 119.46 N), and the minimum value was related to Group 3 (533.49 +/- 168.07 N). There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neither horizontal pin placement nor flowable composite had a significant effect on increasing the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars restored with composite.

Effect of 1-bottle light-cured adhesive acidity on microleakage of a self-cured composite.

This in vitro study examined the effect of 1-bottle light-cured adhesives with different acidities on the microleakage of a self-cured composite in Class II restorations. Forty-five Class II cavities were prepared on the proximal surfaces of extracted human intact third molars that were randomly assigned to 3 groups (15 cavities in each group). The following adhesives were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions: Single Bond (Group 1), Excite (Group 2) and One-Step (Group 3). The teeth were restored with a combination of a self-cured resin composite (Concise) and a light-cured resin composite (Filtek P60). After thermocycling (500 cycles at 5 degrees C/55 degrees C) and immersion in 2% basic Fushin, the teeth were sectioned and evaluated for microleakage using a stereomicroscope (16x). Microleakage was scored on a scale of 0 to 3. Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed that there was a significant-difference in microleakage values of 3 adhesives with a self-cured composite, and low pH may have contributed to high microleakage values. Also, 2 by 2 comparisons with the Mann-Whitney U-test revealed a significant difference at the p<0.05 level between Groups 1 and 2 and between Groups 2 and 3. However, there was no statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 3.