Effect of color shading procedures and cyclic loading on the biaxial flexural strength of zirconia.

PURPOSE: Zirconia is the most preferred ceramic restoration in posterior areas because of its flexural strength. The aim of the study is the evaluation of biaxial flexural strength of different colored zirconium oxide core materials after cyclic loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zirconia discs (12 mm diameter and 1.2 mm thickness) were divided into 6 groups of 12 discs each. Groups were colored according to the Vita Classic shade guide: A3 and D4. One group was not colored and left as control. Each group was randomly divided into subgroups and subjected to mechanical cycling prior to biaxial flexural strength test. Cyclic loading was applied as 50 N loads for 20,000 times for the loaded groups. Samples were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD tests were used for comparisons of the groups. RESULTS: Biaxial flexural strength values did not vary significantly depending on coloring procedure or loading process tested (p>.05). XRD analysis displayed that the monoclinic volume fraction of zirconia was highest in cyclic loaded D4 and was lowest in non-loaded control group. The SEM image revealed that A3 color solution created metallic coloring pigments at grain boundaries. CONCLUSIONS: Coloring procedures and cyclic loading did not affect the biaxial flexural strength of zirconia core material; however, microstructural analysis displays changes, which may weaken the zirconia structure on the long term.

The translucency effect of different colored resin cements used with zirconia core and titanium abutments.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different color of resin cements and zirconia cores on the translucency parameter (TP) of the restoration that simulates the implant-supported fixed prosthesis using titanium base on the bottom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia core plates (Zr-Zahn) were prepared in A2 shades (n = 11). Resin cement plates (3M ESPE) were prepared in A2, A1, translucent (TR) shades (n = 11). The initial color measurements and were measured on zirconia core plates, and resin cements plates using a spectrophotometer. Then, the resin cement plates were placed below the zirconia core plates, and the second measurements were done. The final measurements were done after placing the titanium discs in the bottom. The data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant differences tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The highest TP values were recorded for A1-colored resin specimens and the lowest for zirconia core plates in the first measurement (P < 0.05). The addition of zirconia core decreased the TP values in all tested resin cement groups (P < 0.05). The highest TP value was recorded for A1-colored resin cement with zirconia core plates and the lowest for A2 and TR with zirconia core plates after second measurements (P < 0.05). The addition of titanium decreased the TP of the zirconia core plate and resin cement combination (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a zirconia core under the resin cement dramatically reduced the TP values, and the presence of a titanium layer decreased the TP value and caused a darker appearance.

Repeatability and reliability of human eye in visual shade selection.

Deficiencies in the human visual percep-tion system have challenged the efficiency of the visual shade-matching protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and reliability of human eye in visual shade selection. Fifty-four volunteering dentists were asked to match the shade of an upper right central incisor tooth of a single subject. The Vita 3D-Master shade guide was used for the protocol. Before each shade-matching procedure, the definitive codes of the shade tabs were hidden by an opaque strip and the shade tabs were placed into the guide randomly. The procedure was repeated 1 month later to ensure that visual memory did not affect the results. The L*, a* and b* values of the shade tabs were measured with a dental spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade) to produce quantitative values to evaluate the protocol. The paired samples t-test and Pearson correlation test were used to compare the 1st and 2nd selections. The Yates-corrected chi-square test was use to compare qualitative values. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0·05. Comparing baseline and 1st month records, statistical significance (P < 0·001) was found among qualitative data regarding repeatability on a yes/no (1/0) basis, revealing a very low percentage of repeatability (11·1%). Comparing baseline and 1st month records, statistical significance was not found (P = 0·000) among the L*, a*, b* and ΔE variables. These results indicate that dentists perform insufficiently regarding repeatability in visual shade matching, but they are able to select clinically acceptable shades.

Helicobacter pylori virulence factors and their role in peptic ulcer diseases in Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The role of virulence factors present in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains and the characterization of such factors being predictive of specific disease is still not clear. In this study, the cagA, vacA alleles and the recently characterized vacA i-region and dupA and their association with the severity of the disease was determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Antral biopsies from 91patients with peptic ulcer (PU) (n = 41), gastritis (n = 48) and gastric cancer (GC) (n = 2) were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori by the CLO-test and PCR. A 79/91 (86%) patients were positive for H. pylori by either PCR or by both PCR and CLO-test. PCR-based typing of H. pylori isolates was performed on DNA extracted directly from biopsy samples. RESULTS: The cagA+ strains were found more likely to be associated with vacA s1 than s2. The vacA i1 allele detected in 16/23 (70%) of samples had significant association with duodenal ulcers than those 16/37 (44%) of gastritis (P < 0.04). No significant association was found between dupA and duodenal ulcer. This study provided more evidence that the vacA i1 allele is one of the virulence factors of H. pylori that had significant association with severe outcome.