Effect of heat polymerization conditions and microwave on the flexural strength of polymethyl methacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is the effect of different heat polymerization conditions on the strength of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin base is unknown. Distinguishing one method that provides improved mechanical properties may be beneficial to the clinical success of complete and partial dentures and overdentures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polymerization methods on the flexural strength of a dental PMMA resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty PMMA specimens (64 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm) were prepared with 4 different polymerization methods (n = 10); heat polymerization at 74°C for 9 h, at 100°C for 40 min, and with 620 kPa pressure at 100°C for 20 min. The remaining group of specimens was microwave polymerized at 180 W for 6 min. All specimens were thermocycled at 5°C and 55°C for 5000 times. Three-point flexure test was used to measure the flexural strength of specimens. One-way ANOVA and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference were applied to analyze the differences in flexural strengths (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The flexural strength of heat-polymerized groups was similar. The flexural strength of microwave polymerized group was significantly different and lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Polymerizing conventional heat-polymerizing PMMA resin with microwave energy resulted in a significant decrease in flexural strength. The results of this study suggest that clinicians may benefit from using heat polymerization when processing PMMA denture bases instead of microvawe polymerization when tested brand is used.

Surface roughness and adaptation of different materials to secure implant attachment housings.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Various materials are available to secure implant attachment housings in overdentures. Surface roughness and the adaptation of these materials to the denture base and the housings may increase the microcracks and bacterial adhesion at the interfaces in the long term. The surface characteristics of the interface between the denture base orientation material and the attachment housing have not been extensively studied. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the surface roughness and the adaptation of 5 different housing orientation materials to the housings and the denture base. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) specimens (15 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height) were prepared with a clearance inside to allow the insertion of overdenture housings. Five different materials were used for housing orientation (Quick Up, Ufi Gel Hard, Tokuyama Rebase II Fast, Meliodent, and Paladent). The specimens were thermocycled 5000 times between 5°C and 55°C. The surface roughness (Ra values) of the specimens was measured with a noncontact profilometer. Scanning electron images were made in order to inspect the PMMA-orientation material-housing interfaces. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to investigate the differences between the surface roughness values of the orientation materials, and the Iman-Conover test was used for pairwise comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: The surface roughness values significantly differed between Quick up and Ufi Gel orientation materials only, and Quick up had smaller surface roughness values than Ufi Gel (P=.009). Microcracks were observed among the groups only at the junction of the orientation material and the housing after thermocycling. CONCLUSIONS: Ufi Gel Hard showed the roughest surfaces around the overdenture attachment housings. The adaptation between the orientation material and the housing may deteriorate, and increased surface roughness and microcrack formation may be seen around the housings.

Effects of crown retrieval on implants and the surrounding bone: a finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to observe stress concentration in the implant, the surrounding bone, and other components under the pull-out force during the crown removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two 3-dimensional models of implant-supported conventional metal ceramic crowns were digitally constructed. One model was designed as a vertically placed implant (3.7 mm × 10 mm) with a straight abutment, and the other model was designed as a 30-degree inclined implant (3.7 mm × 10 mm) with an angled abutment. A pull-out force of 40 N was applied to the crown. The stress values were calculated within the dental implant, the abutment, the abutment screw, and the surrounding bone. RESULTS: The highest stress concentration was observed at the coronal portion of the straight implant (9.29 MPa). The stress concentrations at the cortical bone were lower than at the implants, and maximum stress concentration in bone structure was 1.73 MPa. At the abutment screws, the stress concentration levels were similiar (3.09 MPa and 3.44 MPa), but the localizations were different. The stress at the angled abutment was higher than the stress at the straight abutment. CONCLUSION: The pull-out force, applied during a crown removal, did not show an evident effect in bone structure. The higher stress concentrations were mostly observed at the implant and the abutment collar. In addition, the abutment screw, which is the weakest part of an implant system, also showed stress concentrations. Implant angulation affected the stress concentration levels and localizations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These results will help clinicians understand the mechanical behavior of cement-retained implant-supported crowns during crown retrieval.

Effect of ultrashort pulsed laser on bond strength of Y-TZP zirconia ceramic to tooth surfaces.

There is limited knowledge about the effects of ultrashort pulsed laser on zirconia ceramic surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber laser and other surface treatment methods -namely, sandblasting with 110 µm aluminum oxide or 30 µm silica-coated alumina on shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia to tooth surface. A total of 128 zirconium oxide disks were made by using CAD-CAM technology. Disk surfaces were sandblasted with Al2O3 particles or silica-coated alumina or irradiated with Yb-doped fiber based nanosecond pulsed laser at 85W output power at 25 kHz. Disks were luted to dentin using two different resin cement. SBS of each specimen was measured. Results were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni and Dunnett tests (p<0.005). Highest bond strength was obtained when zirconia surface was pretreated with Yb-doped fiber-based nanosecond pulsed laser regardless of the resin cement used.