Influence of pretreating radicular dentin with different polyacrylic acids and isopropanol on the retention of posts.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The optimal pretreatment of radicular dentin before cementing a post with glass ionomer cement is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the retention of prefabricated tapered titanium posts to endodontically treated teeth after applying different pretreatment protocols on the radicular dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The coronal part of 32 single-rooted human teeth was removed 1-mm coronally to the cemento-enamel junction. All specimens received endodontic treatment, and the root canals were prepared with an instrument to a depth of 10 mm to receive a titanium post. The dentin walls of each specimen were roughened with a hand-held diamond cutting instrument. The specimens were randomly divided according to the surface treatments into 4 groups (n=8): KW: etched with 20% to 30% polyacrylic acid (PAA) (Ketac Conditioner) and rinsed with water; KWI: etched with 20% to 30% PAA, rinsed with water and 70% isopropanol; DW: etched with 30% to 50% PAA (Durelon Liquid) and rinsed with water; DWI: etched with 30% to 50% PAA, rinsed with water and 70% isopropanol. The prefabricated titanium posts were airborne-particle abraded and cemented with glass ionomer cement. The specimens were fixed in custom-made brass cylindrical holders with autopolymerizing acrylic resin with the holder parallel to the long axis of the post. All specimens were stored in water for 3 days at 37 °C. Retention was evaluated using a tensile test with a universal testing machine (Zwick Z010) at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min. Data were statistically analyzed with a 1-way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey post hoc test for pairwise comparisons between groups (α=.05). RESULTS: Mean ±standard deviation retention values ranged from 201.8 ±55.5 N (KW) to 328.1 ±70.9 N (DWI). Groups DWI and KWI (316 ±58.3 N) showed statistically higher retention values than group KW (P<.05) but did not significantly differ from retention values obtained in group DW (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: An additional final rinse with isopropanol after using PAA increased the retention of the post significantly for all groups. Although group DWI achieved the highest retention values, pretreatment of radicular dentin as in group KWI may also be considered.

Effects of sterilization, conditioning, and thermal aging on the retention of zirconia hybrid abutments: A laboratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sterilization, conditioning method, and thermal aging on the retentive strength of two-piece zirconia abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 128 stock zirconia abutments were divided into four groups (n = 32) according to the conditioning parameters: (A) air-abrasion using 50 µm alumina particles/1.0 bar, (B) 50 µm/2.0 bar, (C) 100 µm/1.0 bar, and (D) 100 µm/2.0 bar. All abutments were bonded onto titanium bases using DTK adhesive resin and stored in water bath (37°C) for 72 h. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 16), group 1 was disinfected, whereas group 2 followed disinfection and autoclave sterilization. Half of the specimens of each subgroup (n&#x02009;=&#x02009;8) was directly subjected to the axial retention test (groups N), while the other half was first subjected to 150&#x02009;days of thermocycling followed by retention test (groups T). Statistical analysis was performed with three-way ANOVA, additional statistical analysis was performed by using separate one-way ANOVAs followed by the Tukey's post-hoc test for post hoc pairwise comparisons among groups. RESULTS: The highest median retention strength was recorded for group B2N (1390 N), whereas the lowest strength was recorded for group C1T (688 N). No significant interaction (p ≥ 0.05) was detected between the different variables; conditioning method, sterilization, and the thermal cycling regarding the effect on the resulting retention. However, the sterilization always showed a positive effect. Thermocycling presented an adversely significant effect only in the absence of sterilization (p < 0.05), with the exception of subgroups A. For the sterilized groups, thermocycling had no statistically significant effect on the retention. CONCLUSION: Steam autoclaving increased the retention of hybrid zirconia abutments. DTK adhesive resin for two-piece zirconia abutments performed well after sterilization and thermocycling.

Durability of Resin Bonding to Dental 3Y-TZP Zirconia Using Different Adhesive Systems.

This laboratory study was conducted to evaluate and compare the resin bond strength of different adhesive resin systems in different combinations and the durability of their bonds with zirconia ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight specimens were milled from 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic. The bonding surfaces of all disks were wet polished, steam cleaned, airborne-particle abraded and ultrasonically cleaned in 99% isopropanol. The specimens were randomly divided into four main groups according to the applied resin system; two conventional and two self-adhesive systems were used. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups; the first was conditioned with the specified primer for conventional luting resins or not conditioned for the self-adhesive systems, whereas the second subgroup of each was conditioned with the same phosphate monomer-containing primer (Alloy Primer). The zirconia specimens were adhesively bonded, using the allocated luting resin, to plexiglass tubes filled with self-curing composite resin (Clearfil FII). Half of the specimens of each subgroup were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 3 days, whereas the other half were subjected to artificial aging, 150 days of storage and additional thermal cycling. Thereafter, all specimens were subjected to TBS testing using a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way ANOVA followed by separate one-way ANOVAs. The Games-Howell post-hoc test was applied for pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: All specimens survived storage with thermal cycling. The mean TBS values ranged from a minimum of 43.4 ± 5.0 MPa to a maximum of 66.4 ± 3.5 after 3 days and from a minimum of 13.6 ± 2.5 MPa to a maximum of 50.1 ± 9.4 MPa after 150 days. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial aging had a significantly negative effect on all test groups. The chosen adhesive-resin system had a significant effect on the resulting TBS values. The highest TBS values were achieved for the self-adhesive luting resin G-Cem One but were statistically comparable to the results obtained for the dual-cure luting resin G-Cem LinkForce.

Wear resistance of CAD/CAM one-piece screw-retained hybrid-abutment-crowns made from different restorative materials.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to measure the wear progress of three high performance polymers (HPP) materials as well as that of zirconia after artificial aging (simulated 2.5- and 5-year of clinical service with thermo-mechanical loading) and compare it with the well-documented wear of lithium disilicate. METHODS: Forty implants were used to restore a maxillary first premolar, where the abutment and the crown were manufactured as hybrid-abutment-crown and connected to the implant using a titanium insert. The implants were randomly divided, according to the restorative materials used, into five groups: 3Y-TZP zirconia (Z), lithium disilicate (L), ceramic-reinforced polyetheretherketon (P), nano-hybrid composite resin (C) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (E). All hybrid-abutment-crowns were produced using CAD/CAM technology. A design of a maxillary first premolar was created with an angle of 120° between the buccal and palatal cusps, which were designed as planes. The restorations were adhesively luted onto the titanium inserts, according to the manufacturers' recommendations for each material individually, by means of dual-curing luting resin with the exception of group P, where the blocks were pre-fitted (heat-pressed) with an integrated titanium insert. The suprastructures were assembled onto the implants through titanium screws. The screw channels were sealed with Teflon tape and composite resin filling material that was polished to high-gloss. All specimens underwent 1 200 000 thermo-dynamic loading cycles with 49 N in a dual-axis chewing simulator. Elastomeric impressions were made for all specimens after 600 000 and after 1 200 000 cycles. The corresponding impressions were imaged using a laser scanning microscope and then 3D-analyzed using the software (Geomagic Wrap) to measure the volume loss of the wear area for all specimens. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon-Test regarding the two different time measurements for each material. For the analysis of the material variable, Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted followed by Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Group Z showed statistically the lowest volume loss compared to the other test materials, both after 600 000 and 1 200 000 cycles of artificial aging, with a median value of 0.002 mm3 volume loss after 1 200 000 cycles. In contrast, group E showed the highest volume loss with median values of 0.18 and 0.3 mm3 after 600 000 and 1 200 000 cycles, respectively. Artificial aging had significantly negative effect on the volume loss for all test materials. In addition, the choice of material had statistical influence on the outcome. CONCLUSION: Monolithic zirconia ceramic demonstrated lower wear than that reported for enamel after simulated 5-year of clinical service, whereas all other test materials showed higher volume loss after artificial aging.

The Effect of Sterilization on the Accuracy and Fit of 3D-Printed Surgical Guides.

This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of 3D-printed surgical guides before and after sterilization in a steam sterilizer. A test-model incorporating three implant replicas was customized. A total of forty guides were printed from five printable resins. A group made from a self-curing composite served as control group. The guides were checked for fit. Vertical discrepancies between the model and guides were measured at standardized points at a load of 500 g (P1). The guides were connected to implant replicas and scanned, and their angles were digitally measured. The specimens were sterilized in a steam sterilizer at 121 °C for 20 min at 2 bar pressure. Vertical discrepancies (P2) and angulations were remeasured. Additionally, the specimens were repositioned with an increased load, and measurements were repeated (P3). All specimens were repositionable after sterilization. The smallest variation in discrepancy at a 500 g load was 428 µm, whereas the greatest was 1487 µm. Under an increased force, the smallest change was 94 µm, while the greatest was 260 µm. The level of significance α = 0.05 (95% confidence interval) was set for all tests. The variation in the measured angles was not statistically significant (Kruskal-Wallis's test, p > 0.05). The accuracy was affected by the material and sterilization, but it was clinically acceptable when an increased load was applied during repositioning.

Comparison of bond strength to three restorative materials after contamination and the use of two cleaning agents.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Scientific data on the decontamination effectiveness of a newly introduced cleaning agent are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the tensile bond strength (TBS) of 3 different restorative bonding surfaces after contamination with saliva following different cleaning protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 192 disk specimens were made out of 3 materials (n=64); Katana Avencia (A), Katana Zirconia (Z), and e.max CAD (L). The bonding surfaces of all disks were polished, steam cleaned, and then pretreated by following the recommended protocol for each material. The specimens of each group were divided into 4 subgroups (n=16). The first subgroup served as the reference (R), where no contamination was applied. The 3 other subgroups were contaminated with saliva and subsequently rinsed with water for 20 seconds and dried with oil- and water-free air spray. They were then either not treated with any cleaning method (0), cleaned with Katana Cleaner (K), or cleaned with Ivoclean (I). The bonding surfaces of the specimens were perpendicularly luted to plexiglass tubes filled with dual-polymerizing composite resin (Clearfil DC Core) with resin cement (Panavia V5) after the recommended surface conditioning. Each subgroup was further subdivided into 2 groups: stored in 37 °C water for 3 days or subjected to thermal-cyclic loading for 150 days with 37 500 thermal cycles (7500 per month), temperature 5 to 55 °C, and dwell time of 30 seconds. All specimens were subjected to TBS testing in a universal testing machine. Three-way ANOVA was applied. A significant interaction (P<.01) was detected between the 3 different variables (material, treatment, aging). After significant interactions had been revealed by 3-way ANOVA, additional statistical analysis was performed by using separate 2-way ANOVAs, then separate 1-way ANOVAs followed by the Tukey-HSD test for post hoc pairwise comparisons among groups (α=.05 for all tests). All specimens underwent failure mode analysis after TBS testing RESULTS: All specimens survived the storage with thermocycling except for group Z-0, where all specimens debonded during thermocycling. The mean ±standard deviation TBS values ranged from 18.3 ±5.3 MPa to 34.0 ±5.4 MPa after 3 days and from 6.7 ±5.5 MPa to 26.9 ±5.4 MPa after 150 days. CONCLUSIONS: Contaminated groups that did not receive any cleaning had significantly lower TBS. Thermocycling had a negative effect on the TBS but was not statistically significant for all groups. Using the same cleaning method, the restorative material did had a significant effect on the TBS after 150 days.

Failure resistance of single-implant crowns assembled from polyetheretherketone and lithium disilicate abutments and different crown materials after artificial aging.

AIM: To investigate the effect of using different materials for the fabrication of implant abutments and crowns on the mechanical behavior of implant-supported single crowns after artificial aging. The materials were tested in different combinations to reveal whether using stiff or resilient materials as an abutment or a crown material might influence the fracture strength of the whole structure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 implants (blueSKY, bredent GmbH & Co. KG) were restored with identical custom-made CAD/CAM abutments milled out of lithium disilicate or ceramic-reinforced PEEK and were divided into 5 test groups (n = 8 each). Forty crowns made of three different materials (zirconia, lithium disilicate, and ceramic-reinforced PEEK) were used to restore the abutments. Specimens were subjected to mechanical load up to 1,200,000 cycles in a chewing simulator (Kausimulator, Willytech) with additional thermal cycling. The surviving specimens were subjected to quasi-static loading using a universal testing machine (Z010, Zwick). RESULTS: PEEK abutments with zirconia crowns showed the highest median failure load (3890.5 N), while PEEK abutments with lithium disilicate crowns exhibited the lowest (1920 N). Fracture and deformation occurred in both crowns and abutments. CONCLUSION: The failure load of the restorations was influenced by the material of the abutment and the crown. Restoring PEEK abutments with zirconia crowns showed a high failure load and no screw loosening.

Zirconia restorations and the tool diameter compensation.

AIM: The aim of the present article is to describe a new method to reduce the undesirable loss of material thickness that results from overmilling due to the tool diameter compensation correction of common CAD/CAM software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Today's CAD/CAM software (eg, 3Shape or Exocad) specifies the same tool diameter compensation for different ceramics. In the case of zirconia ceramics milled in the raw state, this leads to excessive milling of the inner surfaces of crowns, which results in unnecessarily large cementation gaps and a restoration that is thinned out from the inside. By manually reducing the preset correction in the digital design process by the volumetric sintering shrinkage factor specified by the manufacturer, excessive thinning of the zirconia can be avoided. RESULTS: The inner geometry of the restorations changes only slightly after manually reducing the preset tool diameter compensation correction. Consequently, a design of the restoration with the required minimum interocclusal thickness yet with accurate passive seating and marginal fit is possible without any further interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the specifics of the subtractive fabrication process as well as the properties of the restorative materials is a key factor in achieving optimal clinical outcomes with all-ceramic restorations fabricated with CAD/CAM technology. The use of monolithic zirconia combined with a calculated reduction in the preset tool diameter compensation correction might be beneficial in cases with thin or uneven geometry.

Accuracy and dimension stability of scannable versus conventional interocclusal registration materials: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Scientific data to support scannable and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM)-compatible interocclusal registration materials are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the ability of different registration materials (conventional versus scannable) to record maxillary-mandibular relationships and compare the dimensional stability of these records after storage times of 1 hour and 48 hours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups of interocclusal registration materials were tested: 3 conventional (Registrado X-tra, Futar D Fast, and O-Bite) and 3 scannable (Registrado Scan, Futar Cut & Trim Fast, and O-Bite Scan). Eight registrations were made for each group by using a custom-made device with a dial gauge to measure vertical discrepancies. Records were stored at room temperature, and discrepancies measured after 1 hour and 48 hours. The data were statistically analyzed with the Wilcoxon test with respect to time and the Kruskal-Wallis test with respect to materials, followed by the Mann-Whitney test with the Bonferroni-Holm correction (α=.05). RESULTS: The median vertical discrepancies ranged from -2 µm (FS) to 11 µm (O-Bite) after 1 hour and from 3 µm (Futar Cut & Trim Fast) to 13 µm (Registrado X-tra and O-Bite) after 48 hours. A statistically significant difference (P<.001) was found between the results after 1 hour and 48 hours for all materials. All scannable interocclusal registration materials showed significantly lower vertical discrepancies than the corresponding conventional materials after 1 hour and 48 hours (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: All registration materials showed vertical discrepancies that might be clinically acceptable. Vertical discrepancies increased after 48 hours of storage for all materials but were still clinically acceptable.

Clinical evaluation of zirconia cantilevered single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses replacing missing canines and posterior teeth.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical study evaluated the outcome and survival rate of resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) made of 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic with a single-retainer design in the replacement of missing canines, premolars and molars. METHODS: Twenty-one patients that were provided with twenty-seven cantilevered zirconia ceramic RBFDPs replacing maxillary or mandibular missing canines or posterior teeth were recruited from the patients' database at the University of Kiel, Germany. The preparation of the abutment teeth was minimal and limited to the enamel and consisted of a retainer wing and an occlusal rest on the abutment tooth. The restorations were observed over up to 12 years. RESULTS: The patient age ranged from 16 to 72 years old with a mean age of 34 ± 21 years and 57% were females and 43% were males. The restorations were observed for a mean period of 53 ± 39 months with a minimum of 13 months and a maximum of 151 months of observation. No debonding for any of the restorations was detected, which amounts up to a survival rate of 100%. The development of treatable cervical caries on one abutment tooth of an elderly patient without extending to the retainer wing was the only recorded complication. CONCLUSIONS: Zirconia ceramic single-retainer RBFDPs provide an esthetic, functional and minimally invasive treatment alternative to replace missing canines, premolar and molars with promising results due to excellent clinical outcome resulting from a survival rate of 100% and a success rate of 96.3% over a mean observation time of 53 ± 39 months. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Zirconia ceramic single-retainer RBFDPs might be a valid minimally-invasive option for replacing missing canines and missing teeth in the posterior area especially for young patients, in whom implants are contraindicated and conventional fixed dental prostheses are too invasive.

Mechanical behavior of nano-hybrid composite in comparison to lithium disilicate as posterior cement-retained implant-supported crowns restoring different abutments.

OBJECTIVE: Resin-based materials are gaining popularity in implant dentistry due to their shock absorption capacity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength and failure mode of resilient materials for both crowns and abutments and compare them to the most widely used materials in different combinations after subjection to long-term fatigue loading. METHODS: Forty-eight cement-retained implant-restorations were assembled on titanium implants. Identical custom-made CAD/CAM abutments were milled out of 3 different materials (n = 16); T: titanium, Z: zirconia and P: ceramic-reinforced PEEK. Each group was subdivided, according to the restorative crown material, into two subgroups (n = 8); C: nano-hybrid composite and L: Lithium disilicate. Specimens were subjected to dynamic load of 98 N for 1,200,000 cycles with integrated thermal cycling. The surviving specimens were subjected to quasi-static loading until failure. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normality. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-hoc test was used to detect statistically significant differences between groups. RESULTS: All specimens withstood 1,200,000 load cycles. The fracture strength values varied from a minimum of 1639 ± 205 N for group PL to a maximum of 2949 ± 478 N for group ZL. SIGNIFICANCE: The abutment material influenced the fracture strength and failure mode of the restoration. A combination of zirconia abutments and nano-hybrid composite showed the most favorable mode of failure within the test groups. Therefore, this combination might be recommended as an alternative for restoring single implants in the posterior area.

Secure and precise insertion of minimally invasive resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses after ridge augmentation by means of a positioning splint.

OBJECTIVE: Single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) are described as an excellent minimally invasive treatment modality for the replacement of a single missing incisor even in cases of congenitally missing teeth that are often associated with hard and soft tissue defects that need to be properly managed to optimize the esthetic outcome. The lack of a retentive form due to the minimally invasive preparation form makes the adhesive bonding procedure for RBFDPs relatively technique-sensitive and might discourage practitioners from offering this treatment modality. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A patient with both maxillary lateral incisors congenitally missing was assessed for eligibility for treatment with RBFDPs. Bilateral horizontal ridge defects were present and treated through ridge augmentation to ensure an ovate pontic design and enhance the esthetic outcome. A minimally invasive preparation within enamel was conducted; the restorations were digitally designed and milled out of (3Y-TZP) zirconia ceramic with labial veneering with feldspathic ceramic for enhanced esthetics. An improved design of positioning splints was used for the adhesive bonding procedure to ensure exact, secure, and flawless insertion of the restorations. CONCLUSIONS: RBFDPs offer a highly esthetic treatment modality for missing teeth in the anterior area. Tissue defects could be overcome be means of a minor oral surgery, while using improved positioning splints might ensure flawless adhesive bonding and promote the usage of RBFDPs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hard and soft tissue defects can be remarkably optimized through a minor ridge augmentation. Improved positioning splints allow an easy and secure positioning as well as visual inspection of the seating in end-position and complete removal of resin cement excess. Implementing the concept of insertion splints might promote RBFDPs for anterior tooth replacement as it helps preventing bonding errors.

The influence of the restorative material on the mechanical behavior of screw-retained hybrid-abutment-crowns.

BACKGROUND: The use of polymers in implant dentistry is gaining popularity, as they might have several advantages due to their shock absorption capacity. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and fracture strength of three resilient shock-absorbing polymer-based materials as well as the widely used ceramics as one-piece screw-retained implant-supported hybrid-abutment-crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty custom-made CAD/CAM one-piece screw-retained restorations were milled out of 5 different monolithic materials (n = 8); Z: 3Y-TZP zirconia, L: lithium disilicate, P: ceramic-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), C: nano-hybrid composite resin and E: polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network. Specimens were subjected to dynamic loading for 1,200,000 cycles with integrated thermal cycling. The surviving specimens were subjected to quasi-static loading until failure. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normality, and Levene test was conducted to test the homogeneity of variance. One-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post-hoc test were used to detect statistically significant differences between groups. RESULTS: All specimens withstood 1,200,000 cycles of thermo-dynamic loading with no signs of cracks or screw loosening. The median values of fracture strength varied from a minimum of 670 N for group E to a maximum of 2645 N for group Z. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture strength of screw-retained hybrid-abutment-crowns is influenced by the material used. Zirconia showed superior results. However, its fracture strength was comparable to that of PEEK, which additionally enjoys a shock absorbing property.

Effects of artificial aging and progression of cracks on thin occlusal veneers using SD-OCT.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of artificial aging on thin glass-ceramic occlusal premolar veneers, adhesively bonded to dentin, by examining the changes caused by artificial aging using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In addition, the development of cracks in the ceramic veneers and their possible influence on the behavior of the ceramic restorations were examined. METHODS: In total, 48 extracted sound upper premolars were prepared in the dentin for occlusal veneers milled from lithium disilicate ceramic blocks (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein). All restorations were adhesively bonded using resin cement (Variolink Esthetic DC, Ivoclar Vivadent). Specimens were 3-dimensionally and 2-dimensionally imaged by SD-OCT (Telesto II, Thorlabs GmbH, Germany), then subjected to thermal-dynamic loading in a chewing simulator with 1,200,000 cycles at a load of 10 kg. Specimens were 2D and 3D imaged again after the artificial aging. Finally, they were subjected to quasi-static loading using a universal testing machine until failure occurred and later examined microscopically to assess the mode of failure. ANOVA test was performed for statistical analysis of data and Tukey's post-hoc test was used to compare the groups at 5% significance level. Chi-Square Test and Fischer's Exact Test of Independence were conducted to test the association between nominal variables. RESULTS: No changes or irregularities were observed in the cement layer or tooth substrate after the aging process. However, wear of the ceramic was noticed at the surface of contact with the antagonist during the test. The development of cracks was detected in 23% of the specimens. Cracks did not affect the fracture strength (p > 0.05) but influenced the mode of failure (p ≤ 0.001). SIGNIFICANCE: Optical coherence tomography allows an easy and non-invasive method to internally scan teeth and restorations. Development of cracks in the ceramic did not affect the fracture strength of the restorations but might lead to a more catastrophic type of failure.

Influence of various bonding techniques on the fracture strength of thin CAD/CAM-fabricated occlusal glass-ceramic veneers.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency of immediate dentin sealing and the effects of different bonding protocols on the fracture strength of CAD/CAM occlusal veneers bonded to exposed dentin. METHODS: Ninety-six extracted maxillary premolars were initially divided into three main groups with 32 specimens each: without immediate dentin sealing, immediate dentin sealing/total etching and immediate dentin sealing/selective etching. Teeth were identically prepared in the dentin to receive occlusal veneers of 0.8mm thickness, milled from lithium disilicate ceramic blocks (IPS e.max CAD). Each main group was later subdivided, according to the pre-cementation surface etching protocol (total/selective), into two subgroups with 16 specimens each. All restorations were adhesively bonded using a resin cement (Variolink Esthetic). Half of the specimens of each subgroup were subjected to thermo-dynamic loading in a chewing simulator with 1,200,000 cycles at 10kg load. The other half and the surviving specimens were subjected to quasi-static loading until failure. Statistical analysis was performed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. RESULTS: All specimens except one survived the artificial aging. A significantly higher fracture strength of restorations (p ≤ 0.001) was obtained when immediate dentin sealing was followed regardless of the etching method with values ranging from a minimum of 1122 ± 336N to a maximum of 1853 ± 333N. Neither the pre-cementation treatment nor the artificial aging had a statistical significant effect on the fracture strength. SIGNIFICANCE: Immediate dentin sealing protocol is recommended whenever dentin is exposed during the preparation for thin glass-ceramic occlusal veneers.

Ten-year outcome of zirconia ceramic cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses and the influence of the reasons for missing incisors.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical study evaluated the long-term outcome and survival rate of all-ceramic cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) made of zirconia-ceramic with a single-retainer design to replace missing incisors. In addition, whether the reason for missing incisors has an influence on the longevity of RBFDPs was analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight zirconia ceramic cantilever RBFDPs were provided for 87 patients. Seventy-five RBFDPs replaced maxillary incisors and 33 mandibular incisors. The restorations were subsequently categorized into 3 groups according to the reasons for missing teeth (congenitally missing, trauma and other reasons). The patients were followed up annually, and the restorations were assessed for function and aesthetics. The mean observation time of the RBFDPs was 92.2±33months. RESULTS: Six debondings and 1 loss of restoration were recorded. The lost restoration was removed at the patient's request after a small chip occurred on the mesial edge of the pontic. Three of the 6 observed debondings were caused by traumatic incidents. All debonded RBFDPs were rebonded successfully with no further complications. Zirconia ceramic RBFDPs yielded a 10-year survival rate of 98.2% and a success rate of 92.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior zirconia ceramic cantilever RBFDPs provided excellent clinical longevity. The reasons for missing incisors did not influence the longevity of the cantilever RBFDPs.