Effects of food/oral simulating fluids on microstructure and strength of dentine bonding agents.

This study evaluated the effect a food simulating solution, 75% v/v ethanol/water, and an artificial saliva, Moi-Stir, have on the microstructure and on the diametral tensile strength (DTS) of three dentine bonding agents (Tenure, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and Optibond). The microstructure was examined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The DTS data were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey LSD test. The microstructural observations were compared with changes in DTS. The SEM observation revealed deterioration of all bonding agents due to conditioning in the solutions for 30 days. The different solutions appeared to cause different reactions in the bonding agents. However, these effects may be exaggerated due to the presence of an air-inhibited surface layer. Those conditioned in Moi-Stir showed swelling. The presence of filler particles in the Optibond bonding agent appears to decrease the deterioration resulting from soaking. Materials conditioned in ethanol exhibited both dissolution and thinning. Diametral samples of each bonding material were tested after being conditioned in the above-mentioned solutions for 1, 7, 14 and 30 days. Conditioning significantly decreased the DTS of all bonding agents, except Optibond in Moi-Stir. Filled Optibond maintained its DTS longer than did the two unfilled bonding agents. The decrease in DTS of all the ethanol-conditioned groups is a function of the square root of time (P < 0.001) and conforms to Fick's laws of diffusion. The filled Optibond showed a lower ethanol diffusivity (0.5 x 10(-5) cm2 s-1) than the other two unfilled bonding agent systems (average 1.2 x 10(-5) cm2 s-1) (P < 0.05). The high ethanol diffusivities were thought to be due to the presence of HEMA, a hydrophilic resin, in the bonding agent. These results also suggest that solution uptake occurred through the resin matrix. Filler particles may therefore play an important role in weathering resistance of these materials to oral environment solutions. The physical appearance and strength of dentine bonding agents are significantly altered by exposure to oral environment solutions.

Laser acoustic emission thermal technique (LAETT): a technique for generating acoustic emission in dental composites.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate a new method for generating interfacial debonding between the resin matrix and filler particles of dental composites. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate laser-induced acoustic emission in dental resins filled with varying quantities of particles. Model systems of 50/50 BisGMA/TEGDMA resin reinforced with 0, 25, and 75 wt% 5-10 micrometers silanated BaSiO(6) were analyzed. The sample size was 3.5 mm diameter x 0.25-0.28 mm thick. A continuous wave CO2 laser (Synrad Infrared Gas Laser Model 48-1) was used to heat the composite samples. Acoustic events were detected, recorded and processed by a model 4610 Smart Acoustic Monitor (SAM) with a 1220A preamp (Physical Acoustic Corp.) as a function of laser power. RESULTS: Initially, the acoustic signal from the model composites produced a burst pattern characteristic of fracturing, about 3.7 watts laser power. Acoustic emission increased with laser power up to about 6 watts. At laser powers above 6 watts, the acoustic emission remained constant. The amount of acoustic emission followed the trend: unfilled resin > composite with 25 wt% BaSiO(6) > composite with 75 wt% BaSiO(6). SIGNIFICANCE: Acoustic emission generated by laser thermal heating is dependent on the weight percent of filler particles in the composite and the amount of laser power. For this reason, laser thermal acoustic emission might be useful as a nondestructive form of analysis of dental composites.

Detection of leached moieties from dental composites in fluids simulating food and saliva.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the IR spectra of a liquid simulating food and an artificial saliva following exposure to resin composites. METHODS: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze two solutions in which three commercially available dental composites (Marathon One, Den-Mat Co.; Z100, 3M Co.; Herculite XRV, Kerr Co.) were stored. The solutions used were: a food simulating fluid, 75 vol% ethanol/water, and an artificial saliva, Moi-Stir (Kingwood Labs., Inc.). Specimens (4.3 mm diam. X 2 mm thick) of the three resin composites were stored at 37 degrees C in 60 mL of either Moi-Stir or the 75% ethanol solution for 7, 14, and 30 d. The FTIR spectra were obtained using a liquid sample ATR (attenuated total reflection) cell. RESULTS: No obvious leachable materials were seen from any of the composite specimens stored in artificial saliva up to 30 d of immersion. For the composites stored in ethanol, the observed spectra revealed increases in the principal absorption bands for the components of the three composite systems. Methacrylate skeletal vibrations (1015-815 cm(-1)) and -CH3 alkane, C-H asymmetrical deformation vibrations (1520-1460 cm(-1)) appeared after 14 d of storage. A very strong peak characteristic of the aliphatic C=C moiety (1640 cm(-1)) and carbonyl C=O (1730 cm(-1)) occurred after 14 d. The peak heights of these two functional bands increased as a function of time and after 30 d of storage were approximately 5-7 times those produced after 7 d. Irregular O-H bands (3500-3300 cm(-1)) were also observed after 30 d in ethanol. SIGNIFICANCE: Irreversible processes such as the leaching of components occurs in the presence of ethanol. This phenomenon may contribute to irreversible material degradation.

Bond strength of a veneering porcelain using newer generation adhesive systems.

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the shear bond strength of etched and silane-treated porcelain to enamel and dentin, using resin cements and newer generation adhesive systems. The results of this in vitro study showed excellent bond strength of porcelain to acid-conditioned enamel using a new adhesive system and a resin cement. The study also found strong bonds between etched and silane-treated porcelain and dentin, using several newer generation adhesive systems in conjunction with resin cements. The learning objective of this article is an increased knowledge of the newer generation adhesives with data for material comparison.

Gel route preparation of low fusing dental porcelain frit.

Dental porcelain frits have been prepared by the gel route, a procedure involving solubilization of alkalies, boron, rare earth, and other compounds in an alumina-silica sol. Using this procedure, porcelain frits suitable for metal-ceramic application have been prepared that fire to maturity at temperatures lower than current commercial porcelains. Solubilities, translucencies, thermal expansion coefficients, dilatometric softening temperatures, and flexure strengths are within the ranges of current commercial porcelains. The high degree of dispersion of pigments and phosphors made possible by gel route technology and the technology's ability to disperse crystalline phases to strengthen porcelain offers many processing advantages. Gel route technology also offers a great degree of freedom in modifying porcelain properties.

Microporous glassy fillers for dental composites.

A microporous filler giving greatly improved finish ability, systemic nontoxic X-ray opacification, low thermal expansion (27.2 x 10(-6)/degrees C), and satisfactory translucencies has been developed for dental composite resin restorations. These fillers are prepared from frits obtained by the low-temperature calcination of gelled inorganic sols followed by a pulsed high-temperature treatment. Composites prepared from these fillers are within the range of commercial products with regard to strength and setting contraction.