Can we add chlorhexidine into glass ionomer cements for band cementation?

OBJECTIVE: To test if the addition of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD) might influence the mechanical properties and antibacterial properties of two different conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for band cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two commercial brands of conventional GICs were used: Ketac Cem Easymix (3M/ESPE, St Paul, Minn) and Meron (Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany). The cements were manipulated in their original composition and also with 10% and 18% CHD in the liquid to create a total of six groups. Diametral tensile strength, compressive strength, microhardness, shear bond strength, and antibacterial effects in 5, 45, and 65 days against Streptococcus mutans were tested in all groups, and the data were submitted to statistical analyses. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups of the same material in diametral tensile, compressive strength, and shear bond strength (P > .05). There was significant improvement in the microhardness to the Ketac Cem Easymix (P < .001). GICs with the addition of CHD showed significant inhibition of S. mutans growth in comparison with the control groups at the three time points evaluated (P < .001). The addition of 18% CHD resulted in higher bacterial inhibition (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of chlorhexidine digluconate to conventional GICs does not negatively modify the mechanical properties and may increase the antibacterial effects around the GICs even for relatively long periods of time.

Marginal fit analysis of premachined and castable UCLA abutments.

This study evaluated the fit between implants and premachined and castable UCLA abutments. All plastic specimens were cast using the conventional technique in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Five specimens of each experimental group were measured for vertical and horizontal gaps by scanning electronic microscopy (Phillips XL 30 model, Holland). Gold UCLA (vertical gap: 2.15 microm, horizontal gap: 11.30 microm) and castable rotational UCLA (vertical gap: 14.91 microm, horizontal gap: 59.41 microm) groups showed the lowest and highest mean values, respectively (Neodent, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil). In general, the castable UCLA abutments showed poorer marginal fit than the premachined abutments.

Marginal fit analysis of premachined and castable UCLA abutments

This study evaluated the fit between implants and premachined and castable UCLA abutments. All plastic specimens were cast using the conventional technique in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Five specimens of each experimental group were measured for vertical and horizontal gaps by scanning electronic microscopy (Phillips XL 30 model, Holland). Gold UCLA (vertical gap: 2.15 μm, horizontal gap: 11.30 μm) and castable rotational UCLA (vertical gap: 14.91 μm, horizontal gap: 59.41 μm) groups showed the lowest and highest mean values, respectively (Neodent, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil). In general, the castable UCLA abutments showed poorer marginal fit than the premachined abutments.

Esse estudo avaliou a adaptacao entre implantes pilares UCLA usinados e fundidos. Todos os corpos de prova de plastico foram fundidos usando tecnica de fundicao convencional de acordo com o fabricante. Cinco corpos de prova foram avaliados em relacao a desadaptacao vertical e horizontal utilizando um Microscopio Eletronico de Varredura. Os grupos UCLA Ouro (desadaptacao vertical: 2.15 μm, horizontal : 11.30 μm) e UCLA rotacional fundido (desadaptacao vertical: 14.91 μm, horizontal: 59.41 μm) mostraram as medias mais baixas e mais altas, respectivamente. De uma maneira geral, os pilares UCLA fundidos mostraram adaptacao menor do que os pilares UCLA usinados.

Maximum occlusal force and medial mandibular flexure in relation to vertical facial pattern: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vertical facial pattern may be related to the direction of pull of the masticatory muscles, yet its effect on occlusal force and elastic deformation of the mandible still is unclear. This study tested whether the variation in vertical facial pattern is related to the variation in maximum occlusal force (MOF) and medial mandibular flexure (MMF) in 51 fully-dentate adults. METHODS: Data from cephalometric analysis according to the method of Ricketts were used to divide the subjects into three groups: Dolichofacial (n = 6), Mesofacial (n = 10) and Brachyfacial (n = 35). Bilateral MOF was measured using a cross-arch force transducer placed in the first molar region. For MMF, impressions of the mandibular occlusal surface were made in rest (R) and in maximum opening (O) positions. The impressions were scanned, and reference points were selected on the occlusal surface of the contralateral first molars. MMF was calculated by subtracting the intermolar distance in O from the intermolar distance in R. Data were analysed by ANCOVA (fixed factors: facial pattern, sex; covariate: body mass index (BMI); alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: No significant difference of MOF or MMF was found among the three facial patterns (P = 0.62 and P = 0.72, respectively). BMI was not a significant covariate for MOF or MMF (P > 0.05). Sex was a significant factor only for MOF (P = 0.007); males had higher MOF values than females. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MOF and MMF did not vary as a function of vertical facial pattern in this Brazilian sample.

Stress distribution on external hexagon implant system using 3d finite element analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate strain distribution on dental implant, abutment, screw and crown virtual models in the posterior region. The analysis was performed by means of a 3D virtual model developed by the PRO-ENGINEER System (PRO-ENGINEER, PTC, Needham, MA, USA ) with an external butt joint (3i Implant Innovations, Palm Beach, Florida), square headed Gold Tite abutment retainer screw (3i Implant Innovations, Palm Beach, Florida), STA abutment (3i Implant Innovations, Palm Beach, Florida), metal infrastructure of Ag-Pd alloy and feldspatic ceramic. The standard load was 382N at 15 degree angle to the implant axis, applied at 6 mm from the implant center at different observation points on the implant-screw set. The data showed that on the implant virtual model, the highest strain concentration was found at the interface between the implant platform and the abutment, and in the middle point of the 1st screw thread internal diameter on the load application side.