Effect of multi-layer applications of self-etch universal bonding agents on the adhesion of resin composite to enamel.

To evaluate the effect of adhesive coats application on the enamel microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of universal adhesives, morphological etching pattern and their chemical interaction with hydroxyapatite (HA). Two universal adhesives were investigated: Scotchbond Universal (SBU, 3 M) and Prime&Bond Universal (PBU, Dentsply). The adhesives were applied in self-etching mode on bovine enamel (n = 8) in one (1L), two (2L) or three coats (3L) and light-cured as per manufacturers' instructions. As controls adhesives were applied to etched enamel (H3PO4-37% phosphoric acid). Bonded specimens were cut into sticks that were stored in deionized water for 24 h or 6 months prior to µTBS testing. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis of bond strength with α = 5%. For morphological SEM analysis, enamel surfaces were treated as aforementioned and immediately rinsed with acetone. The intensity of monomer-calcium salt formation from each treatment was measured via infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). All treatments presented no significant reduction on µTBS after aging (p > 0.05). However, SBU attained highest µTBS when applied in 3L. PBU showed higher µTBS when applied to H3PO4 etched enamel than 1L or 2L. Etching pattern was enhanced by 3L application, particularly with PBU. Chemical interaction was notably higher for SBU than PBU, with no relevant differences with more layers or prior H3PO4-etching. The application of three adhesive coats of universal adhesives in self-etch mode using may enhance the bonding performance and etching pattern to enamel, surpassing the H3PO4-etched enamel bond for SBU. The chemical interaction with calcium from enamel is not affected by number of coats or prior phosphoric acid etching.

Fatigue performance analysis of strength-graded zirconia polycrystals for monolithic three-unit implant-supported prostheses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatigue behavior of strength-graded zirconia polycrystals used as monolithic three-unit implant-supported prosthesis; complementarily, crystalline phase and micromorphology were also assessed. Fixed prostheses with 3 elements supported by 2 implants were confectioned, as follows: Group 3Y/5Y - monolithic structures of a graded 3Y-TZP/5Y-TZP zirconia (IPS e.max® ZirCAD PRIME); Group 4Y/5Y - monolithic structures of a graded 4Y-TZP/5Y-TZP zirconia (IPS e.max® ZirCAD MT Multi); Group Bilayer - framework of a 3Y-TZP zirconia (Zenostar T) veneered with porcelain (IPS e.max Ceram). The samples were tested for fatigue performance with step-stress analysis. The fatigue failure load (FFL), the number of cycles required until failure (CFF), and the survival rates in each cycle were recorded. The Weibull module was calculated and the fractography analyzed. The crystalline structural content via Micro-Raman spectroscopy and the crystalline grain size via Scanning Electron microscopy were also assessed for graded structures. Group 3Y/5Y showed the highest FFL, CFF, probability of survival, and reliability (based on Weibull modulus). Group 4Y/5Y showed significantly superior FFL and probability of survival than group bilayer. Fractographic analysis revealed catastrophic flaws in the monolithic structure and cohesive fracture of porcelain in bilayer prostheses, all originating from the occlusal contact point. The graded zirconia presented small grain size (≤0.61 µm), with the smallest values at the cervical region. The main composition of graded zirconia was of grains at tetragonal phase. The strength-graded monolithic zirconia, especially the 3Y-TZP/5Y-TZP, showed to be promising for use as monolithic three-unit implant-supported prosthesis.

Association of solvents improves selected properties of experimental dental adhesives.

The aim of the study was to evaluate how the association of solvents (tetrahydrofuran [THF], dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], ethanol [ET] or acetone [ACT]) with experimental dental adhesives affects selected properties of experimental dental adhesives and dentin bond durability. Six adhesive combinations were prepared containing: 30 % ET, 30 % ACT, 30 % THF, 28 % ET + 2 % DMSO (ET+DMSO), 15 % ethanol + 15 % THF (ET+THF), or 28 % THF + 2 % DMSO (THF+DMSO). Thirty-six molars (n = 6) were cut to expose the coronary dentin, and were randomly divided according to the adhesives. They were restored, and then cut into resindentin sticks (1 mm²), and stored in distilled water for 24 h or 6 months, until conducting the microtensile bond strength and nanoleakage tests. Other experiments performed with adhesives included viscosity assessment using a rheometer, and degree of conversion using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The adhesive formulated exclusively with THF showed the highest viscosity, followed by ET+THF, which obtained the highest degree of conversion compared to ET, and THF alone. ET+DMSO obtained the highest 24-h and aged bond strengths (p < 0.05). ET+THF increased the nanoleakage slightly after 6 months, but attained the only gap-free adhesive interface among all the groups. The combination of alternative solvents, particularly THF, with conventional ones (ET) has improved chemical properties, and the dentin bonding of experimental simplified adhesives.

Association of solvents improves selected properties of experimental dental adhesives

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate how the association of solvents (tetrahydrofuran [THF], dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], ethanol [ET] or acetone [ACT]) with experimental dental adhesives affects selected properties of experimental dental adhesives and dentin bond durability. Six adhesive combinations were prepared containing: 30 % ET, 30 % ACT, 30 % THF, 28 % ET + 2 % DMSO (ET+DMSO), 15 % ethanol + 15 % THF (ET+THF), or 28 % THF + 2 % DMSO (THF+DMSO). Thirty-six molars (n = 6) were cut to expose the coronary dentin, and were randomly divided according to the adhesives. They were restored, and then cut into resindentin sticks (1 mm²), and stored in distilled water for 24 h or 6 months, until conducting the microtensile bond strength and nanoleakage tests. Other experiments performed with adhesives included viscosity assessment using a rheometer, and degree of conversion using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The adhesive formulated exclusively with THF showed the highest viscosity, followed by ET+THF, which obtained the highest degree of conversion compared to ET, and THF alone. ET+DMSO obtained the highest 24-h and aged bond strengths (p < 0.05). ET+THF increased the nanoleakage slightly after 6 months, but attained the only gap-free adhesive interface among all the groups. The combination of alternative solvents, particularly THF, with conventional ones (ET) has improved chemical properties, and the dentin bonding of experimental simplified adhesives.