Effect of ceramic veneer opacity and exposure time on the polymerization efficiency of resin cements.

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of conversion (DC), hardness (H), and modulus of elasticity (E) of a dual-cured resin cement, a light-cured resin cement, and a flowable resin cured through opaque or translucent ceramic with different exposure times. RelyX ARC (dual), RelyX Veneer (light-cured), and Filtek Z350 Flow resin specimens 0.5 mm thick were cured for 40, 80, and 120 seconds through 1-mm thick translucent or opaque feldspathic ceramic disks (n=10). The specimens were stored at 37°C for 24 hours. Half of each specimen was used to test the DC and the other half to test H and E. The DC was determined in a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer in absorbance mode at peaks of 1638 cm(-1) and 1610 cm(-1). H and E were determined using nanoindentation with one loading cycle and a maximum load of 400 mN. The data were analyzed with three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Games-Howell test, and the Pearson correlation test (α=0.05). Statistically significant differences were found for all three factors (material, opacity, and exposure time), as well as interaction between them. The opaque ceramic resulted in lower DC, H, and E than the translucent ceramic for an exposure time of 40 seconds. An exposure time of 120 seconds resulted in a similar DC for all materials, irrespective of the opacity of the ceramic. Materials cured for 120 seconds had higher H and E than those cured for 40 seconds. The exposure time and opacity of the ceramic exerted an influence on the DC, H, and E of the materials evaluated.

Colour stability and opacity of resin cements and flowable composites for ceramic veneer luting after accelerated ageing.

OBJECTIVES: Colour changes of the luting material can become clinically visible affecting the aesthetic appearance of thin ceramic laminates. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the colour stability and opacity of light- and dual-cured resin cements and flowable composites after accelerated ageing. METHODS: The luting agents were bonded (0.2 mm thick) to ceramic disks (0.75 mm thick) built with the pressed-ceramic IPS Aesthetic Empress (n=7). Colour measurements were determined using a FTIR spectrophotometer before and after accelerated ageing in a weathering machine with a total energy of 150 kJ. Changes in colour (ΔE) and opacity (ΔO) were obtained using the CIE L*a*b* system. The results were submitted to one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD test and Student's t test (α=5%). RESULTS: All the materials showed significant changes in colour and opacity. The ΔE of the materials ranged from 0.41 to 2.40. The highest colour changes were attributed to RelyX ARC and AllCem, whilst lower changes were found in Variolink Veneer, Tetric Flow and Filtek Z350 Flow. The opacity of the materials ranged from -0.01 to 1.16 and its variation was not significant only for Opallis Flow and RelyX ARC. CONCLUSIONS: The accelerated ageing led to colour changes in all the evaluated materials, although they were considered clinically acceptable (ΔE<3). Amongst the dual-cured resin cements, Variolink II demonstrated the highest colour stability. All the flowable composites showed proper colour stability for the luting of ceramic veneers. After ageing, an increase in opacity was observed for most of the materials.

Porcelain laminate veneer on a highly discoloured tooth: a case report.

Esthetic treatment of a single darkened tooth represents a great challenge to the dental practitioner. The properties of dental ceramic-colour stability, mechanical strength, clinical longevity, esthetic appearance and compatibility with periodontal tissues-make this material a good choice for such treatment. We present a case of restoration of a single, highly darkened anterior tooth with a feldspathic porcelain veneer. Resolution involved preparation of the dental structure guided by orientation grooves and provisional restoration using composite resin, a silicone impression and adhesive luting. Conservative use of porcelain laminate veneers provides satisfactory esthetic outcomes and preserves sound tooth structure. The patient was very satisfied with the result and had no complaints during 2 years of follow-up.

Identification and quantification of monomers released from dental composites using HPLC

The aim of this study was to detect and quantify the main residual monomers released from composites, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Discs were made with dental composites (Herculite XRV, Tetric Ceram and Filtek Z250) and immersed in deionized water at 37ºC for 28 days, with water changes in 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. The mean concentration of residual monomers were subject to the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Tetric Ceram exhibited significantly higher concentrations of leached monomers. Bis-GMA was the monomer released in lower concentrations for all the materials. There was no statistical difference between the amounts of TEGDMA and UDMA. Most of the monomers demonstrated maximal concentration at the 7-day period. The HPLC analysis identified Bis-GMA, TEGDMA and UDMA in detectable quantities for all the tested composites.

A liberação de monômeros residuais pode afetar o comportamento clínico e a biocompatibilidade dos materiais resinosos. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar e quantificar os principais monômeros residuais liberados de resinas compostas, usando cromatografia líquida de alta performance (HPLC). Discos foram construídos de resinas compostas de uso odontológico (Herculite XRV, Tetric Ceram and Filtek Z250) e imersos em água deionizada a 37ºC durante 28 dias, com mudanças de água em 24 horas, 7, 14 e 21 dias. As concentrações médias dos monômeros residuais foram submetidas ao teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p<0,05). Tetric Ceram apresentou as maiores concentrações de monômeros lixiviados. Bis-GMA foi o monômero liberado em menores concentrações para todos os materiais. Não houve diferença estatística significante entre TEGDMA e UDMA. A maioria dos monômeros demonstrou máxima concentração no período de 7 dias. A análise por meio de HPLC identificou Bis-GMA, TEGDMA e UDMA em quantidades detectáveis para todas as resinas compostas testadas.