Influence of Different Surface Treatments on the Shear Bond Strength of Resin Cement to Base Metal Alloys.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength of resin cement to nickel-chrome (Ni-Cr) alloy. Methods: Forty disk-shaped specimens of Ni-Cr alloy were prepared and divided into 4 groups. In the first group, the specimens' surface was sandblasted with 50 µ Al2 O3 particles. In the second group, the specimens were prepared with the Er:YAG laser. In the third group, the specimens were prepared using the Er:YAG laser after sandblasting. In the fourth group, the specimens' surface was covered with a thin layer of MKZ metal primer after sandblasting. Then the cylinders of composite resin were bonded to the treated metal surfaces using Panavia F2.0 resin cement. All of the samples were subjected to 2000 thermal cycles. The shear bond strength was tested using a universal testing machine at the crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The failure mode was also observed by a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The shear bond strength from the highest to the lowest were as follows: the Er:YAG laser group, the sandblast and MKZ primer combination group, the sandblast group, and the sandblast and Er:YAG laser combination group. The mean differences of shear bond strength between the Er:YAG laser group and the sandblast group (P=0.047) and also between the Er:YAG laser group and the sandblast and Er:YAG laser combination group (P=0.015) were statistically significant. Conclusion: Among the different surface treatments employed in this study, Er:YAG laser treatment increased the shear bond strength between the metal alloy and the resin cement (Pavnavia F2).

Finite element analysis of stress distribution around short and long implants in mandibular overdenture treatment.

BACKGROUND: Optimal stress distribution around implants plays an important role in the success of mandibular overdentures. This study sought to assess the pattern of stress distribution around short (6 mm) and long (10 mm) implants in mandibular two implant-supported overdentures using finite element analysis (FEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive and experimental study two implant-supported overdenture models with bar and clip attachment system on an edentulous mandible were used. Two vertical implants were connected by a bar. The implant length was 6 mm (short implant) in the first and 10 mm (long implant) in the second model. Vertical loads (35, 65, and 100 N) were applied bilaterally to the second molar area. In another analysis, vertical loads of 43.3 N and 21.6 N were applied to working and nonworking sides, respectively, at the second molar area. Furthermore, the lateral force (17.5 N) was applied to the canine area of overdenture. The stress distribution pattern around implants was analyzed using FEA. RESULTS: The maximum von Mises stress was 57, 106, and 164 MPa around short implants and 64, 118, and 172 MPa around long implants following the application of 35, 65, and 100 N bilateral forces, respectively. Application of bilateral loads created 87 and 65 MPa stress around working and nonworking short implants, respectively; while these values were reported to be 92 and 76 MPa for long implants at the working and nonworking sides, respectively. Increasing the vertical loads increased the level of stress distributed around the implants; however, no considerable differences were noted between long and short implants for similar forces. Following unequal load application, the stress in the working side bone was more than that in the nonworking side, but no major differences were noted in similar areas around long and short implants. Following lateral load application, the stress distributed in the peri-implant bone at the force side was more than that in the opposite side. In similar areas, no notable differences were observed between long and short implants regarding the maximum stress values. CONCLUSION: Using implants with different lengths in mandibular overdenture caused no major changes in stress distribution in peri-implant bone; short implants were somehow comparable to long implants.

Setting Time and Surface Microhardness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and 1% and 5% Fluoride-Doped Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Mixed with Water and Gel-like Polymer.

Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is extensively used in endodontics. However, it has limitations such as long setting time, low compressive strength and poor handling properties. Our study aimed to compare the setting time and surface microhardness of MTA and fluoride-doped MTA (FMTA) using gel-like polymer (GLP) or distilled water (DW) as liquid. Methods and Materials: An MTA-like cement was prepared by mixing Portland cement, bismuth oxide and gypsum (75%, 20% and 5%, respectively). FMTA (1% and 5%) was made by substituting 1% and 5% of MTA powder with fluoride. GLP, composed of methyl cellulose (MC) and propylene glycol (PG), was used as the hydrating liquid and compared with distilled water. Six experimental groups (n=10) were examined for each test. The samples were subjected to Vickers surface microhardness test after 4 and 28 days. Setting time was measured using ANSI/ADA standards. Data was analyzed using two-way and repeated measured ANOVA and the Tukey HSD tests. Results: The MTA-like cement hydrated with GLP showed a significantly reduced setting time (P<0.05); 1% FMTA, mixed with GLP, had the shortest initial and final setting times. The microhardness values of all samples increased at different rates during 28 days (P<0.00001). The microhardness significantly decreased by addition of fluoride to MTA (P<0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present in vitro study suggested that using GLP as the hydrating liquid enhances the setting time with no adverse effect on the surface microhardness. However, adding fluoride can negatively affect the microhardness of MTA.

In Vitro Evaluation of Enamel Microhardness after Application of Two Types of Fluoride Varnish.

INTRODUCTION: Use of fluoride compounds is one of the most effective ways of preventing decay and among these varnishes have high acceptance among different fluoride products. AIM: Hence, the aim of this research was to evaluate the micro-hardness of tooth enamel after the usage of two different commercial products of fluoride varnish. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro experimental study was performed on 51 extracted premolar teeth. The teeth were divided randomly into three 17-membered groups. The first group received Duraflor varnish, the second group received Ariadent Iranian varnish while the third group received no treatment. Micro hardness of tooth enamel was measured utilizing Vickers method before and after the use of fluoride varnish. ANOVA, Tukey, and Wilcoxon statistical tests were utilized for statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: The comparison of mean change in micro hardness before and after the use of fluoride showed that increase in micro hardness in Duraflor varnish and Ariadent varnish group was significant when compared to control group (p<0.05) but no significant statistical difference was observed in terms of mean of micro hardness after intervention between two groups of Duraflor varnish and Ariadent varnish (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the use of fluoride significantly increased the enamel micro hardness which did not show a significant difference between two groups of Duraflor varnish and Ariadent varnish.

Fissure sealant materials: Wear resistance of flowable composite resins.

Background. Wear resistance of pit and fissure sealant materials can influence their retention. Wear characteristics of sealant materials may determine scheduling of check-up visits. The aim of this study was to compare wear resistance of two flowable composite resins with that of posterior composite resin materials. Methods. Thirty-five disk-shaped specimens were prepared in 5 groups, including two flowable composite resins (Estelite Flow Quick and Estelite Flow Quick High Flow), Filtek P90 and Filtek P60 and Tetric N-Ceram. The disk-shaped samples were prepared in 25-mm diameter by packing them into a two-piece aluminum mold and then light-cured. All the specimens were polished for 1minute using 600-grit sand paper. The samples were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 1 week and then worn by two-body abrasion test using "pin-on-disk" method (with distilled water under a 15-Nload at 0.05 m/s, for a distance of 100 meter with Steatite ceramic balls antagonists). A Profilometer was used for evaluating the surface wear. Data were analyzed with the one-way ANOVA. Results. Estelite Flow Quick exhibited 2708.9 ± 578.1 µm(2) and Estelite Flow Quick High Flow exhibited 3206 ± 2445.1 µm(2)of wear but there were no significant differences between the groups. They demonstrated similar wear properties. Conclusion. Estelite flowable composite resins have wear resistance similar to nano- and micro-filled and micro-hybrid composite resins. Therefore, they can be recommended as pit and fissure sealant materials in the posterior region with appropriate mechanical characteristics.

Effect of bracket base design on shear bond strength to feldspathic porcelain.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the effect of bracket base design on the shear bond strength (SBS) of the bracket to feldspathic porcelain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 40 porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations and four different bracket base designs were bonded to these specimens. The porcelain surfaces were etched, silanized, and bonded to brackets. Specimens were thermocycler, incubated for 24 h and were subjected to SBS. Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, Levene's test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's honest significant difference test. Adhesive remnant index was calculated and compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA showed that the SBS values were significantly different among the four groups (P < 0.001). Groups 1, 2, and 4 were not significantly different, but group 3 had significantly lower SBS (P < 0.001). Fractures mostly occurred at the porcelain-adhesive interface in Groups 1 and 2 while in Groups 3 and 4, bracket-adhesive and mixed failures were more common. CONCLUSION: The bracket base design significantly affects the SBS to feldspathic porcelain.

Bond strength of a dental leucite-based glass ceramic to a resin cement using different silane coupling agents.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different types of novel silane coupling agents with two concentrations on the micro-tensile bond strength of a dental glass ceramic with leucite crystals to a dual-cured resin cement using an optimized method of silane application. METHODS: Leucite-reinforced feldspathic ceramic blocks were fabricated, wet ground and cleansed. The bonding ceramic surfaces were treated with different organosilane solutions as follows: Control silane: Monobond S; methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane and experimental silanes with two concentrations (1.0 and 2.5 vol%): amino, isocyanate, styryl, and acrylate silanes. The silane application method consisted of brush application, hot air drying followed by rinsing with hot water and drying. Then a thin layer of an unfilled resin and a dual-cured resin cement was light-cured on the ceramic surfaces. The resin-ceramic blocks were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h and sectioned to produce beam specimens (n=17) with a 1.0 mm(2) cross-sectional area. Specimens were then subjected to thermocycling and tested in a micro-tensile tester device. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tamhane post-hoc test. RESULTS: The mean micro-tensile bond strength value for the styryl silane was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other types of silanes except for the Monobond S. The mean bond strength values for isocyanate silanes were significantly lower than the other silanes tested (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference in the bond strength between the 1.0 and 2.5 vol% of experimental silanes was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The micro-tensile bond strength of the leucite-based dental glass ceramic to a resin cement was affected by the type of silane coupling agent and not by the concentration of silane solutions. The best bond strength overall was achieved by methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and experimental styryl silane solutions.

Improved drug loading and antibacterial activity of minocycline-loaded PLGA nanoparticles prepared by solid/oil/water ion pairing method.

BACKGROUND: Low drug entrapment efficiency of hydrophilic drugs into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles is a major drawback. The objective of this work was to investigate different methods of producing PLGA nanoparticles containing minocycline, a drug suitable for periodontal infections. METHODS: Different methods, such as single and double solvent evaporation emulsion, ion pairing, and nanoprecipitation were used to prepare both PLGA and PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles were analyzed for their morphology, particle size and size distribution, drug loading and entrapment efficiency, thermal properties, and antibacterial activity. RESULTS: The nanoparticles prepared in this study were spherical, with an average particle size of 85-424 nm. The entrapment efficiency of the nanoparticles prepared using different methods was as follows: solid/oil/water ion pairing (29.9%) > oil/oil (5.5%) > water/oil/water (4.7%) > modified oil/water (4.1%) > nano precipitation (0.8%). Addition of dextran sulfate as an ion pairing agent, acting as an ionic spacer between PEGylated PLGA and minocycline, decreased the water solubility of minocycline, hence increasing the drug entrapment efficiency. Entrapment efficiency was also increased when low molecular weight PLGA and high molecular weight dextran sulfate was used. Drug release studies performed in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 indicated slow release of minocycline from 3 days to several weeks. On antibacterial analysis, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of nanoparticles was at least two times lower than that of the free drug. CONCLUSION: Novel minocycline-PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles prepared by the ion pairing method had the best drug loading and entrapment efficiency compared with other prepared nanoparticles. They also showed higher in vitro antibacterial activity than the free drug.

Polymerization behavior and thermal characteristics of two new composites at five temperatures: refrigeration to preheating.

PURPOSE: Heat of composite polymerization (HP) indicates setting efficacy and temperature increase of composite in clinical procedures. The purpose of this in vitro experimental study was to evaluate the effects of 5 temperatures on HP of two new composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From each material (Core Max II [CM] and King Dental [KD]), 5 groups of 5 specimens each were prepared and their total HPs (J/gr) were measured and recorded, at one of the constant temperatures 0℃, 15℃, 23℃, 37℃ and 60℃ (2 × 5 × 5 specimens) using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyzer. The data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, a Tukey's test, an independent-samples t-test, and a linear regression analysis (α=0.05). RESULTS: No polymerization reactions occurred at 0℃; then this temperature was excluded from statistical analyses. The mean HP of the remaining 20 KD specimens was 20.5 ± 14.9 J/gr, while it was 40.7 ± 12.9 J/gr for CM. The independent-samples t-test showed that there were significant differences between the HP of the two materials at the temperatures 15℃ (P=.0001), 23℃ (P=.0163), 37℃ (P=.0039), and 60℃ (P=.0106). Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant correlations between environment temperatures and HP of CM (R(2)=0.777). CONCLUSION: Using CM is advantageous over conventional composite because of its better polymerization capacity. However due to its high HP, further studies should assess its temperature increase in vivo. Preheating KD is recommended. Refrigerating composites can negatively affect their polymerization potential.