Six-month clinical evaluation of XP BOND in noncarious cervical lesions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 6-month clinical performance of the etch-and-rinse one-bottle adhesive system XP BOND, used in combination with the composite resin Ceram X duo for the restoration of Class V noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: XP BOND was tested in a total of 40 patients who received two Class V Ceram X duo restorations, Adper Scotchbond 1 XT was used as a control. After cleaning the teeth, the surface of the NCCL was treated using a carbide bur in dentin and a 40-microm diamond bur in enamel with no retentive preparations. The lesions were filled with two increments of Ceram X duo after the application of the respective adhesive by a single operator according to manufacturer's instructions. After 6 months, the retention and the marginal integrity were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of 40 patients were evaluated after 6 months by two clinicians according to modified USPHS criteria, and all restorations using XP BOND were still in place. In the control group (using Adper Scotchbond 1XT), one restoration was lost. The statistical evaluation (chi2 test) showed no significant differences in any of the criteria. No difference of marginal integrity was found between the two adhesive systems. CONCLUSION: XP BOND meets the ADA success criteria after 6 months.

Demineralization effects of 2 bleaching procedures on enamel surfaces with and without post-treatment fluoride application.

In this in vitro study, the demineralization effect of 2 different bleaching procedures on enamel surfaces with and without the post-treatment application of fluoride was determined. Bovine enamel specimens (n= 180) were ground flat, polished and divided into 6 groups. Group A (n=30) specimens were bleached with Opalescence, 10% carbamide peroxide (Ultradent Products, Inc) for 8 hours daily for 2 weeks; Group B (n=30) specimens were treated with Whitestrips, 5.3% hydrogen peroxide (Procter & Gamble) for 1 hour daily for 2 weeks; Group C (n=30): the same as Group A, but after bleaching, a fluoride varnish was applied on the specimens and left for 1 hour (Duraphat, 2.26% F-); Group D (n=30): the same as Group B, followed by the same fluoride application as Group C; Group E (n=30): the specimens were covered with a glycerin gel as a control group; Group F (n=30): specimens were kept in Coca Cola 1 hour daily for 2 weeks. The mineral loss (vol% microm) and lesion depth (microm) were measured by microradiography. Data analysis was accomplished using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (p<0.05) (SPSS 11.0). The median mineral loss was statistically significantly higher in the non-fluoride groups (A: 271.20 vs C: 128.00 and B: 364.90 vs D: 151.10). The highest mineral loss was found in Group F (581.85 vol% microm) and was lowest in Group E (32.80 vol% microm). No statistically significant difference between groups was found for lesion depth.

Clinically controlled study on the quality of class III, IV and V composite restorations after two years.

PURPOSE: The quality of fillings consisting of a hybrid composite was compared with fillings consisting of two different microfilled composites in a clinical examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the design of a clinically controlled two-year study conducted under practice-relevant conditions, the composites C-Fill MH (Megadenta), Helio Progress (Vivadent), and Visio-Dispers (ESPE) were examined in anterior-tooth cavities in 134 patients by means of the split-mouth technique. The clinical examinations were performed based on modified Ryge criteria (marginal integrity, anatomical form, secondary caries, color, marginal discoloration, surface roughness) after 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Immediately following filling application, all evaluation criteria except color were assessed as level A. After 12 and 24 months, C-Fill MH was found to be significantly superior to the other materials with regard to marginal integrity, color, and marginal discoloration. CONCLUSION: The hybrid composite C-Fill MH seems to be superior to the microfilled composites and should therefore be preferred as a restorative filling material.

Tensile bond strength of composite to air-abraded dentin.

This study evaluated the influence of air abrasive treatment of dentin surfaces on the tensile bond strength between dentin and two different composite-adhesive-systems Multi-Purpose/Z100 and OptiBond FL/Herculite XR). The crowns of 200 maxillary central incisors were embedded in resin and then ground to expose a dentin surface 5 mm in diameter. The surfaces were etched or abraded by using a KCP 1000 device with different treatment conditions. Adhesive systems were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions and composite cylinders were bonded to the conditioned dentinal surface using a split mold. Tensile bond strength values and failure modes were then determined. Tensile bond strength values of the acid-etched dentin-composite-interface were significantly higher than for the interface between air-abraded dentin and composite, independent of the composite-adhesive-system used. The light microscopic evaluation showed mainly adhesive and combined adhesive-cohesive fractures. Significantly more adhesive fractures could be observed between abraded dentin and composite than between etched dentin and composite.

Recommendations for the use of fluoride in caries prevention.

From a theoretical point of view, caries can be prevented by perfect oral hygiene and sugar abstinence. However, practice has shown that this approach is successful in individual cases only. For the whole population, effective caries prevention is still not realistic without the use of fluoride in various forms. The use of different fluoride preparations increases its efficacy. On the other hand, correct dosage is important to prevent the risk of dental fluorosis. Most of the European scientific dental associations no longer recommend the use of fluoride supplements, such as fluoride tablets or drops, as a standard procedure in caries prevention. This is due to the increasing evidence that the effect of fluoride is mainly the result of chemical reactions on the tooth surface. Therefore, fluoridated toothpastes, gels, varnishes, and rinses are more in focus. Besides this, fluoridated water and fluoridated salt are still important. Although they have a systemic effect, the efficacy of these fluoride applications results from local processes.