Effect of intraoral scanning distance on the marginal discrepancy of milled interim crowns.

PURPOSE: To compare the marginal discrepancy between milled interim crowns fabricated using intraoral digital scans acquired at different scanning distances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten acrylic typodont teeth were prepared for interim crowns. Three different resin frames of 2.5-, 5-, and 7.5-mm heights were fabricated and attached to an intraoral scanner (Omnicam). Three groups were created based on the different scanning distances tested: 2.5 mm (Group A), 5 mm (Group B), and 7.5 mm (Group C). Intraoral digital scans were performed on four tooth surfaces: mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual (n = 10). Each experimental scan was used to design and fabricate a milled polymethylmethacrylate anatomically contoured crown. Vinyl polyether silicone was used three times to assess the marginal discrepancy of the specimens by measuring five marginal points on digital photographs. One-way analysis of variance test was used to analyze the data, followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The mean marginal discrepancy values in Group C were significantly higher than those in Groups A (p ≤ 0.000) and B (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between Groups A and B (p = 0.702). There were no significant differences among the four surfaces in any of the scanning distance groups (p1  = 0.583, p2  = 0.390, and p3  = 0.135; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The interim crowns fabricated with a scanning distance of 7.5 mm showed the greatest marginal discrepancy when compared with crowns fabricated using 2.5- and 5-mm scanning distances.

Comparison of heat transfer through various fixed prosthetic materials during grinding.

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the mean temperature values due to heat generated during the grinding of different prosthetic materials with diamond burs using a high-speed instrument with and without water cooling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 120 disk-shaped specimens (10 × 2 mm), each with a smaller disk in the center (3 × 2 mm), were fabricated from yttrium-stabilized zirconia, monolithic zirconia, glass-ceramic, indirect composite, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and cast metal (Ni-Cr alloy). The specimens were divided into six groups (n = 20) according to material type. The specimens in each group were ground continuously with a high-speed handpiece and diamond burs with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) water cooling until the smaller disks were removed. Two different methods (thermocouple and thermal camera) were used to measure the temperature during the grinding process. Results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and paired samples t test (P < .05). RESULTS: PEEK had the lowest mean temperature values and metal had the highest values, both with and without water cooling, according to data measured with a thermocouple. Zirconia and monolithic zirconia samples without water cooling had the highest mean temperature values when measured with a thermal camera. Both with and without water cooling, composite samples had the lowest mean temperature value for thermal camera measurements. CONCLUSION: Water cooling is strongly recommended when grinding all prosthetic materials. The heat transferred to the supporting teeth may depend on the thermal conductivity of the material used.

The effect of different denture cleansing solutions on the retention of polyetheretherketone locator attachments.

PURPOSE: Prosthetic cleansing solutions have been reported to cause retention loss in implant locator attachments due to the chemical alterations of these attachments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different denture cleansing solutions on attachments with different retention values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 160 polyetheretherketone locator attachments were divided into 4 groups according to their attachment retention values (yellow, pink, clear, and violet). Forty attachments from each group were soaked in four different cleansing solutions (n = 10). The attachments from the four groups were immersed in water, sodium hypochlorite, Corega, and Protefix solutions for a period equivalent to 6 months, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The locator attachments were then subjected to testing using a universal testing machine. Maximum load to dislodgement according to different solutions was evaluated by one-way ANOVA test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The effect of denture cleansing solutions on the retentive values of attachments was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Among all cleansing solutions, the highest retention value was found in the violet attachments, and the lowest retention value was found in the yellow attachments. The lowest retention value (0.72 ± 0.05 MPa) was observed when the yellow attachments were immersed in Protefix solution, and the highest retention value (1.96 ± 0.15 MPa) was observed when the violet attachments were immersed in the Corega solution. CONCLUSION: For different colored attachments, different cleansing solutions can be suggested to patients.

Hardness and surface roughness of differently processed denture base acrylic resins after immersion in simulated gastric acid.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effect of gastric acid on the surface properties of denture base acrylic resin is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate changes in the surface roughness and hardness of denture base acrylic resins after immersion in simulated gastric acid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Acrylic resin specimens (n=10) were prepared with 3 different processing techniques (compression-molded, injection-molded, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing [CAD-CAM] milled) and exposed to either gastric acid or artificial saliva (control). Surface roughness and hardness were measured at baseline (T0) and after 24-hour (T24) and 96-hour (T96) immersion in the solutions. The surface roughness and hardness data were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05). RESULTS: At T24, the greatest change in surface hardness was observed for compression-molded specimens in gastric acid (P<.05). At T96, changes in hardness values were higher in compression-molded specimens than those in milled specimens (P<.05). Regarding surface roughness, at T24, compression-molded and injection-molded specimens showed higher values than milled specimens in gastric acid (P<.05). Concerning specimens in artificial saliva, compression-molded specimens showed significantly higher changes in roughness than those of the others (P<.05). At T96, injection-molded specimens had the greatest roughness values (P<.05). Among specimens immersed in artificial saliva, milled specimens showed lower roughness values than the injection-molded or compression-molded specimens (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric acid exposure adversely affected the roughness and hardness of all the acrylic resins evaluated. CAD-CAM milled specimens showed better resistance to acid exposure after 24 and 96 hours in terms of roughness and hardness.

Comparative Study of Chemical and Mechanical Surface Treatment Effects on The Shear Bond Strength of Polyether-Ether-Ketone to Veneering Resin.

PURPOSE: To assess the shear bond strength of composite resin to polyether ether ketone (PEEK) after mechanical and chemical surface treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 PEEK discs were fabricated and divided equally into four surface treatment groups (n = 12 each): (1) airborne particle abrasion with 50-µm alumina particles at 2 MPa pressure for 10 seconds; (2) 98% sulfuric acid etching for 1 minute; (3) airborne particle abrasion and sulfuric acid etching; and (4) no surface treatment. Specimens were conditioned, then Gradia composite veneer (GC) was applied to the PEEK surfaces and polymerized. Bond strength was measured with shear bond test using a universal testing machine. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength values of the sulfuric acid-etched group were higher than that of the airborne particle abrasion + acid etching, airborne particle abrasion, and control groups (P < .05). Mean shear bond strength values for the airborne particle abrasion + acid etching samples were higher than for the control and airborne particle abrasion groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the samples treated with airborne particle abrasion and the control group.

Effect of home and over the contour bleaching on stainability of CAD/CAM esthetic restorative materials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of home and over the counter bleaching on the stainability of CAD/CAM restorative materials, and to correlate the surface roughness with discoloration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens were fabricated from feldspathic ceramic, an hybrid ceramic, a resin nano-ceramic, and lithium disilicate-reinforced glass ceramic. After baseline surface roughness (Ra1) and color measurement, each material was randomly divided into three groups according to bleaching regimen as Opalescence PF and; Opalescence Go; control. Then, the second color and surface roughness (Ra2) measurements were made. Thereafter, all specimens were immersed in a coffee solution for 12 days and the third color measurement was made. Color and whiteness change (CIELAB- ΔEab , CIEDE2000-ΔE00 , whiteness index-ΔWID ) were calculated after bleaching (ΔE1;ΔE00 1;ΔWID 1) and immersion in the coffee solution (ΔE2;ΔE00 2;ΔWID 2). RESULTS: According to both CIELAB, CIEDE 2000 and WID formulas, the highest mean ΔE1, ΔE2, ΔWID 1, ΔWID 2 values were observed for LAVA Ultimate groups while the lowest values were measured for e.max CAD groups. The findings also showed that there was a positively significant relationship between Ra2, and ΔE2 and ΔWID 2. CONCLUSIONS: Type of restorative materials and bleaching agents had an impact on color change after bleaching and immersion in coffee. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Home and over-the-counter bleaching agents may cause an increase in susceptibility of restorative materials to staining.

In Vitro Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Three Primer/Resin Cement Systems to Monolithic Zirconia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the shear bond strength (SBS) of various primer/resin cement systems to monolithic zirconia under different levels of storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens of monolithic zirconia (10 × 3 mm, n = 72) were polished with silicon carbide paper, and the bonding surfaces were sandblasted with aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The samples were divided into three groups (n = 24) according to primer/cement system: Z-PRIME Plus/DUO-LINK (Bisco); Clearfil Ceramic Primer Plus/PANAVIA SA (Kuraray); and Single Bond Universal Adhesive/RelyX Ultimate (3M ESPE). After bonding was completed, each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 12) under different levels of 24-hour storage and thermocycling. The specimens were embedded in acrylic molds, and SBS tests were conducted. Modes of failure were also evaluated. The data were analyzed using one- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey Honest Significant Difference test. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The highest and lowest SBS values were observed in the Kuraray (12.52 ± 1.34 MPa) and Bisco (5.32 ± 0.54 MPa) systems, respectively, in the thermocycled groups (P < .05). Similarly, in short-term storage groups, Kuraray had the highest (16.47 ± 1.5 MPa) and Bisco the lowest (7.43 ± 1.06 MPa) SBS values (P < .05). Regardless of adhesive system used, thermocycling significantly decreased the SBS of all cement groups (P < .05). Of the failures, 49% were adhesive, 45% were mixed, and 6% were cohesive. CONCLUSION: A methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate-containing resin cement is recommended to provide a durable bond for monolithic zirconia.

Influence of Post Space Preparation on the Apical Leakage of Calamus, Single-Cone and Cold Lateral Condensation Obturation Techniques: A Computerized Fluid Filtration Study.

PURPOSE: Apical microleakage between the root canal and periapical tissues is considered a common cause of endodontic failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical microleakage of various obturation techniques after immediate post space preparations with different drills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty human single-rooted teeth were selected for this study. The coronal portions were removed to achieve a uniform length of 15 mm. All root canals were instrumented with ProTaper Next rotary files using crown-down technique. The 120 roots were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups according to obturation technique (n = 40). The root canals were obturated with lateral condensation in group 1, single-cone technique in group 2, and Calamus 3D obturation system in group 3. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 20) according to drill types (Gates Glidden and Peeso drills) leaving 5 mm of apical gutta-percha. The apical microleakage was measured using the computerized fluid filtration meter method. The results were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni Corrected Mann-Whitney U multiple comparison post hoc tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between obturation techniques after post space preparation with Peeso drills (p > 0.05). In Gates Glidden drill groups, single-cone technique demonstrated higher leakage (0.0051 ± 0.0037 µl x min-1 × cmH2 O-1 ) than Calamus techniques (0.0019 ± 0.0012 µl x min-1 × cmH2 O-1 ) (p < 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Gates Glidden drills caused the highest apical leakage in teeth obturated with single-cone technique.

Reliability of the Osstell Implant Stability Quotient and Penguin Resonance Frequency Analysis to Evaluate Implant Stability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of the Osstell implant stability quotient (ISQ) and Penguin resonance frequency analysis (RFA) devices in measuring implant stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty implants were embedded in self-curing acrylic resin, soft-lining material, polyvinyl siloxane impression material, and polycarboxylate cement (n = 10). After the initial setting times were completed, the stability of each implant was measured with Osstell ISQ and Penguin RFA with 3 repeated measurements. The "intraclass correlation coefficient" evaluated the correspondence between the measurements (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Polyvinyl siloxane impression material had lower ISQ values than soft-lining material, self-curing acrylic resin, and polycarboxylate cement in both devices (P < 0.05). The intraclass correlation was 1.00 in self-curing acrylic resin and 0.48 in polycarboxylate cement (P < 0.05) for Osstell. This value was 0.95 in self-curing acrylic resin and 0.38 in polycarboxylate cement (P < 0.05) for Penguin. There was no correlation between the repeated measurements in soft-lining material and polyvinyl siloxane impression material for both devices (P > 0.05). The repeatability was 0.90 for Osstell and 0.60 for Penguin (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Osstell ISQ and Penguin RFA are reliable only when the implants are embedded in stiff materials. Osstell ISQ is more reliable than Penguin RFA.

Influence of type of cement on the color and translucency of monolithic zirconia.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: With the development of translucent zirconia, questions regarding the influence of cements on the final color of monolithic zirconia restorations have arisen. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate color changes in terms of the perceptibility and acceptability of monolithic zirconia-and-cement combinations with 2 monolithic zirconia thicknesses and 3 types of cement. The translucency parameters of these combinations were also compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty monolithic zirconia ceramic disks were milled with 2 different thicknesses (0.6 mm and 1 mm). A conventional glass ionomer cement, a resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and a resin cement from the same manufacturer were applied to the ceramic surfaces of both thickness disks (n=10). Translucencies and color changes of the monolithic zirconia specimens after cement application were examined by using a spectrophotometer, and translucency parameters (TPs) and color changes (ΔEs) were calculated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Colors and TPs of the zirconia disks changed significantly after being cemented to 0.6- and 1-mm-thick disks (P<.05). The lowest ΔE values (3.53 for the 0.6-mm and 2.23 for the 1-mm thick disks) were observed for the zirconia-resin modified glass ionomer combination, whereas the highest ΔE values (5.64 for the 0.6-mm and 5.06 for the 1-mm thick disks) were observed for the zirconia-resin cement combination. The glass ionomer cement most strongly affected the TP values of both of the thicknesses. CONCLUSIONS: Cement types and zirconia thickness affected the colors and translucencies of the monolithic zirconia specimens.

3D FEA of Hollow and Solid Design Zirconia Dental Dowels.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of hollow and solid design zirconia dowels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the influence of different dowel designs on the stress distribution of zirconia dowels. The coronal diameter of the dowel was 2.2 mm, the apical diameter was 1.8 mm, and the length was 15 mm. The diameter of the hollow space was 1.2 mm. Occlusal forces (both parallel and oblique) of 100 N were applied from the wider edge of the dowels simulating loads acting on the incisor during clenching and incising. The results were expressed in terms of von Mises criteria. RESULTS: FEA revealed differences in stress distribution. During parallel load, the maximum tensile stress of the hollow design (89.40 MPa) was greater than the solid design (43.30 MPa). During oblique load, the maximum tensile stress of the hollow design (1437.90 MPa) was greater than the solid design (917.96 MPa). The maximum deformation was observed in the coronal part of the dowel in both designs under the two load directions. CONCLUSIONS: FEA results showed that the hollow design zirconia dowels presented higher tensile stress.

Translucency of ceramic material in different core-veneer combinations.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Understanding the translucency of ceramic materials is important to achieve good esthetics. Ceramic thickness is related to translucency; however, less information about core-veneer thickness in combination is available. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the translucency parameters of core-veneer thicknesses in 2 different ceramic materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 56 ceramic disks of different thickness were fabricated as cores according to the manufacturer's recommendations and divided into groups (n=7). Each was veneered with its compatible veneer ceramic with a different thickness (0.2, 0.5, 0.7 mm). One group of each ceramic type was left without veneer. The groups were named according to core names (group IPS e.max Press [EP], group IPS Empress Esthetic [EE]), and numbers were given according to thickness combination: 1=(1.00+0.5); 2=(0.8+0.7); 3=(1.00); 4=(0.8+0.2). All surfaces were measured by profilometry to ensure consistency within the groups. A glass disk (1.5 mm) positive control (group P) and a metal core (1.5 mm) negative control (group N) were prepared. The translucency parameter values were calculated by using spectrophotometry to calculate the color differences of the specimens over black and white backgrounds. RESULTS: A 1-way ANOVA found significant differences among the translucency parameter values of the ceramic groups (P<.01). A 1-sample t test determined thickness consistency, and 1-way analysis was performed to ensure surface roughness consistency within the groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Total ceramic thickness affected the translucency; higher combined ceramic thickness resulted in lower translucency parameter values. When total thickness decreases, the translucency of core material has more effect than that of veneer material on translucency parameter values.

A comparative study on biaxial flexural strength and Vicker`smicrohardness of different zirconia materials: Effect of glazingand thermal cycling / Estudo comparativo da resistência à flexão biaxial e microdureza Vickers` em diferentes materiais à base de zircônia: Efeito doglazeamento e da ciclagem térmica

Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou o efeito do glazeamento e da ciclagem térmica na resistência à flexão biaxial e na dureza Vicker’s de diferentes materiais à base de zircônia. Material e Métodos: Espécimes de disco (15 mm x 1,15 mm) de zircônia foram confeccionados usando 3 sistemas (ZirkonZahn, Cercon, Ceramill) de acordo com a recomendação de cada fabricante. Os espécimes de cada sistema cerâmico foram randomicamente divididos em 2 grupos. Enquanto metade dos espécimes foram glazeados, a outra metade permaneceu não glazeado. Adicionalmente, cada grupo foi divido em 4 subgrupos submetidos a diferentes ciclagens térmicas (0-control, 1000, 3000, 5000 ciclos, 5-55 ºC). A resistência à flexão biaxial foi realizada em uma máquina de teste universal (1 mm/min). As amostras não glazeadas foram submetidas a microdureza Vicker’s antes e após a ciclagem térmica (0-control, 1000, 3000, 5000 cycles, 5-55 ºC). Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados usando ANOVA 1-fator, ANOVA 2-fatores e teste de Tukey’s (p < 0,05). Resultados: Nas amostras não cicladas (1104-1388 MPa), o glazeamento reduziu significativamente a resistência à flexão biaxial de todos os sistemas cerâmicos (845.65-897.35 MPa) (p = 0,000). Enquanto nos grupos não glazeados todas as modalidades de ciclagem térmica reduziram significantemente a resistência à flexão biaxial (864- 1156 MPa) (p = 0,000), nos grupos glazeados a ciclagem térmica não afetou os resultados (829.4- 854.9 MPa) (p = 0,405). Comparados aos grupos não envelhecidos (1414.1 VHN), a ciclagem térmica reduziu significantemente a dureza Vickers apenas para o Cercon (1365.9 VHN) (p = 0,005). Conclusão: O glazeamento reduz a resistência à flexão biaxial dos sistemas à base de zircônia testados. As amostras não glazeadas foram mais afetadas pela ciclagem que as amostras glazeadas. Estas informações podem ter relevância clínica na durabilidade de reconstruções em zircônia monolítica.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of glazing and thermal cycling on biaxial flexural strength and Vickers hardness of different zirconia framework materials. Material and Methods: Disc shaped zirconia specimens (15 mm x 1.15 mm) were fabricated using three systems (ZirkonZahn, Cercon, Ceramill) according to each manufacturer`s instructions. The specimens of each system were randomly divided into 2 groups. While half of the specimens were glazed, the other half was left unglazed. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups to be subjected to thermal cycling (0-control, 1000, 3000, 5000 cycles, 5-55 ºC). Biaxial flexural strength was tested in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Unglazed zirconia specimens were subjected to Vickers microhardness with and without thermal cycling (0-control, 1000, 3000, 5000 cycles, 5-55 ºC). Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, twoway ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Results: In non-aged conditions (1104-1388 MPa), glazing significantly decreased the biaxial flexural strength of all zirconia ceramics (845.65-897.35 MPa) (p = 0.000). While in the non-glazed groups, all thermal cycling regimens significantly decreased the biaxial flexural strength (864 -1156 MPa) (p = 0.000), in glazed groups thermal cycling did not affect the results (829.4-854.9 MPa) (p = 0.405). Compared to the non-aged group (1414.1 VHN), thermal cycling decreased the Vickers hardness significantly only for Cercon (1365.9 VHN) (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Glazing decreased the biaxial flexural strength of the zirconia ceramics tested. Unglazed zirconia ceramics were weaker against thermal cycling compared to glazed ones. For the long-term durability of monolithic zirconia reconstructions, this information may have clinical significance.

A review on biodentine, a contemporary dentine replacement and repair material.

Biodentine is a calcium-silicate based material that has drawn attention in recent years and has been advocated to be used in various clinical applications, such as root perforations, apexification, resorptions, retrograde fillings, pulp capping procedures, and dentine replacement. There has been considerable research performed on this material since its launching; however, there is scarce number of review articles that collates information and data obtained from these studies. Therefore, this review article was prepared to provide the reader with a general picture regarding the findings about various characteristics of the material. The results of a PubMed search were classified and presented along with some critical comments where necessary. The review initially focuses on various physical properties of the material with subheadings and continues with biocompatibility. Another section includes the review of studies on Biodentine as a vital pulp treatment material and the article is finalized with the summary of some case reports where the material has been used.

Effect of Er:YAG laser on debonding strength of laminate veneers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the debonding strength of laminate veneers after using erbium-doped: yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 bovine mandibular incisor teeth were divided into two groups (n = 30). Cylindrical specimens (0.7 mm × 5 mm) were fabricated from Empress II ceramic. Then, they were cemented to incisors using dual-cured resin cement (Variolink II). In the first group, no laser application was performed. The Er:YAG laser was applied on each laminate veneer at the test group for 9 s by using the scanning method. Shear force to remove the laminate veneers were applied with universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. RESULTS: Results of this study exhibited significant differences between the control (27.28 ± 2.24 MPa) and test group (3.44 ± 0.69 MPa) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that application of Er:YAG laser decreased the bond strength of laminate veneers.

The effect of prophylactic polishing pastes on surface roughness of indirect restorative materials.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of prophylactic polishing pastes (PPP; Detartrine (DT), Topex (TP)) on surface roughness (R(a)) of indirect composites (IRC; Tescera (TES), Gradia (GRD), and Estenia C&B (EST)), a glass ceramic (Empress 2 layering (E2)), and a leucite reinforced glass ceramic (Empress Esthetic (EE)) with two different (glazed (G); polished (P)) surface preparations. A total of 90 IRC and 120 ceramic discs, 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick, were prepared. E2 and EE specimens were randomly divided into two groups (n = 30). One group was glazed (GE2; GEE), while the other group was polished (PE2; PEE) the same as the IRCs. The specimens in each group were subsequently divided into three subgroups: control (C), DT, and TP. R(a) (µm) was evaluated with a profilometer. Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis, followed by the Dunn's multiple comparison tests (P < 0.05). DT and TP resulted in significant surface roughening for TES, GRD, and EST, while no significant differences were detected between DT and TP (P > 0.05). PE2 and PEE were not affected by DT or TP (P > 0.05), while GE2 and GEE exhibited significant roughening after TP (P < 0.05). Surface roughness of IRCs and glazed ceramics can be affected by PPP applications.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of maxillary dentoalveolar defects with fixed dental prostheses: two clinical reports.

Traumatic injuries or congenital malformations may cause soft and hard tissue defects resulting in the loss of alveolar bone and attached mucosa. Restoring the defective area presents a challenge for clinicians. The prosthetic rehabilitation of 2 patients with maxillary dentoalveolar defects with 2 different prosthetic designs is presented. The esthetic and functional requirements of the patients were fulfilled.

Correlation of surface texture with the stainability of ceramics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Stainability is an important factor in the long-term clinical success of ceramic restorations. Contour adjustments on restoration surfaces cause differences in ceramic texture that may be affected differently by the staining agent. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface texture obtained by different surface treatments relevant to the stainability of heat-pressed leucite-reinforced ceramic disk-shaped specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-six ceramic disks (IPS Empress Esthetic) (15 × 2 mm) were prepared, glazed, and then assigned to 6 groups. All disks were abraded with a diamond rotary cutting instrument except group GG (control), which was not subjected to any procedure. Group R (rotary diamond cutting instrument) was left untreated after abrasion. Group PB was polished with an abrasive stone, a round polishing brush, and paste with felt wheels. Group PU was polished with 1.0- to 0.5-µm polishing pastes with a goat-hair brush. Group PS was polished with abrasive stone, silicon carbide polishers, and polishing paste with polishing disks. Group GR was reglazed. Surface roughness was measured with a profilometer and evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. A spectrophotometer was used before and after 12 days of immersion in a coffee solution to assess color difference. Data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA, the Tukey honestly significant difference test, and the Pearson rank correlation tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Ra values of groups from highest to lowest were, in order, R, PB, PU, PS, GR, and GG (P<.01). Scanning electron microscope images and Ra values were compatible. The color difference (ΔE) values of groups from highest to lowest were, in order, R, PB, PU, PS, GR, and GG. A positive significant relationship of 65.6% between the Ra and ΔE values was found (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ceramic staining may be related to surface texture. The use of appropriate polishing materials with compatible porcelain may reduce stainability.

Management of a fractured implant abutment screw: a clinical report.

In an abutment screw fracture, it is generally a challenge for the clinician to remove fractured fragments. In some cases, the screw cannot be removed, and alternative solutions should be considered. This clinical report describes the replacement of a ball attachment with a fractured screw, which was impossible to retrieve, with a cast dowel with ball attachment. The patient who presented to the Department of Prosthodontics, Yeditepe University, Faculty of Dentistry was a 65-year-old woman, wearing a mandibular complete denture supported by two implants for 4 years. She complained about the loss of retention of the denture because of the fractured abutment screw, and it was found that another dentist had previously tried to retrieve the fractured screw with no success. It was decided to construct a cast dowel with ball attachment to improve retention without sacrificing the implant. The interior of the implant and the fractured screw were machined with a rotating instrument. An impression was taken with a metal strip and silicone-based materials. In the laboratory, a stone die was generated from the impression, and a custom-made cast dowel with ball attachment was constructed. It was then cemented with glass ionomer cement and connected to the denture with the direct method. The alternative procedure described in this clinical report was successful for the removal of the fractured abutment screw and use of the existing denture.

Predoctoral prosthodontic curricula on removable partial dentures: survey of Turkish dental schools.

This study was conducted to evaluate the predoctoral removable partial denture (RPD) curricula in Turkish dental schools in regards to materials, techniques, and approaches. A questionnaire consisting of eighteen multiple-choice questions was sent by e-mail to the senior members of the prosthodontic departments of seventeen long-established dental schools in Turkey. The response rate was 100 percent. All schools (100 percent) used custom trays for making final impressions of partially dentate arches, taught border molding of the custom tray for the edentulous areas, used modeling plastic impression compound in border molding the final impression trays, and used base metal alloys for RPD frameworks. None of the schools had an in-house laboratory that fabricates RPD frameworks, and none of the students cast the frameworks of their own RPDs. The majority of schools used irreversible hydrocolloid as a final impression (70.6 percent) and dental surveyor (76.5 percent) in the designing of RPDs. The majority of schools did not flask their own RPDs (64.7 percent), did not treat patients using RPDs with attachments (76.5 percent), and did not perform the altered cast technique in bilateral and unilateral distal extension RPD cases (76.5 percent). Six teen schools (94.1 percent) had a minimum number of RPD arches that a student must complete in order to graduate. It was found that predoctoral RPD curricula in Turkish dental schools were both variable and similar.