In Vitro Effects of Chlorhexidine and Isopropyl Alcohol Conditioning Agents on Immediate and Late Bond Strength of Fiber Posts Dentin.

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) and isopropyl alcohol (IA) on immediate and late pushout bond strength (PBS) of fiber posts to dentin. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 54 single-canal premolars were endodontically treated, and randomly assigned to 3 groups (N=18) for root dentin conditioning with distilled water (control), 2% CHX, and 70% IA after post space preparation. Fiber posts were cemented with TheraCem self-adhesive cement, and each group was subdivided into two subgroups (N=9) for PBS measurement immediately after bonding, and after 5000 thermal cycles (5-55°C). The roots were then sectioned, and their PBS was measured. The mode of failure was evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Results: The highest PBS was noted in the IA group (21.12 MPa) after 24 hours and the lowest PBS belonged to the control group after thermocycling (7.48 MPa). The immediate and post-thermocycling PBS were significantly lower in the control group than the CHX group (P<0.05). The PBS in both the control and CHX groups was lower than that in the IA group (P<0.001). Regardless of the type of detergent, a significant reduction in PBS was observed after thermocycling (P<0.003). The PBS significantly decreased from the cervical towards the apical region in all groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, application of IA before the self-adhesive cement effectively improved the immediate and late PBS, and was significantly more effective than CHX.

In Vitro Efficacy of Listerine Whitening Mouthwash for Color Recovery of Two Discolored Composite Resins.

OBJECTIVES: Color stability of composite resins has a significant role in their durability and clinical service. Considering the increasing use of composite resins and their gradual discoloration, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of Listerine whitening mouthwash for color recovery of two discolored composite resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in-vitro experimental study was performed on 20 samples fabricated of Filtek Z350XT (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and IPS Empress Direct (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) composite resins. Primary colorimetry was performed using a spectrophotometer. The samples were immersed in a coffee drink for 7 days. They were then immersed in Listerine mouthwash for 4 minutes daily for 56 days. After this period, the color change of composite resins was reevaluated. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test. RESULTS: The primary color change of Z350XT after immersion in coffee was 1.6 times greater than that of IPS composite (P<0.0001). The color recovery of IPS and Z350XT after immersion in the mouthwash was 1.06±0.58 (P<0.01) and 2.58±1.65 (P<0.001) units, respectively. The color change of Z350XT after exposure to the mouthwash was 25% (1.4 times) greater than that of IPS (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both composite resins experienced a clinically unacceptable discoloration after exposure to coffee (ΔE>3.3). Filtek Z350XT showed greater color change than IPS. Use of Listerine whitening mouthwash caused significant color recovery in both composite resins.

Effects of Wet and Dry Finishing and Polishing on Surface Roughness and Microhardness of Composite Resins.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of wet and dry finishing and polishing on microhardness and roughness of microhybrid and nanohybrid composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty samples were fabricated of each of the Polofil Supra and Aelite Aesthetic All-Purpose Body microhybrid and Grandio and Aelite Aesthetic Enamel nanohybrid composite resins. Each group (n=30) was divided into three subgroups of D, W and C (n=10). Finishing and polishing were performed dry in group D and under water coolant in group W. Group C served as the control group and did not receive finishing and polishing. Surface roughness of samples was measured by a profilometer and their hardness was measured by a Vickers hardness tester. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (P<0.05). RESULTS: The smoothest surfaces with the lowest microhardness were obtained under Mylar strip without finishing/polishing for all composites (P<0.0001). The highest surface roughness was recorded for dry finishing/polishing for all composites (P<0.0001). Dry finishing/polishing increased the microhardness of all composites (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dry finishing and polishing increases the microhardness and surface roughness of microhybrid and nanohybrid composite resins.