Effect of surface treatment and luting agent type on shear bond strength of titanium to ceramic materials.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effect of different surface treatments and luting agent types on the shear bond strength of two ceramics to commercially pure titanium (Cp Ti). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 Cp Ti specimens were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 40) according to surface treatments received (control, 50 µm airborne-particle abrasion, 110 µm airborne-particle abrasion, and tribochemical coating). The cementation surfaces of titanium and all-ceramic specimens were treated with a universal primer. Two cubic all-ceramic discs (lithium disilicate ceramic (LDC) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (ZLC)) were cemented to titanium using two types of resin-based luting agents: self-cure and dual-cure (n = 10). After cementation, all specimens were subjected to 5000 cycles of thermal aging. A shear bond strength (SBS) test was conducted, and the failure mode was determined using a scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA, and the Tukey-HSD test was used for post hoc comparisons (P < .05). RESULTS: Significant differences were found among the groups based on surface treatment, resin-based luting agent, and ceramic type (P < .05). Among the surface treatments, 50 µm air-abrasion showed the highest SBS, while the control group showed the lowest. SBS was higher for dual-cure resin-based luting agent than self-cure luting agent. ZLC showed better SBS values than LDC. CONCLUSION: The cementation of ZLC with dual-cure resin-based luting agent showed better bonding effectiveness to commercially pure titanium treated with 50 µm airborne-particle abrasion.

Evaluation of C. Albicans and S. Mutans adherence on different provisional crown materials.

PURPOSE: Bacterial adhesion on provisional crown materials retained for a long time can influence the duration for which permanent prosthetic restorations can be healthily worn in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to compare seven different commonly used provisional crown materials with regard to Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans surface adhesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each group, twenty specimens of the provisional fixed prosthodontic materials TemDent (Schütz), Imident (Imicryl), Tab 2000 (Kerr), Structur Premium (Voco), Systemp (Ivoclar Vivadent), Acrytemp (Zhermack), and Takilon-BBF (Takilon) were prepared (diameter, 10.0 mm; height, 2.0 mm). Surface roughness was assessed by atomic force microscopy. Each group was then divided into 2 subgroups (n=10) according to the microbial suspensions used: S. mutans and C. albicans. The specimens were incubated at 37℃ with S. mutans or C. albicans for seven days. Bacterial adherence on surfaces was assessed using the 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. RESULTS: S. mutans showed maximum adhesion to Structur, followed by Systemp, Acrytemp, Takilon, Tab 2000, Imident, and TemDent (P<.05). The highest vital C. albicans adhesion was noted on Takilon, followed by Imident and Tab 2000; the lowest adhesion was noted on Systemp (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The materials showed significant differences in the degree of bacterial adhesion. C. albicans showed higher surface adhesion than S. mutans on provisional crown and fixed partial denture denture materials.

Management of restricted mouth opening caused by radiation: A clinical report.

Trismus, a commonly observed sequela in patients who have undergone radiation therapy to treat malignancies of the head and neck, causes a loss of function that reduces patients' overall quality of life. Radiation can cause intense fibrosis in the masticatory muscles, and this fibrosis may lead to trismus. This clinical report describes the management of a patient with radiation-induced trismus who was treated with a custom-made mouth-opening device. The device had maxillary and mandibular sections, was made of a thermoactive acrylic resin material, and was connected with 2 vertical screws in the right and left canine regions. The screws were adjusted daily to increase the oral opening, such that each turn of the screws increased the opening by 0.25 mm. With the help of this device, at the end of a 4-month follow-up period, the patient's maximal interdental distance had increased from 7.16 mm to 19.50 mm. The intraoral opening device described in this study is useful for achieving a vertical opening sufficient to perform dental treatment.