Strength of roots before and after endodontic treatment and restoration.

The resistance to fracture of mandibular premolar roots before and after endodontic and restorative procedures was tested. Seven treatment groups were evaluated. A Universal testing machine was used to apply vertical and lateral (45-degree) forces. Overall, the untreated roots showed the highest resistance to fracture. Factors of importance to prevent fracture were found to be (a) the amount of remaining tooth structure; (b) strength of post and core; and (c) bonding between core material and dentin. These factors suggest that a composite core following the use of EDTA to remove the smear layer may be a successful treatment when sufficient tooth structure remains.

Fluoride levels and fluoride contamination of fruit juices.

Increasing consumption of beverages as a replacement for water have made fluoride content in beverages an important issue. In this study, forty-three ready-to-drink fruit juices were examined for fluoride ion concentration. It was found that 42% of the samples had more than 1 ppm of fluoride. It was also determined that "pure" fruit juices, often grape juices, contained high levels of fluoride. Juice made from grapes separated from the skin did not contain any fluoride. Since it is common practice to use fluoride-containing insecticide in growing grapes, it is believed that contamination of these juices is occurring. Washing of grape skins produced appreciable quantities of fluoride. Given that increasing numbers of people are consuming beverages instead of water, fluoride supplementation should not be based solely upon the concentration of the drinking water, but should also consider the amount of different beverages consumed and their fluoride content.

Mercury release from amalgam: a study in vitro and in vivo.

Total mercury release from a high-copper and a low-copper amalgam was measured in a study in vitro using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Conditions of mechanical agitation and sealant coverage were evaluated over time. Mercury release was found under agitation and no-agitation conditions to increase shortly after preparation and then to level off after 24 to 48 hours. No difference in mercury release was observed for either amalgam type. Sealant coverage of amalgam significantly reduced mercury release under agitation conditions. In an experiment in vivo mercury vapor was measured at different times for patients receiving their first amalgam restoration. Sealant coverage was found to significantly reduce mercury vapor after chewing on this restoration compared to a nonsealant-covered amalgam.

In vitro study of cementation of cast splints on nonmobile and mobile teeth.

The marginal opening of a fixed splint on movable and firm abutments was investigated. Regular-body poly(vinyl siloxane) was used as a luting material to cement a three-unit, cast complete crown splint on three metal dies in an acrylic resin model. The middle abutment was set first in acrylic resin and subsequently in a displaceable material. The cement replica was recovered, measured, and compared. The mean cement thickness for the mobile displaceable abutment was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than that of nonmobile teeth.

Effect of multiple firing on the bond strength of selected matched porcelain-fused-to-metal combinations.

In this study two different opaque porcelain-metal combinations were evaluated for planar shear bond strength. Samples were tested after one, three, five, seven, and nine different firing cycles to evaluate the effect of repeated firing on shear bond strength. For the combination of Will Ceram/W1 and Vita/Olympia materials, no statistical difference was observed either between materials or after repeated firing. For apparently well-matched porcelain-metal combinations, no significant reduction in bond strength occurs during normal firing of the opaque porcelain to the metal.

Demineralization resistance and tensile bond strength of four luting agents after acid attack.

Resistance to acid demineralization provided by luting agents adjacent to enamel was evaluated for four different luting agents: composite resin, glass ionomer, polycarboxylate, and zinc phosphate cement. Cement solubility and enamel demineralization after acid attack at pH 3.0 were measured radiographically and calculated using computer-aided design. Tensile bond strength of a miniature crown seated on an accurately prepared preparation was evaluated after acid attack using an Instron instrument. Crown retention after 12 days was greater for the polycarboxylate (2,000 kg/m2) than the zinc phosphate cement (500 kg/m2). Crown retention for the glass ionomer (1,100 kg/m2) and composite resin luting agent (1,400 kg/m2) were similar statistically after 21 days of acid exposure. Cement washouts for zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate were similar, and were greater than either glass ionomer or composite resin luting agent. The amount of demineralization related to cements was, from greatest to least: zinc phosphate, polycarboxylate, composite resin, glass ionomer. Fluoride release was concluded to be initially effective in reducing enamel solubility in spite of cement solubility.

Comparative friction of orthodontic wires under dry and wet conditions.

Kinetic coefficients of friction for stainless steel, beta-titanium, nickel-titanium, and cobalt-chromium arch wires were measured on a smooth stainless steel or Teflon surface. A universal materials testing instrument was used to pull 0.017 X 0.025-inch rectangular arch wires through a pneumatically controlled binding surface. Classical friction relationships were evaluated by varying applied normal force--similar to ligature tie force--via this pneumatic control. Coefficients of friction were determined under dry and wet (artificial saliva) conditions. Frictional force values, and thus coefficients of friction, were found to increase with increasing normal force for all materials. Beta-titanium and stainless steel wires sliding against stainless steel, and stainless steel wire on Teflon consistently exhibited the lowest dry friction values. Artificial saliva increased friction for stainless steel, beta-titanium, and nickel-titanium wires sliding against stainless steel. Artificial saliva did not increase friction for cobalt chromium, stainless steel sliding against stainless steel, or stainless steel wire on Teflon compared to the dry condition. Stainless steel and beta-titanium wires sliding against stainless steel and stainless steel wire on Teflon showed the lowest friction values for the wet condition.

Dentin stresses in post-reconstructed teeth with diminishing bone support.

Dentin stresses from simulated functional loads to post-reinforced tooth models with four levels of periodontal support were calculated using finite element analysis. As bone levels diminished, stresses were found to increase dramatically and to concentrate in the small amount of dentin remaining near the post apex.

Modifying the setting rate of an addition-type silicone impression material.

Two methods for controlling the working time of an addition-type silicone impression material are presented. The progress of the polymerization reaction of this modified system was studied using viscosity and a new "compression set" technique. The physical properties are presented and compared to those typical of condensation silicones, and a method of clinical use is suggested.