Comparative Analysis of the Structural Weights of Fixed Prostheses of Zirconium Dioxide, Metal Ceramic, PMMA and 3DPP Printing Resin-Mechanical Implications.

The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical implications of four-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) made of (1) monolithic zirconium dioxide (ZR O2), (2) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), (3) metal ceramic (PFM) and (4) impression resin (3DPP). METHODS: Four groups were studied with eight samples for each material (n: 32). Each structure was weighed, subjected to compressive tests and analyzed using 3D FEA. RESULTS: PMMA presented the lowest structural weight (1.33 g), followed by 3DPP (1.98 g), ZR O2 (6.34 g) and PFM (6.44 g). In fracture tests, PMMA presented a compressive strength of 2104.73 N and a tension of 351.752 MPa; followed by PFM, with a strength of 1361.48 N and a tension of 227.521 MPa; ZR O2, with a strength of 1107.63 N and a tension of 185.098 MPa; and 3DPP, with a strength of 1000.88 N and a tension of 143.916 MPa. According to 3D FEA, 3DPP presented the lowest degree of deformation (0.001 mm), followed by PFM (0.011 mm), ZR O2 (0.168 mm) and PMMA (1.035 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The weights of the materials did not have a direct influence on the mean values obtained for strength, stress or strain. Since the performance was related to the tension and forces supported by the structures in critical zones, the importance of considering design factors is clear. In vitro and 3D FEA assays allowed us to simulate different scenarios for the mechanical properties of certain materials before evaluating them clinically. Thus, they can generate predictions that would allow for the design of a better research methodology in future clinical trials.

Biomechanical Characterization of Scallop Shells Exposed to Ocean Acidification and Warming.

Increased carbon dioxide levels (CO2) in the atmosphere triggered a cascade of physical and chemical changes in the ocean surface. Marine organisms producing carbonate shells are regarded as vulnerable to these physical (warming), and chemical (acidification) changes occurring in the oceans. In the last decade, the aquaculture production of the bivalve scallop Argopecten purpuratus (AP) showed declined trends along the Chilean coast. These negative trends have been ascribed to ecophysiological and biomineralization constraints in shell carbonate production. This work experimentally characterizes the biomechanical response of AP scallop shells subjected to climate change scenarios (acidification and warming) via quasi-static tensile and bending tests. The experimental results indicate the adaptation of mechanical properties to hostile growth scenarios in terms of temperature and water acidification. In addition, the mechanical response of the AP subjected to control climate conditions was analyzed with finite element simulations including an anisotropic elastic constitutive model for a two-fold purpose: Firstly, to calibrate the material model parameters using the tensile test curves in two mutually perpendicular directions (representative of the mechanical behavior of the material). Secondly, to validate this characterization procedure in predicting the material's behavior in two mechanical tests.

Effect of vertical misfit and clip material on stress distribution of overdentures under masticatory loading.

Framework misfit is a common problem observed in overdentures, which might result in prosthetic and biological complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vertical misfit and clip material on the stress distribution in an overdenture-retaining bar system under masticatory loading. A 3-D finite element model of a resorbed jaw was created, including two implants and a bar-clip retained overdenture. A pressure of 100 MPa was applied to the right mandibular first molar. Different vertical misfit levels (50, 100, and 200 µm) and clip materials (plastic or gold) were evaluated. Data were evaluated using von Mises stress and microstrain. Vertical misfit amplification caused an increase in the microstrain values in the peri-implant bone tissue next to the ill-fitted component and increased the stresses in the prosthetic screws. The clip material influenced the stress and microstrain distribution in the prosthetic components and bone tissue. The levels of vertical misfit seem to be closely linked with the stress values in the prosthetic screws, mainly to that of the ill-fitted component. The gold clip presented an increase in the stress compared to the plastic clip.

The strength of sintered and adhesively bonded zirconia/veneer-ceramic bilayers.

OBJECTIVES: Recently all-ceramic restorative systems have been introduced that use CAD/CAM technology to fabricate both the Y-TZP core and veneer-ceramic layers. The aim was to identify whether the CAD/CAM approach resulted in more favourable stressing patterns in the veneer-ceramic when compared with a conventionally sintered Y-TZP core/veneer-ceramic. METHODS: Nominally identical Vita VM9 veneer-ceramic disc-shaped specimens (0.7mm thickness, 12mm diameter) were fabricated. 20 specimens received a surface coating of resin-cement (Panavia 21); 20 specimens were bonded with the resin-cement to fully sintered Y-TZP (YZ Vita Inceram Vita) discs (0.27mm thickness, 12mm diameter). A final series of 20 Y-TZP core/veneer-ceramic specimens were manufactured using a conventional sintering route. Biaxial flexure strength was determined in a ball-on-ring configuration and stress at the fracture origin calculated using multilayer closed-form analytical solutions. Fractography was undertaken using scanning electron microscopy. The experimental test was simulated using Finite Element Analysis. Group mean BFS were compared using a one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests at a 95% significance level. RESULTS: Resin cement application resulted in significant strengthening of the veneer-ceramic and further significant strengthening of the veneer-ceramic (p<0.01) occurred following bonding to the Y-TZP core. The BFS calculated at the failure origin for conventionally sintered specimens was significantly reduced when compared with the adhesively bonded Y-TZP/veneer-ceramic. CONCLUSIONS: Under the test conditions employed adhesive cementation between CAD/CAM produced Y-TZP/veneer-ceramic layers appears to offer the potential to induce more favourable stress states within the veneer-ceramic when compared with conventional sintered manufacturing routes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The current investigation suggests that the stressing patterns that arise in all-ceramic restorations fabricated using CAD/CAM for both the core and veneer-ceramic layers differ from those that occur in conventionally sintered bilayer restorations. Further work is required to ascertain whether such differences will translate into improved clinical outcomes.

The effects of non carious cervical lesions - morphology, load type and restoration - on the biomechanical behavior of maxillary premolars: a finite element analysis / OS efeitos das lesões cervicais não cariosas ­ morfologia, tipo de carregamento e restauração - no comportamento biomecânico de pré-molares superiores: análise por elementos finitos

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of different types of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and their morphologies in premolars, restored (or not) with composite resin, on the application three occlusal loadings. The hypothesis was that differing NCCL morphologies, loading types and restoration with composite resin affect stress distribution patterns. A two-dimensional linear Finite Element Analyses (FEA) simulated a healthy tooth model (H) with dental structures including: dentin, pulp, enamel, periodontal ligament, cortical bone, and trabecular bone. Three NCCL morphological models were examined: Mixed (MI), Sauce (SA) and Wedged-shape (WS). All types of lesions were analyzed with and without restoration. The models were considered homogeneous and elastic. In each model three load types: 100N: vertical load (VL), buccal load (BL) and palatine load (PL) were applied. The Maximum Principal Stress values were analyzed. The quantitative analysis of stress (MPa) was identified at five points of the NCCLs according to the morphology of the lesion type: initial point, superior wall, center of lesion, inferior wall and final point. It was found that NCCLs restored with composite resin exhibited stress distribution patterns similar to the healthy tooth model, independent of morphology and load. The Palatine Load was responsible for providing the highest values of accumulated tensions on the NCCL. The highest values of tensile stress on NCCL areas were found in the models without composite resin restoration, which had received PL. It was concluded that the different NCCL morphologies had little effect on stress distribution patterns. The major factors that affected the biomechanical behavior of premolars presenting NCCL were load type and the presence of composite restoration.

O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a influência de diferentes morfologias de lesões cervicais não cariosas (LCNCs) em pré-molares superiores restaurados ou não com resina composta, aplicando três diferentes carregamentos oclusais. A hipótese é que a morfologia, o tipo de carregamento e a restauração influenciem no padrão de distribuição de tensão. Através do método de elementos finitos, foram simulados modelos bidimensionais, homogêneos, lineares e elásticos. O modelo do dente hígido (H) foi representado com as seguintes estruturas: dentina, polpa, esmalte, ligamento periodontal, osso cortical, osso trabeculado e posteriormente simulou-se três morfologias de LCNCs: Mista(MI), Arredondada (SA) e em forma de Cunha (WS). Todos os tipos de lesão foram analisados com a presença e ausência da restauração. Em cada modelo foram aplicados três diferentes tipos de carregamento, com 100 N cada: carregamento vertical (VL), carregamento vestibular (BL) e carregamento palatino (PL). A análise quantitativa das tensões foi realizada através do critério de Tensão Máxima Principal em cinco regiões de cada LCNC, nos seguintes pontos: ponto inicial, parede superior, centro da lesão, parede inferior e ponto final. Como resultado, as LCNCs restauradas com resina composta apresentaram distribuição de tensão semelhante a do modelo do dente hígido, independente da morfologia e do carregamento. O carregamento palatino foi responsável pelos maiores valores de acúmulo de tensão nas LCNCs. É possível conclui que Os diferentes tipos de morfologia das LCNCs apresentaram pequena influencia no padrão de distribuição de tensão. Os fatores de maior influência no comportamento biomecânico de pré-molares foram o tipo de carregamento e a presença da restauração.