Effect of composite surface treatment and aging on the bond strength between a core build-up composite and a luting agent

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of conditioning methods and thermocycling on the bond strength between composite core and resin cement. Material and Methods Eighty blocks (8×8×4 mm) were prepared with core build-up composite. The cementation surface was roughened with 120-grit carbide paper and the blocks were thermocycled (5,000 cycles, between 5°C and 55°C, with a 30 s dwell time in each bath). A layer of temporary luting agent was applied. After 24 h, the layer was removed, and the blocks were divided into five groups, according to surface treatment: (NT) No treatment (control); (SP) Grinding with 120-grit carbide paper; (AC) Etching with 37% phosphoric acid; (SC) Sandblasting with 30 mm SiO2 particles, silane application; (AO) Sandblasting with 50 mm Al2O3 particles, silane application. Two composite blocks were cemented to each other (n=8) and sectioned into sticks. Half of the specimens from each block were immediately tested for microtensile bond strength (µTBS), while the other half was subjected to storage for 6 months, thermocycling (12,000 cycles, between 5°C and 55°C, with a dwell time of 30 s in each bath) and µTBS test in a mechanical testing machine. Bond strength data were analyzed by repeated measures two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). Results The µTBS was significantly affected by surface treatment (p=0.007) and thermocycling (p=0.000). Before aging, the SP group presented higher bond strength when compared to NT and AC groups, whereas all the other groups were statistically similar. After aging, all the groups were statistically similar. SP submitted to thermocycling showed lower bond strength than SP without thermocycling. Conclusion Core composites should be roughened with a diamond bur before the luting process. Thermocycling tends to reduce the bond strength between composite and resin cement

Contrasting Light Spectra Constrain the Macro and Microstructures of Scleractinian Corals

The morphological plasticity of scleractinian corals can be influenced by numerous factors in their natural environment. However, it is difficult to identify in situ the relative influence of a single biotic or abiotic factor, due to potential interactions between them. Light is considered as a major factor affecting coral skeleton morphology, due to their symbiotic relation with photosynthetic zooxanthellae. Nonetheless, most studies addressing the importance of light on coral morphological plasticity have focused on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensity, with the effect of light spectra remaining largely unknown. The present study evaluated how different light spectra affect the skeleton macro- and microstructures in two coral species (Acropora formosa sensu Veron (2000) and Stylophora pistillata) maintained under controlled laboratory conditions. We tested the effect of three light treatments with the same PAR but with a distinct spectral emission: 1) T5 fluorescent lamps with blue emission; 2) Light Emitting Diodes (LED) with predominantly blue emission; and 3) Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) with full spectra emission. To exclude potential bias generated by genetic variability, the experiment was performed with clonal fragments for both species. After 6 months of experiment, it was possible to detect in coral fragments of both species exposed to different light spectra significant differences in morphometry (e.g., distance among corallites, corallite diameter, and theca thickness), as well as in the organization of their skeleton microstructure. The variability found in the skeleton macro- and microstructures of clonal organisms points to the potential pitfalls associated with the exclusive use of morphometry on coral taxonomy. Moreover, the identification of a single factor influencing the morphology of coral skeletons is relevant for coral aquaculture and can allow the optimization of reef restoration efforts

Bond strength of three luting agents to zirconia ceramic - influence of surface treatment and thermocycling

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments, 3 luting agents and thermocycling on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to zirconia ceramic. Material and METHODS: A total of 18 blocks (5x5x4 mm) were fabricated from zirconia ceramic (ICE Zirkonia) and duplicated into composite blocks (Alphadent). Ceramic blocks were divided into 3 groups (n=6) according to the following surface treatments: airborne-particle abrasion (AA), silica-coating, (SC) (CoJet) and silica coating followed by silane application (SCSI) (ESPE Sil). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups (n=2) according to the 3 luting agents used. Resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC, Ketac Cem Plus), self-adhesive resin cement (UN, RelyX Unicem) and adhesive resin cement (ML, MultiLink Automix) were used for bonding composite and zirconia blocks. Each bonding assembly was cut into microbars (10 mm long and 1±0.1 mm²). Seven specimens of each subgroup were stored in water bath at 37ºC for 1 week. The other 7 specimens were stored in water bath at 37ºC for 30 days then thermocycled (TC) for 7,500 cycles. µTBS values were recorded for each specimen using a universal testing machine. Statistical analyses were performed using a 3-way ANOVA model followed by serial 1-way ANOVAs. Comparison of means was performed with Tukey's HSD test at (&#945;=0.05). RESULTS: µTBS ranged from 16.8 to 31.8 MPa after 1 week and from 7.3 to 16.4 MPa after 30 days of storage in water and thermocycling. Artificial aging significantly decreased µTBS (p<0.05). Considering surface treatment, SCSI significantly increased µTBS (p<0.05) compared to SC and AA. Resin cements (UN and ML) demonstrated significantly higher µTBS (p<0.05) compared to RMGIC cement. CONCLUSIONS: Silica coating followed by silane application together with adhesive resin cements significantly increased µTBS, while thermocycling significantly decreased µTBS

Fracture Resistance of Simulated Immature Teeth after Different Intra-radicular Treatments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth after different intra-radicular treatments. Crowns and roots of bovine incisors were cut transversally and removed to simulate immature teeth. Root canal preparation and flaring were performed using a bur in crown-apex and apex-crown direction. The samples were distributed into 5 groups (n=10): Positive control (PoC) - no root canal flaring or filling; Negative control (NeC) - teeth were sectioned and their root canals were flared; Direct anatomical glass fiber post (RaP) - #2 Reforpost main glass fiber post relined with composite resin; Double tapered conical glass fiber posts (ExP) - #3 Exacto glass fiber post; and #2 Reforpost main glass fiber + Reforpin accessory glass fiber posts (RrP). In RaP, ExP and RrP, 4.0-mm apical plugs were done with MTA Angelus. The specimens were embedded in polystyrene resin inside cylinders and the periodontal ligament was simulated with a polyether-based impression material. The specimens were submitted to compressive fracture strength test (0.5 mm/min at 135° relative to the long axis of the tooth) in a servo-hydraulic mechanical testing machine MTS 810. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Dunnett's C or Tukey's tests (α=0.05). The control groups (PoC and NeC) showed lower fracture strength than the experimental groups. NeC presented the lowest resistance and ExP presented the highest resistance among the experimental groups. The flaring procedures produced a detrimental effect on the fracture resistance of the bovine teeth. Glass fiber intra-radicular posts increased significantly the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência à fratura de dentes com rizogênese incompleta simulada após diferentes tratamentos intra-radiculares. A rizogênese incompleta foi simulada pelo seccionamento das coroas e raízes de incisivos bovinos. O preparo e alargamento do canal radicular foram realizados utilizando uma broca no sentido coroa-ápice e ápice-coroa. As amostras foram distribuídas (n=10) em cinco grupos: controle positivo (PoC) - sem preparo do canal radicular e sem obturação; controle negativo (NeC) - os dentes foram seccionados e os canais radiculares foram preparados; pino anatômico direto Reforpost #2 (RaP) - pino de fibra de vidro principal + resina composta; pino de fibra de vidro com dupla conicidade (ExP) - pino de fibra de vidro Exacto #3; e pino de fibra de vidro Reforpost #2 + pinos de fibra de vidro acessórios Reforpin (RrP). Nos grupos RaP, ExP e RrP foram realizados plugs apicais de MTA Angelus com 4,0 mm. As amostras foram incluídas em cilindros com resina de poliestireno e o ligamento periodontal foi simulado com material de moldagem à base de poliéter. As amostras foram submetidas ao teste de resistência à fratura, por meio de força compressiva (0,5 mm/min a 135º em relação ao longo eixo do dente) em uma máquina de ensaios mecânicos MTS 810. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA a um critério e aos testes para comparações múltiplas Dunnett C ou Tukey HSD (α=0,05). Os grupos controle (PoC e NeC) apresentaram resistência à fratura inferior aos grupos experimentais, sendo o menor valor médio produzido por NeC. ExP produziu os maiores valores de resistência à fratura entre os grupos experimentais. Os procedimentos de preparo e alargamento produziram efeitos prejudiciais na resistência à fratura de dentes bovinos. A utilização de pinos de fibra de vidro intra-radiculares aumentou significativamente a resistência à fratura de dentes com rizogênese incompleta simulada.Universidade Estadual Paulista Department of Dentistry, Araçatuba Dental SchoolUniversidade Estadual Paulista Araraquara Dental School Department of Restorative DentistryUniversidade Federal de Santa Catarina Department of Restorative DentistryUniversidade Estadual Paulista Araraquara Dental School Department of Dental Materials and ProsthodonticsUniversidade Estadual Paulista Department of Dentistry, Araçatuba Dental SchoolUniversidade Estadual Paulista Araraquara Dental School Department of Restorative DentistryUniversidade Estadual Paulista Araraquara Dental School Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontic