The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CPP-ACP treatment and Nd:YAG laser on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of softened dentin. Sixty samples were obtained from thirty sound third molars. All samples were submitted to dentin softening procedure, by the immersion of the specimens in 30 mL of Sprite Zero for 30min. Afterwards, the samples were randomly divided according to the CPP-ACP treatment: CG-Control group; MP-treated with CPP-ACP paste (MI Paste); MPP-treated with CPP-ACP+900 ppm NaF paste (MI Paste Plus). Each group was further divided according to bonding procedure: NL-No laser; L–Laser irradiation after adhesive application and before polymerization. The laser parameters used were 1.4 W, 10 Hz, 140 mJ/pulse, with an optic fiber of 320 µm, generating energy of 174 J/cm2 per pulse. All samples were restored with Clearfil SE Bond/Filtek Z350 XT. After 24 h, the restored samples were cut into beams (± 1 mm2adhesive interface area) and subjected to a µTBS test. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA test and Holm-Sidak post-hoc method (α = 0.05). The treatment with CPP-ACP pastes did not significantly affect softened dentin µTBS (p = 0.070). Statistic revealed significant reduction on µTBS values for CG/L, leading to the rejection of the second null hypothesis (p < 0.001). Both CPP-ACP based pastes did not affect µTBS of softened dentin for the adhesive system utilized. The Nd:YAG laser irradiation after application of adhesive system did affect µTBS values of softened dentin samples untreated with CPP-ACP based pastes.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to evaluate a prefabricated intraradicular threaded pure titanium post, designed and developed at the São José dos Campos School of Dentistry - UNESP, Brazil. This new post was designed to minimize stresses observed with prefabricated post systems and to improve cost-benefits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fracture resistance testing of the post/core/root complex, fracture analysis by microscopy and stress analysis by the finite element method were used for post evaluation. The following four prefabricated metal post systems were analyzed: group 1, experimental post; group 2, modification of the experimental post; group 3, Flexi Post, and group 4, Para Post. For the analysis of fracture resistance, 40 bovine teeth were randomly assigned to the four groups (n=10) and used for the fabrication of test specimens simulating the situation in the mouth. The test specimens were subjected to compressive strength testing until fracture in an EMIC universal testing machine. After fracture of the test specimens, their roots were sectioned and analyzed by microscopy. For the finite element method, specimens of the fracture resistance test were simulated by computer modeling to determine the stress distribution pattern in the post systems studied. RESULTS: The fracture test presented the following averages and standard deviation: G1 (45.63±8.77), G2 (49.98±7.08), G3 (43.84±5.52), G4 (47.61±7.23). Stress was homogenously distributed along the body of the intraradicular post in group 1, whereas high stress concentrations in certain regions were observed in the other groups. These stress concentrations in the body of the post induced the same stress concentration in root dentin. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental post (original and modified versions) presented similar fracture resistance and better results in the stress analysis when compared with the commercial post systems tested (08/2008-PA/CEP).

This study evaluated the effect of antioxidant agents on microtensile bond strengths (mTBS) of composite to bleached enamel. Fifteen freshly extracted human third molars were selected and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 5): (NB) enamel not bleached, (B) bleached enamel, (BR7) bleached enamel and restored 7 days later, (BSA) bleached enamel+sodium ascorbate, (BMC) bleached enamel+malvidin chloride, (BPC) bleached enamel+pelargonidin chloride. The groups were bleached with 38% hydrogen peroxide (HP - Opalescence Xtra Boost) and restored with Single Bond+Filtek Z350. The specimens were thermocycled and submitted to a microtensile load at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. The data were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% of significance. The mean and standard-deviation for all groups were: NB: 30.95(±11.97)a; BSA: 30.34(±8.73)a, BPC: 22.81(6.00)b, BR7: 21.41(±6.12)b, B: 14.10(±4.45)c, BMC: 13.25(±6.02)c. Sodium ascorbate reversed the bond strengths to enamel immediately after bleaching.

Desde o aumento da popularidade de tratamentos clareadores, o interesse em se pesquisar os efeitos dos peróxidos nos tecidos dentais duros é crescente. Proposta: O objetivo deste trabalho foi conduzir uma análise qualitativa in vitro do esmalte dental humano após clareamento com agentes para consultório, por meio de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Material e métodos: Foram utilizados 20 terceiros molares humanos hígidos, extraídos por motivos ortodônticos, sendo aleatoriamente divididos em 4 grupos (n=5) e tratados da seguinte forma: G1-armazenamento em saliva artificial (grupo controle); G2- 4 aplicações de peróxido de carbamida a 35% por 30 min (tempo total de aplicação: 2h); G3- 4 aplicações de peróxido de carbamida a 35% por 2 h (tempo total de aplicação: 8h); G4- 2 aplicações de peróxido de hidrogênio a 35%, que foi foto-ativado com lâmpada halógena a 700mW/cm² por 7 min e mantido em contato com o dente durante 20 min (tempo total de aplicação: 40min). A avaliação dos grupos submetidos ao clareamento com peróxido de carbamida a 35% após 2 tempos de aplicação (30 minutos e 2 horas por sessão) para testar as situações extremas recomendadas pelo fabricante. As amostras foram recobertas com ouro para análise em MEV e foram examinadas utilizando 15kV e aumentos de 500x e 2000x. Resultados: Foram detectadas alterações morfológicas similares na superfície do esmalte após o clareamento com peróxido de carbamida a 35% e peróxido de hidrogênio a 35%. Porosidades e irregularidades caracterizando um processo erosivo foram observadas no esmalte humano. Áreas de depressão, incluindo a formação de crateras e exposição dos prismas de esmalte também foram observadas. Conclusão: Os efeitos do clareamento na morfologia do esmalte encontraram-se distribuídos aleatoriamente por toda a superfície do esmalte e danos em diferentes intensidades puderam ser evidenciados. Significância clínica: Agentes concentrados para clareamento em consultório podem comprometer a morfologia do esmalte e, portanto, devem ser utilizados com cautela.

Since bleaching has become a popular procedure, the effect of peroxides on dental hard tissues is of great interest in research. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to perform a qualitative analysis of the human enamel after the application of in-office bleaching agents, using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: Twenty intact human third molars extracted for orthodontic reasons were randomly divided into four groups (n=5) treated as follows: G1- storage in artificial saliva (control group); G2- four 30-minute applications of 35% carbamide peroxide (total exposure: 2h); G3- four 2-hour exposures to 35% carbamide peroxide (total exposure: 8h); G4- two applications of 35% hydrogen peroxide, which was light-activated with halogen lamp at 700mW/cm² during 7min and remained in contact with enamel for 20min (total exposure: 40min). All bleaching treatments adopted in this study followed the application protocols advised by manufacturers. Evaluation of groups submitted to 35% carbamide peroxide was carried out after two time intervals (30 minutes and 2 hours per session), following the extreme situations recommended by the manufacturer. Specimens were prepared for SEM analysis performing gold sputter coating under vacuum and were examined using 15kV at 500x and 2000x magnification. Results: Morphological alterations on the enamel surface were similarly detected after bleaching with either 35% carbamide peroxide or 35% hydrogen peroxide. Surface porosities were characteristic of an erosive process that took place on human enamel. Depression areas, including the formation of craters, and exposure of enamel rods could also be detected. Conclusion: Bleaching effects on enamel morphology were randomly distributed throughout enamel surface and various degrees of enamel damage could be noticed. Clinical significance: In-office bleaching materials may adversely affect enamel morphology and therefore should be used with caution.

Embora as cerâmicas possuam alta resistência à compressão, apresentam friabilidade devido à sua baixa resistência à tração e, desta forma, possuem menor capacidade de absorver impactos. Este trabalho avaliou a tenacidade à fratura de diferentes sistemas cerâmicos, que refere-se à medida da habilidade de absorção da energia de deformação de um material friável. Foram confeccionados 30 corpos-de-prova em forma de discos (5mmx3mm) utilizando-se três diferentes materiais cerâmicos, os quais foram divididos em 3 grupos: G1-10 amostras confeccionadas com a cerâmica Vitadur Alpha (Vita-Zahnfabrik); G2-10 amostras confeccionadas com a cerâmica IPS Empress 2 (Ivoclar-Vivadent) e G3-10 amostras confeccionadas com a cerâmica In-Ceram Alumina (Vita-Zahnfabrik). Para a obtenção dos valores de tenacidade foi utilizada a técnica da indentação que se baseia na série de fissuras que se formam sob uma carga pesada. Foram realizadas 4 impressões por amostra, utilizado um microdurômetro (Digital Microhardness Tester FM) com uma carga de 500gf, durante 10 segundos. A análise estatística dos dados (Testes ANOVA de Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn), indica que a cerâmica In-Ceram Alumina apresentou valor mediano (2,96N/m3/2), estatisticamente diferente do apresentado pela IPS Empress 2 (1,05N/m3/2), enquanto que a cerâmica Vitadur Alpha apresentou valores intermediários (2,08N/m3/2), sem diferenças estatísticas dos outros dois materiais. Conclui-se que as cerâmicas apresentam diferentes desempenhos de tenacidade à fratura, sendo a In-Ceram capaz de absorver maior energia comparada a Vitadur Alpha e ao IPS Empress2.

Although ceramics present high compressive strength, they are brittle materials due to their low tensile strength so they have lower capacity to absorb shocks. This study evaluated the fracture toughness of different ceramic systems, which refers to the ability of a friable material to absorb defformation energy. Three ceramic systems were investigated. Ten cylindrical samples (5,0mm x 3,0mm), were obtained from each ceramic material as follows: G1- 10 samples of Vitadur Alpha (Vita-Zahnfabrik); G2- 10 samples of IPS Empress2 (Ivoclar-Vivadent); G3- 10 samples of In-Ceram Alumina (Vita-Zahnfabrik). Fracture toughness values were collected upon indentation tests that were performed under a heavy load. A microhardness tester (Digital Microhardness Tester FM) utilized a 500gf load cell during 10seconds to perform four impressions on each sample. Statistically significant results were observed (ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests). In-Ceram Alumina presented the highest median toughness values (2,96N/m3/2), followed by Vitadur Alpha (2,08N/m3/2) and IPS Empress2 (1,05N/m3/2). It may be concluded that different ceramic systems present distinct fracture toughness values, thus In-Ceram is capable of absorbing superior stress when compared to Vitadur Alpha and IPS Empress2.