The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of different materials used in the confection of dies. Two stainless steel standard models were confected. One of the models, which was 2 mm larger than the other model, was used to provide a uniform relief for the two-step putty-wash impression technique. Thirty impressions were obtained using a polyvinyl siloxane impression material and randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) according to the type of casting material: type IV dental stone, commercially available epoxy resin (Tri-Epoxy), and industrial epoxy resin (Sikadur). After the setting/polymerization of the casting material, the dimensional stability was measured in terms of the height, diameter of the base and diameter of the top from the obtained dies and from the standard metal model using a profile projector. Results were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnet test (α = 0.05). In the height values, no significant difference was observed between the groups, except for Sikadur casts, which showed lower mean values. The Tri-Epoxi group showed statistically lower mean base diameter values, compared with the other groups, and both epoxy resin groups showed statistically lower mean top diameter values, compared with that for the type IV dental stone group. We concluded that type IV gypsum and the commercially available epoxy resin showed similar behavior in most areas. The industrial epoxy resin did not show the same characteristics, although the diameter of the base obtained with it was similar to that obtained with type IV dental stone.

During clinical practice, when performing prosthetic rehabilitation with single crowns, improper reproduction of the dental contour by the dental laboratory is a common occurrence. Therefore, the present study evaluated the fidelity of the reproduction of the buccal contour in an upper left canine performed by three Dental Prosthesis Technicians (DPT) using the indirect laminate veneer technique. First, the DPTs confected the veneers based on a model obtained from the upper arch of a dental dummy, containing a replica of an upper left canine with a prosthetic preparation for a laminate veneer. Then, the same DPTs received other identical models, now with the replica of the upper left canine with no preparation, to be used as an anatomical reference for confecting the laminate veneers. The laminate veneers were then bonded to the plaster models and had their buccal contour individually measured. Measurements were also made of the buccal contour of the reference canine. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the t-test (p = 0.05). Results showed 100% of buccal overcontour when the laminate veneers were compared to the reference canine, regardless of which DPT confected the veneer and regardless of using or not the anatomical reference. The DPTs who participated in the present study were unable to acomplish a faithful anatomical reproduction of the buccal contour, creating an overcontour in all samples. This situation may be responsible for increasing the probability of periodontal and esthetic harm in clinical practice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different curing methods on the stress generated by the polymerization shrinkage of a restorative composite in two moments: immediately after light exposure and after 5 min. Photoactivation was performed using two different light sources: (1) xenon plasma arc (PAC) light (1,500 mW/cm2 - 3s) and (2) a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) light with three light-curing regimens: continuous exposure (40 s at 800 mW/cm2 - CL); soft-start (10 s at 150 mW/cm2 and 30 s at 800 mW/cm2 - SS) and intermittent light [cycles of 4 s (2 s with light on at 600 mW/cm2 and 2 s of light off), for 80s - IL]. The composite resin was applied between two 5-mm diameter metallic rods, mounted in a servohydraulic machine. The maximum stress was recorded immediately after light exposure (FF) and after 5 min (5F). The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). For each method, the results obtained in FF and 5F were, respectively: CL (3.58 and 4.46 MPa); SS (2.99 and 4.36 MPa); IL (3.11 and 4.32 MPa) and PAC (0.72 and 3.27 MPa). The stress generated by the polymerization shrinkage during light exposure can be associated with the photoactivation method used. A significant increase in the stress level was observed during the post-curing period up to 5 min, for all evaluated methods.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a rugosidade superficial antes e após ensaio de escovação de dois compósitos a base de Ormocer e compará-los a compósitos a base de sistemas monoméricos tradicionais. O estudo comparou as marcas Admira e Definite com os compósitos baseados em sistemas de monoméricos tradicionais (Bis-GMA, Bis-EMA, UEDMA e TEGDMA): Z250 e A110. Oito amostras de cada material com 4 mm em diâmetro por 2 mm em altura foram confeccionadas em uma matriz metálica rosqueável. Depois de 24 horas, as amostras foram submetidas a polimento e análise da rugosidade superficial inicial (Ra, µm) através de um profilômetro antes do ensaio de escovação mecânica (30.000 ciclos). Após o ensaio de escovação as amostras foram levadas mais uma vez ao profilômetro para mensuração da rugosidade superficial final. Os resultados foram submetidos a ANOVA e ao teste de Tukey (5%). O compósito Admira apresentou a maior rugosidade superficial antes do ensaio de escovação mecânica (0,132 µm), média estatisticamente superior ao compósito A110 (0,082 µm). Os compósitos Definite (0,110 µm) e Z250 (0,105 µm) não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre si nem aos demais compósitos avaliados. Nenhuma diferença estatística foi observada após o ensaio de escovação entre os compósitos Definite (0,178 µm), Z250 (0,187 µm), Admira (0,181 µm), e A110 (0,193 µm). Todos os compósitos apresentaram aumento estatisticamente significante da rugosidade superficial após o ensaio de escovação mecânica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of two Ormocer-based resin composites before and after mechanical toothbrushing. The study compared the brands Admira and Definite with composites based on conventional monomer systems (Bis-GMA, Bis-EMA, UEDMA e TEGDMA), Z250 and A110. Eight samples of each material with 4mm in diameter and 2mm in height were prepared using a metallic mold. After 24 hours they were polished and examined with a profilometer for measurement of the initial surface roughness (Ra, mm) before mechanical toothbrushing (30,000 cycles). After toothbrushing, the samples were taken to the profilometer once again to check the final surface roughness. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (5%). The Admira composite presented a higher mean of surface roughness before toothbrushing (0.132mm), with a statistical difference from the composite A110 (0.082mm). Definite (0.110mm) and Z250 (0.105mm) composites showed no differences between themselves or among the other composites. No statistical differences were observed after toothbrushing between the composites Definite (0.178mm), Z250 (0.187mm), Admira (0.181mm), and A110 (0.193mm). All composites showed a statistically significant increase in the surface roughness after toothbrushing.