Este estudo avaliou a resistência à fratura de dentes restaurados com inlays e overlays de cerâmicas comparadas a dentes íntegros. Trinta pré-molares humanos íntegros foram divididos em 3 grupos: 1-Dentes sem preparo cavitário (controle), 2-Inlays e 3-Overlays. O preparo para as inlays apresentava uma cavidade de Classe II MOD tendo caixa oclusal com largura de metade da distância intercuspídica. O preparo para as overlays era semelhante ao das inlays; porém com cobertura das cúspides vestibular e palatina. Os grupos 2 e 3 foram restaurados com porcelanas feldspáticas fixadas com cimento resinoso. As amostras foram submetidas à compressão até a fratura. Os valores médios de fratura (KN) foram: grupo 1 = 1,17, grupo 2 = 1,17 e grupo 3 = 1,14. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis não revelou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os 3 grupos (p>0,05). Para as inlays e overlays, a predominância das fraturas envolveu fragmentos de uma das cúspides (70% de fraturas simples). Concluiu-se que os dentes restaurados com inlays e overlays apresentaram resistência da cúspide comparável aos dentes intactos.

This study evaluated the fracture strength of teeth restored with bonded ceramic inlays and overlays compared to sound teeth. Thirty sound human maxillary premolars were assigned to 3 groups: 1- sound/unprepared (control); 2- inlays and 3- overlays. The inlay cavity design was Class II MOD preparation with an occlusal width of 1/2 of the intercuspal distance. The overlay cavity design was similar to that of the inlay group, except for buccal and palatal cusp coverage The inlay and overlay groups were restored with feldspathic porcelain bonded with adhesive cement. The specimens were subjected to a compressive load until fracture. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level. The fracture strength means (KN) were: Sound/unprepared group = 1.17, Inlay group= 1.17, and Overlay group = 1.14. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) among the groups. For inlays and overlays, the predominant fracture mode involved fragments of one cusp (70% of simple fractures). The fracture strength of teeth restored with inlay and overlay ceramics with cusp coverage was similar to that of intact teeth.

Owing to improvements in its mechanical properties and to the availability of shade and translucence resources, resin composite has become one of the most widely used restorative materials in present day Dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the surface hardness of seven different commercial brands of resin composites (Charisma, Fill Magic, Master Fill, Natural Look, Opallis, Tetric Ceram, and Z250) and the different degrees of translucence (translucid, enamel and dentin). Vickers microhardness testing revealed significant differences among the groups. Z250 was the commercial brand that showed the best performance in the hardness test. When comparing the three groups assessed within the same brand, only Master Fill and Fill Magic presented statistically significant differences among all of the different translucencies. Natural Look was the only one that showed no significant difference among any of the three groups. Charisma, Opallis, Tetric Ceram and Z250 showed significant differences among some of the tested groups. Based on the results found in this study, it was not possible to establish a relation between translucence and the microhardness of the resin composites assessed. Depending on the material assessed, however, translucence variation did affect the microhardness values of the resin composites.

Os autores avaliaram cinco diferentes aparelhos fotopolimerizadores, com a intenção de analisar a irradiação por eles emitida. Utilizando-se de um método composto por espectrofotômetro, monocromador e uma óptica adequada, analisaram a transmitância dos filtros, as características da fonte de radiação de luz (lâmpada) e o desempenho das ponteiras. Concluíram que os aparelhos emitem energia na faixa de comprimento de onda adequada, de 350 nm a 530 nm, e que a concentração maior de energia ocorre na faixa de 430 nm a 470 nm.

The authors have studied five different visible light-curing devices to verify the irradiance they are able to emit. Using optical instruments like a spectrophotometer and a monochromator, the authors have analyzed the transmittance of the filters, the characteristics of the light radiation source (lamp) and the performance of the ends. They have concluded that the visible light-curing devices analyzed emitted energy in a proper wavelenght, that is, between 350 and 530 nm, with the highest concentration in the range of 430 to 470 nm.