Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preheating and post-curing methods on diametral tensile strength (DTS), flexural strength (FS), knoop microhardness (KHN), and degree of conversion (DC) of an experimental fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). Specimens (30 wt% of 3-mm-short E-glass fiber, 22.5 wt% of methacrylated-based resin and 47.5 wt% of filler particles) were subjected to: P – photocuring at 1500 mW/cm2 for 40 s (control); P/M – photocuring and microwave post-curing (540W/5 minutes); P/A – photocuring and autoclave post-curing (120°C/15 minutes); PH-P – preheating (60°C) and photocuring; PH-P/M – preheating, photocuring and microwave post-curing; and PH-P/A – preheating, photocuring and autoclave post-curing. Specimens for DTS (Ø 3 x 6 mm) and FS (25 x 2 x 2 mm) were tested at Instron 5965. KHN employed a 50g load for 30s. DC was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. Statistical analysis employed: factorial analysis, normality test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, independent T-test and the Dunnett test. Interaction between factors was not significant (P>0.05). Preheating promoted significantly higher values of FS and KHN (p = 0.0001). Post-curing promoted significantly higher values for KHN (p = 0.0001). For DTS (p = 0.066) and DC (p= 0.724) no statistical difference was found between groups. SEM images showed that preheating promoted better interaction between glass fibers and resin matrix. Preheating increased FS, KHN and DTS, and post-curing increased KHN. DC was not affected by both methods. Preheating and post-curing methods can be used to improve some mechanical properties of FRCs’ but degree of conversion remains unaffected.

Adequate polymerization plays an important role on the longevity of the composite resin restorations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light-curing units, curing mode techniques and storage media on sorption, solubility and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of a composite resin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty specimens were made of one composite resin (Esthet-X) in a stainless steel mold (2 mm x 8 mm Ø), and divided into 24 groups (n=10) established according to the 4 study factors: light-curing units: quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) lamp and light-emitting diodes (LED); energy densities: 16 J/cm² and 20 J/cm²; curing modes: conventional (CM) and pulse-delay (PD); and permeants: deionized water and 75% ethanol for 28 days. Sorption and solubility tests were performed according to ISO 4049:2000 specifications. All specimens were then tested for BFS according to ASTM F394-78 specification. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: In general, no significant differences were found regarding sorption, solubility or BFS means for the light-curing units and curing modes (p>0.05). Only LED unit using 16 J/cm² and PD using 10 s produced higher sorption and solubility values than QTH. Otherwise, using CM (16 J/cm²), LED produced lower values of BFS than QTH (p<0.05). 75% ethanol permeant produced higher values of sorption and solubility and lower values of BFS than water (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ethanol storage media produced more damage on composite resin than water. In general the LED and QTH curing units using 16 and 20 J/cm² by CM and PD curing modes produced no influence on the sorption, solubility or BFS of the tested resin.

Clinicians tend to make reductions in glass ionomer power/liquid (P/L) ratios since some materials are difficult to mix and flow into small cavities, grooves or pits. In general, changing the P/L ratio decreases the physical and mechanical properties of conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs) and resin modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs), but alterations seem to depend on their composition. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of P/L ratio on the radiodensity and diametral tensile strength (DTS) of glass ionomer cements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 2 factors under study: P/L ratio (manufacturer's recommended P/L ratio and a 50% reduced P/L ratio), and materials (Vitro Molar, Vitro Fil, Vitro Cem conventional GICs and Vitro Fil LC, Ortho Glass LC RMGICs. Five 1-mm-thick samples of each material-P/L ratio were produced for radiodensity evaluation. Samples were x-ray exposed onto Digora phosphor plate and radiodensity was obtained using the software Digora for Windows 2.5 Rev 0. For DTS, five (4.0x8.0 mm) cylinder samples of each material were tested (0.5 mm/min). Data were subjected to one- and two-way ANOVA (5x2) followed by Tukey's HSD test, or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's method. For paired comparisons, t-test or Mann-Whitney test were used (α=0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant interaction (P=0.001) for the studied factors (materials vs. P/L ratio). Reduced P/L ratio resulted in significantly lower DTS for the RMGICs, but radiodensity was affected for all materials (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced P/L ratio affected properties of the tested glass ionomer cements. RMGICs were more susceptible to lower values of DTS, but radiodensity decreased for all materials following P/L ratio reduction.

In the most recent decades, several developments have been made on impression materials' composition, but there are very few radiodensity studies in the literature. It is expected that an acceptable degree of radiodensity would enable the detection of small fragments left inside gingival sulcus or root canals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the radiodensity of different impression materials, and to compare them to human and bovine enamel and dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five impression materials, from 5 classes, were studied: addition and condensation silicones, polyether, polysulfides and alginates. Five 1-mm-thick samples of each material and tooth structure were produced. Each sample was evaluated 3 times (N=15), being exposed to x-ray over a phosphor plate of Digora digital system, and radiodensity was obtained by the software Digora for Windows 2.5 Rev 0. An aluminum stepwedge served as a control. Data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's method (α=0.05). RESULTS: Different materials and respective classes had a different behavior with respect to radiodensity. Polysulfides showed high values of radiodensity, comparable to human enamel (p>0.05), but not to bovine enamel (p<0.05). Human dentin was similar only to a heavy-body addition silicon material, but bovine dentin was similar to several materials. Generally, heavy-body materials showed higher radiodensity than light-body ones (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Impression materials' radiodensity are influenced by composition, and almost all of them would present a difficult detection against enamel or dentin background in radiographic examinations.

The aim of this study was to determine the inorganic filler fractions and sizes of commercially alginates. The inorganic particles volumetric fractions of five alginates - Jeltrate(J), Jeltrate Plus(JP), Jeltrate Chromatic Ortho(JC), Hydrogum(H) and Ezact Krom(E) were accessed by weighing a previously determined mass of each material in water before and after burning samples at 450 °C for 3 hours. Unsettled materials were soaked in acetone and chloroform and sputter-coated with gold for SEM evaluation of fillers' morphology and size. The results for the volumetric inorganic particle content were (%): J - 48.33, JP - 48.33, JC - 33.79, H - 37.55 and E - 40.55. The fillers presented a circular appearance with helical form and various perforations. Hydrogum fillers looked like cylindrical, perforated sticks. The mean values for fillers size were (μm): J - 12.91, JP - 13.67, JC - 13.44, E - 14.59 and H - 9 (diameter), 8.81 (length). The results of this study revealed differences in filler characteristics that could lead to different results when testing mechanical properties.

O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar quantitativamente e qualitativamente a fração de partículas inorgânicas de elastômeros dentais disponíveis comercialmente. A fração volumétrica de dois silicones por adição (Reprosil Denso/Fluído e Flexitime Denso/Fluído), três silicones por condensação (Clonage Denso/Fluído, Optosil/Xantopren, e Silon 2 APS Denso/Fluído), um poliéter (Impregum Soft Light) e um polissulfeto (Permlastic Light Body) foi determinada pela pesagem prévia de uma determinada massa de cada material em água antes e após a queima das amostras a 600ºC, por 3 h. Amostras de material não polimerizado foram imersas em acetona e clorofórmio para a remoção da parte orgânica. As partículas de carga remanescentes foram cobertas com uma camada de ouro para avaliação da sua morfologia e tamanho, em microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O material Flexitime Denso foi o material com maior fração volumétrica de partículas de carga, enquanto que o Impregum teve menor fração volumétrica. Silon 2 APS Fluído apresentou partículas de carga de menor tamanho, enquanto que o Clonage Denso apresentou as maiores partículas. A observação em MEV. mostrou partículas de carga com vários tipos de morfologia (esféricas, irregulares, semi-esféricas, retangulares e mistura de retangulares/irregulares). Os resultados desse estudo mostraram diferenças nas partículas de carga dos materiais, as quais podem levar a diferentes resultados em suas propriedades mecânicas.

The aim of this study was to determine quantitatively and qualitatively the inorganic particle fraction of commercially available dental elastomers. The inorganic volumetric fraction of two addition silicones (Reprosil Putty/Fluid and Flexitime Easy Putty/Fluid), three condensation silicones (Clonage Putty/Fluid, Optosil Confort/Xantopren VL and Silon APS Putty/Fluid), one polyether (Impregum Soft Light Body) and one polysulfide (Permlastic Light Body) was accessed by weighing a previously determined mass of each material in water before and after burning samples at 600ºC, during 3 h. Unsettled material samples were soaked in acetone and chloroform for removal of tthe organic portion. The remaining filler particles were sputter-coated with gold evaluation of their morphology and size, under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flexitime Easy Putty was the material with the highest results for volumetric particle fraction, while Impregum Soft had the lowest values. Silon 2 APS Fluid presented the lowest mean filler size values, while Clonage Putty had the highest values. SEM micrographs of the inorganic particles showed several morphologies - lathe-cut, spherical, spherical-like, sticks, and sticks mixed to lathe-cut powder. The results of this study revealed differences in particle characteristics among the elastometic materials that could lead to different results when testing mechanical properties.

Several in vitro studies employ the confection of cavity preparations that are difficult to standardize by means of manual high speed handpieces. This study presents the development of a cavity preparation machine designed to standardize in vitro cavity preparations. A metal base of 25 mm x 25 mm x 4 mm (length x width x height) was coupled to a small mobile table which was designed to be able to move by means of two precision micrometers (0.01-mm accuracy) in the horizontal directions (right-left, and back-front). A high speed handpiece was coupled to a metallic connecting rod which had an accurate dial indicator enabling control of the vertical movement. The high speed handpiece is also able to move 180° around its longitudinal axis and 360° around its transversal axis. The suggested cavity preparation machine precisely helps in the standardization of cavity preparations for in vitro studies.

Bruxism is a pathological activity of the stomatognathic system that involves tooth grinding and clenching during parafunctional jaw movements. Clinical signs of bruxism are mostly related to dental wear and muscular and joint discomforts, but a large number of etiological factors can be listed, as local, systemic, psychological and hereditary factors. The association between bruxism, feeding and smoking habits and digestive disorders may lead to serious consequences to dental and related structures, involving dental alterations (wear, fractures and cracks), periodontal signs (gingival recession and tooth mobility) and muscle-joint sensivity, demanding a multidisciplinary treatment plan. This paper presents a case report in which bruxism associated with acid feeding, smoking habit and episodes of gastric reflow caused severe tooth wear and great muscular discomfort with daily headache episodes. From the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary treatment plan was established. The initial treatment approach consisted of medical follow up with counseling on diet and smoking habits and management of the gastric disorders. This was followed by the installation of an interocclusal acrylic device in centric relation of occlusion (CRO) for reestablishment of the occlusal stability, vertical dimension of occlusion, anterior guides and return to normal muscle activity (90-day use approximately). After remission of initial symptoms, oral rehabilitation was implemented in CRO by means of full resin composite restorations and new interocclusal device for protection of restorations. Satisfactory esthetics, improved function and occlusal stability were obtained after oral rehabilitation. The patient has attended annual follow-ups for the past 2 years. The multidisciplinary treatment seems to be the key for a successful rehabilitation of severe cases of dental wear involving the association of different health disorders.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a microinfiltração em restaurações diretas e indiretas em resina composta por meio de estereomicroscopia e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Trinta incisivos bovinos foram lixados de forma a produzir uma plataforma incisal, simulando a face oclusal de um molar humano. Cada dente recebeu dois preparos proximais com 8º e término cervical em esmalte ou dentina. Uma cavidade foi restaurada pela técnica direta com Filtek Z250/Single Bond, e a outra pela técnica indireta com Solidex/RelyX ARC/Single Bond. As amostras foram armazenadas em água a 37°C por 24 horas e então imersas em solução de 50% de nitrato de prata por 6 horas em recipiente escuro. As amostras foram lavadas em água corrente, imersas em solução reveladora e expostas à luz fluorescente por 12 horas. Os dentes foram seccionados para avaliação da penetração do marcador em lupa estereoscópica e MEV. Não houve diferença entre as técnicas direta e indireta para o término em esmalte, porém, para o término em dentina, a técnica indireta resultou em menor infiltração. MEV mostrou infiltração similar à da lupa estereoscópica. A análise por meio de lupa estereoscópica e MEV melhora a avaliação da microinfiltração.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of direct and indirect composite inlays by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty bovine incisors were ground to obtain an incisal platform, simulating the occlusal surface of a human molar. Each tooth received two 8° proximal cavities with cervical finishing line prepared in dentine or enamel. One of the cavities was filled with Filtek Z250/Single Bond, using the direct technique, and the other was filled with with Solidex/Rely X ARC/Single Bond, using the indirect technique. The samples were stored in water at 37°C for 24 hours and placed in a 50% silver nitrate solution for 6 hours in a dark container. Next, the samples were washed under running water, immersed in a developing solution and exposed to fluorescent light for 12 hours. The teeth were then severed and evaluated for dye penetration by stereomicroscopy and SEM. There were no significant differences between the direct and indirect techniques for the cervical finishing line in enamel, but for the finishing line in dentin, the indirect technique allowed less microleakage than the direct technique. SEM analysis showed leakage similar to that observed by stereomicroscopic analysis. The use of stereomicroscopic and SEM evaluations improves microleakage analysis.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do material de inclusão e da simulação de ligamento periodontal na resistência à fratura de dentes bovinos. Oitenta incisivos bovinos foram divididos em 8 grupos (n = 10) e, então, incluídos em cilindros com dois materiais, resina acrílica ou resina de poliestireno, usando-se quatro tipos de simulação do ligamento periodontal: 1 - ausência do ligamento; 2 - material de moldagem à base de poliéter; 3 - material de moldagem à base de polissulfeto; e 4 - material elastomérico à base de poliuretano. As amostras foram armazenadas em 100% de umidade a 37°C por 24 horas e então submetidas a carregamento tangencial na superfície palatina com velocidade de 0,5 mm/minuto até a fratura. Os padrões de fratura foram analisados de acordo com: 1 - fraturas coronais; 2 - fratura da junção esmalte-cemento; 3 - fratura parcial da raiz; 4 - fratura radicular total. A análise estatística empregou análise de variância fatorial e teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Os resultados mostram que o método de inclusão e a simulação do ligamento periodontal tiveram efeito significativo na resistência à fratura. O ligamento periodontal artificial modificou os padrões de fratura.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the embedment material and periodontal ligament simulation on fracture resistance of bovine teeth. Eighty bovine incisor teeth were randomized into 8 groups (n = 10), embedded in acrylic or polystyrene resin using 4 types of periodontal ligament simulation: 1 - absence of the ligament; 2 - polyether impression material; 3 - polysulfide impression material; 4 - polyurethane elastomeric material. The specimens were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 24 hours. Specimens were submitted to tangential load on the palatal surface at 0.5 mm/minute crosshead speed until fracture. The fracture modes were analyzed as follows: 1 - coronal fracture; 2 - cemento-enamel junction fracture; 3 - partial root fracture; 4 - total root fracture. Statistical analyses by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were applied (p < 0.05). The results showed that root embedment method and periodontal ligament simulation have a significant effect on fracture resistance. Artificial periodontal ligament modified the fracture modes.