Comparison of casting ability of castable ceramic and type III gold

Bonding of a mica-based castable ceramic material with a tri-n-butylborane-initiated adhesive resin

Adhesive bonding of a mica-based castable ceramic material (Olympus Castable Ceramics, OCC) was evaluated in vitro with the use of a silane primer in conjunction with an adhesive luting material. The primer contained a silane coupler and 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META), while the methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based luting agent was initiated with a tri-n-butylborane derivative (TBB) and contained 4-META (4-META/MMA-TBB resin). Ceramic specimens were sanded with No. 600 silicon carbide paper followed by blasting with alumina and/or etching with ammonium bifluoride. The specimens were bonded with various combinations and shear bond strengths were determined. Both priming and alumina blasting enhanced the bond between 4-META resin and OCC. Although etching with ammonium bifluoride roughened the ceramic surface, this procedure did not improve the bond strength. Electron probe microanalysis of the ceramic surface revealed a decrease in silicon and aluminium elements after etching with ammonium bifluoride.

Report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

The growth in the dental literature continues to escalate, as evidenced by the publication of at least 326 new books in 1988 and 1989 and more than 20 new journals in 1989. There still appears to be undue emphasis on quantity instead of quality of research. This proliferation in the literature poses ever increasing difficulties to this Committee in filtering out the articles that are of particular interest to the members of the Academy and identifying those that are most likely to have a major impact on dental practice and service. The subjects covered include periodontics, caries and preventive dentistry, craniomandibular disorders, occlusion, pulp biology, ceramics, and restorative dental materials.

Conservative posterior ceramic restorations: a literature review

Conservative ceramic restorations have much to offer to improve appearance and strengthen posterior teeth. The advent of resin bonding makes possible many designs for inlays, onlays, and partial coverage crowns. This review discusses conventional porcelain, Optec HSP porcelain, Dicor, and Cerapearl with emphasis on strengthening mechanisms, principles of preparations, accuracy of fit, and indications.