Investigation of the fatigue behavior of adhesive bonding of the lithium disilicate glass ceramic with three resin cements using rotating fatigue method

Post-failure analysis of model resin-composite restorations subjected to different chemomechanical challenges

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of different combinations of chemical and mechanical challenges on the failure load, failure mode and composition of the resulting fracture surfaces of resin-composite restorations.

METHODS

Three resin composites were used to fill dentin disks (2 mm inner diameter, 5 mm outer diameter, and 2 mm thick) made from bovine incisor roots. The model restorations, half of which were preconditioned with a low-pH buffer (48 h under pH 4.5), were subjected to diametral compression with either a monotonically increasing load (fast fracture) or a cyclic load with a continuously increasing amplitude (accelerated fatigue). The load or number of cycles to failure was noted. SEM was performed on the fracture surfaces to determine the proportions of dentin, adhesive, and resin composite.

RESULTS

Both cyclic fatigue and acid preconditioning significantly reduced the failure load and increased the proportion of interfacial failure in almost all the cases, with cyclic fatigue having a more pronounced effect. Cyclic fatigue also increased the amount of adhesive/hybrid layer present on the fracture surfaces, but the effect of acid preconditioning on the composition of the fracture surfaces varied among the resin composites.

SIGNIFICANCE

The adhesive or hybrid layer was found to be the least resistant against the chemomechanical challenges among the components forming the model restoration. Increasing such resistance of the tooth-restoration interface, or its ability to combat the bacterial actions that lead to secondary caries following interfacial debonding, can enhance the longevity of resin-composite restorations.

Accelerated Fatigue Model for Predicting Composite Restoration Failure

An empirical method is proposed to predict the clinical performance of resin composite dental restorations by using laboratory data derived from simple specimens subjected to chemical degradation and accelerated cyclic fatigue. Three resin composites were used to fill dentin disks (2-mm inner diameter, 5-mm outer diameter, and 2 mm thick) made from bovine incisor roots. The specimens (n = 30 per group) were aged with different durations of a low-pH challenge (0, 24, and 48 h under pH 4.5) before being subjected to diametral compression with either a monotonically increasing load (fast fracture) or a cyclic load with a continuously increasing amplitude (accelerated fatigue). The data from 1 material were used to establish the relationship between laboratory time (number of cycles) and clinical time to failure (years) via the respective survival probability curves. The temporal relationship was then used to predict the clinical rates of failure for restorations made of the other 2 materials, and the predictions were compared with the clinical data to assess their accuracy. Although there were significant differences in the fast fracture strength among the groups of materials or durations of chemical challenge, fatigue testing was much better at separating the groups. Linear relationships were found between the laboratory and clinical times to failure for the first material (R2 = 0.90, 0.90, and 0.62 for the 0-, 24-, and 48-h low-pH groups, respectively). The clinical life of restorations made of the other 2 materials was best predicted with data from the 48-h low-pH groups. In conclusion, an accelerated fatigue model was successfully calibrated and applied to predict the clinical failure of resin composite restorations, and the predictions based on data obtained from chemically aged specimens provided the best agreement with clinical data.

Effect of Different Adhesive Strategies and Time on Microtensile Bond Strength of a CAD/CAM Composite to Dentin

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adhesive strategy and time on the microtensile bond strength of a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) composite to dentin.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty CAD/CAM composite blocks were bonded to human dentin with simplified bonding agents using etch-and-rinse and self-etching approaches and amine-based and amine-free resin cements, with and without the application of a dual-cure activator (DCA; n=10): SBP-ARC (Adper Single Bond Plus + RelyX ARC), SBP-RXU (Adper Single Bond Plus + RelyX Ultimate), SBP-DCA-RXU (Adper Single Bond Plus + DCA + RelyX Ultimate), SBU-ARC (Scotchbond Universal + RelyX ARC), SBU-RXU (Scotchbond Universal + RelyX Ultimate), and SBU-DCA-ARC (Scotchbond Universal + DCA + RelyX ARC). Each specimen was light cured for 40 seconds under load and stored in distilled water at 37°C for seven days. Stick-shaped specimens (1.0 mm²) were obtained. Half of the specimens underwent microtensile bond strength testing, and the other half were subjected to the same tests after six months of storage. Failure mode was determined using an optical microscope (40×). The data were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance followed by the Games-Howell test and Student t-test (preset alpha of 0.05).

RESULTS

After seven days, SBU-RXU presented the highest mean bond strength, statistically different from only SBU-ARC (p<0.05). Most of the groups exhibited a statistically significant reduction in bond strength after 6 months (p<0.05), except SBP-RXU and SBU-ARC (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The adhesive strategy, with different associations between adhesive systems and resin cements, as well as the use of a DCA, affected the bond strength of both amine-free and amine-based resin cements to a CAD/CAM composite.

Influence of different surface treatments on bond strength of novel CAD/CAM restorative materials to resin cement

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of different surface treatments on the bond strength of novel CAD/CAM restorative materials to resin cement by four point bending test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CAD/CAM materials under investigation were e.max CAD, Mark II, Lava Ultimate, and Enamic. A total of 400 bar specimens (4×1.2×12 mm) (n=10) milled from the CAD/CAM blocks underwent various pretreatments (no pretreatment (C), hydrofluoric acid (A), hydrofluoric acid + universal adhesive (Scotchbond) (AS), sandblasting (Sb), and sandblasting + universal adhesive (SbS)). The bars were luted end-to-end on the prepared surfaces with a dual curing adhesive resin cement (Variolink N, Ivoclar Vivadent) on the custom-made stainless steel mold. Ten test specimens for each treatment and material combination were performed with four point bending test method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test.

RESULTS

The surface treatment and type of CAD/CAM restorative material showed a significant effect on the four point bending strength (FPBS) (P<.001). For LDC, AS surface treatment showed the highest FPBS results (100.31 ± 10.7 MPa) and the lowest values were obtained in RNC (23.63 ± 9.0 MPa) for control group. SEM analyses showed that the surface topography of CAD/CAM restorative materials was modified after treatments.

CONCLUSION

The surface treatment of sandblasting or HF acid etching in combination with a universal adhesive containing MDP can be suggested for the adhesive cementation of the novel CAD/CAM restorative materials.

"Digitally Oriented Materials": Focus on Lithium Disilicate Ceramics

The present paper was aimed at reporting the state of the art about lithium disilicate ceramics. The physical, mechanical, and optical properties of this material were reviewed as well as the manufacturing processes, the results of in vitro and in vivo investigations related to survival and success rates over time, and hints for the clinical indications in the light of the latest literature data. Due to excellent optical properties, high mechanical resistance, restorative versatility, and different manufacturing techniques, lithium disilicate can be considered to date one of the most promising dental materials in Digital Dentistry.