Microleakage of thin-walled monolithic zirconia and polymer-containing CAD-CAM crowns

Application of near-infrared-to-blue upconversion luminescence for the polymerization of resin cements through zirconia discs

OBJECTIVES

To investigate a near-infrared-to-blue luminescence upconversion curing method for polymerizing resin cements under zirconia discs.

METHODS

Lava zirconia discs of different thicknesses (0.5-2.0 mm) were manufactured. First, the transmittances of the NIR and two blue lights (BLs) (LED and halogen lights) through these discs were measured. Second, NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ upconversion phosphor (UP) powder was milled into 0.5-μm particle sizes. A light-curable resin cement VariolinkII base was chosen as the control (UP0), and an experimental cement (UP5) was prepared by adding 5 % UPs. These two cements were examined using multiphoton excitation microscopy for particle distribution. UP5 and UP0 were polymerized with or without zirconia shielding then subjected to a microhardness test. A multifold analysis was performed to examine the effects of zirconia thickness, curing protocols (pure BL or combined BL and NIR curing), and cement type.

RESULTS

The transmittance of NIR was superior to that of BL through zirconia discs of all thicknesses. UP particles were homogeneously distributed in UP5 and emitted blue luminescence under 980-nm NIR excitation. UP5 showed higher microhardness values than UP0 under any curing protocol or zirconia shielding condition. The combination of 20-s BL and 40-s NIR curing yielded the highest microhardness in uncovered UP5. However, combining 40-s BL and 20-s NIR curing surpassed the other groups when the zirconia discs were thicker than 0.5 mm.

SIGNIFICANCE

NIR exhibits higher transmission through zirconia than BL. UP particles work as strengthen fillers and photosensitizers in cements. NIR upconversion curing could be a new strategy for polymerizing resin cements under thick zirconia restorations.

Mechanical and microbiological properties of orthodontic resin modified with nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (βAgVO3)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of incorporating the antimicrobial nanomaterial β-AgVO3 into orthodontic resin, focusing on degree of conversion, surface characteristics, microhardness, adhesion properties, and antimicrobial activity.

METHODS

The 3 M Transbond XT resin underwent modification, resulting in three groups (Control, 2.5% addition, 5% addition) with 20 specimens each. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy assessed monomer conversion. Laser confocal microscopy examined surface roughness, and microhardness was evaluated using Knoop protocols. Shear strength was measured before and after artificial aging on 36 premolar teeth. Microbiological analysis against S. mutans and S. sanguinis was conducted using the agar diffusion method.

RESULTS

Degree of conversion remained unaffected by time (P = 0.797), concentration (P = 0.438), or their interaction (P = 0.187). The 5% group exhibited the lowest surface roughness, differing significantly from the control group (P = 0.045). Microhardness showed no significant differences between concentrations (P = 0.740). Shear strength was highest in the control group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the samples with or without thermocycling (P = 0.759). Microbial analysis revealed concentration-dependent variations, with the 5% group exhibiting the largest inhibition halo (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating β-AgVO3 at 2.5% and 5% concentrations led to significant differences in surface roughness, adhesion, and antimicrobial activity. Overall, resin modification positively impacted degree of conversion, surface characteristics, microhardness, and antimicrobial activity. Further research is warranted to determine clinically optimal concentrations that maximize antimicrobial benefits while minimizing adverse effects on adhesion properties.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Incorporating β-AgVO3 into orthodontic resin could improve patient quality of life by prolonging intervention durability and reducing the impact of cariogenic microorganisms. The study's findings also hold promise for the industry, paving the way for the development of new materials with antimicrobial properties for potential applications in the health sector.

Simulated Hydrostatic Pulpal Pressure Effect on Microleakage-An Initial Study

PURPOSE

This study's purpose was to evaluate the effect of simulated in vitro hydrostatic pulpal pressure (HPP) on microleakage.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Extracted third molars (n=12) were sectioned 5 mm below the cementoenamel junction, pulp tissue removed, and the sectioned crowns mounted on a Plexiglas plate penetrated by an 18-gauge stainless steel tube. The mounted specimen mesial surface received a 2×4×6 mm Class V preparation followed by restoration with a strongly acidic, one-step dental adhesive and a flowable microfilled resin, following all manufacturers' instructions. Restorations were finished to contour, and tubing was attached to a 20-cm elevated, 0.2% rhodamine G reservoir to the specimen steel tube for 48 hours. Specimens then received a nail polish coating to within 1 mm of the restoration margins and were placed in 2% methylene blue (MB) dye for 24 hours, followed by rinsing, embedding in epoxy resin, and sectioning into 1 mm slices using a diamond saw. Controls were intact molars (n=12) processed as above but without HPP. Specimen slices were evaluated using laser confocal microscopy with images exported to ImageJ software with microleakage assessed as the MB linear penetration as a percentage of the total interfacial wall length. Mean values were evaluated with the Kruskal Wallis/Dunn test at a 95% confidence level.

RESULTS

The control specimens demonstrated significantly greater (p<0.0001) MB penetration than experimental specimens with simulated HPP. Under this study's conditions, simulated HPP significantly decreased MB dye penetration.

CONCLUSION

Studies accomplished without simulated HPP may overestimate microleakage results.

Accuracy of Digital Impression Taking with Intraoral Scanners and Fabrication of CAD/CAM Posts and Cores in a Fully Digital Workflow

Current intraoral scanners (IOS) enable direct impression taking for computer-aided de-sign/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) posts and cores (P+C) with subsequent milling out of monolithic materials. The aim of this in vitro study was to systematically investigate the accuracy of CAD/CAM-P+C in a fully digital workflow, considering different IOS impression methods (Primescan (PRI), Trios4 without (TRI) and with scanpost (TRI+SP)) (Part A), and CAD/CAM milling of zirconium dioxid (ZIR) and resin composite (COM)-P+C (Part B). Five human models were developed in this study. Micro-CT imaging was used as a reference (REF). For Part A, the models were scanned 12 times for each impression method. Then, IOS datasets (n = 180) were superimposed with REF, and scan accuracy was determined using 3D software (GOMInspect). For Part B, one CAD/CAM-P+C (n = 30) was milled for each model, impression method, and material. The triple-scan method was applied using an industrial scanner (ATOS) to determine the accuracy of the fit. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Part A showed for PRI significantly lower accuracy than TRI and TRI+SP (p < 0.05). The data of Part B revealed significantly higher accuracy for ZIR than for COM (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, CAD/CAM-P+C of the ZIR can be recommended for fabrication in a fully digital workflow regarding the accuracy of fit.