Construction of a silicate-based epitaxial transition film on a zirconia ceramic surface to improve the bonding quality of zirconia restorations

Zirconia bond strength durability following artificial aging: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies

The present study systematically reviewed the literature regarding the bond strength durability of zirconia ceramics to resin-based luting cements after application of different bonding protocols and aging conditions. Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were performed for relevant literature published between January 1st 2015 and November 15th 2022. Ninety-three (93) English language in-vitro studies were included. The percentage of the mean bond strength change was recorded prior to and after artificial aging, and the weighted mean values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Bonding protocols were classified based on the combination of MDP/non-MDP containing cement/primer and surface pretreatment, as well as the level of artificial aging performed. Alumina sandblasting (SA) was identified as the most frequently used surface pre-treatment while an insufficient number of studies was identified for each category of alternative surface treatments. The combination of MDP cement with tribochemical silica coating (TSC) or SA yielded more durable results after aging, while the application of SA and TSC improved bond durability when a non-MDP cement and a non-MDP primer were used. TSC may lead to increased bond durability compared to SA, whereas MDP cements may act similarly when combined with SA or TSC.

Mechanical properties, biosafety, and shearing bonding strength of glass fiber-reinforced PEEK composites used as post-core materials

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanical properties, biosafety, and shearing bonding strength of glass fibers-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK-GF) for post-core materials.

METHODS

PEEK-GF composites with different glass fiber contents were prepared by extrusion injection and named PEEK-GF30, PEEK-GF40, and PEEK-GF50. Mechanical properties including flexural modulus, flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and compression strength were tested. The cross-sectional morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity was studied in vitro with Cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. Cell growth on the composites' surfaces was analyzed with DAPI staining. The shearing bonding strength (SBS) of PEEK-GF50 was assessed after applying different pretreatments. Failure modes were evaluated by microscopy. SEM and contact-angle measurements were performed on the surfaces. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The mechanical properties of PEEK-GF composites improved with increased GF content. The PEEK-GF50 group exhibited flexural modulus (17.4 ± 0.5 GPa) close to that of dentin (18.6 GPa) and showed the highest flexural strength (350.0 ± 2.9 MPa), Vickers hardness (47.6 ± 4.5 HV), and compressive strength (264.0 ± 18.0 MPa). The SEM analysis demonstrated that the PEEK matrix combined well with glass fibers. The CCK-8 results confirmed the biosafety of all groups. DAPI staining indicated that cells were growing well on the composites' surface. The sample that was pretreated with sandblasting and plasma showed the highest SBS (16.0 ± 1.7 MPa).

SIGNIFICANCE

The PEEK-GF composites demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, biosafety, and SBS, and have great potential to serve as post-core materials.

A novel resin cement to improve bonding interface durability

Bonding failure is one of the main causes of failure of dental restorations. The bonding strength, aging resistance, and polymerization shrinkage of cement can affect the stability of the bonding interface and lead to marginal microleakage. To reduce the bonding failure rate of restorations, a novel polyurethane (PU) cement was designed to improve the mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage, bond strength and aging resistance of cement by introducing isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and adjusting the polyester : polyether ratio to increase the degree of cross-linking. Experimental results verified that the novel PU could increase the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the cement, reduce polymerization shrinkage during the curing reaction, improve the bonding performance and DC, endow the cement with hydrophobic properties, and improve its ability to resist aging in the salivary environment to maintain the long-term stability of interfacial bonding under the influence of comprehensive factors. The results of this study provide a new direction and insights to reduce microleakage and improve the success rate of restorations.

Bonding failure is one of the main causes of failure of dental restorations.

Construction and properties of the antibacterial epitaxial transition layer on a zirconia ceramic surface

Secondary caries is one of the main causes of dental zirconia restoration failure in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the antibacterial performance of zirconia ceramics to reduce the occurrence of secondary caries. In this study, a quaternary ammonium compound antibacterial polymer was innovatively synthesized by solution polymerization with a quaternary ammonium salt monomer as the antibacterial component. The antibacterial epitaxial transition layer was successfully prepared on the surface of zirconia ceramics by the hydroxyl group on HEMA reacting with the siloxane group in the KH570 hydrolysate, which makes the antibacterial polymer indirectly chemically combine with the silicate epitaxial transition layer. The antibacterial epitaxial transition layer exhibited excellent mechanical properties, satisfactory biocompatibility and significant antibacterial effects, and the maximum antibacterial rate is 99%. The antibacterial epitaxial transition layer plays an important role in preventing secondary caries and improving the success rate of clinical zirconia ceramic restorations.

Construction of an antibacterial epitaxial transition layer on a zirconia ceramic surface to improve the antibacterial properties.