Heat induced changes to dental resin composites: a reference in forensic investigations?

Effects of high temperature on dental restorative materials for forensic purposes

This study aimed to observe the effects of high temperature on different restorative dental materials by detecting changes in their microstructural and elemental composition. Disk shaped samples (10 mm diameter, 2 mm depth) were prepared from 8 dental materials (compomer, glass carbomer, ormocer, giomer, zinc reinforced glass ionomer (GI), silver-alloy reinforced GI, zirconia reinforced GI, and conventional GI). Scanning electron microscopy/Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to characterize sample surface structures and elemental composition. The same samples were also analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the trace element content. Each sample was placed in a porcelain furnace and exposed to 900 °C for 30 min. Observations of macroscopic changes in samples after exposure high temperature were recorded. The microstructural changes in sample surfaces after incineration were detected by SEM. The elemental compositions obtained before and after the incineration were compared after repeating the XRF and EDS analyses. Dental materials demonstrated specific macroscopic changes and microstructural deteriorations detected by SEM images after exposure to high temperature. While several changes occurred in the elemental content of materials in terms of amount, the original elemental composition was preserved. The ability to distinguish dental materials by elemental analyses has had an important impact on the identification process.

Can the chlorhexidine gluconate solution potentiate the staining of polycrystalline ceramic brackets?

Aim: The present study aimed to assess, in vitro, the effect of chlorhexidine on the potentiation of polycrystalline ceramic bracket staining. Methods: Seventy-two polycrystalline ceramic brackets of upper right central incisors were divided into six groups (n=12) according to immersion solution. The groups were G1 - distilled water (control); G2 - chlorhexidine; G3 - coffee; G4 - red wine; G5 - chlorhexidine associated with coffee; and G6 - chlorhexidine associated with red wine. The samples were analyzed by means of a spectrophotometer according to the CIEL*a*b* system, and color change (ΔE*) was calculated. The readings were performed at the following times: T0 - After package removal and T1 - After staining. The data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis and t tests (p<0.05) at 5% significance level. Results: The total color variation (ΔE*) was greater in the group that received chlorhexidine associated with red wine (p<0.05) and lower in the groups that received distilled water. All other groups showed greater value variations when compared to G1 and G2. Group G6 showed a greater color change due to the potentiation of chlorhexidine with the dye substance. Conclusion: It is concluded that chlorhexidine potentiates the staining caused by red wine in polycrystalline ceramic brackets.

Color evaluation of a resin cement light polymerized by different light sources and submitted to potentially staining beverages

Abstract Introduction The color stability of resin cements, whether dual-pre-cured or photopolymerizable, as well as the color of the dental substrate, are fundamental for the aesthetic success of ceramic restorations, since the ceramic presents a high level of translucency due to its small thickness. Objective The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color of a resin cement light polymerized by different light sources and immersed in potentially staining beverages. Material and method Were made 42 specimens of resin cement Variolink-Esthetic (2×6mm) (n=7), being half polymerized with LED light (F1) and half with Halogen light (F2). The specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37 °C±1 °C. After 24 hours, they were polished with abrasive discs, and divided for the purpose of being submitted to the different solutions for 2 minutes per day, for 28 days, as follows: S1 – Coca-Cola; S2 – Red Wine; and S3 – Distilled Water (Control). Five color readouts were taken: T0 – initial; T1 – 7 days; T2 – 14 days; T3 – 21 days; and T4 – 28 days; with a spectrophotometer (Model SP62S). The color change data (ΔE*) were submitted to statistical analysis, ANOVA and Tukey (p≤0.05). Result Analyzing the factor solution, S2 (5.89 (±0.02)), produced a higher ΔE* value than S1 (3.79 (±0.02)) and (S1), a higher value than S3 (1.41 (±0.02)). Analyzing the factor light source, F2 (4.05 (±0.12)), produced a higher ΔE* value than F1 (3.33 (±0.12)). When analyzing the factor time, ΔE* values were found to increase gradually over the course of time: T1(2.36 (±0.08)); T2(3.27 (±0.08)); T3(4.06 (±0.08)); and T4(5.09 (±0.08)). Conclusion It was concluded that red wine produced a greater color change; Halogen light promoted highest degree of pigmentation; and the longer the time of immersion, the greater the color change of the material.

Luminescence of thermally altered human skeletal remains

Literature on luminescent properties of thermally altered human remains is scarce and contradictory. Therefore, the luminescence of heated bone was systemically reinvestigated. A heating experiment was conducted on fresh human bone, in two different media, and cremated human remains were recovered from a modern crematory. Luminescence was excited with light sources within the range of 350 to 560 nm. The excitation light was filtered out by using different long pass filters, and the luminescence was analysed by means of a scoring method. The results show that temperature, duration and surrounding medium determine the observed emission intensity and bandwidth. It is concluded that the luminescent characteristic of bone can be useful for identifying thermally altered human remains in a difficult context as well as yield information on the perimortem and postmortem events.

Differentiation of traumatic and heat-induced dental tissue fractures via SEM analysis

Previous studies have examined the effects of heating on teeth; however, none have identified characteristics that allow analysts to differentiate traumatic from heat-induced fractures. This study examined our ability to discern notable differences in preincineration traumatic fractures and heat-induced fractures in postincineration dentition. Twelve anterior dental specimens were subjected to blunt force trauma while a second set were not. All 24 samples were then incinerated in a muffle furnace at a peak temperature (900°C) consistent with house fires. The specimens were subsequently examined with a scanning electron microscope to identify and compare heat-induced and traumatic fractures. The results obtained during examination yielded no differences between the features displayed by specimens that had been inflicted with preincineration trauma and those that did not. Unlike bone, distinguishing features for the differentiation of traumatic and heat-induced fractures could not be compiled.

Composite filling removal with erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser: morphological analyses

Considering the increase in esthetic restorative materials and need for improvement in unsatisfactory restoration substitution with minimal inadvertent removal of healthy tissues, this study assessed the efficacy of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser for composite resin removal and the influence of pulse repetition rate on the morphological analyses of the cavity by scanning electron microscope. Composite resin fillings were placed in cavities (1.0 mm deep) prepared in bovine teeth, and the 75 specimens were randomly assigned to five groups according to the technique used for composite filling removal (high-speed diamond bur, group I, as a control, and Er:YAG laser, 250 mJ output energy and 80 J/cm(2) energy density, using different pulse repetition rates: group II, 2 Hz; group III, 4 Hz; group IV, 6 Hz; group V, 10 Hz). After the removal, the specimens were split in the middle, and we analyzed the surrounding and deep walls to check for the presence of restorative material. The estimation was qualitative. The surfaces were examined with a scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that the experimental groups presented bigger amounts of remaining restorative material. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed irregularities of the resultant cavities of the experimental groups that increased proportionally with increase in repetition rate.