The Influence of Irradiation Time and Layer Thickness on Elution of Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate from SDR® Bulk-Fill Composite

Equivalence study of the resin-dentine interface of internal tunnel restorations when using an enamel infiltrant resin with ethanol-wet dentine bonding

This preregistered ex vivo investigation examined the dentinal hybrid layer formation of a resinous infiltrant (Icon), with reference to both thickness (HLT) and homogeneity when combined with modified tunnel preparation (occlusal cavity only) and internal/external caries infiltration. The adhesives Syntac and Scotchbond MP were used as controls (Groups 1 and 3) or in combination with Icon (Groups 2 and 4). A split-tooth design using healthy third molars from 20 donors resulted in 20 prepared dentine cavities per experimental group. The cavity surfaces (n = 80) were etched (37% H3PO4), rinsed, and air-dried. Rewetting with ethanol was followed by application of the respective primers. After labeling with fluorescent dyes, either Syntac Adhesive/Heliobond or Scotchbond MP Adhesive was used alone or supplemented with Icon. HLT, as evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, did not significantly differ (P > 0.05), and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed homogeneously mixed/polymerized resin-dentine interdiffusion zones in all groups. Icon can be successfully integrated into an ethanol-wet dentine bonding strategy, and will result in compact and homogeneous hybrid layers of comparable thickness considered equivalent to the non-Icon controls, thus allowing for preservation of the tooth's marginal ridge and interdental space in the case of internal/external infiltration of proximal caries.

The effects of polymerization mode and layer thickness on monomer released from bulk fill composite resins

Background

Residual monomers released from composite resins have cytotoxic, mutagenic, and estrogenic effects. Mode of polymerization and application thickness are important for monomer release.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different modes of a third-generation light-curing unit (LCU) and layer thickness on residual monomer released from two different bulk-fill composite resins. A total of 80 samples were prepared for each bulk-fill composite using a mold. Each bulk-fill composite was divided into four groups according to polymerization mode (standard and extra power) and layer thickness (2 and 4 mm). In addition, four groups were divided into four subgroups according to time periods (1 h, 24 h, 3 days, and 7 days).

Methods and Material

The samples were polymerized with VALO LED device. The amount of residual monomer was measured with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). All statistical analyses were processed using SPSS Version 23.0. The normal distribution of data was confirmed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov Normal Distribution Test and Shapiro-Wilk Normal Distribution Test. When the distribution was normal, parametric tests, Student's t test and one-way ANOVA, were used. When the distribution was not normal, non-parametric tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis testwere used.

Results

It was found that the standard mode of LCU produced lower amounts of TEGDMA, Bis-GMA, and UDMA in both composite materials. In addition, when the layer thickness increased, TEGDMA, Bis-GMA, and UDMA releases increased, too.

Conclusions

This study revealed that the amount of residual monomers released from bulk-fill composites was affected by layer thickness and polymerization time.

The effect of pre-heating on monomer elution from bulk-fill resin composites

Background

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-heating of bulk -fill resin composites on monomer elution from them.

Material and Methods

Three different types of resin composites were used including Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill, X-tra Fill and X-tra Base. 10 cylindrical samples were prepared from each resin composites. Before light curing, 5 samples were pre-heated until reaching 68˚C, then 5 other samples were polymerized at room temperature. After 24 hours, release of UDMA, TEGDMA and BIS-GMA monomers were measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis. Data analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA test, Games-Howell and Sidak post hoc tests.

Results

Pre-heating did not have any statistically significant effect on the mean values of UDMA, TEGDMA and Bis-GMA elution (p>0.05). The greatest amount of released Bis-GMA and UDMA was obtained from Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-fill composite. The greatest amount of released TEGDMA was obtained from X-tra Fill composite. X-tra Base composite showed the lowest amount of monomer release (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Pre-heating did not have any effect on monomer release from bulk-fill resin composites. Moreover, the amount and the type of monomers released from various bulk-fill resin composites were not similar.

Key words:Bulk fill composite resin, elution, HPLC, residual monomer, temperature.

Surface Geometry of Four Conventional Nanohybrid Resin-Based Composites and Four Regular Viscosity Bulk Fill Resin-Based Composites after Two-Step Polishing Procedure

Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative surface structure of contemporary RBCs in posterior teeth reconstructions: regular viscosity bulk fill and conventional composites, obtained after two-stage polishing procedure. Materials and Methods. Four conventional nanohybrid composites (Tetric EvoCeram, GrandioSO, Filtek Z550, and Ceram·X Mono) and four regular viscosity bulk fill composites (Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, X-tra fil, Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior, and QuixFil) were tested. Samples of each RBC were prepared using PMMA cylindrical mold. After two-step polishing procedure, a surface geometry was evaluated under profilometry (Turbowave v. 7.36, Hommel-Etamic) and SEM (VEGA 3, Tescan Analytics). To evaluate differences between values, the following nonparametric tests were used: Friedman’s ANOVA, Wilcoxon’s matched-pair test, ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U. Results. All conventional RBCs showed Ra values in the range of 0.20-0.26 μm. Bulk fill showed higher values in range of 0.49-1.36 μm except for Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior, which achieved 0.23 μm Ra value. SEM images of conventional RBCs were described as smooth surfaces with slight damage except for TEC, which presented smooth surface with no damage. Bulk fill composites showed rough surface, except for TBF, which presented smooth surface with slight damage. Conclusions. Regular viscosity bulk fill composites do not constitute a homogeneous group regarding surface roughness after polishing. They obtain, for the most part, poorer smoothness values after polishing than conventional RBCs.

Ageing of Dental Composites Based on Methacrylate Resins-A Critical Review of the Causes and Method of Assessment

The paper reviews the environmental factors affecting ageing processes, and the degradation of resins, filler, and the filler-matrix interface. It discusses the current methods of testing materials in vitro. A review of literature was conducted with the main sources being PubMed. ScienceDirect, Mendeley, and Google Scholar were used as other resources. Studies were selected based on relevance, with a preference given to recent research. The ageing process is an inherent element of the use of resin composites in the oral environment, which is very complex and changes dynamically. The hydrolysis of dental resins is accelerated by some substances (enzymes, acids). Bonds formed between coupling agent and inorganic filler are prone to hydrolysis. Methods for prediction of long-term behaviour are not included in composite standards. Given the very complex chemical composition of the oral environment, ageing tests based on water can only provide a limited view of the clinical performance of biomaterial. Systems that can reproduce dynamic changes in stress (thermal cycling, fatigue tests) are better able to mimic clinical conditions and could be extremely valuable in predicting dental composite clinical performance. It is essential to identify procedure to determine the ageing process of dental materials.

Effect of preheating on the cytotoxicity of bulk-fill composite resins

Background. Due to the effect of pre-heating on the degree of conversion of composite resins and the possible effect on cytotoxicity, the effect of pre-heating of bulk-fill composite resins was investigated on cytotoxicity in this study. Methods. In this study, three different types of composite resin were used, including Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-Fil, Xtrafil, and Xtrabase. From each composite resin, 10 cylindrical samples (5 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height) were prepared, with five samples preheated to 68°C, and the other five samples polymerized at room temperature (25°C). Twenty-four hours after polymerization, cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay on human fibroblasts. Statistical analysis of data was carried out with two-way ANOVA and Sidak Post-Hoc. The significance level of the test was determined at 0.05. Results. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean percentage of cytotoxicity in terms of pre-heating (P>0.05), but the cytotoxicity of the studied composite resins was significantly different (P<0.001). The cytotoxicity of Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-fil composite resin was higher than that of the two other composite resins. Conclusion. Pre-heating of bulk-fill composite resin did not affect their cytotoxicity. In addition, the cytotoxicity of different bulk-fill composite resins was not the same.

Effects of Fibers on Color and Translucency Changes of Bulk-Fill and Anterior Composites after Accelerated Aging

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of glass and polyethylene fibers on the color and translucency change of bulk-fill and anterior composites before and after artificial accelerated aging (AAA). Two types of teflon molds were used to fabricate samples which were 13 mm in diameter and, respectively, 2 mm and 4 mm in height. Polyethylene fiber (PF) and glass fiber (GF) were incorporated in the middle of the composite samples. Color and translucency changes of each composite were evaluated before and after AAA with spectrophotometer. ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post hoc statistical analysis were used at a significance level of 0.05. Before AAA (for anterior composites), there were no significant differences in L^* and b^* parameters among the three groups (p > 0.05); there were no significant differences in L^* parameter between PF and GF groups or in TP between GF and control groups (p > 0.05) (for bulk-fill composites). After AAA, there were no significant differences in L^* parameter between GF and control groups, in a^* parameter between PF and control groups, in b^* parameter among all groups, or in TP parameter between GF and control groups (p > 0.05). Fiber reinforcement led to color and TP change in both anterior and bulk-fill resin composites.