[Microhardness of resins as a function of color and halogen light]

Effect of light curing modes on mechanical properties of direct and indirect composites

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of direct and indirect composite resins polymerized with different curing systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Specimens of direct (Z250, 3M/Espe) and indirect (Sinfony, 3M/Espe) restorative materials were made and polymerized using two light curing units: XL2500 (3M/Espe) and Visio system (3M/Espe). Absorption spectra of both composites were obtained on a FTIR spectrometer in order to calculate the DC. FS was evaluated in a universal testing machine and surface microhardness was performed in a microhardness tester (50gf/15s). DC, FS and KHN data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Z250 showed higher DC, FS and KHN compared with Sinfony when the polymerization was carried out with XL2500 (p < 0.05). However, there is no statistical difference in DC between the materials when Visio was used (p > 0.05). Visio showed higher DC and KHN for Z250 and Sinfony than the values obtained using XL2500 light curing (p < 0.05). For FS, no significant difference between curing units was found (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Even though the Visio system could increase DC and KHN for some direct and indirect composites, compared with the conventional halogen curing unit, a high number of monomers did not undergo conversion during the polymerization.

Digital radiographic evaluation of optical density of porcelains used for fabrication of inlay/onlay prosthesis

The purpose of this article was to compare the mean value of optical density of four porcelains commonly used for fabrication of inlay/onlay prostheses using direct digital radiograph. The sample consisted of 20 2-mm thick porcelain specimens (measured by digital pachymeter): Empress (Ivoclair), Simbios (Degussa), Vita Omega 900 and Vitadur Alpha (Vita Zahnfabrik). The values of optical density of the specimens were expressed in millimeters aluminum equivalent (mm eq Al). The samples were X-rayed using two charge coupled devices (CCD) - RVG (Trophy) - Visualix (Gendex) and a phosphor plate system - Digora (Soredex). The optical density reading was performed with Image Tool 1.28 in a total of 110 measurements. Statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in all materials studied (p < 0.05) regardless of the radiographic system used. The highest optical density value was found for Omega 900 (1.8988 mmeqAl - Visualix - Gendex) and the lowest for Vitadur Alpha (0.8647 - Visualix - Gendex). Thus, the material presenting the highest degree of optical density was Omega 900, Empress and Simbios presented intermediate optical density values, Vitadur Alpha presented the lowest value, and the optical density of porcelains was not influenced by the digital radiography systems.

Dentine bond strength of a composite resin polymerized with conventional light and argon laser

The use of argon laser (488 nm) has been suggested as a new alternative for polymerizing adhesive materials. This study aimed to evaluate the tensile bond strength of a microfilled composite (A110, 3M) inserted by incremental technique (3 increments of 1 mm) and by single increment (3 mm) polymerized by argon laser for 10, 20 and 30 seconds and halogen light for 40 seconds. Eighty (8 groups of 10 teeth) freshly extracted bovine teeth were stored in a freezer in distilled water for one week. The crowns were cross-sectioned from the roots. Pulpectomy was performed and the pulp chambers were sealed with wax. The buccal surfaces of the teeth were ground with wet sandpaper (grains: 120, 400, and 600) to expose the surface dentin, and the teeth were then included in acrylic resin. A metal device was used to fix each sample and a black propylene matrix25 (3 mm high with an internal millimetric delimitation) was used to insert the material according to the groups studied. The polymerization intervals were of 10, 20 and 30 seconds for the laser polymerization and 40 seconds for the conventional polymerization. Tensile tests were performed by a Universal Testing Machine 4442 (Instron) at a speed of 0.5 mm/min and 500 N load. According to the methodology used, the incremental technique increased bond strength values. There was no difference between the studied polymerization techniques when resin was filled in 3 increments.

Fluoride release by restorative materials before and after a topical application of fluoride gel

The release of fluoride from restorative materials (Vitremer, Ketac-Fil, Fuji II LC and Freedom) was evaluated during two 15-day periods, before and after a topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF). For each material, 6 specimens were made, which were immersed in 2 ml of deionized water. The fluoride concentration dosages in the solutions were read at intervals of 24 hours for 15 days. After this period, the specimens of each material received treatment with APF gel for 4 minutes and the fluoride released was analyzed at 24-hour intervals during the following 15 days. The analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p < 0.05) showed that the total mean fluoride released during the initial 15 days was greater for Vitremer and Ketac-Fil and lower for Fuji II LC and Freedom; and in the final 15 days there was a difference in release readings, with the greatest value for Vitremer, followed by Fuji II LC, Ketac-Fil and Freedom. The comparison of the results between the 1st day and the 16th day (after gel application) showed a greater fluoride release on the 16th day for Vitremer, Fuji II LC and Freedom and was equal for Ketac-Fil. Although all the materials evaluated gained fluoride with the application of APF, the data suggest that the resin-modified ionomers are more efficient in releasing fluoride to the medium than the other materials.