EDX fluorescence analysis and SEM observations of resin composites

Morphochemical characterization, microhardness, water sorption, and solubility of regular viscosity bulk fill and traditional composite resins

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the morphology of filler particles, chemical composition, microhardness (MH), water sorption (WSp), and solubility (WSl) of a regular viscosity bulk fill and traditional composite resins.

METHODS

Eighty samples (Ø:5 mm; height: 4 mm) were prepared according to the factors "composite" (Aura/SDI, FiltekZ250 XT/3M, Aura Bulk Fill/SDI, and Filtek Bulk Fill/3M) and "filling technique" (incremental and bulk) (n = 10). Vickers MH was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of each samples, and then WSp and WSl were obtained by means of mass gain and loss. Morphology of filler particles and chemical characteristics of composites were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersity spectroscopy (EDS) in additional samples (n = 1/group). Data were analyzed using two- and three-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < .05).

RESULTS

No significant difference was found for WSp among the groups. Comparing composites in the incremental technique, Aura bulk fill composite showed lower WSI than the other materials and in the bulk fill technique, Filtek Bulk Fill showed the lowest value. Filtek Bulk Fill showed higher MH than the other composites on the bottom surface when samples were produced by bulk filling.

CONCLUSION

The composites presented good physical properties, but the bulk fill ones showed better results for the bottom microhardness and solubility, although chemical elements and morphology were similar in general.

Impact of different adhesives on work of adhesion between CAD/CAM polymers and resin composite cements

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of pre-treatment of adhesive systems on the work of adhesion (WA) between CAD/CAM polymers and resin composite cements and compare with conventional tests of previous studies.

METHODS

Surface parameters were measured by contact angle measurement (2700 measurements) and WA was calculated. Five CAD/CAM polymers were used for fabrication of specimens (n=75/subgroup): artBloc Temp (A), Telio CAD (B), Nano Composite CFI-C (C), exp. CAD/CAM nanohybrid composite (D), and LAVA Ultimate (E). Then, air-abraded specimens were pre-treated (n=15 per group): Ambarino P60 (I), Monobond Plus/Heliobond (II), visio.link (III), VP connect (IV), and no pre-treatment (V). Resin composite cement specimens (n=75) were smoothed out homogeneously on a glass plate (n=15/group): RelyX ARC (RXA), Variolink II (VAR), Panavia F2.0 (PAN), RelyX Unicem (RXU), and Clearfil SA Cement (CSA). Contact angles were determined with 3 drops of distilled water and diiodomethane each. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis-H test and Spearman-Rho correlation (p<0.05).

RESULTS

CAD/CAM materials (B), (A), and (C) showed higher WA compared to (D) and (E). (II) and (IV) resulted in higher WA than (I), (III) and (V). VAR had the significantly lowest WA, followed by RXU, RXA, CSA and PAN. No correlation occurred between WA and TBS/SBS whereas polar component of surface free energy of CAD/CAM resin and spreading coefficient showed significant positive correlation with TBS/SBS.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of WA is not a proper method to draw conclusions about the bond between resin materials. Destructive test methods are not dispensable.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The successful outcome of fixed dental restorations depends, among others, on the quality of bonding between the tooth and the restoration. Additional pre-treatment of the dental CAD/CAM resin restoration by bonding systems can be recommended for clinical use. Pre-treatment showed a significant impact on the surface properties.

Chemical and crystallographic study of remineralized surface on initial carious enamel treated with Galla chinensis

To investigate the morphologic, chemical and crystallographic characters of remineralized surface on initial carious enamel treated with Galla chinensis, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive analysis spectroscopy were used, and X-ray microdiffraction (microzone XRD) was used for the first time to analyze in situ the microzone crystallite of remineralized surface on carious enamel. Bovine sound enamel slabs were demineralized to produce initial carious lesion in vitro. Then, the lesions were exposed to a pH-cycling regime for 12 days of remineralization. Each daily cycle included 4x1 min applications with one of the three treatments: distilled and deionized water (DDW); 1 g/L NaF; 4 g/L G. chinensis extract (GCE). After the treatments, some rod-like deposits and many irregular prominences were found on GCE-treated enamel surface, and the intensities of Ca and P signals showed a tendency to increase; Ca:P ratio was significantly higher than that of DDW-treated enamel. X-ray microdiffraction showed hydroxyapatite was still the main component of GCE-treated enamel, and the crystallinity was increased, the crystal lattice changed gently with decreased lattice parameter a. These results indicated the potential of GCE in promoting the remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions, and supported the previous hypothesis about GCE mechanism. Combined with the anti-bacteria and demineralization inhibition properties of GCE, the natural G. chinensis may become one more promising agent for caries prevention.

Microbiological or chemical models of enamel secondary caries compared by polarized-light microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

Different secondary caries models may present different results. The purpose of this study was to compare different in vitro secondary caries models, evaluating the obtained results by polarized-light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Standardized human enamel specimens (n = 12) restored with different materials (Z250 conventional composite resin-CRZ, Freedom polyacid-modified composite resin-CRF, Vitremer resin-modified glass-ionomer-GIV, and Fuji IX conventional glass-ionomer cement-GIF) were submitted to microbiological (MM) or chemical caries models (CM). The control group was not submitted to any caries model. For MM, specimens were immersed firstly in sucrose broth inoculated with Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35688, incubated at 37 degrees C/5% CO(2) for 14 days and then in remineralizing solution for 14 days. For CM, specimens were submitted to chemical pH-cycling. Specimens were ground, submitted to PLM and then were dehydrated, gold-sputtered and submitted to SEM and EDS. Results were statistically analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests (alpha = 0.05). No differences between in vitro caries models were found. Morphological differences in enamel demineralization were found between composite resin and polyacid-modified composite resin (CRZ and CRF) and between the resin-modified glass-ionomer and the glass-ionomer cement (GIF and GIV). GIF showed higher calcium concentration and less demineralization, differing from the other materials. In conclusion, the glass-ionomer cement showed less caries formation under both in vitro caries models evaluated.

Optical density and chemical composition of microfilled and microhybrid composite resins

This study evaluated the optical density of two microfilled and two microhybrid resins, as well as the composition of these materials with regard to their optical density. Cavities prepared in 12 2-mm- or 4-mm-thick acrylic plastic plates were filled with Z250 (3M-ESPE), A110 (3M-ESPE), Charisma (Heraeus-Kulzer) and DurafillVS (Heraeus-Kulzer). The resin increments (2-mm-thick) were light-cured for 40 s. Three 0.12-s radiographic exposures were made of each #2 acrylic plastic plate. DenOptix system optical plates were used to obtain the digital images. Three readings of the composite resin surface were made in each radiograph, totalizing 216 readings. The mean of highest and lowest grey-scale values was obtained. Two specimens of each composite resin were prepared for SEM analysis of the chemical elements related to optical density, using energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The results were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk's test, ANOVA, Tukey's test at 1% level of significance and Pearson's correlation. The mean grey-scale values at 2 mm and 4 mm were: Z250 = 154.27a and 185.33w; A110 = 46.77b and 63.05y; Charisma = 163.40c and 200.46z; DurafillVS = 43.92b and 58.99x, respectively. Pearson's test did not show any positive correlation between optical density and percentage weight of optical density chemical elements. It was concluded that the microhybrid resins had higher optical density means than the microfilled resins; among the evaluated resins, Charisma had the highest optical density means.