Polymerization behavior and thermal characteristics of two new composites at five temperatures: refrigeration to preheating

Effect of shelf-storage temperature on degree of conversion and microhardness of composite restorative materials

BACKGROUND

The pre-cure temperature is considered an important parameter that affects the polymerization kinetics and the properties of composite restoration. As dissension exists about the effect of storing composite restorative materials in refrigerator, this study aimed to assess the effect of shelf-storage temperature on degree of conversion (DC) and microhardness of three composite restorative materials with different matrix systems.

METHODS

Three commercially-available composite restorative materials were used in this study; an Ormocer-based composite (Admira Fusion, Voco GmbH), a nanoceramic composite, (Ceram.X SphereTEC One, Dentsply Sirona GmbH), and a nanohybrid composite (Tetric N-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent AG). Regarding DC and microhardness tests, 60 disc-shaped composite specimens for each test were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 20) according to the restorative material used. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n = 10) according to the composite storage temperature; stored at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator at 4°-5 °C. DC was evaluated using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer coupled to an attenuated total reflectance accessory. Microhardness was evaluated using micro-Vickers hardness tester under a load of 50 g with a dwell time of 10 s. The results were analyzed by ANOVA, post-hoc LSD, and independent t-tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Regarding DC test all groups showed statistically significant differences at both storage temperature. The Ormocer-based composite had the highest mean values. There was a statistically significant difference between all room-stored groups and their corresponding groups stored at refrigerator (p < 0.05). For microhardness test, all groups exhibited also statistically significant differences at both storage temperatures with the Ormocer-based composite having the highest mean values. A statistically significant difference between both room-stored and refrigerator-stored groups has been observed also (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Refrigeration of resin-composite might have a deleterious effect on DC and microhardness of the tested composite restorative materials with different matrix systems. Moreover, the differences in the formulations of composite matrix have a potential impact on DC and microhardness.

Composite Pre-heating: A Novel Approach in Restorative Dentistry

Resin composite pre-heating is a novel approach that might improve handling and marginal adaptation of the unset material paste in clinical application. The goal of this review article is to compile all laboratory experiments on resin composite preheating and see how it impacts the mechanical properties of the material. Results have shown that preheating composite resins improves the degree of conversion, stiffness, marginal adaptability, and microhardness. While flexural strength is unbothered, polymerization shrinkage is hindered, and the microleakage results are unknown.

Effects of at-home and in-office bleaching and three composite types (hybrid, microhybrid, and nanofilled) on repair shear bond strength of aged composites: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Only a few controversial studies have assessed the repair bond strength of a fresh composite to aged composite. Moreover, no studies exist on repair bond strength of fresh composites to bleached composites. Therefore, this preliminary study was conducted to assess repair shear bond strength (SBS) of three composites bonded to nonbleached and at-home and in-office bleached composites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental in vitro study, 108 disks (36 specimens per composite) of hybrid, microhybrid, and nanofilled composites were divided into three subgroups of three bleaching treatments: no bleaching (control), at-home bleaching, and in-office bleaching. Composite disks were incubated for 4 weeks in artificial saliva (also dipped in tea and coffee for 3 h a day). They were then thermocycled (5000 cycles). Afterward, the control group remained unbleached, while the other groups were bleached according to office and home bleaching methods. They were repaired with the same composite type. Their repair SBS and mode of failure were measured and analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey, one-sample t-test, and Chi-square tests (α = 0.05, β = 0.2).

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) SBS values of hybrid, microhybrid, and nanofilled composites were 20.71 ± 5.99, 21.06 ± 6.68, and 9.46 ± 4.32 MPa, respectively. The mean SBS values of the bleaching techniques "home bleaching, office bleaching, and no bleaching (control)" were, respectively, 16.35 ± 7.13, 16.39 ± 8.07, and 18.49 ± 8.35 MPa. There was a significant difference among composites (two-way ANOVA P = 0.000) but not among nonbleaching/bleaching methods (P = 0.176). Their interaction was significant (P = 0.017). The difference between hybrid and microhybrid was not significant. Nevertheless, nanofilled had significantly poorer results compared to both hybrid and microhybrid composites (Tukey P = 0.000). Both hybrid and microhybrid were capable of producing satisfactory clinical repair bond strengths (above 20 MPa) regardless of bleaching or lack of it. Nanofilled composite failed to provide proper repair SBS values, even in the control (no-bleaching) group. By moving from Z100 or from Z250 to Z350, modes of failure shifted from mostly cohesive to mostly adhesive (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Bleaching of an aged composite might not affect the repair bond strength. Hybrid and microhybrid composites can provide clinically acceptable repair bond strengths, regardless of bleaching. Nonetheless, nanofilled composite is inferior to them and cannot provide appropriate repair bond strengths (regardless of bleaching).

Kinetics of pulpal temperature rise during light curing of 6 bonding agents from different generations, using light emitting diode and quartz-tungsten-halogen units: An in-vitro simulation

BACKGROUND

Application of bonding agents (BA) into deep cavities and light curing them might increase pulpal temperature and threaten its health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate temperature rise of pulp by light curing six BA using two different light curing units (LCU), through a dent in wall of 0.5 mm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This in vitro experiment was carried out on 96 slices of the same number of human third molars (6 BAs × 2 LCUs × 8 specimens in each group). There were 6 groups of BAs: N Bond, G-Bond, OptiBond XTR, Clearfil SE, Adper Single Bond 2 and V Bond. Each group of BA (n = 16) had two subgroups of light emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen light cure units (n = 8). Each of these 16 specimens were subjected to light emitting for 20 s, once without any BAs (control) and later when a BA was applied to surface of disk. Temperature rises in 140 s were evaluated. Their mean temperature change in first 20 s were calculated and analyzed using two-way repeated-measures and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey (α = 0.05). Furthermore rate of temperature increase was calculated for each material and LCU.

RESULTS

Minimum and maximum temperature rises in all subgroups were 1.7 and 2.8°C, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that both of adhesive and LCU types had significant effect on temperature rise after application of adhesives. Tukey post-hoc analysis showed Clearfil SE showed significantly higher temperature rise in comparison with Adper Single bond 2 (P = 0.047) and N Bond (P = 0.038). Temperature rose in a linear fashion during first 30-40 s and after that it was non-linear.

CONCLUSION

20 s of light curing seems safe for pulpal health (with critical threshold of 5.5°C). However, in longer durations and especially when using LED units, the process should be broken to two sessions.

The effects of light curing units and environmental temperatures on C 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 C conversion of commercial and experimental bonding agents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Polymerization of bonding agents (BA) is a critical factor in determining the success of bonded restorations. We aimed to assess the effects of two light curing units and two temperatures on the extent of polymerization (EP) of a commercial BA and an experimental BA.

METHODS

Forty BA specimens were randomly divided into 8 subgroups of n = 5 to compare the polymerization of two BAs (experimental/Scotchbond) based on the variables: temperature (23/37 °C) and light-curing unit (quartz-tungsten-halogen/light-emitting diode). The EP (%) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry, and analyzed using the t-test, two- and three-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), and the Bonferroni test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the EP results between the two BAs (P = 0.012) and due to the different temperatures (P = 0.001), but not between the different light-curing units (P = 0.548). The interaction between BA and temperature was significant (P < 0.001). The other interactions were nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The two light-curing units had similar effects on the EP. The EP values were better when curing was performed at human body temperature.

The effects of dentin bonding agent formulas on their polymerization quality, and together with tooth tissues on their microleakage and shear bond strength: an explorative 3-step experiment

PURPOSE

Bonding agents (BA) are the crucial weak link of composite restorations. Since the commercial materials' compositions are not disclosed, studies to formulize the optimum ratios of different components are of value. The aim of this study was to find a proper formula of BAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This explorative experimental in vitro study was composed of 4 different sets of extensive experiments. A commercial BA and 7 experimental formulas were compared in terms of degree of conversion (5 experimental formulas), shear bond strength, mode of failure, and microleakage (3 experimental formulas). Statistical analyses were performed (α=.05). The DC of selected formula was tested one year later.

RESULTS

The two-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference between the shear bond strength (SBS) of two tissues (dentin vs. enamel, P=.0001) in a way that dentinal bonds were weaker. However, there was no difference between the four materials (P=.283). The adhesive mode of failure was predominant in all groups. No differences between the microleakage of the four materials at occlusal (P=.788) or gingival (P=.508) sites were detected (Kruskal-Wallis). The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the microleakage of all materials (3 experimental formulas and a commercial material) together at the occlusal site versus the gingival site (P=.041).

CONCLUSION

A formula with 62% bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), 37% hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 0.3% camphorquinone (CQ), and 0.7% dimethyl-para-toluidine (DMPT) seems a proper formula for mass production. The microleakage and SBS might be respectively higher and lower on dentin compared to enamel.

Mechanical properties of composites as functions of the syringe storage temperature and energy dose

Objective:

To investigate the mechanical properties of different classifications of composites indicated for posterior application as functions of the storage condition and of the energy dose.

Material and Methods:

Specimens (8x2x2 mm) were obtained according to the factors: I) Composites (3M ESPE): Filtek P60, Filtek Z350XT, and Filtek Silorane; II) Syringe storage conditions: room temperature, aged, oven, refrigerator, and freezer; and III) Energy dose: 24 J/cm² and 48 J/cm². After photoactivation, the specimens were stored at 37ºC for 24 h. After storage, a three-point bending test was carried out in a universal testing machine at 0.5 mm/min. Flexural strength (S) and flexural modulus (E) were calculated. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05).

Results:

Different storage conditions significantly affected the silorane composite for S; conversely, no effects were noted in terms of E. The accelerated aging protocol significantly increased the S of Filtek P60 and Filtek Silorane, whereas storage in the oven significantly decreased the S for all of the composites tested. Filtek P60 was the only composite not affected by the lower storage temperatures tested for S, whereas for the silorane this parameter was impacted at the same conditions. The factor "dose" was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

The syringe storage at different temperature conditions proved to influence mostly the flexural strength, a clinically important characteristic considering the posterior indication of the materials tested. The silorane composite should not be stored at lower temperatures.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Composite Resins Subjected to Accelerated Artificial Aging

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of accelerated artificial aging (AAA) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Filtek Z250, Filtek Supreme, 4 Seasons, Herculite, P60, Tetric Ceram, Charisma and Filtek Z100. composite resins. The composites were characterized by Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analyses (Differential Scanning Calorimetry - DSC and Thermogravimetry - TG). The microstructure of the materials was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Surface hardness and compressive strength data of the resins were recorded and the mean values were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The results showed significant differences among the commercial brands for surface hardness (F=86.74, p<0.0001) and compressive strength (F=40.31, p<0.0001), but AAA did not affect the properties (surface hardness: F=0.39, p=0.53; compressive strength: F=2.82, p=0.09) of any of the composite resins. FTIR, DSC and TG analyses showed that resin polymerization was complete, and there were no differences between the spectra and thermal curve profiles of the materials obtained before and after AAA. TG confirmed the absence of volatile compounds and evidenced good thermal stability up to 200 °C, and similar amounts of residues were found in all resins evaluated before and after AAA. The AAA treatment did not significantly affect resin surface. Therefore, regardless of the resin brand, AAA did not influence the microstructure or the mechanical properties.