The effect of individualization of fiberglass posts using bulk-fill resin-based composites on cementation: an in vitro study

Effects of a relined fiberglass post with conventional and self-adhesive resin cement

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of relined and non-relined fiberglass posts when cemented to root canal dentin using a conventional dual-cure resin cement or a self-adhesive resin cement.

Materials and Methods

Two types of resin cements were utilized: conventional and self-adhesive. Additionally, 2 cementation protocols were employed, involving relined and non-relined fiberglass posts. In total, 72 bovine incisors were cemented and subjected to push-out bond strength testing (n = 10) followed by failure mode analysis. The cross-sectional microhardness (n = 5) was assessed along the root canal, and interface analyses (n = 3) were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data from the push-out bond strength and cross-sectional microhardness tests were analyzed via 3-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post-hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

For non-relined fiberglass posts, conventional resin cement exhibited higher push-out bond strength than self-adhesive cement. Relined fiberglass posts yielded comparable results between the resin cements. Type II failure was the most common failure mode for both resin cements, regardless of cementation protocol. The use of relined fiberglass posts improved the cross-sectional microhardness values for both cements. SEM images revealed voids and bubbles in the incisors with non-relined fiberglass posts.

Conclusions

Mechanical properties were impacted by the cementation protocol. Relined fiberglass posts presented the highest push-out bond strength and cross-sectional microhardness values, regardless of the resin cement used (conventional dual-cure or self-adhesive). Conversely, for non-relined fiberglass posts, the conventional dual-cure resin cement yielded superior results to the self-adhesive resin cement.

Fracture resistance of weakened roots restored with relined or milled CAD-CAM glass fiber posts

This in vitro study compared the fracture resistance of weakened roots restored with milled or relined glass fiber post (GFP). Seventy bovine incisors were divided into seven groups, according to the weakening protocol (none: control; medium-weakened: MW; highly-weakened: HW) and post anatomization technique (non-relined, relined with Bulk Fill or Z350 resin; milled GFP: M). Roots were thermomechanical cycled and submitted to compression. Frequencies and groups were compared by the chi-square test and two-factor ANOVA, Tukey's, and t-test (α=5%). The HW-M obtained the lowest values, showing significant differences compared to all groups (p<0.001). The highest value was HW-Bulk fill, with significant difference compared to MW-M (p=0.037) and HW-M (p<0.001). The frequency of repairable fractures was 100% in the control, 87%, and 63% in the MW and HW, respectively. Relined or milled GFPs can be considered to rehabilitate weakened teeth since failure patterns were predominantly repairable in all groups.

Comparison of the Mechanical Properties and Push-out Bond Strength of Self-adhesive and Conventional Resin Cements on Fiber Post Cementation

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties and push-out bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements (SACs) and a conventional resin cement (CRC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eighty bovine incisors were divided into four groups for cementation of a fiberglass post (Whitepost - FGM Dental Group, Coral Springs, FL) with different resin cements: three SACs (Maxcem Elite, MAX - Kerr; Calibra Universal, CAL - Dentsply; and RelyX Unicem 2, RUN - 3M Oral Care) and one CRC (RelyX Ultimate, RXU - 3M Oral Care). The groups were subdivided into two groups each (n=10) for evaluation of the push-out bond strength test (POBS) after 24 hours of water storage or after thermal aging (5000 cycles), following 24 hours of storage. The failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (EM) were determined using a three-point bending. Also, pH of the cements was measured over 48 hours and filler morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with a significance level set at 5%. Results: RXU presented the highest POBS at both evaluation times. Among the SACs, RUN and CAL presented significantly lower POBS than MAX in cervical and middle-thirds at the 24-hour evaluation, and in all root regions after thermocycling. Adhesive failure between the cement and dentin were the most prevalent fractures at both times evaluated. MAX presented the lowest FS and RUN showed the highest EM. The pH reached the minimal point at the 30-minute evaluation for RXU and MAX. For RUN and CAL, the minimal pH was observed at the 60-minute evaluation. RXU and RUN presented spherical and regular filler particles, while MAX and CAL presented irregularly shaped and sized filler particles.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanical behavior of SACs is not superior to CRC; however, among all the SACs evaluated, MAX presented the highest POBS and stability after thermocycling evaluation. MAX also reached the closest neutral pH after 48 hours. Therefore, SACs with low initial pH and strong neutralization reactions are recommended, because these characteristics may lead to better mechanical properties and stability.

Bond strength and failure mode of glass fiber posts with different surface treatments prior to silanization: An in vitro comparative study

Aim

The use of chemical agents in the surface treatment of glass fiber posts can improve their bond strength to the root canal. The aim of this study was to assess the bond strength and failure mode of glass fiber posts that received different surface treatments prior to silanization.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional and in vitro experimental study, 50 human lower premolar roots were randomly divided into five groups and subsequently prepared to receive the cementation of a fiberglass post prior to silanization. They were distributed as group 1 (with 24% hydrogen peroxide), group 2 (with 37% phosphoric acid), group 3 (with 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride for 2 minutes), group 4 (with 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride for 6 minutes), and group 5 (without pretreatment). After cementation, the roots were sectioned into two discs for each cervical, middle, and apical region. Bond strength was assessed using the push out technique. Adhesive, mixed, and cohesive failure modes were also assessed. For data analysis, ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used, as well as Pearson's chi-square test. A significance of P < 0.05 was considered in all statistical analyses.

Results

When comparing the bond strength of root regions, significant differences were obtained in groups pretreated with phosphoric acid (P = 0.018) and acidulated phosphate fluoride for 2 and 6 minutes (P = 0.001 and P = 0.000, respectively). Furthermore, significant differences were obtained between posts treated only with silane and those that received phosphoric acid pretreatment (P = 0.006) and acidulated phosphate fluoride for 6 minutes (P = 0.001). Significant association of mixed failure mode was observed with hydrogen peroxide (P = 0.014) and phosphoric acid (P = 0.006) pretreatments. Cohesive failure was significantly associated with acidulated phosphate fluoride pretreatment for 2 minutes (P = 0.032) and with posts that did not receive treatment prior to silanization (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

Posts treated only with silane and pretreated with hydrogen peroxide and acidulated phosphate fluoride for 2 minutes presented significantly higher bond strength with respect to those pretreated with phosphoric acid and acidulated phosphate fluoride for 6 minutes. However, acidulated phosphate fluoride for 2 minutes and silane were associated with a better bonding type.

Glass fiber posts

Aim: Glass fiber posts are indicated in the rehabilitation of extensively damaged teeth; their cementation represents a critical step in restorative dentistry. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the push-out bond strength of glass fiber posts cemented by conventional technique, two-step technique with luting agent and two-step technique associating bulk-fill composite and luting agent. Methods: Eighty maxillary bovine incisors were endodontically treated and divided into eight groups (n = 10) according to the luting agent (Rely X ARC and Duo-link) and cementation technique (conventional technique; two-step technique with luting agent; and two-step technique associating bulk-fill composite – Filtek Bulk-fill flow or Surefil SDR flow – and luting agent). Samples were submitted to pushout bond strength test, and the fracture pattern was evaluated through scanning electron microscope. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results: When Rely X ARC was used, the conventional cementation technique obtained higher bond strength values than the twostep technique associated with Filtek Bulk-fill flow. When Duolink was used, the two-step technique associated with Filtek Bulk-fill flow presented higher bond strength values than the conventional technique. The most prevalent fracture patterns were adhesive between luting agent and dentin, and adhesive between bulk-fill composite and dentin. Conclusion: Two-step cementation technique associated with bulk-fill composite may be promising depending on the luting agent used.