Comparison of different digital shade selection methodologies in terms of accuracy

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of different shade selection techniques and determine the matching success of crown restorations fabricated using digital shade selection techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Teeth numbers 11 and 21 were prepared on a typodont model. For the #11 tooth, six different crowns were fabricated with randomly selected colors and set as the target crowns. The following four test groups were established: Group C, where the visual shade selection was performed using the Vita 3D Master Shade Guide and the group served as the control; Group Ph, where the shade selection was performed under the guidance of dental photography; Group S, where the shade selection was performed by measuring the target tooth color using a spectrophotometer; and Group I, where the shade selection was performed by scanning the test specimens and target crowns using an intraoral scanner. Based on the test groups, 24 crowns were fabricated using different shade selection techniques. The ΔE values were calculated according to the CIEDE2000 (2:1:1) formula. The collected data were analyzed by means of a one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

For the four test groups (Groups C, Ph, S, and I), the following mean ΔE values were obtained: 2.74, 3.62, 2.13, and 3.5, respectively. No significant differences were found among the test groups.

CONCLUSION

Although there was no statistically significant difference among the shade selection techniques, Group S had relatively lower ΔE values. Moreover, according to the test results, the spectrophotometer shade selection technique may provide more successful clinical results.

A 3-dimensional finite element and in vitro analysis of endocrown restorations fabricated with different preparation designs and various restorative materials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The preparation design and fabrication materials directly affect the clinical success of endocrown restorations, and yet, knowledge is lacking about the biomechanical impact of specific designs or materials on endocrown restorations.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro and finite element analysis study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of endocrown restorations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 36 freshly extracted mandibular first molars were collected. The teeth were prepared as per 2 different preparation geometries: with the buccal wall intact (Class 2) and without the buccal wall (Class 3). Teeth were restored with endocrowns made from 3 different fabricating materials, Vita Enamic, GC Cerasmart, and Lava Ultimate. To analyze the in vitro fracture strength, cemented endocrowns were loaded in a universal test machine with a 200-N oblique force until the restoration fractured. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the stress distribution on both the dentin tissue and the restorative materials. The data were analyzed with a 2-way ANOVA test and the Tukey post hoc test (α=.05).

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the different preparation designs (Class 2 and Class 3) on fracture strength (P>.05). The highest mean ±standard deviation fracture strength values were found in the Lava Ultimate material (Class 2, 606.20 ±293; Class 3, 659.40 ±226 N) (P>.05), but the lowest fracture strength test values were obtained in the Vita Enamic material (Class 2, 439.60 ±136; Class 3, 340 ±98 N) (P>.05) for both preparation design test groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A statistically significant difference was not found between the 2 tooth preparation classifications. However, significant differences were observed among the test groups in the Class 2 preparation specimens. The Class 2 preparation design exhibited a higher number of irreparable failures.

Effect of layer thickness on the flexural strength of multiple-unit laser-sintered metal frameworks

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Laser sintering devices have been increasingly used to fabricate the metal frameworks of metal-ceramic restorations. In the fabrication process, the sintering layer thickness is an important parameter; however, information on how it may affect the flexural strength of metal frameworks remains limited.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the flexural strength of 3-unit and 4-unit cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) metal frameworks laser sintered with 20-μm, 30-μm, and 40-μm layer thicknesses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three-unit and 4-unit master metal die models with premolar and molar abutments were prepared through direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). A total of 40 metal frameworks (n=10 for each metal die model) were fabricated by the lost-wax technique (group C, served as the control group) and through DMLS with 20-μm, 30-μm, and 40-μm layer thickness (experimental groups LS20, LS30, and LS40, respectively). Each metal framework was cemented to a master die with a polyvinyl siloxane impression material and then subjected to a 3-point bend test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The yield force of each metal framework was used to calculate the flexural strength. Data were statistically analyzed by using 1-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test and an independent-samples t test (α=.05) The microstructure of the fracture surface was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Group C reported the lowest mean flexural strength (P<.05), whereas group LS20 reported the highest mean flexural strength, although no significant difference (P>.05) in flexural strength was observed among the DMLS groups. The 3-unit metal frameworks exhibited a statistically significant higher mean flexural strength than the 4-unit metal frameworks (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The sintering layer thickness did not significantly affect the flexural strength of the laser-sintered metal frameworks. However, the DMLS groups reported a higher mean flexural strength than the cast group.

Evaluation of marginal discrepancy in metal frameworks fabricated by sintering-based computer-aided manufacturing methods

PURPOSE

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of sintering procedures on marginal discrepancies of fixed partial metal frameworks fabricated using different sintering-based computer-aided design and computer/aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty resin die models of prepared premolar and molar abutment teeth were fabricated using a three-dimensional (3D) printer and divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the fabrication method of metal frameworks used: HM (via hard milling), SM (via soft metal milling), L25 (via direct metal laser melting [DMLM] with a 25 µm layer thickness), and L50 (via direct DMLM with a 50 µm layer thickness). After the metal frameworks were fabricated and cemented, five vertical marginal discrepancy measurements were recorded in each site (i.e., buccal, facing the pontic, lingual, and facing away from the pontic) of both abutment teeth under a stereomicroscope (×40). Data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences (P>.05) were found among the four axial sites of metal frameworks fabricated by sintering-based CAD/CAM techniques. The HM and L25 groups showed significantly (P<.001) lower marginal discrepancy values than the SM and L50 groups.

CONCLUSION

Marginal discrepancy in the sites facing the pontic was not influenced by the type of sintering procedure. All fabrication methods exhibited clinically acceptable results in terms of marginal discrepancies.

Evaluation of the light transmission of chairside polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramics in different shades and thicknesses

BACKGROUND:

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the amount of polymerizing light passing through hybrid ceramic specimens in different shades and thicknesses.

METHODS:

Rectangular-shaped feldspathic ceramic computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) blocks and translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic CAD-CAM blocks in four different shades (1M1, 1M2, 2M2, and 3M2) were sectioned in four different thicknesses (0.8, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm), and a total of 48 groups ( n = 10) were obtained. Feldspathic ceramic specimens served as the control group. The light transmission of each ceramic specimen was measured three times by using a light-emitting diode and a radiometer. Data were statistically analyzed by using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey honest significant difference, and Tamhane T2 tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS:

Translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens exhibited significantly ( p < 0.001) lower light transmission values than high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic and feldspathic ceramic specimens, whereas feldspathic ceramic specimens exhibited significantly ( p < 0.001) higher light transmission than translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens. The amount of light transmission significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased when the shade value decreased and the thickness increased.

CONCLUSIONS:

Polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens showed lower light transmission values than feldspathic ceramic specimens, and the amount of light transmission was affected by the ceramic shade and thickness.

Effect of layer thickness on the marginal and internal adaptation of laser-sintered metal frameworks

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Laser sintering is commonly used for fabricating metal-ceramic restorations. The layer thickness of the sintering process may affect restoration adaptation. However, limited information is available regarding its impact.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the marginal and internal adaptation of laser-sintered cobalt-chromium single crown frameworks sintered with layer thicknesses of 25 and 50 μm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty resin dies that represented prepared single molar abutment teeth were prepared by using a 3-dimensional printer and were divided into 3 groups (n=10) according to the method used for fabricating metal frameworks: group C, metal frameworks fabricated by using the lost-wax method (control); group L25, metal frameworks fabricated by using direct metal laser melting with a layer thickness of 25 μm; and group L50, metal frameworks fabricated by using direct metal laser melting with a layer thickness of 50 μm. After fabricating the metal frameworks, 15 vertical marginal discrepancy measurements were made in each axial region (mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual) using a stereomicroscope. Next, all the specimens were sectioned from the midline, and 5 internal discrepancy measurements were made in each internal region (inner marginal, axial, and occlusal). The data were analyzed statistically by using 1-way ANOVA, the Tukey honestly significant difference, and Tamhane T2 tests (α=.05).

RESULTS

The highest marginal and internal discrepancy values were obtained for metal frameworks in group C, and these values were significantly different (P<.001) from those obtained for metal frameworks in the other 2 groups. No significant difference was observed in the marginal and internal discrepancy values of metal frameworks in groups L25 and L50.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that layer thickness does not affect the adaptation of laser-sintered metal frameworks, yet both sintering parameters yielded significantly lower mean marginal discrepancy values than the cast group.

Light transmittance and surface roughness of a feldspathic ceramic CAD-CAM material as a function of different surface treatments

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different surface treatments on light transmission of aesthetic feldspathic ceramics used in CAD-CAM chairside restorations.

METHODS

Forty eight feldspatic ceramic test specimens were prepared from prefabricated CAD-CAM blocks by using a slow speed diamond saw. Test specimens were prepared and divided into 4 groups (n = 12). In the control group, no surface treatments were applied on the feldspathic ceramic surfaces. In the hydrofluoric acid group, the bonding surfaces of feldspathic ceramics were etched with 9.5 % hydrofluoric acid. In the sandblasting group the feldspathic ceramic surfaces were air-abraded with 30-μm alumium oxide (Al2O3) particles and Er:YAG laser was used to irradiate the ceramic surfaces. The incident light power given by the LED device and the transmitted light power through each ceramic sample was registered using a digital LED radiometer device. Each polymerization light had a light guide with 8-mm-diameter tips. Light transmission of feldspathic ceramic samples was determined by placing it on the radiometer and irradiating the specimen for 10 s at the highest setting for each light polymerization. All specimens were coated with gold using a sputter coater and examined under a field emission scanning electron microscope. Surface roughness measurement each group were evaluated with 3D optical surface and tactile profilometers.

RESULTS

One-way ANOVA test results revealed that both surface conditioning method significantly affect the light transmittance (F:412.437; p < 0.001) and the surface roughness values (F:16.386; p < 0.001). Al2O3 and Er-YAG laser application reduced the light transmission significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The laser and Al2O3 applications reduced the light transmission of 1.5 mm thickness feldspathic ceramic material below the value of 400 mW/cm(2) which is critical limit for safe polymerization.

The Effect of Screw Color and Technique to Fill Access Hole on the Final Color of Screw-Retained Implant Crowns

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of screw color and thickness of the composite on the final implant color. Gray and golden-colored titanium specimens were used as 2 different backgrounds. Composite disks were made in different thicknesses. Titanium and composite disk samples were placed into a metal mold as in the test groups for color measurement. The background color did not affect the final color. Composite resin thickness affected the final color.

The effect of laser treatment on bonding between zirconia ceramic surface and resin cement

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate and compare the effects of different surface treatments and laser irradiation on the shear bond strength of resin cement to zirconia-based ceramic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty zirconia core specimens (10-mm diameter, 2-mm thickness) were produced and embedded in the centers of autopolymerizing acrylic resin blocks. Subsequently, specimens were randomly divided into four groups, each containing 10 specimens, for different surface treatment methods. The details of the groups are as follows: Group C, no treatment applied (control); Group SB, bonding surfaces of ceramic disks were airborne particle-abraded with 110-μm alumina oxide particles; Group HF, bonding surfaces of ceramic disks were etched with 9.6% hydrofluoric acid; and Group L, bonding surfaces of ceramic disks were irradiated by a CO₂ laser. A total of 40 composite resin disks were fabricated and cemented with an adhesive resin cement to the specimen surfaces. A universal test machine was used for the shear bond strength test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min.

RESULTS

The highest shear bond strength values were obtained with Group L (20.99 ± 3.77 MPa) and the lowest values with Group C (13.39 ± 3.10 MPa). Although there was no significant difference between Groups C, HF and SB (P > 0.05), Group L showed a significant difference from all other groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

All surface treatment methods improved the bond strength between resin cement and the zirconium oxide ceramic surface. CO₂ laser etching may represent an effective method for conditioning zirconia surfaces, enhancing micromechanical retention and improving the bond strength of resin cement on zirconia ceramic.