Optical and Mechanical Properties of New Ceramic CAD/CAM Materials

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the optical and mechanical properties of newer ceramic CAD/CAM materials to more established materials on the market.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The following ceramic materials were tested: lithium disilicate/lithium-aluminum silicate (Tessera, Dentsply/Sirona), lithium disilicate (Initial LiSi Block, GC), IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent), and 4Y polycrystalline stabilized zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT, Ivoclar Vivadent; Katana STML, Kuraray; YZ ST, VITA). Optical properties (translucency, opalescence) were determined using a dental spectrophotometer on 0.5-, 1.0-, 1.5-, or 2.0-mm specimens. Mechanical properties (flexural strength, flexural modulus, flexural fatigue strength, Weibull modulus, and characteristic strength) were determined with beams undergoing 3-point bend testing. The data were analyzed with multiple analyses of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between groups based on type of ceramic or property (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the lithium disilicate based-ceramic materials had greater optical properties and lower mechanical properties than the zirconia-based ceramic materials.

Effect of Various Surface Treatments on Ti-Base Coping Retention

Clinical Relevance

Mechanical surface roughening of the titanium-abutment base is necessary to increase the pull-off bond strength of the lithium disilicate abutment material. Additional chemical surface treatment may further increase the bond strength, but the effects are product specific.

SUMMARY

Objective:

The titanium-cement interface of a Ti-Base implant crown must be able to resist intraoral pull-off forces. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical and chemical surface treatments of a titanium-abutment base (Ti-Base, Dentsply/Sirona) on the pull-off bond strength of a lithium disilicate abutment coping.

Methods and Materials:

Ti-Bases were divided into nine groups of 10 copings each that varied in both mechanical surface treatment (none; Al2O3 air abrasion; CoJet silicoating, 3M ESPE) and chemical treatments (none; Monobond Plus, Ivoclar Vivadent; Alloy Primer, Kuraray). Lithium disilicate abutment copings (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) were designed and milled. After crystallization, the copings were cemented onto the Ti-Bases with a resin cement (MultiLink Hybrid-Abutment Cement, Ivoclar Vivadent) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The copings were torqued to a mounted implant, and the access channel was sealed with composite. After 24-hour storage and 2000 thermal-cycles in distilled water, the copings were subjected to a removal force parallel to the long axis of the interface until fracture. Data were analyzed with multiple one-way analyses of variance and Tukey post hoc tests (α=0.05).

Results:

Significant differences were found between groups based on type of surface treatment (p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions:

Chemical surface treatment with Monobond Plus and mechanical surface treatment with CoJet silicoating or Al2O3 air abrasion resulted in the greatest pull-off bond strength. Alloy Primer did not provide a statistically significant increased pull-off bond strength when the surfaces were mechanically treated with Al2O3 air abrasion or CoJet silicoating. The lack of any mechanical surface treatment resulted in the lowest pull-off bond strength regardless of the type of chemical surface treatment.

Properties of a New Nanofiber Restorative Composite

A new nanofiber-reinforced hybrid composite (NovaPro Fill, Nanova) was recently introduced with reportedly improved mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to compare the properties (flexural strength/modulus, degree of conversion [DC], depth of cure, and polymerization shrinkage) of the nanofiber composite to those of traditional hybrid composites (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE; Esthet-X HD, Dentsply). To determine flexural strength and modulus, composite was placed in a rectangular mold, light-cured, stored for 24 hours, and then fractured in a universal testing machine. For degree of conversion, composite was placed in a cylindrical mold, light-cured, and stored for 24 hours. Measurements were made at the top and bottom surfaces using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. To determine depth of cure, composite was placed in a cylindrical mold and light-cured. Uncured composite was scraped until polymerized resin was reached. Remaining composite was measured and divided by two. Polymerization shrinkage was determined by placing the composite material on a pedestal in a video-imaging device while light-curing. Shrinkage was determined after 10 minutes. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test per property (α=0.05). Compared to Filtek Z250, NovaPro Fill had significantly lower flexural strength and modulus, greater volumetric shrinkage, and similar depth of cure, but greater top and bottom DC. Compared to Esthet-X HD, NovaPro Fill had similar flexural strength, shrinkage, and top and bottom DC, but significantly greater depth of cure and flexural modulus.

Sensitivity of the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs) to potassium channel blockers: implications for clinical reverse use-dependent effects

The slow delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) is unique in its slow activation and deactivation kinetics. It is important during cardiac repolarization, especially when the heart rate is fast. We compared the effects of quinidine, procainamide, sotalol, and amiodarone on I(Ks) and correlated the findings with the clinical reverse use-dependent effects of potassium channel blockers. Human minK RNA was obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using explanted human heart. The RNA was injected into Xenopus oocytes for heterologous expression of I(Ks). A two-electrode voltage clamp technique was performed to investigate the I(Ks). We demonstrated that quinidine, sotalol and procainamide had no effects on I(Ks) up to a concentration of 300 microM while amiodarone inhibited I(Ks) in a concentration-dependent manner starting from 10 microM. The inhibition by amiodarone was state-dependent with gradual unblocking after depolarization. The degree of inhibition was 53% immediately after depolarization and 19% at the end of a 5-second depolarization. I(Ks) is 30 times more sensitive to amiodarone than to quinidine, sotalol, and procainamide. Quinidine, sotalol and procainamide have reverse use-dependent effects while amiodarone does not. This is compatible with the hypothesis that no inhibition of I(Ks) at clinical concentrations contributes to the clinical reverse use-dependent effects.

Suitability of laser stimulated TLD arrays as patient dose monitors in high dose x-ray imaging

Skin entrance doses of patients undergoing interventional x-ray procedures are capable of causing skin damage and should be monitored routinely. Single TLD chips are not suitable because the location of maximum skin exposure cannot be predicted. Most photographic films are too sensitive at diagnostic x-ray energies for dosimetry, exhibit temporal changes in response, and require special packaging by the user. We have investigated the suitability of laser heated MgB4O7 TLDs in a polyimide binder in the range of 0.2-20 Gy. These are available in radioluscent arrays up to 30 x 30 cm for direct measurement of patient skin dose. Dose response was compared with a calibrated ion chamber dosimeter. Exposures were made at 60, 90, and 120 kVp, at low (fluoroscopy) and high (DSA) dose rates, and at different beam incidence angles. Longitudinal reproducibility and response to temperature changes during exposure were also checked. The dose response is linear below approximately 6 Gy where the slope starts to increase 2% per Gy. Errors were less than +/- 2% over a 0-80 degrees range of beam incidence angles; less than +/- 3% for both dose rate variations and kVp differences between 70 and 120 kVp. The response was unaffected by temperature changes between 20 and 37 degrees C. Reproducibility is current +/- 7%. MgB4O7 TLD arrays are suitable for patient dosimetry in high dose fluoroscopy procedures if appropriate calibrations are used. Uncertainty in skin dose measurement is less than 10%, which is substantially better than film dosimetry.

Temperature response of two photographic films and TLDs suitable for patient dosimetry of high dose fluoroscopic procedures

When making direct measurements of skin entrance dose for patients undergoing interventional x-ray procedures the dosimeter may be placed near or in direct contact with the skin. The response of such dosimeters to heating during x-ray exposure must be known for accurate dosimetry. Two photographic films and MgB4O7 TLDs used for patient dose monitoring were exposed under different temperature conditions. Film dose response curves were obtained at room temperature and body temperature (22 degrees C and 38 degrees C). The TLD response at room and body temperature was also checked at 14 Gy. Dose response curves of FGP film show at most a 22+/-2% increase in predicted dose at 37 degrees C in the range of 0.3 to 2.8 Gy. LOC4 film showed less than a 2% difference in response between 22 and 37 degrees C over a range of 1 to 11 Gy. The TLDs showed less than a 2% difference at a dose of 14 Gy. Uncertainty in skin dose estimation is less than 2% using LOC4 film and MgB4O7 TLD arrays. Uncertainty in temperature during exposure of Kodak fine grain positive film may lead to errors in dose estimates of +/-11%. Arrays of TLDs and copy film are more suitable for measurements of high doses and are less sensitive to temperature changes during exposure than the fine grain film.

Sleep deprivation procedure produces stomach lesions in rats

Sprague-Dawley male rats were deprived of food for 40 hr and subjected to sleep deprivation by the "flower pot" or handling intervention procedures during the final 24 hr. Five of six rats in the flower pot group exhibited stomach erosions. Only one rat in the handling group, and no rats in a food deprived control group showed such erosions. The flower pot group also had higher levels of corticosterone than the food deprived control group. These findings argue for more serious consideration of the effects of the stress of procedures for sleep deprivation.