The influence of chemical cross-links between a single-walled fullerene nanotube and a polymer matrix on the matrix-nanotube shear strength has been studied using molecular dynamics simulations. A (10,10) nanotube embedded in either a crystalline or amorphous polyethylene matrix is used as a model for a nonbonded interface (in the absence of cross-links). The simulations predict that shear strengths and critical lengths required for load transfer can be enhanced and decreased, respectively, by over an order of magnitude with the formation of cross-links involving less than 1% of the nanotube carbon atoms. At this level of chemical functionalization, calculations also predict that there is a negligible change in tensile modulus for a (10,10) nanotube.

To reduce loss of tooth tissue and to improve esthetic results, inlay and onlay restorations are good treatment choices for extensive cavities in posterior teeth. The aim of this paper was to evaluate, by means of three-dimensional finite element analysis, the effects of restorative material and cavity design on stress distribution in the tooth structures and restorative materials. Two different nanofilled composites and two different all-ceramic materials were used in this study. A permanent molar tooth was modeled with enamel and dentin structures. 3-D inlay and onlay cavity designs were created. Von Mises, compressive, and tensile stresses on the restorative materials, core materials, enamel, and dentin were evaluated separately. On the effect of restorative material, results showed that in the case of materials with low elastic moduli, more stress was transferred to the tooth structures. Therefore, compared to the nanofilled composites, the all-ceramic inlay and onlay materials tested transferred less stress to the tooth structures. On the effect of cavity design, the onlay design was more efficacious in protecting the tooth structures than the inlay design.

The best color match (mean ΔE values) was recorded for A1, A2, and A3 shade pairs in both methods. When proper object-camera distance, digital camera settings, and suitable illumination conditions are provided, digital imaging method could be used in the assessment of color parameters. Interchanging use of shade guides from different composite systems should be avoided during color selection.

Clinical RelevanceBased on the in vitro results of this study, restoration of a tooth with an overflared root canal, using individually shaped polyethylene reinforced dowels, may help to reduce microleakage. SUMMARYThis study evaluated microleakage in overflared root canals restored with four different types of adhesively-luted fiber-reinforced dowels: DT Light Post (LP), Glassix (GL), Ribbond (RB) and StickTech Post (ST). Forty non-carious, singlerooted mandibular human premolars with straight root canals were prepared using a stepback technique and obturated with gutta-percha using lateral condensation. The restored roots were randomly divided into four groups (n=10). The root canals were overprepared, creating an overflared dowel space, and each dowel was adhesively luted using a total-etched adhesive (Single Bond) and dual-polymerizing luting agent (RelyX ARC). All specimens were thermal cycled 1000 times between 5°C and 55°C and stored in 2% methylene-blue solution for one week. The teeth were cut horizontally into three consecutive sections: apical (A), middle (M) and coronal (C). Each section was digitally photographed from the occlusal direction under a stereomicroscope. The images were transferred to a PC and stored in TIFF format. For each image, dye penetration was estimated as the ratio of methylene-blue-infiltrated surface divided by total dentin surfaces. The data were compared and statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<.05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compute multiple pairwise comparisons to determine differences between the

This study evaluated the colour parameters of composite and ceramic shade guides determined using a colorimeter and digital imaging method with illuminants at different colour temperatures. Two different resin composite shade guides, namely Charisma (Heraeus Kulzer) and Premise (Kerr Corporation), and two different ceramic shade guides, Vita Lumin Vacuum (VITA Zahnfabrik) and Noritake (Noritake Co.), were evaluated at three different colour temperatures (2,700 K, 2,700-6,500 K, and 6500 K) of illuminants. Ten shade tabs were selected (A1, A2, A3, A3,5, A4, B1, B2, B3, C2 and C3) from each shade guide. CIE Lab values were obtained using digital imaging and a colorimeter (ShadeEye NCC Dental Chroma Meter, Shofu Inc.). The data were analysed using two-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. While mean L* values of both composite and ceramic shade guides were not affected from the colour temperature, L* values obtained with the colorimeter showed significantly lower values than those of the digital imaging (p<0.01). At combined 2,700-6500 K colour temperature, the means of a* values obtained from colorimeter and digital imaging did not show significant differences (p>0.05). For both composite and ceramic shade guides, L* and b* values obtained from colorimeter and digital imaging method presented a high level of correlation. High-level correlations were also acquired for a* values in all shade guides except for the Charisma composite shade guide. Digital imaging method could be an alternative for the colorimeters unless the proper objectcamera distance, digital camera settings and suitable illumination conditions could be supplied. However, variations in shade guides, especially for composites, may affect the correlation.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the dimensional changes of polyether and vinyl polyether siloxane impression materials under immersion disinfection with two different disinfectants in three time periods. Impressions were obtained from an edentulous master model. Sodium hypochlorite (5.25%) and glutaraldehyde (2%) were used for disinfection and measurements were done 30 min later after making impression before disinfection, after required disinfection period (10 min), and after 24 h storage at room temperature. Impressions were scanned using 3D scanner with 10 microns accuracy and 3D software was used to evaluate the dimensional changes with superimpositioning. Positive and negative deviations were calculated and compared with master model. There was no significant difference between two elastomeric impression materials (p>0.05). It was concluded that dimensional accuracy and stability of two impression materials were excellent and similar.

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A summary of three simulations related to the issue of load transfer in carbon nanotube/polymer composites is given. Each simulation considers a (10,10) nanotube in a polyethylene matrix modeled with either a united-atom or fully-atomic polyethylene representation. The first simulation uses molecular dynamics to model a 100 nm nanotube in polyethylene in which the nanotube and matrix interact through weak non-bonded interactions. No permanent stress transfer is observed for this system. The second simulation estimates the shear yield strength for the nanotube in each of the model polyethylene matrices. The third simulation addresses a chemically functionalized nanotube in which there are cross-links between the nanotube and matrix. The results indicate that the cross-linked system has an enhanced shear yield strength of one to two orders of magnitude larger than the non-bonded composites.