No abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of a sound extracted human second premolar from micro-CT data using commercially available software tools. A detailed 3D FE model of the tooth could be constructed and was experimentally validated by comparing strains calculated in the FE model with strain gauge measurement of the tooth under loading. The regression coefficient and its standard error in the regression analysis between strains calculated by the FE model and measured with strain gauge measurement were 0.82 and 0.06, respectively, and the correlation coefficient was found to be highly significant. These results suggested that an FE model reconstructed from micro-CT data could be used as a valid model to estimate the actual strains with acceptable accuracy.

A newly developed electropolishing system, equipped with an original agitation function for an electrolyte and using a safe electrolyte composed of an alcoholic solution, was applied for wrought and cast CP titanium and its alloys. Surface roughness and morphology of the polished surfaces were then examined. Under an electrolytic condition of 70-75 V, 2.0 kA/m 2 , and 30℃, wrought CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy achieved an apparent mirror-like finishing with an average surface roughness (Ra) of 0.03 and 0.12 μm respectively. Under the same condition, on the other hand, cast CP Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy produced rougher polished surfaces with average Ra values of 0.67-0.80 μm, and the finishing was apparently shiny, but not mirror-like. SEM observation of the polished surfaces showed that wrought CP Ti was even and completely featureless, while wrought Ti-6Al-4V alloy was pitted. For cast CP Ti, a needle-like phase containing traces of iron was observed on the polished surface.

Bactericidal activities of electrolyzed strong and weak acid waters for acrylic denture base resin were evaluated in order to discuss the applicability of these waters for sterilization of denture base. Only 1-minute immersion in the electrolyzed strong or weak acid water could completely eliminate the attached bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus 209P, on the resin plate. When the resin was relined with tissue conditioner, 5-minute immersion or 1-to 2-minute ultrasonic cleaning reduced the number of the bacteria from 105/cm2 level to 101/cm2 and no surviving bacteria could be detected after 10-minute treatment. These findings suggest that both the electrolyzed strong and weak acid waters are well applicable to the disinfectant for acrylic denture base showing excellent bactericidal activities in a significantly shorter treatment as compared with the conventional denture cleaning.

The effects of sandblasting media and steam cleaning treatment after sandblast were examined on tensile bond strength of porcelain to titanium. The use of the commercially available silica-coated alumina particles for sandblast was significantly effective for increasing bond strength than the conventional alumina. It might be due to the increased surface roughness and existence of remaining silica on titanium surface. Additional application of the steam cleaning on titanium surface after sandblasting could make the surface configuration clear in SEM by removing some sandblasted particles loosely embedded in titanium as well as the debris and oily contaminants. The resultant bond strength was significantly improved to reach almost the maximum strength of this porcelain-titanium system regardless of the kind of sandblasting media used, which was confirmed by the observation of the failure mode showing that most of the fracture surface was occupied by cohesive failure in porcelain.

The corrosion behavior of dental alloys was examined in electrolyzed strong acid water, weak acid water and neutral water using a 7-day immersion test. The precious metal alloys, gold alloy, Au-Ag-Pd alloy and silver alloy showed the greatest surface color change and dissolution of constituents in the strong acid water and the smallest in the neutral water. The release of Au from gold alloy was especially marked in the strong acid water. Co-Cr alloy showed greater corrosion and tarnish resistance in the strong acid water rather than in the weak acid water and the neutral water. X-ray microanalysis revealed that the corrosion products on the precious metal alloys were silver chloride crystals and the thin brown products on Co-Cr alloy were cobalt and chromium oxides. Ti was sound in all three types of electrolyzed water. The neutral water appeared the least corrosive to metals among the three types showing equivalent bactericidal activity.

No abstract

This study revealed that cementum cracks developed in the cervix by repeated loadings and extended toward the root apex with time, suggesting that repeated stresses by occlusion or strong stresses such as by bruxism may trigger the development of site-specific attachment loss, which is one of the potential factors inducing periodontal diseases.