No abstract

This study compared the clinical performance of a nanofilled resin composite for posterior restorations with 2 microhybrid and 1 packable composite after 12 months of clinical service. Forty-two patients with at least 5 Class I or II restorations under occlusion were enrolled in this study. A total of 148 restorations were placed, 25% for each material (Filtek Supreme, Pyramid, Esthet-X or Tetric Ceram). Two calibrated operators placed all restorations, according to the manufacturers' instructions. One week later, the restorations were finished/polished. Two independent examiners evaluated the restorations at baseline and after 12 months according to the USPHS modified criteria. All patients attended the 12-month recall and 148 restorations were evaluated. Friedman repeated measures analysis of variance by rank and Wilcoxon sign-ranked test for pair-wise comparison was used for data analysis (alpha=0.05). All materials showed only minor modifications, and no differences were detected between their performance at baseline and after 12 months. After 1 year, the nanofilled resin composite showed similar performance to the other packable and microhybrid resin composites.

No abstract

This study evaluated the influence of the cementation system on the regional push-out bond strength and failure pattern of fiber posts to radicular dentin. The roots of 48 extracted human incisors were prepared and divided into 3 groups (n=16), according to the cementation system: AdperScotchbond Multi-Purpose + resin cement RelyX ARC (SBMP+ARC); Adper SingleBond 2 + RelyX ARC (SB+ARC) and; RelyX U100 self-adhesive resin cement (U100). The posts were cemented as per manufacturer's instructions for each cementation system. After 1 week, the roots were sectioned transversely into 6 discs. Two discs were obtained from the cervical, middle and apical thirds and the push-out test was carried out. The failure pattern was examined on all debonded specimens. The data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test. When U100 was used, no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was observed among the different root regions. Statistically higher push-out bond strength values were detected in the cervical third for SBMP+ARC and SB+ARC (p<0.05). The U100 showed significantly more mixed failures than SBMP+ARC in the apical third (p<0.05). In conclusion, the self-adhesive cement RelyX U100 was the only cement not sensitive to the root canal region.

A study was conducted to evaluate the top and bottom hardness of two composites cured using polymerizing units equipped with light-emitting diodes [LED] (LEDemetron; Elipar FreeLight, Coltolux LED) and one quartz-tungsten halogen device [QTH] (Optilux 501) under different exposure times (20, 40 and 60 sec). A matrix mold 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth was made to obtain five disc-shaped specimens for each experimental group. The specimens were cured by one of the light-curing units (LCUs) for 20, 40 or 60 sec, and the hardness was measured with a Vickers hardness-measuring instrument (50 g/30 sec). Data were subjected to three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). LED LCUs were as effective as the QTH device for curing both composites. A significant increase in the microhardness values were observed for all light LCUs when the exposure time was changed from 20 sec to 40 sec. The Z250 composite showed hardness values that were usually higher than those of the Charisma composite under similar experimental conditions. LED LCUs are as efficient for curing composites as the QTH device as long as an exposure time of 40 sec or higher is employed. An exposure time of 40 sec is required to provide composites with a uniform and high Knoop hardness when LED light-curing units are employed.