The objective of this study was to assess the bonding performance of a new universal self-adhesive cement RelyX Unicem (RXU) to dentin and enamel compared to four currently used luting systems, using a shear bond strength test with and without thermocycling. Median bond strengths were determined after 24 h storage, and after thermocycling (6,000 cycles, 5-55 degrees C) for RXU and compared to Syntac/Variolink II (SynC/V) as a standard for luting conventional ceramics, ED-Primer II/Panavia F2.0 (EDII/PF2), Prime and Bond NT/Dyract Cem Plus (PBNT/DyCP), and a glass ionomer cement, Ketac Cem (KetC), as a standard for luting high-strength ceramic and metal-based restorations. Data (n=10 per group) were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test at the 0.05 level of significance. The bond strength (MPa) of RXU to dentin (10.8) was not statistically different from those of SynC/V (15.1), EDII/PF2 (10.5) or PBNT/DyCP (10.1), and statistically higher than KetC (4.1). The bond strength of RXU to enamel (14.5) was significantly lower than those of SynC/V (32.8), EDII/PF2 (23.6), and PBNT/DyCP (17.8), but higher than KetC (6.1). After thermocycling, the bond strength of RXU to enamel significantly decreased, but was still significantly higher than that of KetC. RelyX Unicem may be considered an alternative to Ketac Cem for high-strength ceramic or metal-based restorations, and may be used for luting conventional ceramic crowns with little or no enamel left.

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the curing efficiency of three different polymerization methods through ceramic restorations by determination of the depth of cure and the universal hardness of a composite resin luting material. Therefore, 36 ceramic specimens [Empress 2 (Ivoclar), color 300, diameter 4 mm, height 2 mm] were prepared and inserted in steel molds (diameter 4 mm, height 6 mm) using a composite resin luting material [Variolink II (Vivadent)] with and without catalyst. The polymerization through six specimens of each group was done conventionally (40 s), by softstart polymerization (40 s), or by plasma arc curing (10 s). Depth of cure under the ceramic specimens was assessed according to ISO 4049. Additionally, universal hardness was determined at 0.5 and 1.0 mm from the ceramic using a universal testing machine (Zwick 14040). Curing without a catalyst, using conventional and softstart polymerization, resulted in greater hardness in both layers, compared to plasma arc curing. The use of a catalyst always produced a greater hardness and depth of cure with all polymerization methods. Depth of cure was always greater using conventional polymerization and softstart polymerization, compared to plasma arc curing. The curing efficiency of plasma arc curing through ceramic was lower compared to conventional and softstart-polymerization.

SUMMARYThis study compared the ability of a variety of light sources and exposure modes to polymerize a dual-cured resin composite through ceramic discs of different thicknesses by depth of cure and Vickers microhardness (VHN). Ceramic specimens ( The results showed that increasing ceramic disc thickness had a negative effect on the curing depth and hardness of all light curing units, with hardness decreasing dramatically under the 2-mm thick discs using LuxOmax, e-Light (12 sec- Clinical RelevanceThe ability of modern light curing units to photocure luting resin through ceramic restorations is dependent on the type of light source, ceramic thickness and use of a self-curing catalyst.

The marginal integrities of bonding inlays directly to dentine are not different from bonding inlays to a proximal box, which has been elevated by a composite filling material. For deep proximal cavities, the PBE technique could be an alternative technique to conventional methods. Clinical research is needed to confirm.

The aims of the present study were to measure the fluoride release of 1 glass ionomer cement, 1 cermet, 3 resin-modified glass ionomer cements and 1 compomer, and to determine the influence of each material on bacterial growth. Test specimens were eluted in saline for 180 days. Every 2 days, the specimens were transferred into fresh saline and the fluoride content of the solution was measured. Furthermore, 48-h, 14-d, 90-d, and 180-d eluates were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans and bacterial growth was recorded nephelometrically. Fluoride release dropped significantly over time for each material with values between 6.2 (Ketac-Silver) and 29.3 (Photac-Fil) ppm after 48 h to values between 0.6 (Ketac-Silver) and 1.7 (Ketac-Fil, Vitremer) ppm after 180 days. Each material reduced bacterial growth at each time of examination, but the effect decreased significantly over time with a maximum growth of 71.7% (Ketac-Fil) to 85.6% (Ketac-Silver) after 48 h and 94.7 (Vitremer) to 99.0% (Ketac-Silver) after 180 days (growth control = 100%). Both Ketac-Silver and Dyract showed a significantly lower inhibiting effect on bacterial growth than the other materials. The tested materials showed a good correlation between fluoride release and influence on bacterial growth. However, both effects dropped dramatically over the 180-days period.