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The restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) with more than one cusp missing and thin remaining walls is challenging for the general practitioner. The use of posts combined with full coverage restorations is a well-established approach, yet not following the minimal invasive principles of adhesive dentistry. Endocrowns are indirect monoblock restorations that use the pulp chamber of the ETT for retention. In this study the fabrication of 4 endocrowns and their clinical performance will be discussed. Two clinical cases include computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing manufactured molar endocrowns (one feldspathic ceramic and one hybrid composite-ceramic restoration) and the other two are dental laboratory manufactured resin composite premolar endocrown restorations. The modified United States Public Health Service criteria were used to assess the clinical behavior of the restorations at different follow up periods. Endocrown restorations present a satisfactory clinical alternative, either by the use of resin composite or glass ceramic and hybrid materials. Specific guidelines with minimal alterations should be followed for an endocrown restoration to be successful. Due to limited evidence regarding the long term evaluation of this restorative technique, a careful selection of cases should be applied.

Objectives:To evaluate the polymerization efficiency of bulk fill resin-based composites (RBCs) and how their composition, temperature and post-irradiation polymerization influence the results. Methods and Materials: Eight bulk fill RBCs were investigated. Five specimens for each material were prepared for Vickers hardness measurements. The measurements were performed in three depths from the top of the surface of the specimens (0, 2 or 4 mm) immediately and 24 h after polymerization and for the highly viscous bulk fill RBCs after preheating at 54 o C. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at a=0.05. Results: As the depth increases microhardness values reduce. The Vickers hardness measurements 24 h after photo-polymerization revealed higher values compared to those obtained immediately after photo-polymerization (p<0.05). There was an increase in microhardness of the RBC materials when preheated at 54 o C in comparison with the room temperature specimens (p<0.05).Conclusions: Polymerization efficiency of bulk fill RBCs is affected by their composition and increases with temperature and post-irradiation polymerization.

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Preheating, shade, and composition of the tested composite resins affected their surface microhardness.

Radiant heat and ultrasonic treatments may be useful methods for GIC restorations in order to achieve faster adequate initial mechanical properties.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the resistance to dissolution by two home-use fluoride gels on the surface integrity of glass-ionomer, resin modified glass-ionomer, compomer and composite resin restorations. Class V cavities prepared in extracted teeth were restored with a glass-ionomer (Fuji II), a resin modified glass-ionomer (Vitremenr), two compomers (Dyract and F-2000) and a composite resin (Z-100). Groups of five specimens of each material were treated for 24 h with one of the following: (i). distilled water, (ii). neutral fluoride gel and (iii). acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel. Surface degradation of the restorations was studied using standard electron microscopy (SEM), rated according to specific criteria and statistically analysed by the Wilcoxon test (rank sums). Acidulated phosphate fluoride was found to have a significant effect on all examined materials, while minimal effects resulted from the neutral fluoride gel compared with the control group. The effect of home-use fluoride gels on glass-ionomer, compomer and composite resin restorations.