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This study compared the effects of two mechanical surface preparation techniques, air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser, with the use of two adhesive systems, self-etch and etch and rinse, on the repair bond strengths of an indirect composite resin. One hundred fifty cylindrical samples of an indirect composite resin were prepared and randomly divided into six groups (n = 25). In groups 1-3, the composite resin surfaces were respectively prepared as follows: no roughening, roughening by air abrasion, and roughening by Nd:YAG laser, followed by application of an etch-and-rinse adhesive. In groups 4-6, the preparation techniques were respectively the same as those in groups 1-3, followed by application of a self-etch adhesive. Subsequently, a direct composite resin was added and repair bond strengths were measured. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test. Mean bond strength value was significant based on the preparation technique (P < 0.001), i.e., in air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser groups, bond strengths were significantly higher compared to no-preparation groups (P < 0.0005). There were significant differences in bond strength values between air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser groups, with significantly higher values in air abrasion groups (P < 0.0005). However, there were no significant differences in bond strength values between the adhesive systems. Furthermore, the cumulative effects of the adhesive system and the surface preparation technique were not significant. Surface preparation of the indirect composite resin with air abrasion and Nd:YAG laser resulted in a significant increase in the repair bond strength, with air abrasion being more effective. There were no significant differences in bond strength between the two adhesives.

Success in sandwich technique procedures can be achieved through an acceptable bond between the materials. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 35% phosphoric acid and Er,Cr:YSGG laser on shear bond strength of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) to composite resin in sandwich technique. Sixty-six specimens were prepared from each type of glass-ionomer cements and divided into three treatment groups as follows: without pretreatment, acid etching by 35% phosphoric acid for 15 s, and 1-W Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment for 15 s with a 600-μm-diameter tip aligned perpendicular to the target area at a distance of 1 mm from the surface. Energy density of laser irradiation was 17.7 J/cm(2). Two specimens in each group were prepared for evaluation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after surface treatment and the remainder underwent bonding procedure with a bonding agent and composite resin. Then the shear bond strength was measured at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Two-factor analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test showed that the cement type, surface treatment method, and the interaction of these two factors significantly affect the shear bond strength between glass-ionomer cements and composite resin (p < 0.05). Surface treatment with phosphoric acid or Er,Cr:YSGG laser increased the shear bond strength of GIC to composite resin; however, in RMGIC only laser etching resulted in significantly higher bond strength. These findings were supported by SEM results. The fracture mode was evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×20.

Horizontal pins alone, or with flowable composite, have no effect on the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars restored with resin composite. SUMMARYMany endodontically-treated teeth require quick, simple, low-cost restorations. This study evaluated the effect of horizontal pins and flowable composites on the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars directly restored with resin composite.In this in vitro study, 64 intact human maxillary premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were randomly divided into four groups of 16.Standard access cavities were prepared in such a way that the buccal cusp had a buccolingual thickness of 3 mm measured at the height of contour. The palatal cusp was reduced to 1.5 mm coronal to CEJ. The specimens were prepared as follows:Group 1: resin composite restoration without horizontal self-threading pins or flowable composite (control group).Group 2: resin composite restoration without horizontal self-threading pins but with a 2 mm thickness of the flowable composite. Subsequent to thermocycling, all specimens were loaded to failure. The data were analyzed using a two-factor ANOVA test (α=0.05).The maximum mean of fracture resistance was in Group 1 (632.86 ± 119.46 N), and the minimum value was related to Group 3 (533.49 ± 168.07 N). There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: Neither horizontal pin placement nor flowable composite had a significant effect on increasing the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars restored with composite.

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the use of composite fibers (glass fiber and polyethylene fiber) at the gingival third of mesio-occlusodistal (MOD) cavities on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars. Materials and methods A total of 45 extracted premolars underwent endodontic treatment. MOD cavities, 2.5 ± 0.2 mm thick at the buccal and lingual heights of contour, were prepared, with the gingival cavosurface margin 1.5 mm coronal to the cementoenamel junction. Then the teeth were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1, the cavities were restored with Z250 composite resin without the use of any fibers. In groups 2 and 3, the teeth were restored in the same manner as that in group 1 after placement of glass fiber and polyethylene fiber at the gingival third of the cavities, respectively. Subsequent to thermocycling, fracture resistance of the specimens was measured in Newton (N). Statistical analysis Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results There were significant differences in the means of fracture resistance values between the three groups (p = 0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed in the fracture resistance between group 2 and groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.05). However, the differences between groups 1 and 3 were not significant (p = 0.25). Conclusion The type of fiber influenced the fracture resistance of endodontically treated human premolars. Clinical significance Using glass and/or polyethylene fibers in the gingival third of composite restorations leads to different results in fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars. How to cite this article Oskoee PA, Chaharom MEE, Kimyai S, Oskoee JS, Varasteh S. Effect of Two Types of Composite Fibers on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Maxillary Premolars: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(1):30-34.

Sodium ascorbate has recently been suggested to compensate decreased bond strength of composite resin to bleached tooth surfaces. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of 10% sodium ascorbate on bleached bovine enamel morphology and microhardness considering the possibility of its effect on enamel surface characteristics. A total of 69 bovine enamel slabs were prepared and mounted in acrylic resin. Subsequent to polishing, they were randomly divided into 3 groups of 23 specimens each; 3 for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis and 20 for hardness test. In group 1 the specimens were immersed in distilled water as control group; in group 2 the specimens were bleached with 35% carbamide peroxide for 30 min a week for 3 consecutive weeks; and in group 3 the specimens were exposed to 10% sodium ascorbate for 30 min subsequent to bleaching similar to group 1. After 3 weeks Vickers hardness of the specimens was measured at 3 points with equal distances from each other under a force of 50 g. The mean of the hardness values of each specimen was calculated and data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05). The highest and lowest microhardness values were observed in group 1 and group 2, respectively. However, there were no statistically significant differences in microhardness between the groups (P = 0.12). The use of 35% carbamide peroxide alone or with 10% sodium ascorbate does not affect bovine enamel hardness. SEM analysis showed a network of sodium ascorbate adsorbed to the bleached enamel surface.

Objectives: Considering the increasing use of vital bleaching procedures and the increased application of newly introduced resin-based materials for tooth restoration, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of 15% carbamide peroxide gel on the flexural strength of three resin-based restorative materials. Materials and Methods: Three different types of restorative materials namely Beautifil II giomer, Cention N, and Z250 micro-hybrid composite resin were evaluated in this in vitro, experimental study. Twenty-four bar-shaped specimens were prepared from each restorative material, totaling 72 specimens, and were randomly assigned to two subgroups with and without bleaching procedure (n=12). In the bleaching subgroups, 15% carbamide peroxide gel was applied on the specimen surface 8 h a day for 14 days. The flexural strength of the specimens was then measured. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the flexural strength of the specimens. Results: There was a significant reduction in the flexural strength of materials following exposure to the bleaching agent (P<0.05). The flexural strength was significantly higher in the groups that did not undergo bleaching. However, the mean flexural strength of the restorative materials was not significantly different (P=0.12). Conclusion: The flexural strength of Beautifil II giomer, Cention N, and Z250 micro-hybrid composite resin could be compromised subsequent to bleaching with 15% carbamide peroxide gel. The three resin-based restorative materials exhibited similar flexural strength values irrespective of the use or no use of 15% carbamide peroxide gel.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different in-office and home bleaching gels on the surface mercury levels of dental amalgam.Methods:Sixty disk-shaped amalgam specimens (GS-80, SDI- Australia) were prepared and randomly divided into the following treatment groups: 1. Distilled water (control); 2. 15% home-bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF, Ultra dent, USA) applied for 6 h/day for 3 weeks; and 3. 35% in-office bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence Quick, Ultradent) applied for 30 min/week for 3 weeks. Levels of mercury were measured as weight percentages using an energy dispersive x-ray micro-analyzer detector connected to an electron microscope. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey tests (P<.05).Results:There were no significant differences between the surface mercury levels measured following treatment with the tested home-bleach and in-office bleach products (P=0.71). However, both materials yielded significantly more mercury levels than that of the control group (P<.001).Conclusions:The tested bleaching products significantly elevated the surface mercury levels of amalgam in vitro.