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The FEL and PIC discs showed the lowest susceptibility to slow crack growth (SCG), whereas the LD and ZLS discs presented the highest. PIC presented the lowest elastic modulus and no crystals in its composition, while ZLS presented tetragonal zirconia. The overall strength and SCG of the new materials did not benefit from the additional phase or microconstituents present in them.

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The aim of this study was to verify the effects of different surface treatments on the microtensile bond strength between resin cement and a hybrid ceramic. Thirty-two hybrid ceramic slices (8 × 10 × 3 mm) were produced and allocated among four groups according to the surface treatment: Cont = no treatment, HA = 10% hydrofluoric acid applied for 60 seconds, PA = 37% phosphoric acid applied for 60 seconds and CJ = air abrasion with silica particle coated alumina (Cojet Sand, 3M ESPE, 30 μm/2.8 bar). As a control group, eight blocks of feldspathic ceramic (8 × 10 × 3 mm) were etched by hydrofluoric acid for 60 seconds (VMII). After the surface treatments, the ceramic slices were silanized (except the Cont group) and adhesively cemented to composite resin blocks (8 × 10 × 3 mm ) with a load of 750 g (polymerized for 40 seconds each side). The cemented blocks were cut into beams (bonded surface area of ∼1 mm(2)). Half of the beams were aged (thermocycling of 5°C-55°C/6000 cycles + water storage at 37°C/60 days), and the other half were tested immediately after being cut. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (non-aged groups) and by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (aged groups; α=0.05%). The mode of failure was classified by stereomicroscopy. The surface treatment significantly affected the bond strength in each set of groups: non-aged (p=0.001) and aged (p=0.001). Before being aged, samples in the CJ, HA, and PA groups achieved the highest bond strength values. However, after being aged, only those in the HA group remained with the highest bond strength values. Adhesive failure was found most often. In conclusion, hydrofluoric acid etching should be used for surface conditioning of the studied hybrid ceramic.

This study investigated the flexural strength of eight fiber posts (one carbon fiber, one carbon/quartz fiber, one opaque quartz fiber, two translucent quartz fiber, and three glass fiber posts).

This study evaluated the effects of surface treatments on the bond strength between the new zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (ZLS) and resin cement. VITA Suprinity blocks were crystallized according to the manufacturer's instructions and randomly assigned to six groups (N=36; n=6), according to the surface treatment to be performed and aging conditions: HF20, 10% hydrofluoric acid for 20 seconds, baseline (control); HF20tc, 10% hydrofluoric acid for 20 seconds, aging; HF40, 10% hydrofluoric acid for 40 seconds, baseline; HF40tc, 10% hydrofluoric acid for 40 seconds, aging; CJ, CoJet sandblasting (25 seconds, 2.5 bar, 15-mm distance), baseline; and CJtc, CoJet sandblasting (25 seconds, 2.5 bar, 15-mm distance), aging. All specimens were silanized (Monobond S) and cemented with Panavia F to newly polymerized Z250 resin blocks. After specimens were immersed for 24 hours in distilled water at 37° C, 1-mm(2) cross-section microbars were obtained by means of a cutting machine under constant cooling. Baseline groups were immediately tested, whereas "tc" groups were used to analyze the effect of aging on bond strength (10,000 thermal cycles, 5/55°C, 30-second bath). The microtensile bond strength test was performed with a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min), and bond strength (MPa) was calculated when the load-to-failure (N) was divided by the adhesive area (mm(2)). We also evaluated the surface roughness (Sa, average roughness; Str, texture aspect ratio; Sdr, developed interfacial area ratio) and the contact angle resulting from the treatments. Data were statistically analyzed by one- or two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (all α=5%). The failure mode of each specimen was evaluated by stereomicroscopy, and representative specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The microtensile bond strength was affected by the surface conditioning (p<0.0001), storage condition (p<0.0001), and the interaction between them (p=0.0012). The adhesion for HF etching was stable, whereas for CJ, aging significantly damaged the adhesion. Most failures were predominantly adhesive between ceramic and cement (52.6%). The roughness of the treated samples was higher compared with that of polished specimens for the three evaluated parameters (Sa, Str, and Sdr; all p<0.0001). Contact angle was also influenced by treatments (p<0.0001), with the CJ group showing values similar to those of control specimens. It can be concluded that the three surface treatment techniques present favorable immediate results, but silica coating was not effective in maintaining the bond strength over the long term.

In situations in which few dental remnants are available, the thicker the restoration, the higher the concentration of stresses in its structure, protecting the adhesive interface from potential adhesive failures. Results are more promising when the endocrown is fabricated with lithium disilicate ceramic.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of four indirect resin composites (IRCs) with various compositions processed in different polymerization units and investigated the effect of thermal aging on the flexural strength and Vicker's microhardness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were prepared from four IRC materials, namely Gr 1: Resilab (Wilcos); Gr2: Sinfony (3M ESPE); Gr3: VITA VMLC (VITA Zahnfabrik); Gr4: VITA Zeta (VITA Zahnfabrik) using special molds for flexural strength test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (25 x 2 x 2 mm(3), ISO 4049), for Vicker's microhardness test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (5 x 4 mm(2)) and for DC (N = 10) using FT-Raman Spectroscopy. For both flexural strength and microhardness tests, half of the specimens were randomly stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours (Groups 1 to 4), and the other half (Groups 5 to 8) were subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5 to 55 +/-1 degree C, dwell time: 30 seconds). Flexural strength was measured in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 0.8 mm/min). Microhardness test was performed at 50 g. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha= 0.05). The correlation between flexural strength and microhardness was evaluated with Pearson's correlation test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: A significant effect for the type of IRC and thermocycling was found (p= 0.001, p= 0.001) on the flexural strength results, but thermocycling did not significantly affect the microhardness results (p= 0.078). The interaction factors were significant for both flexural strength and microhardness parameters (p= 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Thermocycling decreased the flexural strength of the three IRCs tested significantly (p < 0.05), except for VITA Zeta (106.3 +/-9.1 to 97.2 +/-14 MPa) (p > 0.05) when compared with nonthermocycled groups. Microhardness results of only Sinfony were significantly affected by thermocycling (25.1 +/-2.1 to 31 +/-3.3 Kg/mm(2)). DC values ranged between 63% and 81%, and were not significantly different between the IRCs (p > 0.05). While a positive correlation was found between flexural strength and microhardness without (r = 0.309) and with thermocycling (r = 0.100) for VITA VMLC, negative correlations were found for Resilab under the same conditions (r =-0.190 and -0.305 AbstractPurpose: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of four indirect resin composites (IRCs) with various compositions processed in different polymerization units and investigated the effect of thermal aging on the flexural strength and Vicker's microhardness. Materials and Methods: Specimens were prepared from four IRC materials, namely Gr 1: Resilab (Wilcos); Gr2: Sinfony (3M ESPE); Gr3: VITA VMLC (VITA Zahnfabrik); Gr4: VITA Zeta (VITA Zahnfabrik) using special molds for flexural strength test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (25 × 2 × 2 mm 3 , ISO 4049), for Vicker's microhardness test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (5 × 4 mm 2 ) and for DC (N = 10) using FT-Raman Spectroscopy. For both fle...