Flexural strength and hardness of direct and indirect composites

The objective of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength (σf) and hardness (H) of direct and indirect composites, testing the hypotheses that direct resin composites produce higher σf and H values than indirect composites and that these properties are positively related. Ten bar-shaped specimens (25 mm x 2 mm x 2 mm) were fabricated for each direct [D250 - Filtek Z250 (3M-Espe) and D350 - Filtek Z350 (3M-Espe)] and indirect [ISin - Sinfony (3M-Espe) and IVM - VitaVM LC (Vita Zahnfabrik)] materials, according to the manufacturer's instructions and ISO4049 specifications. The σf was tested in three-point bending using a universal testing machine (EMIC DL 2000) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min (ISO4049). Knoop hardness (H) was measured on the specimens' fragments resultant from the σf test and calculated as H = 14.2P/l², where P is the applied load (0.1 kg; dwell time = 15 s) and l is the longest diagonal of the diamond shaped indent (ASTM E384). The data were statistically analyzed using Anova and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). The mean σf and standard deviation values (MPa) and statistical grouping were: D250 - 135.4 ± 17.6a; D350 - 123.7 ± 11.1b; ISin - 98.4 ± 6.4c; IVM - 73.1 ± 4.9d. The mean H and standard deviation values (kg/mm²) and statistical grouping were: D250 - 98.12 ± 1.8a; D350 - 86.5 ± 1.9b; ISin - 28.3 ± 0.9c; IVM - 30.8 ± 1.0c. The direct composite systems examined produce higher mean σf and H values than the indirect composites, and the mean values of these properties were positively correlated (r = 0.91), confirming the study hypotheses

Effect of acid etching of glass ionomer cement surface on the microleakage of sandwich restorations

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the sealing ability of different glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for sandwich restorations and to assess the effect of acid etching of GIC on microleakage at GIC-resin composite interface. Forty cavities were prepared on the proximal surfaces of 20 permanent human premolars (2 cavities per tooth), assigned to 4 groups (n=10) and restored as follows: Group CIE - conventional GIC (CI) was applied onto the axial and cervical cavity walls, allowed setting for 5 min and acid etched (E) along the cavity margins with 35% phosphoric acid for 15 s, washed for 30 s and water was blotted; the adhesive system was applied and light cured for 10 s, completing the restoration with composite resin light cured for 40 s; Group CIN - same as Group CIE, except for acid etching of the CI surface; Group RME - same as CIE, but using a resin modified GIC (RMGIC); Group RMN - same as Group RME, except for acid etching of the RMGIC surface. Specimens were soaked in 1% methylene blue dye solution at 24ºC for 24 h, rinsed under running water for 1 h, bisected longitudinally and dye penetration was measured following the ISO/TS 11405-2003 standard. Results were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests (a=0.05). Dye penetration scores were as follow: CIE - 2.5; CIN - 2.5; RME - 0.9; and RMN - 0.6. The results suggest that phosphoric acid etching of GIC prior to the placement of composite resin does not improve the sealing ability of sandwich restorations. The RMGIC was more effective in preventing dye penetration at the GIC-resin composite-dentin interfaces than CI

Deslocamento apical produzido por instrumentos de níquel-titânio acionados a motor e limas de aço inoxidável

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical displacement produced by different rotary nickel-titanium instruments, testing the hypothesis that rotary systems with nickel-titanium instruments produce lower mean values of apical displacement than stainless steel hand instruments. A total of 100 maxillary permanent first molars were selected for the study. The mesiobuccal roots were sectioned at the top cervical third and embedded in blocks of self-curing resin. The specimens were randomly divided into 5 groups and the root canals were prepared using the following nickel-titanium instruments: Group 1 - Quantec system 2000 (Analytic Endodontics, Mexico); Group 2 - Pro-File T.0.04 (Dentsply/Maillefer, Switzerland); Group 3 - Pro-File Series 29 T.0.04 (Dentsply Tulsa, Switzerland); Group 4 - Pow-R T.0.02 (Moyco-Union Broach, USA). Specimens in Group 5 were prepared using stainless steel hand instruments Flexofile (Dentsply/Maillefer, Switzerland). All root canals were previously submitted to cervical preparation using Orifice Shaper instruments #1, 2, 3 and 4 (Dentsply/Maillefer, Switzerland). After odontometry, the remaining root canal was shaped employing increasingly larger instruments, so that the final instrument corresponded to Quantec #9, Pro-File Series 29 #6, and #35 for the other groups. Specimens in Groups 1 to 4 were prepared using an electric handpiece with 16:1 reduction at 350 rpm. The specimens in Group 5 were manually prepared. Apical displacement was measured and recorded by means of radiographic superimposition on a specific desk. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the results revealed that all groups presented apical displacements. Considering only the nickel-titanium instruments, Group 4 showed the lowest mean value while Groups 2 and 3 produced the highest mean apical displacement values (pO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o deslocamento apical produzido por diferentes instrumentos de níquel-titânio acionadas a motor testando a hipótese de que os sistemas rotatórios que usam instrumentos de níquel-titânio produzem valores médios de deslocamento apical menores que as limas manuais de aço inox. Foram utilizados 100 primeiros molares permanentes superiores, cujas raízes mesiovestibulares foram separadas e incluídas em blocos de resina autopolimerizável. Os corpos de prova foram divididos aleatoriamente em 5 grupos e os canais radiculares preparados com instrumentos de níquel-titânio: Grupo 1 - sistema Quantec 2000 (Analytic Endodontics, México); Grupo 2 - Pro-File T.0.04 (Dentsply/Maillefer, Suíça); Grupo 3 - Pro-File Série 29 T.0.04 (Dentsply Tulsa, Suíça); Grupo 4 - Pow-R T.0.02 (Moyco-Union Broach, EUA); e Grupo 5 (limas manuais) - limas manuais de aço inox Flexofile (Dentsply/Maillefer, Suíça). Todos os canais mesiovestibulares foram submetidos a um preparo cervical prévio utilizando-se instrumentos Orifice Shaper números 1, 2, 3 e 4 (Dentsply/Maillefer, Suíça). Realizada a odontometria, o restante do canal radicular foi modelado a partir dos instrumentos do menor para o maior calibre de tal ordem que o instrumento final de preparo correspondeu ao número 9 para o Quantec, número 06 para o Pro-File Série 29 e o número 35 para os demais grupos. Nos grupos de 1 a 4 foi utilizado motor elétrico com contra-ângulo de redução de 16:1 numa velocidade de 350 rpm. No grupo 5 o preparo foi realizado manualmente. A análise dos resultados (ANOVA), obtidos pela sobreposição radiográfica numa plataforma especifica, demonstraram que todos os grupos apresentaram deslocamentos apicais, sendo que o menor valor médio foi verificado no grupo 4 e os maiores valores médios foram observados nos grupos 2 e 3 (

Avaliação, in vivo, da capacidade de selamento de dois cimentos endodônticos em canais radiculares expostos ao meio bucal por 45 e 90 dias

This in vivo study evaluated the sealing ability of a resin-based sealer (AH Plus) and a zinc oxide-eugenol sealer (Endofill) in dogs' teeth, exposed to the oral environment for 45 and 90 days. Forty eight lower incisors from 8 dogs were endodonticaly treated. A stratified randomization determined the sealer use in each root canal. All canals were filled using the lateral condensation technique. The excess filling material at the cervical portion of the root canal was sectioned, leaving a 10-mm obturation length inside the canal. Teeth were provisionally sealed with glass ionomer cement for 24 h and the canals were exposed to the oral environment for either 45 or 90 days. Therefore, the experimental groups were as follows: A45- AH Plus for 45 days; A90- AH Plus for 90 days; E45- Endofill for 45 days; and E90- Endofill for 90 days (n=12). After the experimental period, the dogs were killed and the lower jaw was removed. The incisors were extracted and the roots were covered with two coats of nail varnish. The teeth were immersed in India ink for 96 h and submitted to diaphanization. Dye leakage (in mm) was measured using stereomicroscopy (10x magnification). The results were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey test for multiple comparisons (á = 0.05). Group E90 (2.03±0.94) showed significantly higher mean leakage value than all other groups (pEste estudo in vivo avaliou a capacidade de selamento de um cimento endodôntico resinoso (AH Plus) e um a base de óxido de zinco eugenol (Endofill), em dentes de cães, expostos ao meio bucal, por 45 e 90 dias. Foi realizado o tratamento endodôntico de 48 incisivos inferiores de 8 cães. Uma randomização estratificada determinou o tipo de cimento a ser usado em cada canal que foram tratados pela técnica de condensação lateral. Após a obturação, o excesso de material obturador, na porção cervical do canal radicular foi seccionado, restando o comprimento de 10 mm no interior do canal radicular. Os dentes foram selados, provisoriamente, com cimento de ionômero de vidro por 24 h. A seguir, o selamento coronário foi removido e os canais ficaram expostos ao meio bucal. Desta forma, delineou-se os seguintes grupos experimentais: A45- AH Plus por 45 dias; A90- AH Plus por 90 dias; E45- Endofill por 45 dias; e E90- Endofill por 90 dias (n=12). Passado o período experimental, os cães foram mortos e as mandíbulas removidas. Realizou-se a exodontia dos incisivos e as suas raízes foram impermeabilizadas com duas camadas de esmalte para unhas. Os dentes foram imersos em tinta nanquim por 96 h. Após realizou-se a diafanização dos espécimes e a infiltração de corante foi medida (em mm) com auxílio de uma lupa esteroscópica, em aumento de 10x. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente através da Análise de Variância de dois fatores e Teste de Comparações Múltiplas de Tukey (á = 0.05). O grupo E90 (2.03±0.94) apresentou uma infiltração média significativamente maior do que a ocorrida nos demais grupos (

Radiographic evaluation of furcal perforations sealed with different materials in dogs' teeth

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to evaluate, using radiographic images, the behavior of four materials used to repair root perforations in dogs' teeth. Material and METHODS: Second and third premolars of 6 dogs were used. The 48 teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12) and the perforations were sealed with one of the following materials: MTA, AH Plus, Vitremer and gutta-percha. Dogs were submitted to general anesthesia, teeth were radiographed and pulp was accessed. Perforations were done, at the maximum curve of the pulp floor, sealed and the accessed coronal cavity was filled with glass ionomer cement (Vidrion R). After 90 days, the dogs were sacrificed and the last x-ray image was taken. Images were analyzed for the presence/absence of periodontal lesions at the perforation region. Data were analyzed statistically by chi-square test at 5% significance level. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) among AH Plus, Vitremer and gutta-percha groups. MTA produced the smallest number of periodontal lesions (

Análise in vivo do selamento do canal protéico com diferentes materais adesivos

This in vivo study analyzed the sealing ability of two adhesives in post spaces, cyanoacrylate (Super Bonder® - Henkel Loctite Adesivos Ltda., Itapevi, SP, Brazil) and ScotchbondTM Multi-Purpose (3M Dental Products, St. Paul, MN, USA), testing the hypothesis that their use would result in a decreased leakage through the remaining filling material. Forty extracted premolars (80 root canals) of dogs were used. The root canals were cleaned, shaped and filled by the lateral condensation technique using Sealer 26TM. The post space was created removing two thirds of the filling material within the root canal. The canals were randomly divided in three groups, which were treated as follows: Group A received the ScotchbondTM Multi-Purpose adhesive system; for Group B the cyanoacrylate adhesive, Super BonderTM, was employed; and no adhesive was applied into the post space for Group C (control group). A glass ionomer provisional restoration was placed allowing the sealer to set for 72 hours. Then the restoration was removed and the root canal was exposed to the oral environment for 45 days. The dogs were then killed and their jaws were removed. The post spaces were filled with India ink and the teeth were restored for 96 hours. Afterwards, the teeth were extracted and the roots were sectioned at the furcation for allocation to their specific groups. The teeth were turned transparent and the quantitative analysis of leakage was performed using light microscopy. The results showed no significant differences between groups, rejecting the initial hypothesis. Leakage occurred in a great extent in all specimens. Therefore, sealing post spaces with the adhesives used in this study was not an effective method to prevent microleakage.Esse estudo in vivo analisou a capacidade de selamento do canal protético com dois adesivos, o Super Bonder® (Henkel Loctite Adesivos Ltda., Itapevi, SP) e o Scotchbond® Multi-Purpose (3M Dental Products, St. Paul, MN, EUA), testando a hipótese de que a aplicação desses adesivos resulta em menor infiltração de corante no material obturador remanescente. Quarenta dentes pré-molares (80 canais) de cães foram obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral usando o cimento endodôntico Sealer 26®. O canal protético foi preparado removendo-se 2/3 da obturação do canal radicular. Os canais preparados foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, em três grupos: no grupo A, foi realizado o selamento do canal protético com o adesivo dentinário; no grupo B, esta impermeabilização foi realizada com o Super Bonder®; e no grupo C, controle, não foi aplicado qualquer material às paredes do canal protético. Os dentes foram selados, provisoriamente, com cimento de ionômero de vidro por 72 horas, objetivando a presa do cimento endodôntico. Removido o selamento coronário, os canais ficaram expostos ao meio bucal por 45 dias, quando os cães foram mortos e os maxilares removidos. Tinta nanquim foi colocada no canal protético e os dentes foram selados por 96 horas. Depois de extraídos, os dentes foram seccionados na região da furca e cada raiz alocada em seu respectivo grupo. Feita a diafanização, foi realizada a análise quantitativa da infiltração do corante com lupa esteroscópica. Os resultados mostraram não haver diferenças entre os três grupos experimentais, negando a hipótese inicial. Houve infiltração do corante no remanescente obturador de todas as raízes analisadas

Histopathological analysis of corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation and propolis paste formulation as intracanal medication after pulpectomy: an in vivo study

Intracanal medication in pulpectomy therapy is used between appointments with the objective of reducing pain and inflammatory processes in pulp and periapical tissues. Propolis has been known as a natural antibiotic and has been subject of medical and dental research due to its therapeutic properties such as antibiotic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to carry out an in vivo evaluation of the periapical tissue response to propolis paste when used as an intracanal medication in the teeth of dogs after pulpectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 72 dog's incisors were selected for the experiment. After biomechanical preparation the root canal was filled with a corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation, experimental propolis paste, non-medicament (negative control) or non-pulpectomy at all (positive control). The medications were left inside the root canal for 7, 14 or 28 days. At the end of the experimental period histological sections were prepared and all laboratories processes for Harris hematoxylin and eosin staining was proceeded followed by the analysis using an optical microscope. Sections were classified according to a score representing the inflammatory events observed: the presence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, polymorphonuclear eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells, macrophages and/or giant cells, fibrous condensation and abscesses. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the tissue reactions caused by the two substances being tested, after different experimental periods, with the periapical tissue that was in contact with propolis paste exhibiting fewer inflammatory reactions in comparison to corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The low tissue responses from propolis paste suggest that this material could be considered as an option for root canal medication after pulpectomy