Six-month color change and water sorption of 9 new-generation flowable composites in 6 staining solutions

Abstract Color match and water sorption are two factors that affect restorative materials. Discoloration is essential in the lifespan of restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate color change and water sorption of nine flowable composites at multiple time points over 6 months. 60 samples of each composite were divided into two groups (Color Change and Water Sorption/Solubility). Each Color Change group was divided into six subgroups, which were immersed in distilled water (DW), coffee (CF), Coca-Cola (CC), red wine (RW), tea (TE) and orange juice (OJ). The color was measured at the baseline, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and 3 and 6 months and color change values (ΔE) were calculated. Each Water Sorption [WS]/Solubility [WL] group was tested according to ISO 4049:2009. The data were evaluated using two-way ANOVA, Fisher’s post-hoc test and Pearson’s correlation test. The composite with the lowest ΔE differed for each solution: Filtek™ Bulk Fill in DW (∆E = 0.73 (0.17–1.759)); Vertise Flow in CF (∆E = 14.75 (7.91–27.41)), in TE (∆E = 7.27 (2.81–24.81)) and OJ (∆E = 3.17 (0.87–9.92)); Tetric EvoFlow® in CC (∆E = 1.27 (0.45–4.02)); and Filtek™ Supreme XTE in RW (∆E = 8.88 (5.23–19.59)). RW caused the most discoloration (∆E = 23.62 (4.93–51.36)). Vertise Flow showed the highest water sorption (WS = 69.10 ± 7.19). The Pearson test showed statistically significant positive correlations between water sorption and solubility and between water sorption and ∆E; the positive solubility-∆E correlation was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that water sorption is one factor associated with the ability of composites to discolor; however, discoloration is a multifactorial problem

Effect of self-etching ceramic primer on bond strength of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics

This study evaluated the effect of self-etching ceramic primer (SECP) on shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramics. Two hundred and seventy block-specimens of two types of ZLS ceramics and one type of lithium disilicate (LS) ceramics were prepared. Ninety blocks of each material were divided into three groups (n = 30), namely group 1: no surface treatment (control), group 2: hydrofluoric acid (HF), silane-based primer (S), and group 3: SECP. Resin cement was applied, and light-cured for build-up. Shear bond strength (SBS) test was used. Half of the bonded specimens (n = 15) were tested after storage in distilled water for 24 h, whereas the other half were tested after 5000 thermo-cycles. The failure modes were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SBS values for samples treated with SECP and HF + S within the respective materials were statistically comparable (p > 0.05). Thermocycling significantly reduced the SBS (p < 0.05) for all ceramic materials in groups 2 and 3. Mixed failure followed by adhesive failure were the most common failure modes in groups 2 and 3, whereas pretest failure was only detected in group 1. Considering the limitations of the study, with respect to in vitro bond strength, the SECP is an alternative for the conditioning of internal surface of glass ceramics

Use of Reparative Agents Topical Fluoride Activated by CO₂ Laser and Curodont™ Repair and NR-5™ on Vickers Hardness and Micro-Shear Bond Strength of Eroded Enamel to Composite Restoration

Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of various reparative remineralizing agents, specifically topical fluoride (TF) and a combination of a carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser) with TF, as well as regenerative agents such as Curodont™ Repair and NR-5™, on two key factors—the micro-Vickers hardness (VH) of eroded enamel and the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of composite restoration. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 single-rooted premolars with intact enamel were sectioned mesiodistally into two halves, making a sample size of 100 specimens. All of the samples were then exposed to Coca-ColaTM for 2 min each day over 1 month to induce erosion on the enamel surface. The specimens were then embedded in acrylic cold-cure resin facing a flat surface upward. The samples were then arbitrarily divided into five groups based on the remineralizing and regenerative agents used, as follows (n = 20): Group 1: No remineralizing agent, Group 2: Curodont™ Repair, Group 3: NR-5™, Group 4: TF, and Group 5: CO2 laser + TF. The VH of the pretreated enamel surfaces was analyzed and µSBS testing and failure mode of composite restoration were performed using a universal testing machine (UTM) and stereomicroscope. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc were performed for data analysis. Results: In Group 3, the (NR-5™)-treated teeth exhibited the highest VH values and µSBS. In Group 1, the (No remineralizing agent)-treated specimens displayed the lowest VH and the lowest µSBS. An intergroup comparison analysis unveiled that Group 3, Group 4 (TF), and Group 5 (CO2 laser + TF) presented comparable outcomes of microhardness and bond strength. The Group 2 (Curodont™ Repair) samples exhibited no significant difference in VH and µSBS, as compared to Group 1. Conclusions: The use of a combination of NR-5™ technology and a CO2 laser in conjunction with TF has been shown to significantly augment the natural mineralization process. This enhancement results in increased microhardness and an improved bond strength in the treated enamel

Titanium Oxide (TiO2)/Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Denture Base Nanocomposites: Mechanical, Viscoelastic and Antibacterial Behavior

Currently, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most popular denture base material. Most fractures of dentures that occur during function are due to its insufficient mechanical strength. The major drawbacks of PMMA are insufficient ductility, strength, and viscoelastic behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a polymethylmethacrylate denture base material modified with TiO2 nanoparticles in terms of nanomechanical, creep-recovery, and relaxation. Additionally, the effects of addition TiO2 nanoparticles on the thermal and antimicrobial adhesion behaviors were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the effect of small amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles (1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. %) on the degradation behavior of PMMA denture bases was insignificant. The nanomechanical test results of the PMMA and PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites indicated that the hardness and modulus in the nanoscale range improved due to TiO2 addition. At a 1200-nm penetration depth, the modulus increased by 10%, 16%, and 29% and hardness increased by 18%, 24%, and 35% with the addition of 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. % TiO2, respectively. Furthermore, the creep-recovery and relaxation behaviors of PMMA were significantly improved due to the addition of TiO2. The creep strain decreased from 1.41% to 1.06%, 0.66%, and 0.49% with the addition of 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. % TiO2, respectively. The relaxation test results showed that the initial stress under 1% strain improved to 19.9, 21.2, and 22 MPa with the addition of 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. % TiO2, respectively. The improvement in the nanohardness, modulus, creep recovery, and relaxation behavior of PMMA due to the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles indicated the role of the nanoparticles in increasing the PMMA matrix stiffness by reducing its mobility and free volume. TiO2 nanoparticles also improved the antimicrobial behavior of PMMA by significantly reducing bacterial adherence with increasing TiO2 ratio

Mechanical Stability of Self-Adhesive/Ion-Releasing Resin Composites

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of water storage on the surface microhardness (VHN) and fracture toughness (K1C) of two self-adhesive restorative materials compared to traditional resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) restorative materials. Methods: Two self-adhesive materials (Activa and Vertise Flow), a nonflowable composite (Filtek Z250), and an RMGIC (Fuji II) were evaluated. Hardness measurements (n = 12) were recorded at three time intervals: (i) one-hour post-irradiation; (ii) after one day of storage in water at 37 °C; and (iii) after 90 days of storage in water at 37 °C. Fracture toughness (K1C) measurements (n = 12) were conducted after one day of storage in water at 37 °C and 90 days of storage in water at 37 °C. ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Baseline VHN data were 38.2–58.3, decreasing significantly to 28.8–55.6 following 90 days of water storage. The Filtek Z250 had the highest VHN before and after storage, while the Activa had the lowest. KIC values varied between 0.98–1.32 MPa·m0.5. The highest value was for the Filtek Z250 while the Fuji II showed the lowest value (after both 1 and 90 days of storage in water). However, KIC values decreased significantly after storage, except for the Fuji II. Conclusion: Self-adhesive/ion-releasing resin composites were negatively affected by water storage. Material reinforcements are possible future areas to explore