Can internal stresses explain the fracture resistance of cusp-replacing composite restorations?

Contains fulltext : 47471.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)The aim of this study was to explore and compare the results of occlusal load application to cusp-replacing composite restorations, studied by means of finite element (FE) analysis and in vitro load tests. A three-dimensional (3D) FE model was created with a set up similar to an in vitro load test that assessed the fatigue resistance of upper premolars with buccal cusp-replacing resin composite restorations. Occlusal load was applied to two geometries (with and without palatal cuspal coverage), and the tooth-restoration interface and composite material stresses were calculated. Subsequently, safety factors were calculated by dividing the material strength values by the obtained stresses. The highest safety factors were observed for the restorations with cuspal coverage. This was consistent with the load test, in which cuspal coverage led to higher fracture resistance. Furthermore, the FE analysis predicted that failure of the tooth-restoration interface is more likely than failure of the composite material. Correspondingly, the load test showed predominantly adhesive failures of the restorations. Although the described test methods did not lead to a complete understanding of the failure mechanism, it can be concluded that the FE analysis provides additional information with regard to the differences in fracture behaviour of these types of restorations

Influence of chlorhexidine application on longitudinal adhesive bond strength in deciduous teeth

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of applying 2% chlorhexidine for 30 seconds after phosphoric acid conditioning of dentin on the immediate and long-term bond strengths in deciduous teeth. The occlusal enamel was removed from 40 human sound deciduous molars, which were exfoliated by natural means, and the dentin was conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds and washed with running water. The specimens were divided into two groups of 20 teeth. The test group received an application of 2% chlorhexidine for 30 seconds prior to a three-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system, whereas the control group received only the adhesive system. Three cylindrical restorations were made with a composite resin for each tooth. Ten teeth in each group were submitted to a microshear bond strength test after 24 hours, while the remaining teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 6 months before testing the microshear bond strength. The test group had a higher bond strength than did the control group after 6 months of storage. No statistical differences were found when groups with the same dentin treatment were compared at different times. Short applications of chlorhexidine at low concentrations prevent hybrid layer degradation and positively affect bond strength over time