Retention force of T-bar clasps for titanium and cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the retention force of T-bar clasps made from commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy by the insertion/removal test simulating 5 years use. Thirty-six frameworks were cast from CP Ti (n=18) and Co-Cr alloy (n=18) with identical prefabricated patterns on refractory casts from a distal extension mandibular hemi-arch segment. The castings were made on a vacuum-pressure machine, under vacuum and argon atmosphere. Each group was subdivided in three, corresponding to 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm and 0.75 mm undercuts, respectively. No polishing procedures were performed to ensure uniformity. The specimens were subjected to an insertion/removal test and data was analyzed statistically to compare CP Ti and Co-Cr alloy in the same undercut (Student's t-test for independent samples) and each material in different undercuts (one-way ANOVA) (p=0.05). Comparisons between materials revealed significant differences (p=0.017) only for the 0.50-mm undercut. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found when comparing the same material for the undercuts. It may be concluded that for different undercuts, both Co-Cr alloy and CP Ti had no significant differences for T-bar clasps; CP Ti showed the lowest retention force values when compared to Co-Cr alloy in each undercut, but with significant difference only for the 0.50-mm undercut; and both materials maintained the retentive capacity during the simulation test.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a força de retenção de grampos tipo barra T confeccionados em titânio cp e liga de Co-Cr, através do ensaio de simulação de uso de estruturas metálicas por um período de 5 anos. Sobre modelos de revestimento que simulavam uma extremidade livre unilateral, foram fundidas 36 estruturas em titânio cp (n=18) e em Co-Cr (n=18) utilizando padrões pré-fabricados. As fundições foram feitas em máquina de vácuo-pressão sob vácuo e atmosfera inerte de argônio. Cada grupo foi subdividido em três correspondendo às retenções de 0,25 mm, 0,50 mm e 0,75 mm, respectivamente. Para manter a uniformidade dos grampos, não foram realizados procedimentos de polimento. Os corpos-de-prova foram submetidos ao teste de inserção e remoção e os dados foram analisados estatisticamente (p=0,05) para comparar Ti cp e Co-Cr na mesma retenção (teste T de Student para amostras independentes) e cada material nas diferentes retenções (análise de variância a um fator). A comparação entre os materiais revelou diferença significativa apenas para retenção de 0,50 (p=0,017). Não foram encontradas diferenças quando se comparou o mesmo material nas diferentes retenções (p>0,05). Pode-se concluir que para as diferentes retenções, grampos barra T confeccionados em liga de Co-Cr e titânio não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante; o titânio apresentou menores valores de retenção quando comparado à liga de Co-Cr em cada uma das retenções, mas diferença estatisticamente significante só foi encontrada para a retenção 0,50-mm; e ambos materiais mantiveram a capacidade retentiva durante o teste de simulação de uso.FAPES

Effect of laser welding on the titanium composite tensile bond strength

The aim of this study was to analyze the shear bond strength between commercially pure titanium, with and without laser welding, after airbone-particle abrasion (Al2O3) and 2 indirect composites. Sixty-four specimens were cast and divided into 2 groups with and without laser welding. Each group was divided in 4 subgroups, related to Al2O3 grain size: A - 250 µm; B - 180 µm; C- 110 µm; and D - 50 µm. Composite rings were formed around the rods and light polymerized using UniXS unit. Specimens were invested and their shear bond strength at failure was measured with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2.0 mm/min. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA and Tukey's test (&#945;=0.05). The highest bond strength means were recorded in 250 µm group without laser welding. The lowest shear bond strength means were recorded in 50 µm group with laser welding. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between all groups. In conclusion, airborne particle abrasion yielded significantly lower bond strength as the Al2O3 particle size decreased. Shear bond strength decreased in the laser welded specimens.O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a força de união entre o titânio comercialmente puro com solda e sem solda modificado por partículas de óxido de alumínio (Al2O3) e duas resinas indiretas. Um total de 64 espécimes foram fundidas e divididas em dois grupos sem solda e com solda a laser. Cada grupo foi novamente divididos em 4 subgrupos, de acordo com o tamanho de partículas de óxido de alumínio utilizado: A - Al2O3 (250 µm); B - Al2O3 (180 µm); C- Al2O3 (110 µm); D - Al2O3 (50 µm). Anéis de resina foram polimerizados ao redor das hastes de titânio no equipamento UniXS. Os espécimes foram embutidos em gesso e a força de união foi mensurada com auxílio da máquina de ensaios universais. ANOVA e teste de Tukey (p<0,05) foram utilizados para análise estatística. Os maiores valores de força de união foram registrados no grupo de 250 µm sem solda a laser. Os menores valores foram registrados para o grupo de 50 µm com solda a laser. Alterações estatisticamente significantes foram observadas entre todos os grupos (p<0,05). As forças de união diminuíram significantemente com a diminuição dos tamanhos das partículas de óxido de alumínio. A força de união diminuiu nas amostras que receberam a solda a laser.CNP

Effects of chemical composition on the corrosion of dental alloys

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the oral environment on the corrosion of dental alloys with different compositions, using electrochemical methods. The corrosion rates were obtained from the current-potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effect of artificial saliva on the corrosion of dental alloys was dependent on alloy composition. Dissolution of the ions occurred in all tested dental alloys and the results were strongly dependent on the general alloy composition. Regarding the alloys containing nickel, the Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Ti alloys released 0.62 mg/L of Ni on average, while the Co-Cr dental alloy released ions between 0.01 and 0.03 mg/L of Co and Cr, respectively.The open-circuit potential stabilized at a higher level with lower deviation (standard deviation: Ni-Cr-6Ti = 32 mV/SCE and Co-Cr = 54 mV/SCE). The potenciodynamic curves of the dental alloys showed that the Ni-based dental alloy with >70 wt% of Ni had a similar curve and the Co-Cr dental alloy showed a low current density and hence a high resistance to corrosion compared with the Ni-based dental alloys. Some changes in microstructure were observed and this fact influenced the corrosion behavior for the alloys. The lower corrosion resistance also led to greater release of nickel ions to the medium. The quantity of Co ions released from the Co-Cr-Mo alloy was relatively small in the solutions. In addition, the quantity of Cr ions released into the artificial saliva from the Co-Cr alloy was lower than Cr release from the Ni-based dental alloys

Effect of commercial dental investments at low temperature on the marginal adaptation of cast cp Ti inlays

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of inlay restorations cast in commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) after inclusion of the wax patterns in either a phosphate-bonded investment (Rematitan Plus®) or a silicon oxide-based investment (Termocast®). Methods: The wax patterns were prepared over an inlay-type mold. After waxing, 5 measurements of the marginal adaptation were made on the mesial and distal faces. Five wax patterns were included in each type of investment under vacuum. The cast specimens were repositioned in the mold and other 5 measurements of the adaptation were made based on the same initial testing conditions. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Duncan’s post-hoc (P<0.01) using the SPSS statistical software package version 12.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The mean marginal discrepancies of the MOD inlays were higher in the Termocast® Group. Termocast® presented significantly greater marginal discrepancy than Rematitan Plus®. Due to the great permeability of the investment refractory material, internal porosity was extremely rare in Rematitan Plus® and more common in Termocast®. Conclusion: It may be concluded that Termocast® investment should not be indicated for cp Ti casting due to poor adaptation and porosity on the casting surface

Evaluation of the adaptation interface of one-piece implant-supported superstructures obtained in Ni-Cr-Ti and Pd-Ag alloys

Several formulations of alternative alloys have been proposed for the substitution of gold-based alloys used in Dentistry. Recently, a Ni-Cr-Ti-based alloy has been introduced. The purpose of this work was to verify the marginal adaptation obtained with one-piece superstructures for implant-supported prostheses obtained in Ni-Cr-Ti alloy, compared to a semi-noble alloy Pd-Ag. Eight superstructures for each alloy were produced over 4 implants in the anterior region of the mandible. The superstructures were placed in a torquemeter and the fixation screw of implant #1 was tightened with a 20 Ncm load with the others loosened (Sheffield test). The unfitness (in mm) was measured using a three-dimensional optical measurer in each implant, in the buccal and lingual aspects. The obtained data were submitted to statistical analysis by the analysis of variance and Tukey's test at 5% level. Significant differences were found for the factors material (p<0.05), with Ni-Cr-Ti pieces better than Pd-Ag ones, and implants (p<0.01). There were no significant differences for the factor position and interactions among factors (p>0.05). Based on the analysis of the data, it is possible to conclude that the Ni-Cr-Ti alloy makes possible the obtainment of one-piece implant-supported superstructures with a smaller misfit compared to the one obtained in Pd-Ag alloy, traditionally indicated for this situation. Additional tests may verify the superiority of the Ni-Cr-Ti alloy

Effect of commercial dental investments at low temperature on the marginal adaptation of cast cp Ti inlays

e purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of inlay restorations cast in commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) after inclusion of the wax patterns in either a phosphate-bonded investment (Rematitan Plus®) or a silicon oxide-based investment (Termocast®). Methods: The wax patterns were prepared over an inlay-type mold. After waxing, 5 measurements of the marginal adaptation were made on the mesial and distal faces. Five wax patterns were included in each type of investment under vacuum. The cast specimens were repositioned in the mold and other 5 measurements of the adaptation were made based on the same initial testing conditions. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Duncans post-hoc (P<0.01) using the SPSS statistical software package version 12.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The mean marginal discrepancies of the MOD inlays were higher in the Termocast® Group. Termocast® presented significantly greater marginal discrepancy than Rematitan Plus®. Due to the great permeability of the investment refractory material, internal porosity was extremely rare in Rematitan Plus® and more common in Termocast®. Conclusion: It may be concluded that Termocast® investment should not be indicated for cp Ti casting due to poor adaptation and porosity on the casting surface

Evaluation of ocular prosthesis biofilm and anophthalmic cavity contamination after use of three cleansing solutions

In addition to an initial socket discomfort, ocular prosthesis (OP) installation may allow the adherence of fungi and/or bacteria due to the superficial characteristics of the prosthesis' material, use of inadequate cleansing solutions and methods, or because the void located between the internal portion of the prosthesis and the anophthalmic cavity (AC) mucosa. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate OP biofilm formation and the level of contamination of the internal portion of the OP and the AC in 24 patients. Material and Methods: Material was collected from the AC at the beginning of the study and 15 days after cleansing of the OP with 3 cleansing solutions: a neutral liquid soap, a multiuse solution for contact lens (Complete) and 0.12% chlorhexidine (Periogard). The collected materials were sowed in Petri dishes containing selective media for aerobic and facultative microorganisms, specifically staphylococci (Hipersalt agar with egg yolk), aerobic microorganisms (Brain Heart Infusion Blood Agar), streptococci (Mitis salivarius Agar), gram-negative bacilli (MacConkey Agar) and yeasts (Chromagar CandidaTM), incubated at 35ºC or 37ºC and the number of colony forming units were counted. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA, Friedman's test and Spearman's correlation. Results: Aerobic microorganisms, gram-negative bacilli and S. aureus were found in the OP biofilm and in the AC. There was statistically significant difference (