BackgroundTooth bleaching is a popular aesthetic treatment to modify the color of teeth. Despite the extensive literature concerning the subject, there is still no consensus regarding the application mode of the different bleaching agents and their effect on enamel. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of different bleaching protocols on whitening efficiency and enamel superficial hardness.Material and MethodsBovine enamel fragments were embedded in acrylic resin and wet-sanded to obtain a flat buccal surface. The specimens were then randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10), based on the bleaching material [HP Maxx 35% (35% hydrogen peroxide), HP Blue 35% (35% hydrogen peroxide + Ca) and Whiteness Perfect 10% (10% carbamide peroxide)] and application mode (3 applications of 15 min, 1 application of 45 min, 1 application of 1h30 or 1 application of 3h30). The color and superficial hardness were assessed before and after bleaching. The color was assessed by means of a digital spectrophotometer, using CIELab parameters. Vickers hardness was determined using a load of 200g for 10s. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05).ResultsConcerning the color alteration, the groups were similar to each other, except for at-home bleaching protocols, which were statistically different from each other. Similarly, there was a reduction in hardness values comparing the initial and final periods, with lowest final hardness for the at-home bleaching protocol group applied for 3h30.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that the bleaching protocols influenced the final color and enamel surface hardness, evidencing that lower gel concentrations applied for longer periods promoted greater variation in color and lower final hardness. Key words:Tooth bleaching, roughness, microhardness, in-office, at-home bleaching.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of enamel and dentin surface treatment on the micro-shear bond strength of self-adhesive cement. Seventy-two extracted third molars had their crowns embedded in acrylic resin and worn to obtain a flat enamel or dentin surface. The enamel and dentin specimens were randomly assigned to 8 groups (n=12) that were based on surface treatment (11.5% polyacrylic acid solution or no treatment), substrate condition (wet or dry) and storage period (1 day or 90 days), and treated accordingly. Cylinders (1 × 1 mm) were fabricated using self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX U200) following the manufacturer's instructions. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for either 1 day or 90 days and subjected to micro-shear bond strength test (EMIC DL 2000 at 0.5 mm/min). After this, the failure type of the specimens was determined. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (a=0.05). According to the results, the 11.5% polyacrylic acid application decreased the bond strength in both enamel and dentin samples. The moist groups showed higher bond strength than the dry ones, regardless of the substrate and surface treatment. Storage period did not influence bond strength. In conclusion, surface treatment with 11.5% polyacrylic acid and absence of moisture decreased the bond strength of the resin-cement (RelyU200), regardless of the storage period.

Purpose The aim of the study was to measure the marginal and internal adaptation (MIA) of zirconia copings, made of 4 ceramic systems for CAD/CAM, using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) technology. Material and Methods Two identical stainless steel models were used, representing a preparation for full ceramic crown on a lower molar. The master models were then scanned for the production of copings from specific yttrium oxide partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic blocks of each system (n=10): Cerec/inCoris Zi, Sirona; Cercon/Cercon base, Dentsply; Ceramill/Ceramill Zi, Amann Girrbach; and Lava/Lava Frame Zirconia, 3M ESPE. MIA was evaluated measuring 4 points as follows: marginal gap (MG), axial wall gap (AW), axio-occlusal angle gap (AO), and central occlusal area gap (CO). The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results The ceramic system Lava showed greater internal desadaptation (80.75 ± 22.69 µm) while CEREC presented the lowest values (49.92 ± 11.77 µm). There were significant differences between the measurement points evaluated. CO demonstrated the greater values (77.03 ± 22.61 µm). All marginal and internal adaptation values were considered clinically acceptable. Conclusion It was concluded that there was an influence of the type of ceramic system in marginal and internal adaptation of copings in zirconia.

Sonic vibrations may improve the bond strength and durability of fiberglass posts by improving adhesive penetration into dentin as well as the cement flow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sonic vibrations on the bond strength between fiberglass posts and root dentin using the pull-out test. Bovine roots were endodontically treated and divided randomly into four groups (n=12): Group C - conventional cementation (control); Group SA - sonic vibration (Smart Sonic Device, FGM) of the adhesive system and conventional post accommodation; SP group - conventional adhesive application and sonic vibration of the post during accommodation; and SASP - sonic vibration of the system adhesive and the post during accommodation. The posts were cleaned, treated with a silane and adhesive system (Ambar, FGM), and cemented with a dual-cured resin cement (Allcem Core, FGM). After 24 h, the specimens were subjected to mechanical tests and failure analyses. Representative specimens were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope to observe the cementation line. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=5%). The bond strengths were as follows: SASP (90.9±27.1 N), C (121.4±60.6 N), SA (127.6±31.8 N) and SP (156.4±41.3 N). The use of sonic vibrations during the application of adhesive or post cementation separately did not affect the bond strength but had a negative effect when used for both procedures.

Introduction. For the maintenance of the aseptic chain created during the treatment the coronal sealing becomes paramount. Aim. Evaluating the antibacterial effect and the physical-mechanical properties of a temporary restorative material containing different antibacterial agents. Material and Methods. Two antibacterial agents (triclosan and chloramine T) were manually added to a temporary restorative material used as base (Coltosol). The antibacterial action of the material was analyzed using the agar diffusion method, in pure cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC BAA-2336) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 11632) and mixed culture of saliva collection. The microleakage rate was analyzed using bovine teeth, previously restored with the materials, and submitted to thermocycling, in a solution of 0.5% methylene blue, for a period of 24 hours. The physical and mechanical properties of the materials analyzed were setting time, water sorption, solubility, and compression strength. Results. No marginal leakage was observed for all groups. There was no statistical significant difference in antimicrobial activity, setting time, water sorption, solubility, and compression strength among the materials. Conclusion. The addition of antibacterial agents on a temporary restorative material did not optimize the antibacterial ability of the material and also did not change its physical-mechanical properties.