ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the flexural strength and modulus of two commercial resin composites, at room temperature and 40, 45 and 50°C prior to light polymerization with standard and step-cure protocols.MethodsOne nanohybrid (Grandio, VOCO, Cuxhaven, Germany), and microhybrid composite resin (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) were used. The materials were inserted into rectangular moulds at room temperature or preheated to a temperature of 40, 45 or 50°C and cured with standard or step-cure protocols with high intensity halogen (Elipar Highlight, 3M-ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA). Ten specimens were prepared for each preheating and light curing protocol. A three-point bending test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests (P<.05) to examine the effect of curing protocol and preheating. Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the correlation between tested mechanical properties and preheating.ResultsThere were no statistically significant difference between tested mechanical properties of the materials, curing protocols and temperature of the materials. No significant correlation was found between preheating and tested mechanical properties.ConclusionsThe mechanical properties of the tested materials did not changed by preheating so the tested materials could be preheated because of the other potential clinical advantages like more adaptation to the cavity walls.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-space treatments on the push-out bond strength and failure modes of glass fibre posts. Forty mandibular premolar roots were cut and endodontically treated. Post spaces were prepared and roots were divided into four groups. In group 1 distilled water irrigation (control), in group 2 2.25% NaOCl irrigation, in group 3 2.25% NaOCl + 17% EDTA irrigation were done and in group 4 diode laser was applied to the prepared post spaces. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was made for each group. Fibre posts were then luted with resin cement. Each root was prepared for push-out test. Data were statistically analysed with anova (P = 0.05). After push-out test, the failure modes were observed but not statistically analysed. There were statistically significant differences between Group 3 and Group 2 in both regions (P < 0.05), also in the middle region of Group 4 and Group 2 (P < 0.05). Cervical root segments showed higher bond strengths than middle ones in all groups (P < 0.05). The highest bond strength values were obtained from NaOCl/EDTA and the lowest bond strength values were obtained from NaOCl for both regions.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of cervical hypersensitivity treatments (neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] laser and conventional techniques) on the microtensile bond strengths of adhesives to treated dentin. The buccal cervical enamel of 42 freshly extracted human mandibular third molars was ground flat to expose the cervical dentin. The dentin surfaces were polished with a series of silicon carbide papers, and the smear was removed with an ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid solution. The teeth were randomly divided into six groups as follows: group 1, Vivasens; group 2, BisBlock; group 3, fluoride gel; group 4, Nd:YAG laser; group 5, Clearfil SE + Nd:YAG laser; and group 6, no treatment (control). The specimens were then restored with a two-step self-etch adhesive, with the exception of group 5. Five specimens from each group were restored with a nanohybrid composite resin. The adhesive interface of two specimens from each group was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The specimens were sectioned perpendicularly to the adhesive interface to produce beams (adhesive area 1 mm(2)). The beams were then attached to a microtensile tester and stressed to failure at 1 mm/min. The data were compared using one-way analysis of variance at a significance level of 0.05. The microtensile bond strengths of the control group were significantly higher than those found for group 1, group 2, group 3, and group 4 (p< 0.05). No significant difference was found between group 5 and the control group. Most of the premature failures were seen in group 2 (80%), and the fewest premature failures were seen in group 5 (13.3%). The SEM findings verified the microtensile test findings. In conclusion, desensitizing treatment procedures (with the exception of Clearfil SE + Nd:YAG laser) reduced the microtensile bond strength of a two-step self-etch adhesive to dentin.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different disinfection methods on the initial microtensile bond strength of a two-step, self-etch adhesive to dentin. Twenty mandibular molars were sectioned parallel to the occlusal plane to expose the mid-coronal dentin. All of the teeth were divided into four groups (n = 5 per group): (1) in group OZ, the dentin surfaces were exposed to ozone gas from the Ozonytron X delivery system (OzonyTron X-Bioozonix, Munich, Germany), (2) in group ND, the dentin surfaces were irradiated with an Nd:YAG laser (Pulsmaster 600 IQ, American Dental Technologies, U.S.), (3) in group CHX, the dentin surfaces were treated with a 2% chlorhexidine solution, and (4) in the control group, no treatment was applied. In all of the groups, the teeth were restored with Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan) and Clearfil Majesty Posterior (Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan), according to the manufacturer's instructions. The teeth were sectioned perpendicular to the bonded surface (surface area of approximately 1 mm(2)). Thus, six to seven specimens were obtained from each tooth, and a total of 34 specimens were analyzed in each group. The specimens were attached to the microtensile test machine (Micro Tensile Tester, T-61010 K, Bisco, U.S.). The data was analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test (p < 0.05). Fracture modes of each specimen were determined using a stereomicroscope (SZ-PT Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The lowest bond strength occurred in the OZ group. Significant differences were determined only between group OZ and the other groups (group ND, group CHX, and control group) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although ozone decreased the microtensile bond strength of the self-etch adhesive system to dentin, the Nd:YAG laser and 2% chlorhexidine did not change the microtensile bond strength so in context of the present study it would appear that the Nd:YAG laser and 2% chlorhexidine may be used as pre-restorative sterilization procedures on the dentin prior to the application of a two-step, self-etch adhesive.

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it may be concluded that enamel margins provided better marginal sealing than dentin/cementum margins and the two-step self-etch adhesive exhibited better marginal sealing than an all-in-one adhesive at the enamel margins under 250 N occlusal loading.