SUMMARYObjectives: To evaluate the hypothesis that a process of hydrofluoric acid precipitate neutralization and fatigue load cycling performed on human premolars restored with ceramic inlays had an influence on microtensile bond strength results (MTBS). Methods: MOD inlay preparations were performed in 40 premolars (with their roots embedded in acrylic resin). Forty ceramic restorations were prepared using glass-ceramic (IPS Empress). The inner surfaces of all the restorations were etched with 10% hydrofluoric acid for 60 seconds, rinsed with water and dried. The specimens were divided into two groups 1,400,000 cycles, 50N, 37°C). After cycling, the samples were sectioned to produce non-trimmed beam specimens (vestibular dentin-restoration-lingual dentin set), which were submitted to microtensile testing. Results: Bond strength was significantly affected by the surface treatment (p<0.0001) (no neutralization > neutralization) and mechanical cycling (p<0.0001) (control > cycling) (2-way ANOVA and Tukey test, alpha=.05). Conclusion: Hydrofluoric acid precipitate neutralization appears to significantly damage the resin bond to glass-ceramic and should not be recommended. The clinical simulation of the specimens, by using mechanical cycling, is important when evaluating the ceramic-dentin bond.

Aim: This study assessed the effect of fatigue load cycling on human premolars restored with MOD restorations (direct and indirect approaches) on cuspal deflection, compared to intact teeth (unprepared) and unrestored teeth with an inlay preparation. Materials and methods:MOD inlay preparations were performed on sixty premolars with their roots embedded in acrylic resin. These teeth were divided into six groups (n = 10): (1) intact teeth; (2) unrestored and prepared teeth; (3) teeth restored with direct composite resin; (4) teeth restored with an indirect composite resin; (5) teeth restored with injected ceramic inlays (IPS Empress 2 (Ivoclar); (6) teeth restored with CAD/CAM inlays made of feldspathic ceramic (Vita Mark II). All of the indirect restorations were adhesively cemented. Strain-gauges were bonded to the buccal and lingual surfaces of the specimens. Compressive axial loading of 100N was applied on the occlusal face of the specimens to measure the cuspal deflection (microstrain) under compressive loading. These measurements were obtained before and after mechanical cycling (1 Hz, 37°C, 100,000x). Results:Comparing the results obtained before and after fatiguing, the cuspal deflection increased only in the CAD/CAM approach. The prepared tooth group had the highest cuspal deflection, before and after mechanical cycling. Conclusion:The evaluated restoring approaches decrease the cuspal deflection, consequently appear to improve the cuspal reinforcement.

SUMMARYObjectives: The transmission of light through translucent posts was observed, and the microhardness of light-cured cement used to secure these posts was evaluated at different depths.Methods: Fifteen single-rooted standard bovine teeth, 16 mm in size, were used. The root canals were prepared using #3 drills Light-Post (five teeth) and Aestheti Post (five teeth) systems (BISCO), with a working-length of 12 mm. In five teeth, translucent posts were cemented (LightPost #2), while another five teeth received opaque posts (Aestheti Post #2). The roots were painted with black nail varnish to prevent the passage of light through the lateral walls of the roots. The root canals of all the specimens were treated with the All-Bond 2 adhesive system (BISCO) and cemented with light-cured cement (Enforce, Dentsply). All the roots were transversally cut to obtain six specimens 1.5 mm thick. Every two sections corresponded to a specific region of the root (cervical, middle, apical), making it possible to observe the cement microhardness at different levels. The groups (n=10) were defined as: G1: translucent post (TP)/cervical region; G2: TP/middle region; G3: TP/apical region; G4: Opaque post (OP)/cervical region; G5: OP/middle region; G6: PO/apical region. Five root canals were only filled with cement for use as a control (G7). Then, Vickers microhardness analyses were performed. Results: In G3, G5 and G6, Clinical RelevanceThe resin cement polymerization inside the root is decreased, because transmission of light in the apical direction is difficult. This study suggests that the use of translucent posts presents advantages in relation to the opaque posts, however, both do not allow polymerization in the apical region.

Aim:In this study, we evaluated the effect of photopolymerization on Vickers microhardness of dual-polymerized resin cement at three locations when a translucent quartz fiber post was used.Materials and Methods:Single-rooted bovine teeth received quartz fiber post systems (length: 12 mm) using a dual-polymerized resin cement. In Group 1, the posts were cemented but not photopolymerized, and in Group 2, the posts were both cemented and photopolymerized. After cementation, approximately 1.5-mm thick sections were obtained (two cervical, two middle, and two apical) for regional microhardness evaluations.Statistical Analysis:Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (ver. 11.0 for Windows; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Microhardness (kg/mm2) data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) and repeated measures with microhardness values as the dependent variable and polymerization status (two levels: with and without) and root region (three levels: cervical, middle, and apical) as independent variables. Multiple comparisons were made using Dunnett's T3 post-hoc test. P values of <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance in all tests.Results:Photopolymerization did not significantly change the microhardness values when compared with no photopolymerization. Microhardness values also showed no significant difference between the three regions in the root canals in both groups.Conclusions:The mode of polymerization of the cement tested in combination with the translucent quartz fiber post system did not affect the microhardness of the cement at the cervical, middle, or apical regions of the root.

The aim of this study was to compare intrapulpal temperature increase produced by high-speed handpiece, Er:YAG laser and CVDentus ultrasound tips during cavity preparation. Thirty bovine mandibular incisors with an enamel/dentin thickness of 4 mm at buccal surface had their roots amputated and were allocated to the following groups (n=10): Group I- high-speed handpiece; Group II- noncontact Er:YAG laser (250 mJ/4Hz); and Group III- CVDentus ultrasouns tips. All devices were used with water cooling. Class V cavities were prepared to a depth of 3.5 mm, measured with a periodontal probe. A type T thermocouple was placed inside the pulp chamber to determine the temperature increase (°C), which was recorded by a data acquisition system ADS 2000 IP (Lynx Technology) linked to a notebook computer. Data were analyzed statistically by oneway ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05). The mean temperature rises were: 1.10°C (±0.56) for Group I, 0.84°C (±0.55) for Group II, and 3.00°C (± 1.34) for Group III. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between Groups I and II, but both of them differed significantly from Group III (p<0.05). In conclusion, the use of Er:YAG laser and high-speed handpiece for cavity preparation resulted in similar temperature increase. Although ultrasound tips generated significantly higher intrapulpal temperature increase, it remained below the critical value of 5.5°C and may be considered safe for use.