It has been reported that the presence of a smear layer on dentinal substrates can compromise bonding. Typically, smear layers are removed by acidic agents that selectively extract calcium salts from dentin surfaces to leave a collagen-rich substrate. Acid-conditioned dentin (i.e., demineralized) is then primed and an adhesive agent applied. In the present study, we removed smear layers by "polishing" dentin specimens with a hydroxyapatite paste and ultrasonication. Bonding procedures were carried out by means of an aqueous solution of 20% 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phenyl phosphoric acid (phenyl-P) and 30% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, referred to as 2OP-30H, a "self-etching primer". The 20P-30H solution was applied to "intact" dentin (i.e., non-demineralized) for either 30 or 60 s. Control samples received no application (O s) of the self-etching primer. Mean tensile bond strengths (10 MPa) were similar in both the 30-second- and 60-second-primed groups. The widths of formed hybrid layers varied from 0.3 +/- 0.2 micron at O s application (control) to 2.1 +/- 0.3 micron for the 30-second group and 4.1 +/- 0.2 micron for the 60-second group. SEM and TEM observations revealed that the 20P-30H self-etching primer created diffusion channels into "intact" calcium-rich dentin which permitted monomer to infiltrate dentin substrates. Hybrid layers identified under microscopic examination demonstrated resistance to both HCI and NaOCI treatments, suggesting that the hybrid layer was not defective, and that bonding was stable.

The effects of the filler composition on physical and mechanical properties of microfilled composites was investigated by measuring water absorption, solubility, compressive, flexural, and impact strength. A series of experimental composites, consisting of UDMA/TEGDMA comonomer matrix and prepolymerized fillers, was fabricated. The prepolymerized fillers were composed of hydrophobic colloidal silica and two monomers in varying ratios, trimethylolpropanetrimethacrylate (TMPT), and polyesterdiacrylate (PEDA). TMPT/PEDA ratios were 100:0, 64:36, 46:54, 18:82, and 0:100%. There were no significant differences in water sorption and solubility, regardless of the amount of PEDA monomer. Young's modulus and modulus of resilience increased with decreasing PEDA ratio. Fracture energy exhibited drastic changes (30.1 x 10(-5) J to 93.4 x 10(-5) J). The highest value of flexural strength (96.0 +/- 3.5 MPa) was obtained when the TMPT-PEDA filler was 46:54. The impact strengths of composites fabricated with TMPT-PEDA filler of 46:54 (11.2 +/- 1.4 kJ/m(2)), 18:82 (10.6 +/- 3.2 kJ/m(2)), and 0:100 (13.1 +/- 3.8 kJ/m(2)) were significantly higher than those with 100:0 (6.0 +/- 1.8 kJ/m(2)) or 64:36 (7.1 +/- 2.4 kJ/m(2)). Based upon the results, it was concluded that the mechanical properties of microfilled composites were improved by the modification of prepolymerized filler composition.

Efficacy of the usage of an experimental fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) on mechanical properties of an indirect composite was investigated by means of three-point bending and Charpy impact tests. Bond strength between the FRC and the indirect composite was also evaluated by tensile testing. The FRC consisted of a matrix resin with 25% silanized milled glass fiber (11-microm diameter, 150-microm length) and 5% colloidal silica. The values of strain of proportional limit, total strain, and fracture energy of the FRC during the bending test (1.2%, 10.4%, and 41.6 x 10(-3) J) were significantly higher than those of the indirect composite (0.1%, 2.5%, and 11.9 x 10(-3) J). The impact strengths of the 1-mm specimens with FRC ranged from 15.2 to 15.9 kJ/m(2), and were significantly higher than that of the control (3.1 kJ/m(2)). The 2-mm specimens showed significant difference from the control when the FRC thickness was equal or greater than 0.5 mm. The bond strength after the thermocycling was 15.2 MPa, and all of the specimens exhibited cohesive fracture inside the indirect composite. Based upon the results, it was concluded that the FRC tested in this study improved toughness and impact resistance of the indirect composite. The interfacial bonding between the FRC and the indirect composite was strong enough to prevent delamination.

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This study evaluated the effect of a fiber-premixed indirect resin composite (FMC) substructure on the fracture resistance of mesialocclusal-distal (MOD) indirect composite restorations adhered to extracted human upper premolars. The teeth received a standardized MOD cavity preparation, and indirect composite inlays were fabricated with or without using the FMC. Inlays were cemented into the cavity preparations using either Super-Bond C&B or Panavia F2.0. A total of 28 specimens, namely seven specimens for four groups, were thus fabricated. Failure load and failure energy were determined after thermocycling (4-60°C for 5,000 cycles). In terms of failure load, no significant differences were found among the four groups. In terms of failure energy, FMC substructure exerted a significantly favorable effect on Super-Bond C&B-bonded group but a negative one on Panavia F2.0-bonded group. In conclusion, the failure energy of the group using FMC substructure and which was adhered using Super-Bond C&B was significantly higher than the other groups.