Handling properties and surface characteristics of universal resin composites

Esthetical Properties of Single-Shade and Multishade Composites in Posterior Teeth

This study aimed to compare the aesthetic properties of posterior composite restorations made with a multishade (MS) or single-shade (SS) material. For that, 23 extracted human molars were used. The shade determination was performed, and the occlusal anatomy was registered by a custom-made stamp. Then, class I preparations were made, and each tooth was restored twice, using two different composites of MS/opacity layering material (Admira Fusion-Voco) and an SS/opacity bulk-fill composite (Admira Fusion X-tra-Voco). After finishing the first restoration with the MS material, a standardized picture was taken, and the restoration was removed. Then, the preparation was restored again with the other composite, obtaining a new picture. The pictures were randomly analyzed by 10 calibrated evaluators regarding color match using the FDI criteria. The evaluators were blinded to the restorative material used. Data were analyzed using an unpaired t-test and Wilcoxon test. The significance level adopted in the study was 5%. As a result, there were nonsignificant differences between the composites evaluated for color match, as well nonsignificant differences were obtained related to which restorative technique produced the best aesthetic results. Only for darker shades (A4, B4, and C4), most of the evaluators considered the restorations made with the MS material more aesthetic than with the SS, while for the other shades, nonsignificant differences were observed. Therefore, the choice of the SS and the MS/opacity composites does not influence the aesthetic outcome of posterior restorations for the lighter shades. However, the use of bulk fill material for dark shades is less favorable than the MS layering ones.

Evaluating the effect of preheating on resin composites in pit-and-fissure caries treatments with a digital intraoral scanner

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of preheating on the microleakage and surface hardness of resin composites in the treatment of pit-and-fissure caries with various widths, as measured by an intraoral scanner.

METHODS

A total of 153 L-shaped cavities with different widths (1 mm, 1.6 mm and 2 mm) were prepared on the buccal or palatal/lingual surfaces of human molars. The cavities were measured in three dimensions by a TRIOS scanner and then filled with various resins (room temperature Z350 flowable resin and room temperature and 60 ℃ Z350 universal resin). Microleakage and gap formation at 2 sites were evaluated by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscope. Resin samples were prepared, and the top surface Vickers hardness (VHN_top) of all samples was measured at 1 day and 30 days postirradiation.

RESULTS

No difference were observed in the 3D scans for the cavities sizes among groups with the same width. For the 1 mm-wide cavity, the lowest microleakage was obtained with the flowable group; for the 1.6 mm-wide cavity, the nonpreheating universal group showed the highest microleakage at site 1, and the preheating group exhibited lower microleakage than that of the nonpreheating universal group at site 2; and for the 2 mm-wide cavity, the preheating group presented lower microleakage at site 2. The gap formations were consistent with the microleakage degrees. The preheating group exhibited the highest VHN_top at 1 day and 30 days postirradiation.

SIGNIFICANCE

A digital intraoral scanner could be used to scan the cavities in three dimensions. Preheating technology could reduce the microleakage of Z350 universal resin and enhance its surface hardness.

Antibacterial and physical properties of resin cements containing MgO nanoparticles

Cariogenic bacteria and dental plaque biofilm at prosthesis margins are considered a primary risk factor for failed restorations. Resin cement containing antibacterial agents can be beneficial in controlling bacteria and biofilm. This work aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) as an antibacterial filler into dual-cure resin cement on bacteriostatic activity and physical properties, including mechanical, bonding, and physicochemical properties, as well as performance when subjected to a 5000-times thermocycling regimen. Experimental resin cements containing MgONPs of different mass fractions (0, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) were developed. Results suggested that the inclusion of MgONPs markedly improved the materials' bacteriostatic effect against Streptococcus mutans without compromising the physical properties when its addition reached 7.5 wt%. The mechanical properties of the specimens did not significantly decline after undergoing aging treatment, except for the flexural properties. In addition, the cements displayed good bonding performance and the material itself was not prone to cohesive fracture in the failure mode analysis. Furthermore, MgONPs possibly have played a role in decelerating material aging during thermocycling and enhancing bonding fastness in the early stage of cementation, which requires further investigation. Overall, developing MgONPs-doped resin cements can be a promising strategy to improve the material's performance in inhibiting cariogenic bacteria at restoration margins, in order to achieve a reduction in biofilm-associated secondary caries and a prolonged restoration lifespan.

Color stability of resin-based composites exposed to smoke. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review on color stability of dental resin-based composites (RBC) exposed to conventional and electronic cigarettes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro studies reporting on the color stability of RBC exposed to conventional cigarettes or to e-cigarettes: both Tobacco Heating Systems (THS) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). The quality of the included studies was assessed with the QUIN tool (risk-of-bias tool for assessing in vitro studies conducted in dentistry). A systematic search, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was performed on four (n = 4) databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) for articles published until March 28th, 2022.

RESULTS

Of the 365 screened articles, 13 were included in this review. All the included articles analyzed conventional cigarette smoke (CS), four analyzed Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and two Tobacco Heating Systems (THS). In terms of study design, smoke exposure time, smoke flow, type and number of cigarettes a high variability was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence suggests that CS smoke significantly affects color stability. Electronic cigarettes show less color change that seems to be easily recovered under clinical acceptability thresholds, although evidence is scarce.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinicians should be aware, and should therefore warn their patients, that RBCs are subjected to irreversible color change if exposed to smoke. Electronic cigarettes (both ENDS and THS) induce less color change that can be recovered with repolishing or whitening procedures.

Shear Bond Strength of Composite Diluted with Composite-Handling Agents on Dentin and Enamel

This in vitro study aimed to examine the shear bond strength of composite on the dentin and enamel substrates when mixed with different composite-handling agents (CHAs). Eighty extracted molars were embedded into acrylic resin and sectioned sagittally. On the prepared specimens, four groups of resin mixtures were bonded onto the enamel or dentin surfaces—composite only, composite mixed with Composite Wetting Resin (CWR), composite mixed with Brush and Sculpt (BS), and composite mixed with Modeling Resin (MR). All groups were prepared by mixing at a 1:1 ratio by weight. Each specimen was subjected to the shear bond strength test. After the test, adhesive or cohesive failures were examined at the fractured sites. Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey post hoc test. All composite groups mixed with CHAs displayed a reduced shear bond strength on dentin and enamel substrates compared to composite alone (p < 0.05). The shear bond strength on dentin decreased in the following order: CWR > BS > MR. A similar pattern was observed on enamel, except that there was no statistically significant difference between BS and MR. Statistically significant interactions between resin mixtures and substrates were found (p < 0.001). On the dentin substrate, adhesive failure dominated while adhesive/cohesive failure dominated on the enamel substrate. Conclusions: The shear bonding strength of composite decreases when mixed with CHAs on both dentin and enamel substrates.