Failure of resin-modified glass-ionomers subjected to shear loading

Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of three different glass ionomer cement (conventional, zirconium-reinforced and advanced glass hybrid) in primary molars: an in vitro study

PURPOSE

The success of restorative materials is largely dependent on their capacity to adhere to the tooth structure and withstand the various forces present in the oral cavity. So, the aim of present study was to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of Type IX Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC), Zirconomer, and Gold Label Hybrid GIC in primary molars.

METHODS

Thirty primary molars were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The molars were polished to provide a flat dentin surface after being inserted in auto polymerizing acrylic resin. The samples were randomly divided into three groups, equally and were bonded to GIC. On the dentin surface, restoration cylinders were made using a plastic mould that had an internal diameter and height of 5 mm and 3 mm, respectively. The cement was manipulated according to the manufacturer's directions through the plastic mould. Then, the samples were stored at room temperature for 10 days to mimic oral conditions. The Universal Testing Machine was used to test SBS. One-way ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey test were used to statistically assess the collected data.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found in all three groups (p < 0.01), with Zirconomer demonstrating highest SBS, followed by Type IX GIC and Gold Label Hybrid GIC.

CONCLUSION

The SBS value of Zirconomer was better when compared to Type IX GIC and Gold Label Hybrid GIC.

Ceramic Bonding Interface under Shear-Compression Stress: Ultra-High-Speed Imaging Contribution

The aim of this study is to visualize and characterize by ultra-high-speed imaging (UHSI) the failure phenomena at the resin-ceramic bonding interface of lithium disilicate (LiSi2) samples bonded with gold-standard protocol (Monobond Plus [MB]) and the nontoxic one (Monobond Etch & Prime [MEP]) subjected to mechanical loading. Unprecedented frame rate, image resolution, and recording time were reached by using the most advanced UHSI camera. The finite element analysis (FEA) of the proposed mechanical test confirmed that the specific design of our samples enables a combined shear and compression stress state, prone to test the bonding interface while being close to physiological stresses. Ten LiSi2 samples were pretreated by gold standard (MB, n = 5) and self-etching primer (MEP, n = 5). Axial compression loading gradually increased until catastrophic failure was performed. As shown by the FEA, the angle between the bonding interface and load direction leads to shear-compression stresses at the resin-ceramic bonding interface. Failure was recorded by UHSI at 300,000 fps. All recorded images were analyzed to segregate events and isolate the origin of fracture. For the first time, thanks to the image recording setup, it was observed that debonding is the first event before breakage, highlighting that sample fracture occurs by interfacial rupture followed by slippage and cohesive failure of materials. Failure mode could be described as mixed. MEP and MB showed similar results and behavior.

The forgotten merits of GIC restorations: a systematic review

Objective

To reevaluate proven strengths and weakness of glass ionomer cements (GICs) and to identify agreement versus conflicting evidence in previous reports regarding the transition between GIC and the tooth, and the existence of an “interphase”.

Materials and methods

Relevant electronic databases (PubMed, Embase via Ovid and Medline via Web of science) were searched for publications of evidence relating to the transition zone at the GIC-tooth interphase. Studies were examined and grouped according to characteristics of GIC-tooth attachment area quantified by X-ray and optical microscopy techniques in 2D and 3D.

Results

Inclusion criteria comprised of in vitro studies that showed images of the conventional GIC-tooth substrate attachments using at least one of the following techniques: SEM, CLSM, or μCT. The search identified 419 studies, from which 33 were included. Ten studies demonstrated the existence of an interphase layer and five studies quantified the layer thickness (1–15 μ). Twenty-nine publications studied different failure modes of the GIC-tooth interphase. Eleven studies described discontinuities inside the GIC bulk.

Conclusion

The GIC-tooth interphase attributes evolve with time. Good attachment is evident even under compromised surface preparation. The GIC-tooth attachment area is resistant to acidic dissolution as compared to both tooth and GIC bulk. In general, studies revealed mostly intact GIC-tooth interphases with only some cracked interphases.

Clinical significance

GIC bonds to the tooth structure and forms an acid resistant attachment zone that might enhance caries inhibition. Due to fluoride release and ease of use, GIC provides a cost effective treatment, ideal for low income or high caries populations.

Ultra-high-speed videography of resin-dentin interface failure dynamics under tensile load

OBJECTIVES

Ultra-high-speed (UHS) videography was used to visualize the fracture phenomena at the resin-dentin interface during micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) test. We also investigated whether UHS videography is applicable for failure-mode analysis.

METHODS

Ten human mid-coronal dentin surfaces were bonded using Clearfil SE Bond either in self-etching (SE) or etch-and-rinse (ER) mode. After 24-h water storage, the samples were cut into beams for μTBS test and tested at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. The fracture phenomena at the bonded interface were captured using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor digital UHS camera at 299,166 frames per second. The failure modes were classified using UHS videography, followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The failure-mode distributions determined by UHS videography and SEM analysis were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

The crack-propagation speed exceeded 1,500 km/h. No significant difference was found between the SEM and UHS videography failure-mode distributions in the SE mode. A significant difference appeared between them in the ER mode. Significant differences in the incidence of cohesive failures within the adhesive and at the adhesive-composite interface between the SE and ER modes were identified by both SEM and UHS videography.

SIGNIFICANCE

UHS videography enabled visualization of the fracture dynamics at the resin- dentin interfaces under tensile load. However, the resolution at such high frame rate was insufficient to classify the failure mode as precisely as that of SEM. Nevertheless, UHS videography can provide more detailed information about the fracture origin and propagation.

Biomaterials: Ceramic and Adhesive Technologies

This review highlights ceramic material options and their use. The newer high-strength ceramics in monolithic form have gained popularity despite the lack of long-term clinical data to support this paradigm shift. Although there are some encouraging clinical data available, there is a need to develop laboratory simulation models that can help predict long-term clinical performance for ceramic and adhesive cements.

Water-dependent Interfacial Transition Zone in Resin-modified Glass-ionomer Cement/Dentin Interfaces

The function of the interfacial transition zone (absorption layer) in resin-modified glass-ionomer cements bonded to deep dentin remains obscure. This study tested the hypotheses that the absorption layer is formed only in the presence of water derived from hydrated dentin and allows for better bonding of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements to dentin. Ten percent polyacrylic acid-conditioned, hydrated, and dehydrated deep dentin specimens were bonded with 2 resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and sealed with resins to prevent environmental water gain or loss. A non-particulate absorption layer was identified over hydrated dentin only, and was clearly discernible from the hybrid layer when bonded interfaces were examined with transmission electron microscopy. This layer was relatively more resistant to dehydration stresses, and remained intact over the dentin surface after tensile testing. The absorption layer mediates better bonding of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements to deep dentin, and functions as a stress-relieving layer to reduce stresses induced by desiccation and shrinkage.

Bonding of contemporary glass ionomer cements to different tooth substrates; microshear bond strength and scanning electron microscope study

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the microshear bond strength (μSBS) and ultramorphological characterization of glass ionomer (GI) cements; conventional GI cement (Fuji IX, CGI), resin modified GI (Fuji II LC, RMGI) and nano-ionomer (Ketac N100, NI) to enamel, dentin and cementum substrates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five lower molars were sectioned above the cemento-enamel junction. The occlusal surfaces were ground flat to obtain enamel and dentin substrates, meanwhile the cervical one-third of the root portion were utilized to evaluate the bonding efficacy to cementum substrate. Each substrate received microcylinders from the three tested materials; which were applied according to manufacturer instructions. μSBS was assessed using a universal testing machine. The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test. Modes of failure were examined using stereomicroscope at ×25 magnification. Interfacial analysis of the bonded specimens was carried out using environmental field emission scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

Two-way ANOVA revealed that materials, substrates and their interaction had a statistically significant effect on the mean μSBS values at P values; ˂0.0001, 0.0108 and 0.0037 respectively. RMGI showed statistically significant the highest μSBS values to all examined tooth substrates. CGI and RMGI show substrate independent bonding efficiency, meanwhile; NI showed higher μSBS values to dentin and cementum compared to enamel.

CONCLUSION

Despite technological development of GI materials, mainly the nano-particles use, better results have not been achieved for both investigations, when compared to RMGI, independent of tooth substrate.

Influence of thicknesses of smear layer on the transdentinal cytotoxicity and bond strength of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement

This study evaluated the transdentinal cytotoxicity (TC) and the bond strength (BS) of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) applied to dentin covered with smear layer (SL) of different thicknesses. Forty dentin discs had thick (TSL) or thin (THSL) smear layer created on their occlusal side. In artificial pulp chambers, MDPC-23 cells were seeded on the pulpal side of the dentin discs and divided into five groups: G1TC: no treatment (control); G2TC: TSL + RMGIC; G3TC: THSL + RMGIC; G4TC: TSL removal + RMGIC; G5TC: THSL removal + RMGIC. After 24 h, cell metabolism and morphology were evaluated by the methyltetrazolium (MTT) assay and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. For BS, the following groups were determined: G1BS: TSL removal + RMGIC; G2BS: THSL removal + RMGIC; G3BS: TSL + RMGIC; G4BS: THSL + RMGIC. Shear bond strength was tested to failure in a mechanical testing machine MTS (0.5 mm/min). Statistically significant difference was observed only between the control and experimental groups (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05). The metabolic activity of the viable MDPC-23 cells in G2TC, G3TC, G4TC and G5TC decreased by 54.85%, 60.79%, 64.12% and 62.51%, respectively. Mean shear bond strength values for G1BS, G2BS, G3BS and G4BS were 7.5, 7.4, 6.4 and 6.7 MPa, respectively, without significant difference among them (ANOVA, p>0.05). RMGIC presented moderate transdentinal cytotoxic effects. Maintenance or removal of smear layer did not affect the bond strength of RMGIC to dentin substrate.

Differential bonds degradation of two resin-modified glass-ionomer cements in primary and permanent teeth

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of chemical degradation on bond strength of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements bonded to primary and permanent dentin.

METHODS

Class I cavities of permanent and primary extracted human molars were restored with two resin-modified glass-ionomer cements: Fuji II LC and Vitremer, and stored in water for 24h. Half samples were immersed in 10% NaOCl aqueous solution for 5h. Teeth were sectioned into beams and tested for microtensile bond strengths. Results were analyzed with multiple ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p<0.05). Analysis of debonded surfaces was performed by SEM.

RESULTS

24h bond strengths for Vitremer and Fuji II LC were similar. For Fuji II, bond strength values were higher for primary than for permanent dentin. Vitremer bond strength was similar for both. Chemical degradation did not affect Fuji II LC bond strength to dentin. However, decreases in bond strength were found for Vitremer groups after NaOCl immersion. Signs of glass ionomer-dentin interaction were evident by SEM analysis for Fuji II LC specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitremer and Fuji II presented similar bond strength at 24. Vitremer dentin bonds were prone to chemical degradation. Fuji II LC-dentin bonds showed typical features of glass-ionomer dentin interaction at the bonded interfaces, and were resistant to in vitro degradation.

Microtensile bond strength of glass ionomer cements to artificially created carious dentin

In this laboratory study, the microtensile bond strengths of a conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) and a resin modified glass ionomer cement (CRMGIC) to artificially created carious dentin and sound dentin were compared, and the ultrastructural morphology of the fractured interface was examined with a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope (SEM). The specimens were divided into 4 groups: 1) a conventional GIC (Ketac-Fil Plus Aplicap) placed on sound dentin; 2) a conventional GIC placed on artificially created carious dentin; 3) an RMGIC (Photac-Fil Aplicap) placed on sound dentin and 4) an RMGIC placed on artificially created carious dentin. Artificial carious lesions were created using a chemical demineralizing solution of 0.1 M/L lactic acid and 0.2% carbopol. GIC buildups were made on the dentin surfaces according to the manufacturer's directions. After storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, the teeth were sectioned vertically into 1 x 1 x 8-mm beams for the microtensile bond strength test. The microtensile bond strength of each specimen was measured, and failure mode was determined using an optical microscope (40x). The fractured surfaces were further examined with SEM. Two-way analysis of variance showed that the mean microtensile bond strengths of a GIC and an RMGIC to carious dentin were significantly lower than those to sound dentin, and the mean microtensile bond strengths of Photac-Fil to both sound and carious dentin were significantly higher than those of Ketac-Fil Plus. Chi-square tests indicated that there was a significant difference in failure mode between the sound dentin and carious dentin groups. In sound dentin groups, cohesive failure in GIC was pre- dominant; whereas, mixed failure was predominant in carious dentin groups. SEM examination showed that the specimens determined to be cohesive failures under light microscopy in the Photac-Fil/Sound Dentin group were actually mixed failures under high magnification of SEM.

A novel real-time confocal imaging technique for examining host–implant interfacial shear failure patterns

In clinical practice, implant failure usually occurs at the biomaterial-host tissue interface, typically involving both biomechanical and biochemical mechanisms. By definition, any new 'bioactive' material will bond to living bone but, prior to clinical use, interface formation, performance, longevity and failure pattern characterizations are necessary. The common missing link in many biomaterial interface investigations is imaging at the point of presumed loaded failure. The novel real-time confocal technique described here allows bond strength, formation rate, longevity and bone-material interface failure pattern characterization for a wide range of biomaterials capable of forming tissue interfaces, in one real-time imaged microshear stress process, conducted using imaging frame matched load/displacement data acquisition under relatively normal near in vivo environmental conditions. The technique, validated by post-failure scanning electron microscopy imaging, revealed that more slowly reacting melt-derived 45S5 glass materials produced stronger and more stable long-term interfaces than faster reacting microporous bioactive sol-gel glasses.

Engineering Properties and Performance of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used to replace damaged natural crowns of teeth and are fixed to prepared teeth with luting cements, which should provide an adhesive bond to the tooth structure giving reliable retention and minimal microleakage. Mechanical testing of crowns in vitro gives failure load distributions that are well described by Weibull models, comparing probabilities of survival and reliability. Fatigue testing of crowns is time consuming, but regression analysis to interpolate functions through data points quoting probability limits or applying Weibull analysis is achievable. A complementary approach is to conduct materials tests with appropriate interfacial geometries. Luting cements are used in thin layers of 40–150 um. Contraction during polymerization is restrained by adhesion to substrates, allowing little relaxation of stresses. Conventional and resin-modified glass ionomer cements create thin zones of interaction with dentine and fail cohesively. The chevron notch short rod technique has been used to measure fracture toughness and rank cements. A development of this method, using chevron notch short bar specimens, permitted fracture toughness to be determined for luting cement-dentine substrate interfaces. Representative fracture experiments need to be developed to apply mixed mode conditions. The basic challenge to predict long-term performance from short-term laboratory tests remains.

Fibre reinforced composite dental bridge. Part I: Experimental investigation

This experimental investigation aims at revealing the mechanical behaviour and failure pattern of direct fibre-reinforced resin-bonded dental bridge with various designs. To evaluate the overall effects of some newly developed dental materials, in the experiment, genuine composite dental bridge specimens are prepared and tested. The ultimate load, stiffness and mode at the failure of the bridges are measured and compared with the design variations. A good agreement between test and some clinical observations is demonstrated. It is verified that the weakest region appears across the pontic-abutment interface in the composite bridges. This study suggests that the composite bridges reinforced by fibres and supported by adjacent teeth could be of a higher structural strength and stiffness; therefore would provide better clinical performances.

Interaction of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements with moist dentine

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to report on a novel phenomenon that occurs when resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RMGICs) are bonded to moist human dentine.

METHODS

Dentine surfaces from extracted third molars were abraded with 180-grit SiC paper. Ten teeth were prepared for each of the two RMGICs tested (Fuji II LC, GC Corp. and Photac-Fil Quick, 3M ESPE). RMGIC buildups were made according to the manufacturers' instructions. After storage at 37 degrees C, 100% humidity for 24 h, the bonded specimens were cut occlusogingivally into 0.9 x 0.9 mm beams. Dentine surfaces bonded with the two RMGICs were examined along the fractured RMGIC/dentine interfaces. Additional beams fractured within the RMGICS and at 3 mm away from the interfaces were used as controls. The fractured beams were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission-environmental SEM (FE-ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

SEM and FE-ESEM revealed numerous solid spherical bodies along the RMGIC/dentine interfaces. By contrast, no spherical bodies could be identified within the RMGIC fractured 3 mm distant from the bonded interface. TEM and energy dispersive X-ray analyses performed on carbon-coated ultrathin sections showed that these solid spherical bodies consisted of a thin aluminum and silicon-rich periphery and an amorphous hydrocarbon core within the air voids of the original resin matrix.

CONCLUSION

The spherical bodies probably represent a continuation of GI reaction and poly(HEMA) hydrogel formation that results from water diffusion from the underlying moist dentine. Their existence provides evidence for the permeation of water through RMGIC/dentine interfaces.

Interaction of glass-ionomer cements with moist dentin

Glass-ionomer cements (GICs) are regarded as aqueous gels made up of polyalkenoic acid salts containing ion-leachable glass fillers. The consequence of water permeation across the GIC-dentin interface is unknown. This study used SEM, field-emission/environmental SEM (FE-ESEM), and TEM to examine the ultrastructure of GIC-bonded moist dentin. Dentin surfaces bonded with 6 auto-cured GICs were examined along the fractured GIC-dentin interfaces. Additional specimens fractured 3 mm away from the interfaces were used as controls. SEM revealed spherical bodies along GIC-dentin interfaces that resembled hollow eggshells. FE-SEM depicted similar bodies with additional solid cores. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis and TEM showed that the spherical bodies consisted of a silicon-rich GIC phase that was absent from the air-voids in the controls. The GIC inclusions near dentin surfaces result from a continuation of the GI reaction, within air-voids of the original polyalkenoate matrix, that occurred upon water diffusion from moist dentin.

Four-year water degradation of a resin-modified glass-ionomer adhesive bonded to dentin

Glass-ionomers are auto-adhesive to tooth tissue through combined micro-mechanical and chemical bonding. How much each of the two bonding components contributes to the actual bonding effectiveness is, however, not known and there is not much information available on long-term stability. The objective of this study was to assess the bonding effectiveness of a resin-modified glass-ionomer adhesive to dentin after 4 yr of water storage. Fuji Bond LC (GC) was applied without (i) and with pretreatment using (ii) a polyalkenoic acid conditioner and (iii) a 37.5% phosphoric acid etchant. The etchant was used to exclude any chemical interaction with hydroxyapatite. The micro-tensile bond strength ( microTBS) to dentin decreased significantly over the 4 yr period in all three experimental groups. After 24 h and 4 yr, the lowest micro TBS was recorded when dentin was not pretreated. The highest micro TBS was obtained following polyalkenoic acid pretreatment, although this was not significantly different from specimens that were pretreated using phosphoric acid. Pretreating dentin with phosphoric acid intensified micromechanical interlocking at the expense of chemical bonding potential to hydroxyapatite. Nevertheless, correlating the micro TBS data with failure analysis through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that combined micro-mechanical and chemical bonding involving pretreatment with the polyalkenoic acid conditioner yielded the most durable bond.

Electron microprobe analysis into interactions of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and a modified composite with human dentin in vitro

When materials used in restorative dentistry, such as a glass-ionomer cement or a compomer, were applied to dentin, ion exchanges occur between the material and the dentin. This work is based on an assessment in vitro of the ion exchanges occurring over time between (i) a glass-ionomer cement and dentin and (ii) a compomer and dentin. An electron microprobe analysis, technique not previously used for such a study, permitted qualitative and quantitative analysis of the interface and of the peripheral dentin. Analysis of the distribution of the elements in the interface and nearby showed continuous, progressive exchanges between the glass-ionomer cement and the dentin and absence of diffusion between the compomer and the dentin.

Effect of remaining dentin thickness and the use of conditioner on micro-tensile bond strength of a glass-ionomer adhesive

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of remaining dentin thickness and the use of a 20% polyalkenoic acid conditioner on the micro-tensile bond strength of a glass-ionomer adhesive to dentin.

METHODS

Resin composite was bonded to flat dentin surfaces from 14 extracted human teeth using Fuji BOND LC (GC) with or without a polyalkenoic acid conditioner, then sectioned to thin slabs, trimmed into an hourglass shape with the area of the interface being approximately 1mm(2), and subjected to micro-tensile testing at a cross-head speed of 1mm/min. Micro-tensile bond strengths were determined at three depth levels with a remaining dentin thickness of more than 3mm, between 2 and 3mm, and less than 2mm. Failure modes of the broken interfaces were determined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The micro-tensile bond strength to dentin significantly improved when the remaining dentin thickness increased and the conditioner was used. When the conditioner was used (irrespective of remaining dentin thickness), failures mainly occurred adhesively at the interface between the adhesive and resin composite. When no conditioner was used, no adhesive failures between the adhesive and resin composite occurred, but failures occurred mainly adhesively between dentin and the adhesive, or mixed adhesive-cohesively.

SIGNIFICANCE

The bonding effectiveness of the glass-ionomer adhesive tested was affected by the area of intertubular dentin available for micro-mechanical retention through hybrid-layer formation. Removal of the smear layer improved the bond strength of the adhesive to dentin.