Influence of electron beam irradiation on the alloy-to-resin bond strength

Bonding of resin luting materials to titanium and titanium alloy

Recently in Japan, due to the increased prices of palladium and gold, cast titanium restorations have been included in the Japanese national health insurance system. The purpose of this review was to survey the available literature on titanium bonding systems, focusing on the adhesive monomer in the luting agent in order to expand the application of resin-bonded fixed prostheses made of titanium or titanium alloys. It was found that adhesive monomers are effective for bonding to titanium, and provide results equal to the procedures of silanization and tribochemical silica coating. A primer or a luting agent, including 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP), methacryloyloxyalkyl thiophosphate derivative (MEPS), 6-methacryloxyhexyl phosphonoacetate (6-MHPA), and 4-methacryloyloxyethl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) promotes bonding characteristics between titanium and the resin material.

Effects of Different Surface Treatments on Bond Strength of Resin Cement to Machined Pure Titanium

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of grit blasting, acidic or alkaline/heat treatments, and metal primer application on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to machined commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Titanium plates were machined and received one of the following treatments: grit-blasting (GB), or grit-blasting followed by either acidic treatment (GB/AC) or alkaline/heat treatment (GB/AH). The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated with Rely X Ceramic Primer (RCP), Z Prime Plus (ZPP), and Alloy Primer (ALP), or without primer as the control. The pairs of titanium plates were cemented together with the Rely X Unicem cement. SBS was measured before and after thermocycling between 5°C and 55°C for 5000 cycles.

RESULTS

SEM observation showed that honeycomb-shaped pores formed on the surface of machined CP-Ti after GB/AC treatment, whereas a uniform net-like pattern formed after GB/AH treatment. In descending order, the surface roughness was GB, GB/AC, and GB/AH. The GB/AH group showed the highest SBS among all the treatments. As for primers, ALP group showed the highest SBS, while the RCP group showed the lowest. GB followed by ALP presented the highest SBS.

CONCLUSION

A fine, uniform network structure was formed on the surface of CP-Ti following GB/AH treatment, providing an effective micromechanical interlocking mechanism for resin bonding. At the same time, after AH treatment, the -OH formed on the surface of the machined CP-Ti triggered a chemical reaction with the acid monomers in the resin adhesives, creating a chemical bond. As a result, GB/AH treatment significantly improved the bond strength relative to GB/AC treatment. In addition, ALP treatment facilitated the formation of hydrogen bonds, which further improved the chemical bond strength. Finally, the combination of the effects mentioned above resulted in the most robust bond between machined CP-Ti and the resin adhesives.

Effect of ionizing radiation on polymer brackets

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the mechanical properties of polymer brackets can be improved without discoloration by electron beam (EB) irradiation applied with a Rhodotron electron accelerator using standard high-energy parameters including a 10 MV acceleration voltage and 100 kGy of energy. We analyzed polymer samples and several commercially available brackets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The first group included three polymeric base materials (polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane) currently used in various bracket systems. The second group included five bracket types, three of which are on the market (Aesthetik-Line and Brillant by Forestadent; Envision by Ortho Organizers) while the other two were experimental brackets containing urethane dimethacrylate as a monomer matrix and functional silane-treated SiO2 fillers with a filler content of 10 or 40 vol%. Each category included 40 specimens previously irradiated by a commercial provider (Beta-Gamma-Service, Bruchsal, Germany) and another 40 nonirradiated controls. The polymer specimens were analyzed for fracture toughness, Vickers hardness, and wear resistance, and the bracket specimens for Vickers hardness and color stability. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparison to identify significant differences (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

Significant increases in fracture toughness and Vickers hardness were observed in polycarbonate and polyurethane after EB irradiation, while EB irradiation of polyoxymethylene resulted in a significant decrease in these parameters. The polyurethane samples demonstrated significantly less postirradiation wear. All the commercially available brackets except for Brillant revealed significant increases in Vickers hardness. Significant discoloration was observed in all brackets after irradiation.

CONCLUSION

Although our evaluation of polymer brackets revealed considerable improvements in mechanical properties after EB irradiation, this benefit was marred by very obvious discoloration. We cannot therefore recommend industrial scale EB irradiation for any polymer bracket currently on the market.

Effects of low-energy electron beam irradiation on flexural properties of self-curing acrylic resin

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of LEB irradiation onto the polymer powder for improving the mechanical properties of self-curing acrylic resin.

METHODS

The polymer powder of self-curing acrylic resin was irradiated with total LEB doses of 25, 50, 75 or 100kGy. Non-irradiated powder was used as a control. After LEB irradiation, ESR measurement, weight-average molecular weight measurement and three-point bending test were performed.

RESULTS

ESR spectrum of control had no peaks. After LEB irradiation, nine peaks were observed in each ESR spectrum, which indicates the presence of free radicals from main polymer chain. The quantity of free radicals increased linearly up to 100kGy. Calibrated weight-average molecular weights were as follows: control, 960,000; 25kGy, 500,000; 50kGy, 440,000; 75kGy, 410,000; and 100kGy, 390,000. Molecular weight decreased with increasing LEB irradiation dose. The mean values of flexural strength (MPa) were as follows: control, 61.5±3.0; 25kGy, 68.1±4.0; 50kGy, 73.0±1.9; 75kGy, 70.4±3.6; and 100kGy, 67.7±2.3. The flexural strength of the specimens cured with the LEB-irradiated powder was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.01). These results indicate that flexural strength of polymer materials cured with the LEB-irradiated powder increases because of increase in cross-linking structure.

CONCLUSION

It is confirmed that LEB irradiation onto the polymer powder of self-curing acrylic resin improves the flexural strength.

The influence of electron beam irradiation on colour stability and hardness of aesthetic brackets

Electron beam irradiation can be used to improve the mechanical properties of polymers. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of electron beam irradiation with an energy dose of 100 kGy on the mechanical properties and colour stability of conventional polymer brackets and experimental filled composite brackets. The conventional brackets tested were Aesthetik-Line, Brillant, and Envision. The experimental brackets contained urethane dimethacrylate, as a monomer matrix and functional silane-treated SiO(2) fillers with a filler content of either 10 (Exper 1) or 40 (Exper 2) vol per cent. The influence of electron beam post-curing on Vickers hardness (VH) of the polymer brackets was investigated. Additionally, a possible discolouration of the brackets after electron beam irradiation was determined according to the three-dimensional L* a* b* colour space. The irradiated brackets were compared with untreated control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test. With the exception of Brillant brackets, all investigated brackets showed a significant enhancement of VH after electron beam post-curing. However, the brackets suffered a significant increase in discolouration. Aesthetik-Line brackets showed the highest discolouration, ΔE, and Exper 2 brackets the lowest ΔE values. The discolouration of the examined brackets differed significantly. These results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of polymer brackets could be modified by electron beam irradiation. Nevertheless, clinical use of electron beam post-curing might be restricted because of unacceptable colour changes.

Effect of bracket base conditioning

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a silicoating system, the influence of sandblasting, and the effect of a silane-coupling agent after sandblasting on the shear bond strength of stainless steel foil-mesh brackets. To simulate the oral environment, all specimens were thermocycled (6000 times at 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C) in a mastication device before testing.

METHODS

Four bracket groups were tested: group 1 consisted of 20 metal brackets that were sandblasted on the base; group 2 contained 20 brackets that were sandblasted, and a silane-coupling agent was applied; in group 3, the surface of the base of 20 metal brackets was treated by using a tribochemical system; and group 4 was the control group. The brackets were bonded with a light-curing adhesive to extracted third molars, and the shear bond strength and the adhesive remnant index score were determined. The brackets of group 1 were reconditioned after debonding with sandblasting and tested again (group 5).

RESULTS

Sandblasting and tribochemical treatment of brackets improved the shear bond strength of stainless steel brackets. Combined sandblasting and silane-coupling treatment offers no benefit of increased in-vitro strength.

CONCLUSIONS

The bond of resins to tribochemically silicoated stainless steel brackets seems to be sufficient to strengthen the bond between the adhesive and the metal bracket. This treatment is mainly indicated for low-compliance patients or teeth that are difficult to bond.

Electron-beam irradiation of experimental denture base polymers

OBJECTIVE

Since the properties of polymers can be influenced using electron-beam irradiation, the aim of this study was to investigate whether electron-beam post-curing can improve the mechanical properties of experimental denture base polymers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rectangular specimens of different experimental polymeric blends were electron-beam irradiated (post-cured) with 25 kGy and 200 kGy using an electron accelerator of 4.5 MeV. Fracture toughness, work of fracture, Vickers hardness and colour changes were measured and compared in non-irradiated specimens.

RESULTS

The mechanical properties of all the investigated polymers seemed to benefit from low-energy electron-beam irradiation (25 kGy). Using an energy dose of 200 kGy, all blends showed deteriorated mechanical properties resulting from chain breakage. Nevertheless, all investigated polymers had undesirable colour changes after electron-beam irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical properties of experimental polymethyl-methacrylate could be changed using electron-beam irradiation. Because of discolorations caused by the irradiation levels investigated, these levels cannot be recommended for practical applications.