Flowable Materials Research Articles

Effect of irradiation times on the polymerization depth of contemporary fissure sealants with different opacities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the depth of curing of 10 contemporary blue light-activated dental flowable materials at several opacities, influenced by different irradiation times using FT-IR spectroscopy. Fifty-five specimens (n = 5) with a 5-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness of translucent (Opallis Flow T), yellowed (Master Flow A2; Opallis Flow A2; Natural Flow A2; Fluroshield Yellowed), and opaque materials (Master Flow OA2; Natural Flow O; Opallis Flow OA3.5; Opallis Flow OP; Fluroshield White) were obtained at six curing times (10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s) using a high-intensity LED (Coltolux, Coltène/Whaledent). The degree of conversion (DC) (%) was obtained using the Nexus 470 FTIR Spectrometer (Nicolet Instruments, USA). The FTIR-ATR spectra for uncured and cured samples were analyzed using a ZnSe crystal. The top and bottom surfaces of the cured specimens were analyzed to obtain the depth of curing. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The highest curing depth was obtained by Natural Flow OA2, while the lowest was shown by Master Flow OA2. The shortest curing time generated similar depths of cure in comparison with the most extensive for Opallis Flow A2 and Fluroshield Yellowed. Therefore, depth of curing, influenced by the irradiation time, was dependent on the materials. Using the Natural Flow OA2 opaque sealant and the 10-s curing time for Opallis Flow A2 and Fluroshield Yellowed may represent alternative approaches to sealing tooth fissures.

Low shrinkage composite resins: influence on sealing ability in unfavorable C-factor cavities

The present investigation observed the sealing ability of low shrinkage composite resins in large and deep cavities, placed and photocured in one increment. Large, deep cavities (5.0 mm diameter and 2.5 mm deep) surrounded by enamel were prepared in bovine teeth, which were then divided into five groups. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4: acid conditioning + Adper Single Bond (3M/ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) and restoration with Aelite LS Posterior (BISCO Inc. Schaumburg, IL, USA) (G1); Filtek Z-350 (3M/ESPE,St Paul, MN, USA) (G2); Filtek Z-350 Flow (3M/ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) (G3); Premisa (KERR Corporation, Orange, CA, USA) (G4). Group 5: Silorane Adhesive system (3M/ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) + restoration with Filtek Low Shrinkage Posterior P90 (3M/ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA). After polymerization, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsine solution and immediately washed. Using the Imagetool Software, the extent of dye along the margins was calculated as a percentage of total perimeter. The restorations were then transversally sectioned and the depth of dye penetration was calculated in mm, using the same software. Kruskal-Wallis analysis for all groups showed no statistical differences for extent (p = 0.54) or depth (p = 0.8364) of dye penetration. According to this methodology, the so-called low shrinkage composite resins had the same sealing ability compared to regular and flowable nanocomposite materials.

Loading mode effects on sheet formability in viscous pressure forming (VPF)

As a flexible‐die forming process, viscous pressure forming (VPF), which uses a kind of semisolid, flowable and viscous material as pressure‐carrying medium, offers a simple and versatile approach to low volume stamping of difficult‐to‐form sheet metal alloys. As a result of the relatively low flowability of viscous medium compared with fluid, the deformation sequence of the workpiece can be controlled and regulated through controlling the loading mode of viscous medium. In the present study, viscous pressure bulge (VPB) tests with three kinds of loading location of viscous medium (central zone, corner zone and the whole deformation zone) and three loading velocities were conducted to investigate the effects of loading mode on sheet formability. Experimental results show that increasing loading velocity reduces sheet formability in viscous pressure bulge tests with conventional loading location and changing the loading location of viscous medium can greatly affect sheet formability. Numerical simulations were performed to reveal the reason why changing the loading location affects sheet formability. It is found that nonuniform pressure distribution is the main reason why loading location affects sheet formability. The pressure distributions for the condition of injecting viscous medium at the die corner zone are beneficial to improve the formability of sheet metal.

Investigations on a methacrylate-based flowable composite based on the SDR™ technology

Objective Monomer development for a reduced shrinkage of composite materials still challenges the modern research. The purpose of this study was to analyse the shrinkage behavior of an innovative composite material for dental restorations based on a resin system that is claimed to control polymerization kinetics having incorporated a photoactive group within the resin. Methods Shrinkage stress development within the first 300 s after photoinitiation, gel point as well as micro-mechanical properties (Vickers hardness HV, modulus of elasticity E, creep Cr and elastic–plastic indentation work W e/ W tot) were evaluated ( n = 10). The experimental flowable resin-based composite (RBC) was measured in comparison to regular methacrylate-based micro- (Esthet X Flow) and nano-hybrid flowable RBCs (Filtek Supreme Plus Flow). Additionally, the high viscosity counterparts of the two regular flowable methacryate-based composites (Esthet X Plus and Filtek Supreme Plus) as well as a low shrinkage silorane-based micro-hybrid composite (Filtek Silorane) were considered. The curing time was 20 s (LED unit Freelight2, 3M-ESPE, 1226 mW/cm 2). Results The experimental material achieved the significantly lowest contraction stress (1.1 ± .01 MPa) followed by the silorane-based composite (3.6 ± .03 MPa), whereas the highest stress values were induced in the regular methacrylate-based flowable composites EsthetX Flow (5.3 ± .3 MPa) and Filtek Supreme Flow (6.5 ± .3 MPa). In view of gel point, the best values were obtained for the experimental flowable composite (3.1 ± .1s) and Filtek Silorane (3.2 ± .3 s), which did not differ significant from each others, whereas EsthetX Plus and Filtek Supreme Plus did also not differ significantly, inducing the shortest gel point. The experimental flowable material achieved also the lowest shrinkage-rate (maximum at 0.1 MPa/s). For all analysed materials, no significant difference in the micro-mechanical properties between top and bottom were found when measured on 2 mm thick increments 24 h after polymerization. The categories of flowable materials performed in the measured micro-mechanical properties significantly inferior when compared to the hybrid-composites, showing lower HV and E and predominantly higher creep and plastic deformation. Within the flowable RBCs, the experimental material achieved the lowest Vickers hardness, the highest modulus of elasticity, the highest creep and showed the significantly lowest elastic deformation. Significance The experimental flowable composite revealed the lowest shrinkage stress and shrinkage-rate values in comparison to regular methacrylate composites but intermediate micro-mechanical properties. Being at the same time more rigid (higher modulus of elasticity) and more plastic (low W e/ W tot and high creep values) as the regular flowable materials, its effect on interfacial stress build-up cannot be easily predicted.

Effect of Loading Location of Viscous Medium on Sheet Deformation in Viscous Pressure Bulge (VPB) Test

Viscous pressure forming (VPF) uses a highly viscous but flowable material as pressure-carrying medium (PCM). Due to the relative low flowability of viscous medium compared with fluid, nonuniform pressure distribution in viscous medium can be used to control and regulate the deformation sequence of the workpiece through controlling the loading mode of viscous medium. In the present study, viscous pressure bulge (VPB) tests with three kinds of loading location of viscous medium (central zone, corner zone and the whole deformation zone) are conducted and the influences of loading location of viscous medium on sheet deformation behavior are investigated via numerical simulations and experiments. It is found that changing the loading location of viscous medium can greatly affect the deformation behavior of sheet metal. When the viscous medium is injected from the die corner zone, a local high pressure formed at the corner zone of sheet metal and a higher limiting dome height and strains are obtained.

The Effect of Flowable Materials on the Microleakage of Class II Composite Restorations That Extend Apical to the Cemento-enamel Junction

This in vitro study investigated the effects of a thin layer of flowable composite or compomer on microleakage occurring in Class II packable and nanofilled composite restorations that extend apical to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). The current study also investigated any differences in microleakage that occur between restorations light-cured using a light-emitting diode (LED) and a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light-curing unit. Standardized Class II "slot" cavity preparations were prepared on the mesial and distal surfaces of 72 extracted, unrestored, non-carious premolars (n = 144). The gingival margins were placed 1 mm apical to the CEJ. The teeth were divided into two groups (n = 72) and restored with a "packable composite" (Filtek P60) or a "nano-filled composite" (Universal Filtek Supreme XT) with or without flowable composite (Flowable Filtek Supreme XT) or flowable composite (Dyract Flow) as gingival liners placed with thicknesses of 1.0 mm. Each increment was cured for 20 seconds before adding the next. One-half of the samples in each group was cured with QTH (Coltolux 75) and the other half with LED (Coltolux LED) LCUs. After a two-week incubation period at 37 degrees C, the specimens were thermocycled (5 degrees C-55 degrees C x 1500), immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours, sectioned and the microleakage was then evaluated at the gingival margin by two examiners using a 0-3 score scale. Within the current study, when flowable liners were used, both the packable (Filtek P60) and nanofilled (Filtek Supreme XT Universal Restorative) composite materials had significantly less microleakage than when flowable liners were not used (p < 0.05). Both flowable liners (Flowable Filtek Supreme XT and Dyract Flow) resulted in a significant reduction of the microleakage occurring under both types of composite materials at the gingival floors ( p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between them. The choice of light curing technology (LED vs QTH) had no significant effect on the amount of microleakage observed.

Microleakage beneath brackets bonded with flowable materials: effect of thermocycling

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermocycling on microleakage beneath brackets bonded with an orthodontic composite and different flowable materials. Brackets were bonded to 200 bovine incisors divided into five groups: (1) Transbond XT, (2) X-Flow, (3) Dyract-Flow, (4) Admira-Flow, and (5) Beautiful-Flow. Half the teeth in each group were thermocycled. The specimens were dyed with 1 per cent methylene blue for 24 hours to determine the percentage of microleakage into the enamel-adhesive and adhesive-bracket interfaces using image analysis equipment. Data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05), applying Bonferroni correction when required (P < 0.005). Without thermocycling, microleakage at the enamel-adhesive interface was significantly greater for Admira-Flow than for X-Flow (P < 0.005). At the adhesive-bracket interface, there were no significant differences (P > 0.005). After thermocycling, microleakage of Beautiful-Flow at the enamel-adhesive interface was significantly less than for the other materials tested (P < 0.005), while at the adhesive-bracket interface, Admira-Flow and X-Flow showed significantly more microleakage than Beautiful-Flow and Transbond XT (P < 0.005). Analysis of the effect of thermocycling on each material showed that microleakage increased significantly at the enamel-adhesive interface with Transbond XT (P < 0.05), decreased with Beautiful-Flow (P < 0.05), increased significantly at both interfaces with X-Flow, but not to a statistically significant level with Dyract-Flow and Admira-Flow (P > 0.05). The giomer, Beautiful-Flow, demonstrated the best performance after thermocycling, while composite resins and, in particular, the flowables showed a poorer performance.

Investigations on mechanical behaviour of dental composites

Since a direct comparison of composites efficacy in clinical studies is very difficult, our study aimed to analyse in laboratory tests under standardised and simulated clinical conditions a large variety of commercial composite materials belonging to eight different materials categories. Thus, 72 hybrid, nano-hybrid, micro-filled, packable, ormocer-based and flowable composites, compomers and flowable compomers were compared in terms of their mechanical behaviour. Flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), diametric tensile (DTS) and compressive strength (CS) were measured after the samples had been stored in water for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Results were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc test (alpha = 0.05) as well as partial eta2 statistics. Large varieties between the tested materials within the same material category were found. The hybrid, nano-hybrid, packable and ormocer-based composites do not differ significantly among each other as a material type, reaching the highest FS values. Nano-hybrid composites are characterised by a good FS, the best DTS but a low FM. The lowest mechanical properties achieved the micro-filled hybrids. The flowable composites and compomers showed for all properties comparable result. Both flowable material categories do not differ significantly from the micro-filled composites for the most mechanical properties, showing only a higher DTS. The filler volume was shown to have the highest influence on the measured properties, inducing a maximum FS and FM at a level of 60%, whereas such dependence was not measured for DTS or CS. The influence of the type of material on the mechanical properties was significant but very low, showing the strongest influence on the CS.

Flowability of composites is no guarantee for contraction stress reduction

Objectives The purpose of this study was to measure the contraction stress development of three flowable resin-composite materials (Grandio Flow, VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany; Tetric Flow, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein; Filtek Supreme XT Flowable Restorative, 3 M ESPE, ST. Paul, MN, USA) and an universal micro-hybrid composite resin (Filtek Z250, 3 M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) during photopolymerization with a halogen curing light, using a novel stress-measuring gauge. Methods Curing shrinkage stress was measured using a stress-analyzer. Composites were polymerized with a halogen curing unit (VIP, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) for 40 s. The contraction force (N) generated during polymerization was continuously recorded for 180 s after photo-initiation. Contraction stress (MPa) was calculated at 20 s, 40 s, 60 s, 120 s and 180 s. Data were statistically analyzed. Results Filtek Supreme XT Flowable Restorative exhibited the highest stress values compared to other materials ( p < 0.05), while the lowest values were recorded with Tetric Flow ( p < 0.05). Tetric Flow was also the only flowable composite showing stress values lower than the conventional composite Filtek Z250 ( p < 0.05). Significance Flowable composites investigated with this experimental setup showed shrinkage stress comparable to conventional resin restorative materials, thus supporting the hypothesis that the use of flowable materials do not lead to marked stress reduction and the risk of debonding at the adhesive interface as a result of polymerization contraction is similar for both type of materials.

Influence of flowable materials on microleakage of nanofilled and hybrid Class II composite restorations with LED and QTH LCUs

Class II composite restorations are more frequently being placed with margins apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and margins within the dentin are prone to microleakage. This in vitro study was used to evaluate the influence of flowable composite and flowable compomer as gingival liner on microleakage in Class II composite restorations and compare a light-emitting diode (LED) unit with a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) unit for light-activating composite resins. Mesioocclusal and distoocclusal Class II cavity preparations were made in 72 sound extracted premolars. The buccolingual width was 2.5 mm and the gingival margins of all the cavities were placed 1.0 mm apical to the CEJ. The boxes were prepared 1.5 mm deep axially, making 144 slot cavities. Teeth were randomly divided into the following two groups (n = 72): (I) Universal Filtek Supreme XT; Universal Filtek Supreme XT + Flwable Filtek XT and Universal Filtek Supreme XT + Dyract Flow and (II) Filtek Z250; Filtek Z250 + Flwable Filtek XT and Filtek Z250 + Dyract Flow. Flowable materials were injected into the gingival floor of the cavity to a thickness of 1.0 mm. Each increment was cured for 20 s. One-half of the subgroups in each group were cured with QTH and the other half with LED light curing units (LCUs). After 1 week of incubation at 37 degrees C, the specimens were thermocycled (5-55 degrees C, x1500), immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsine dye for 24 h and sectioned and microleakage was evaluated at the gingival margin by two examiners using a 0-3 score scale. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. The groups utilizing flowable liners had significantly less microleakage (P < 0.05). No significant difference was identified between Universal Filtek Supreme XT and Filtek Z250 composites with and without flowable materials. There was no significant between utilizing flowable composite or flowable compomer and between each similar subgroup when polymerized with either the LED or the QTH LCUs. A layer of flowable materials at the gingival floor of Class II composite restorations may be recommended to improve the marginal seal of a restoration.

CON-TACT Planarization Process of Spin-on Dielectrics for Device Fabrication

Planarization has become a necessity for fabricating devices, large and small. Without planarization, only a limited number of layers of interconnects or device structures can be successfully fabricated. CON-TACT planarization is a method that applies and extends the fundamentals of press planarization by utilizing external force to bring an optically flat surface in physical contact with flowable materials. The surface planarity is replicated from that of the optically flat surface to the planarized flowable material surface, which is then hardened and separated afterward from the pressing surface to achieve planarity. In this study, CON-TACT planarization technology has been utilized to planarize various polymer dielectric materials coated on both Si and GaAs topography and device wafers, resulting in both local and global planarity. The polymer materials used in this study include cyclotene, polybenzoxazole, and polyimide. The results show that a topography or step height reduction of up to was achieved. Additionally, the overburden variation from die to die was also significantly reduced with this method. This performance promises great potential for CON-TACT planarization technology to provide more consistent, more reliable, and improved device performance for more sophisticated and complex device designs with higher yield.

Developing Falling-Ball Viscometer for Highly Flowable Cement-Based Materials

Northwestern University's Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials designed and developed a scale, suspended steel ball, and spring based falling-ball viscometer to measure cement-based materials' rheological properties. By investigating the relationship between falling-ball velocity and drag force exerted on ball surface, the viscometer can determine a fluid's yield stress and plastic viscosity. The authors discuss a two-step study. The first step investigated paste properties when water-cement ratio was the same but high-range water-reducing admixtures and viscosity-modifying admixture contents varied. The second stage researched the same paste matrix with varied sand content mortars. Study results showed that mixture composition variation changes could be measured by the falling-ball viscometer. The mini-cone slump test determined slump flow diameter, which corresponded very well to measured yield stress. Viscometer application to high fluidity concretes, such as self-consolidating concrete, has high potential.

Effect of cyclical lateral forces on microleakage of cervical resin composite restorations

The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the amount of microleakage occurring in cervical restorations in groups of extracted teeth restored with four different types of resin composite materials, representing four basic categories widely used by restorative dentists today. This comparison was made, both with and without the application of cyclic lateral forces. A testing instrument developed specifically to reproduce cyclic lateral forces was utilized. The amount of microleakage that occurred was compared, both with and without the application of the forces. Within the limitations of the study, we found that the packable and the hybrid resin composite material exhibited significantly more leakage than either the flowable or the microfilled resin composite. This was observed in both the fatigued and the non-fatigued specimens. This finding supported the theory that the lower modulus of elasticity of flowable and microfilled resin composites allows more flexure of the restoration during the flexure of the tooth, that results from its reciprocal movements. The non-fatigued specimens restored with flowable and microfilled resin composite material had less microleakage than did those restored with the hybrid resin composite material. The findings in the study supported the possibility that lower modulus of elasticity of the microfilled and flowable resin composite materials may have some beneficial effects in reducing the stress placed on the adhesive bond at the resin tooth interface during the polymerization phase.

Injectable biomaterials and vertebral endplate treatment for repair and regeneration of the intervertebral disc

The objectives of augmentation of the nucleus pulposus following disc removal are to prevent disc height loss and the associated biomechanical and biochemical changes. Flowable materials may be injected via a small incision, allowing minimally invasive access to the disc space. Fluids can interdigitate with the irregular surgical defects and may even physically bond to the adjacent tissue. Injectable biomaterials allow for incorporation and uniform dispersion of cells and/or therapeutic agents. Injectable biomaterials have been developed that may act as a substitute for the disc nucleus pulposus. Our work has focused on the evaluation of a recombinant protein copolymer consisting of amino acid sequence blocks derived from silk and elastin structural proteins as an injectable biomaterial for augmentation of the nucleus pulposus. This implant, NuCoretrade mark Injectable Nucleus is being developed by Spine Wave (Shelton, CT). The NuCoretrade mark material is comprised of a solution of the protein polymer and a polyfunctional cross-linking agent. The material closely mimics the protein content, water content, pH and complex modulus of the natural nucleus pulposus. Extensive mechanical testing, biocompatibility and toxicology testing have been performed on the material. Characterization studies indicate that the NuCoretrade mark Injectable Nucleus is able to restore the biomechanics of the disc following a microdiscectomy. Extensive biomaterial characterization shows the material to be non-toxic and biocompatible. The mechanical properties of the material mimic those of the natural nucleus pulposus. Thus NuCoretrade mark Injectable Nucleus is suitable to replace the natural nucleus pulposus following a discectomy procedure. Human clinical evaluation is underway in a multi center clinical study on the use of the material as an adjunct to microdiscectomy. Further clinical studies of the use of NuCoretrade mark Injectable Nucleus for treatment of early stage degenerative disc disease are planned in the near future. On-going efforts are characterizing the use of the material as a cell delivery vehicle for disc repair and reconstruction. Related development efforts are exploring methods for repair and regeneration of the cartilage endplate that are implemented to enhance the host-implant interface. Prior to the introduction of the above-mentioned biomaterial, our work proposes to utilize a process for the treatment of the vertebral endplates. The goal of this process is to restore the endplates as closely as possible to their natural state prior to disease or degeneration. The nature of the treatment will depend upon the form of the endplate degeneration and on the type of scaffolding that is intended to be introduced in the nuclear cavity. Endplate therapy is a potential means of enhancing biomaterial integration and cell survival, but remains a long-term and currently untested methodology.

An Effective Method for Spreading Flowable Composites in Resin-based Restorations

Cavity lining with flowable composites has been suggested for better marginal adaptation and a reduction in interfacial stress and post-operative sensitivity. The following in vitro study compares the spreading of flowable composite that lines the inner wall of a test cavity using an explorer and a specially designed smooth, oscillating, off-center rotating bur spun at 300 to 600 rpm. Two commercial flowable materials were used in this study. With use of the rotating bur, a more consistent, uniform cavity lining was achieved. This was not possible using the dental explorer. The specially designed rotating bur provides an effective way for clinicians to form a uniform cavity lining.

Dynamics of composite polymerization mediates the development of cuspal strain

Objectives In the current study, we used electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) to measure tooth deformation in response to polymerization of five resin composites with a range of polymerization shrinkage. Our hypothesis was that composites with higher polymerization shrinkage should cause more cuspal strain as measured by ESPI. Methods Standardized MOD cavities were prepared and placed into the ESPI apparatus before the cavities were filled with composites ( n = 10). The ESPI apparatus was constructed to measure the out-of-plane displacement of the lingual cusps of the teeth during the polymerization of the restorative material. A thermocouple was attached to the specimen to monitor thermal changes throughout the polymerization process. Results Experiments with empty preparations demonstrated that the ESPI technique was temporally responsive and sensitive to dimensional changes. However, the correlation between polymerization shrinkage of composite resins and ESPI-measured tooth deformation was not straightforward. In particular, a flowable material did not deform the tooth significantly more that a conventional hybrid. Further, an experimental silorane material (with the lowest axial shrinkage) induced the least tooth deformation. Significance We concluded that ESPI is a viable method for assessing cuspal strain induced by shrinkage of bonded composite restorations, but that polymerization shrinkage data may overestimate shrinkage-induced tooth deformation. The rate of polymerization shrinkage appeared to mediate the development of cuspal strain.

Strength and fatigue performance versus filler fraction of different types of direct dental restoratives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties, such as Young's moduli, fracture strengths (FS), and flexural fatigue limits of todays resin composite dental restoratives. All materials have been subdivided into flowable, aesthetic hybrid and nano-filled hybrid composites as marketed by dental manufacturers and analyzed in terms of the actual filler configurations. Specimen bars have been manufactured in reference to ISO 4049 standard, light-cured for 20 s, and stored in distilled water before testing. The elastic moduli (EM), FS, and flexural fatigue limits (FFL) were measured after 14 days storage by using the four-point bending test. The FFL was determined for 10(4) cycles. The fatigue data were analyzed by using the "staircase" approach and statistically treated by ANOVA analysis. Flowable materials with a reduced filler content exhibited the lowest Young's moduli, compared with those measured for higher filled materials. A linear relationship has been found between elastic moduli and filler loading (r(2) = 0.798). Correlations of FS and fatigue data to different filler fractions could not be proved. FS ranged between 61.3 and 124.9 MPa. After 10(4) cycles of fatigue loading, the FS suffered from a decrease between 45.2 and 61.7%. However, materials providing high initial strengths do not obviously reveal the best fatigue resistance. A marketing-based grouping of direct restorative materials has no meaning toward laboratory testing of mechanical properties.

Flowable materials as an intermediate layer could improve the marginal and internal adaptation of composite restorations in Class-V-cavities

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal and internal adaptation of restorative systems in combination with flowable materials as an intermediate layer in Class-V-cavities. Thirty Class-V-cavities with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentin/cementum were prepared and randomly assigned to five groups. The following five restorative systems were used: compomer, composite E, flowable compomer/composite E, composite RF and flowable composite/composite RF. The flowable materials were added between the restorative composites and the cervical margins of the cavities. Marginal and internal adaptation were quantitatively evaluated before and after thermal (2,500 times between 5 and 55 degrees C) and mechanical load cycling (25,000 times 100 N) using standard SEM procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-Test. The morphology of the internal restorative interfaces was also evaluated. The present study revealed that the best marginal adaptation in dentin was attained with the compomer restoration (95.8% perfect margin). The marginal adaptation of composite restorative systems was improved by the use of a flowable compomer (45.5% vs. 68.2% perfect margin in dentin) or a flowable composite (46.7% vs. 80.7% perfect margin in dentin, p<0.05) as an intermediate layer. No differences were observed between the used materials for the parameter internal adaptation. In Class-V-cavities compomers showed the best marginal adaptation and the marginal adaptation of composite fillings could be improved by the use of flowable materials as an intermediate layer.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of dental resin composites and their flowable derivatives

The release of components from dental composite into surrounding tissue may cause an adverse tissue reaction. Thus, this study investigated the cytotoxicity of three types of dental composites with their flowable derivatives and determined the compounds released from these materials by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Fifteen specimens from each composite (Admira, Z250, Tetric Ceram) with fifteen of their flowables (Admira Flow, Tetric Flow, Feltik Flow) were prepared in the form of discs and divided into two groups of 10 and 5 for each material. The first group (10 discs) was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the material on balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts by measuring cellular metabolic activity (3{4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl}-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay) relative to Teflon controls, while the second group (5 discs) was used to determine the leached components from each material into culture medium by HPLC analysis. The results revealed that Z250 and Tetric Ceram were less cytotoxic than their flowable derivatives. However, the ormocer, Admira, was significantly more cytotoxic than Admira Flow. Among the standard composites, Tetric Ceram was the least cytotoxic and Admira the most. Furthermore, Tetric flow was the most cytotoxic and Admira flow was significantly the least cytotoxic among the flowable materials tested. HPLC analysis revealed bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in the eluates of all the materials, while urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) was present in all eluates except that of Feltik Flow. In conclusion, the flowable derivatives are more cytotoxic than the traditional composites whereas the ormocer Admira Flow is less cytotoxic than the Admira composite.

Evaluation of Porcelain Surface Treatments and Agents for Composite to Porcelain Repair

Evaluation of Porcelain Surface Treatments and Agents for Composite to Porcelain Repair