Influence of physical assessment of different light-curing units on irradiance and composite microhardness top/bottom ratio.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the physical assessment of different light-curing units from 55 dental offices on the irradiance and composite microhardness top/bottom ratio, and the influence of the radiometers for LED or QTH light sources on irradiance measurement. The irradiance of each light-curing unit was evaluated with two radiometers, either for LED or QTH light. A questionnaire regarding the type of source (LED or QTH), time of use, date of last maintenance and light-curing performance assessment applied.

Main Clinical Outcomes of Feldspathic Porcelain and Glass-Ceramic Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survival and Complication Rates.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis based on clinical trials that evaluated the main outcomes of glass-ceramic and feldspathic porcelain laminate veneers.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was carried out in Cochrane and PubMed databases. From the selected studies, the survival rates for porcelain and glass-ceramic veneers were extracted, as were complication rates of clinical outcomes: debonding, fracture/chipping, secondary caries, endodontic problems, severe marginal discoloration, and influence of incisal coverage and enamel/dentin preparation.

Flexural properties of resin composites: influence of specimen dimensions and storage conditions.

This study evaluated the influence of specimen dimensions and storage medium and temperature on the flexural properties of one dental resin composite. The material utilized throughout the study was Clearfil AP-X. Eighty specimens were built with dimensions of either 10×2×2 mm or 25×2×2 mm, stored dry or in distilled water, at 25 or 37ºC, for 24 h.

Evaluation of the possibility of removing staining by repolishing composite resins submitted to artificial aging.

This in vitro research verified the possibility of eliminating staining caused by coffee and red wine in five composite resins, after being submitted to thermal cycling. Thirty-six specimens were prepared and immersed in water at 37°C for 24 hours. After polishing, specimen color was measured in a spectrophotometer Cintra 10 UV (Visible Spectrometer, GBC, Braeside, VIC, Australia).

Fracture strength of teeth restored with ceramic inlays and overlays.

This study evaluated the fracture strength of teeth restored with bonded ceramic inlays and overlays compared to sound teeth. Thirty sound human maxillary premolars were assigned to 3 groups: 1- sound/unprepared (control); 2- inlays and 3- overlays. The inlay cavity design was Class II MOD preparation with an occlusal width of 1/2 of the intercuspal distance.

Microhardness assessment of different commercial brands of resin composites with different degrees of translucence.

Owing to improvements in its mechanical properties and to the availability of shade and translucence resources, resin composite has become one of the most widely used restorative materials in present day Dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the surface hardness of seven different commercial brands of resin composites (Charisma, Fill Magic, Master Fill, Natural Look, Opallis, Tetric Ceram, and Z250) and the different degrees of translucence (translucid, enamel and dentin). Vickers microhardness testing revealed significant differences among the groups.

Quantitative analysis of dental porcelain surfaces following different treatments: correlation between parameters obtained by a surface profiling instrument.

This investigation compared, by quantitative analysis, the surface roughness of dental porcelain submitted to three different treatments (glaze, trimming and polishing), utilizing a surface profiling instrument. The parameters Ra (median roughness), Rz (median of the maximum profile heights of five sample lengths), Rpm (median of the maximum profile heights related to the median line of five sample lengths), Pc (peak count per centimeter) and Rpm/Rz (proportional parameter) were evaluated. In addition, the correlation between Ra and the other parameters was analyzed.