Clinical Significance of Bis-GMA and HEMA Orthodontic Resins Bonding to Enamel and Ceramic Materials.

The advancement of new ceramic materials for dental crowns has prompted the need for improved methods of bonding orthodontic brackets to these surfaces. Currently, lithium-disilicate is the primary material being used for anterior crowns, while zirconia is the primary material being used in the posterior. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of HEMA (Assure® Universal Bonding Resin) and bis-GMA (Assure® PLUS All Surface Bonding Resin) orthodontic bonding resins on enamel, lithium-disilicate, and zirconia materials.

Two-year evaluation indicates zirconia bridges acceptable alternative to PFMs.

Objective: The aim of this in-vivo study was to evaluate the 2-year clinical performance of zirconia computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-generated bridges.

Methods: A total of 16 three- or four-unit Lava zirconia bridges were done on 15 subjects. The bridges were cemented using RelyX™ Unicem Self-Adhesive Universal Resin Cement.

Provisional materials: key components of interim fixed restorations.

Clinicians have many choices of provisional materials from which to choose when fabricating interim fixed restorations. While traditional materials are still in use today, temporary materials are continuously being updated and improved upon. In addition to the functional necessities required of the provisional material, it must also provide esthetic value for the patient.

Investigation of a new approach to measuring contact angles for hydrophilic impression materials.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the initial water contact angles of seven unset impression materials using commercially available equipment, in an effort to determine whether polyether impression materials (Impregum) have lower contact angles and are, therefore, more hydrophilic than VPS impression materials.

Materials And Methods: The hydrophilic properties of unset polyether and VPS impression materials were analyzed with respect to their water contact angle measurements using the commercially available Drop Shape Analysis System DSA 10. Twenty-five data points per second were collected via video analysis.

Clinical evaluation of total-etch and self-etch bonding systems for preventing sensitivity in Class 1 and Class 2 restorations.

The author conducted an in vivo investigation to compare the clinical performance of 4 commercial bonding agents on postoperative sensitivity. Restorations in this study were limited to Class I and Class II lesions. The patient pool consisted of 36 patients and 72 teeth (2 teeth per patient) with either a Class I or Class II lesion > 1 mm in depth present in both teeth.

Applicable research in practice: understanding the hydrophilic and flow property measurements of impression materials.

The flow properties and hydrophilicity of an impression material are key factors that affect its performance. This article details in vitro studies comparing these properties in 1 polyether and several vinyl polysiloxane light-body impression materials. The first series of studies examined the materials' flow properties used in a "shark fin" measurement procedure to determine which exhibited superior flow characteristics.

Comparison of temperature changes in the pulp chamber induced by various light curing units, in vitro.

This study compared the temperature increase in a pulp chamber as a result of using various light-curing units during resin composite polymerization, and it determined the effect of remaining dentin thickness on temperature rise. A Class II occlusodistal cavity with a remaining dentin thickness of 2 mm was prepared in an extracted human mandibular molar. A 2-mm layer of fine hybrid resin composite was placed on the floor of the proximal box.

Restoring anterior maxillary dentition using alumina- and zirconia-based CAD/CAM restorations.

Despite proven strength, durability, and improved esthetics, ceramometal restorations have not consistently enabled the most esthetic, lifelike reproduction of natural dentition. Also, inherent weaknesses in many metal-free materials have precluded their use in the high stress-bearing posterior region. Therefore, as a result of the need for esthetic and durable all-ceramic restorations, manufacturers have introduced ceramics with an increased alumina or zirconia content that are recommended for placement anywhere in the mouth for single units and as far back as the first premolar.

Clinical evaluation of a 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening system.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of light-curing (heat conversion) vs no light-curing (no heat conversion) of a 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office tooth whitening system. Twenty patients with sound medical history (without tooth sensitivity) participated in this randomized, parallel clinical evaluation. Only six maxillary anterior teeth with discoloration and a tooth shade of A3 or darker were selected.

Success with inlays/onlays: the seven essentials.

Direct restorative materials have revolutionized the industry over the last several years. They offer the convenience to the patient of a one-visit procedure and they decrease overhead in the dental practice. However, it is essential to remember that direct procedures are not always the treatment of choice.