Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to present a pilot study of a non-destructive dental histo-anatomical analysis technique as well as to push the boundaries of the presently available restorative workflows for the fabrication of highly customized ceramic restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extracted human maxillary central incisor was subject to a micro computed tomography scan and the acquired data was transferred into a workstation, reconstructed, segmented, evaluated and later imported into a Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing software for the fabrication of a ceramic resin-bonded prosthesis. RESULTS: The obtained prosthesis presented an encouraging optical behavior and was used clinically as final restoration. CONCLUSION: The digitally layered restorative replication of natural tooth morphology presents today as a clear possibility. New clinical and laboratory-fabricated, biologically inspired digital restorative protocols are to be expected in the near future. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The digitally layered restorative replication of natural tooth morphology presents today as a clear possibility. This pilot study may represent a stimulus for future research and applications of digital imaging as well as digital restorative workflows in service of esthetic dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of light-curing wavelengths on composite filler particle displacement, and thus to visualize localized polymerization shrinkage in a resin-based composite (RBC) containing camphorquinone (CQ) and Lucirin TPO (TPO). METHODS: Three light-curing units (LCUs) were used to light-cure a RBC containing CQ and TPO: a violet-only, a blue-only, and a dual-wavelength, conventional (Polywave(R), emitting violet and blue wavelengths simultaneously). Zirconia fillers were added to the RBC to act as filler particle displacement tracers. LCUs were characterized for total emitted power (mW) and spectral irradiant output (mW/cm2/nm). 2-mm high, 7-mm diameter silanized glass cylindrical specimens were filled in a single increment with the RBC, and micro-computed tomography (mu-CT) scans were obtained before and after light-curing, according to each LCU (n=6). Filler particle movement identified polymerization shrinkage vectors, traced using software, at five depths (from 0 up to 2mm): top, top-middle, middle, middle-bottom and bottom. RESULTS: Considering different RBC depths within the same LCU, use of violet-only and conventional LCUs showed filler particle movement decreased with increased depth. Blue-only LCU showed homogeneous filler particle movement along the depths. Considering the effect of different LCUs within the same depth, filler particle movement within LCUs was not statistically different until the middle of the samples (P>.05). However, at the middle-bottom and bottom depths (1.5 and 2mm, respectively), blue-only LCU compared to violet-only LCU showed higher magnitude of displacement vector values (P<.05). Use of the conventional LCU showed filler displacement magnitudes that were not significantly different than blue-only and violet-only LCUs at any depth (P>.05). With respect to the direction of particle movement vectors, use of violet-only LCU showed a greater displacement when close to the incident violet LED; blue-only LCU showed equally distributed particle displacement values within entire depth among the samples; and the conventional LCU showed greater filler displacement closer to the blue LED locations. SIGNIFICANCE: Filler particle displacement in a RBC as a result of light-curing is related to localized application of light wavelength and total emitted power of the light emitted on the top surface of the RBC. When the violet LED is present (violet-only and conventional LCUs), filler particle displacement magnitude decreased with increased depth, while results using the blue-only LED show a more consistent pattern of displacement. Clinically, these results correlate to production of different characteristics of curing within a RBC restoration mass, depending on localized wavelengths applied to the irradiated surface.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Few studies have investigated the volumetric polymerization shrinkage and film thickness of the different cementation techniques used to cement veneers. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the volumetric polymerization shrinkage (VS) and film thickness (FT) of various cementation techniques through 3-dimensional (3D) microcomputed tomography (muCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight artificial plastic maxillary central incisors with standard preparations for veneers were provided by a mannequin manufacturer (P-Oclusal) and used as testing models with the manufacturer's plastic veneers. They were divided into 8 groups (n=6): RelyX Veneer + Scotchbond Universal (RV+SBU); Variolink Esthetic LC+Adhese Universal (VE+ADU); Filtek Supreme Ultra Flowable + Scotchbond Universal (FF+SBU); IPS Empress Direct Flow + Adhese Universal (IEF+ADU); Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal + Scotchbond Universal (FS+SBU); IPS Empress Direct + Adhese Universal (IED+ADU); Preheated Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal + Scotchbond Universal (PHF+SBU); and Preheated IPS Empress Direct + Adhese Universal (PHI+ADU). Specimens were scanned before and after polymerization using a muCT apparatus (mCT 40; Scanco Medical AG), and the resulting files were imported and analyzed with 3D rendering software to calculate the VS and FT. Collected data from both the VS and FT were submitted to 1-way ANOVA (alpha=.05). RESULTS: VE+ADU had the lowest volumetric shrinkage (1.03%), which was not significantly different from RV+SBU, FF+SBU or IEF+ADU (P>.05). The highest volumetric shrinkage was observed for FS+SBU (2.44%), which was not significantly different from RV+SBU, IED+ADU, PHF+SBU, or PHI+ADU (P>.05). Group RV+SBU did not differ statistically from the remaining groups (P>.05). Film thickness evaluation revealed the lowest values for RV+SBU, VE+ADU, FF+SBU, and IEF+ADU, with an average between groups of 0.17 mm; these groups were significantly different from FS+SBU, IED+ADU, PHF+SBU, and PHI+ADU (P>.05), with an average of 0.31 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Both the VS and the FT of direct restorative composite resins were higher than those of veneer cements and flowable composite resins, whether preheated or not preheated.

PURPOSE: To show through computer-aided design and manufacturing technology combined with novel digital acquisition images and the right restorative material that the technology can provide an easier and predictable workflow for general practitioners. BASIC PROCEDURE: This case report presents a fully digital treatment of a 59-year-old patient with tooth-supported crowns and provides a detailed step-by-step digital technique to obtain a successful result. CONCLUSION: By avoiding traditional impression and fixed prosthetic techniques, excellent clinical results can be obtained, minimizing the required steps and simplifying the overall procedure. This adds information to the current literature, allowing general practitioners to choose the best treatment option. The function and esthetics remained unaltered over a 1-year follow-up period. No fracture or decementation was observed.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to quantify polymerization shrinkage of one conventional and three bulk-fill composites, under bonded and unbonded conditions, in Class II preparations using 3D microcomputed tomography (muCT) and report its location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preparations (2.5 mm occlusal depth x 4 mm wide x 4 mm mesial box and 1 mm beyond the CEJ distal box depth) were made in 48 human extracted molars (n = 6). Four composites were tested, one regular (Vitalescence/VIT) and three bulk-fill: SureFil SDR Flow (SDR), Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TET), and Filtek flowable Bulk Fill (FIL). Teeth were divided into four groups according to restorative material used and subdivided into two subgroups, according to the presence of an adhesive system (XP Bond) application (bonded [-B]) or its absence (unbonded [-U]). Each tooth was scanned three times: (1) after cavity preparation, (2) before and (3) after composite light-curing. Acquired muCT images were imported into 2D and 3D software for analysis. RESULTS: Significantly different volumetric shrinkage between bonded and unbonded conditions was observed only for TET group (p < 0.05), unbonded presenting significantly higher volumetric shrinkage. Among the bonded groups, TET-B presented significantly lower shrinkage than both SDR-B and FIL-B but not significantly different from VIT-B. Generally, shrinkage occurred at occlusal and distal surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: When applied to bonded Class II cavities, TET exhibited significantly lower volumetric shrinkage compared to the other bulk-fill composites. However, it also exhibited the highest difference of volumetric shrinkage values between unbonded and bonded cavities. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Volumetric polymerization shrinkage occurred with all composites tested, regardless of material type (conventional or bulk-fill) or presence or absence of bonding. However, volumetric shrinkage has been reduced or at least maintained when bulk-fill composites were used compared to a conventional composite resin, which makes them a potential time saving alternative for clinicians. (J Esthet Restor Dent, 2016).

The present study aimed to characterize the pattern and volume of polymerization shrinkage of flowable resin composites, including one conventional, two bulk fill, and one self-adhesive. Standardized class I preparations (2.5 mm depth x 4 mm length x 4 mm wide) were performed in 24 caries-free human third molars that were randomly divided in four groups, according to the resin composite and adhesive system used: group 1 = Permaflo + Peak Universal Bond (PP); group 2 = Filtek Bulk Fill + Scotchbond Universal (FS); group 3 = Surefil SDR + XP Bond (SX); and group 4 = Vertise flow self-adhering (VE) (n=6). Each tooth was scanned three times using a microcomputed tomography (muCT) apparatus. The first scan was done after the cavity preparation, the second after cavity filling with the flowable resin composite before curing, and the third after it was cured. The muCT images were imported into three-dimensional rendering software, and volumetric polymerization shrinkage percentage was calculated for each sample. Data were submitted to one-way analysis of variance and post hoc comparisons. No significant difference was observed among PP, FS, and VE. SX bulk fill resin composite presented the lowest values of volumetric shrinkage. Shrinkage was mostly observed along the occlusal surface and part of the pulpal floor. In conclusion, polymerization shrinkage outcomes in a 2.5-mm deep class I cavity were material dependent, although most materials did not differ. The location of shrinkage was mainly at the occlusal surface.

This study evaluated the probability of survival (reliability) of platform-switched fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) cemented on different implant-abutment connection designs. Eighty-four-three-unit FDPs (molar pontic) were cemented on abutments connected to two implants of external or internal hexagon connection. Four groups (n = 21 each) were established: external hexagon connection and regular platform (ERC); external hexagon connection and switched platform (ESC); internal hexagon and regular platform (IRC); and internal hexagon and switched platform (ISC). Prostheses were subjected to step-stress accelerated life testing in water. Weibull curves and probability of survival for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 400 N (two-sided 90% CI) were calculated. The beta values of 0.22, 0.48, 0.50, and 1.25 for groups ERC, ESC, IRC, and ISC, respectively, indicated a limited role of fatigue in damage accumulation, except for group ISC. Survival decreased for both platform-switched groups (ESC: 74%, and ISC: 59%) compared with the regular matching platform counterparts (ERC: 95%, and IRC: 98%). Characteristic strength was higher only for ERC compared with ESC, but not different between internal connections. Failures chiefly involved the abutment screw. Platform switching decreased the probability of survival of FDPs on both external and internal connections. The absence in loss of characteristic strength observed in internal hexagon connections favor their use compared with platform-switched external hexagon connections.