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Abstract: Objectives: This in vitro study characterized the surface texture and composition of titanium brushed with toothpaste slurries of different pHs, and thereby elucidated mechanochemical interactions between the metal and abrasive material in dentifrice. Methods: Two fluoride-free toothpastes, which contained crystalline CaHPO4·2H2O and amorphous SiO2 particles as abrasive, were mixed with acidic buffers to provide slurries of pH 6.8 and 4.8. Specimens were cast from CP Ti, mirror-polished, and then toothbrushed at 120strokes/min for 350,400 strokes under a load of 2.45N. Specimen surfaces were characterized by means of SPM and EPMA. The obtained data were compared with the already reported results of water-diluted alkaline slurries. SPM data of each paste were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Tukey test. Results: Irrespective of toothpaste, neutral slurries, as with alkaline slurries, yielded a chemically altered surface with rough texture, whereas acidic slurries formed a chemically clean surface with relatively smooth texture. Mechanochemical polishing effect might be mainly responsible for the cleanness and smoothness. Significance: Acidic slurry-induced smooth surface may minimize plaque formation. However, the augmentation of released titanium ions may be adverse to the human body. For evaluation of toothpaste abrasion effects on titanium, paste slurry pH should be taken into account. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to characterize the surface morphology and composition of toothbrushed titanium casting and thereby to elucidate interactions between the metal and abrasive material in dentifrice. Methods: Specimens were cast from CP Ti ingots and then mirror-finished. Two fluoride-free toothpastes containing crystalline CaHPO4·2H2O and amorphous SiO2 particles as abrasive were slurried with distilled water (15g/30mL). While toothbrushes were reciprocated at 120strokes/min for 350,400 strokes, the specimens were brushed with the respective slurries under a load of 2.45N. The brushed and non-brushed surfaces were characterized by means of SPM, EPMA, and XPS. SPM data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Tukey test (p<0.01). Results: Irrespective of toothpastes, toothbrushing had a significant influence on surface roughness. The CaHPO4·2H2O-containing paste produced much rougher surface than the SiO2-containing paste. Both the surfaces were chemically altered due to reactions with the respective abrasive materials. Abrading chips had dimensions of micron to submicron order. A number of chips were attached to abrasive particles. Significance: The alterations of surface morphology and composition may affect biological responses of titanium in the oral environment. Dentifrice with lower abrasivity might be advisable for daily oral hygiene practice of patients with dental titanium devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: The behavior of molten titanium in molds of complicated shape is still insufficiently understood; consequently, definite spruing criteria are not yet available for titanium RPD frameworks. This study investigated the influence of sprue design on porosity in pressure-cast titanium circumferential clasps. Methods: The patterns of 90 circumferential clasps were sprued with three directions (0, 30 and 60°, as measured between the sprue and the symmetry plane of the clasp assembly) and three sprue diameters (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5mm). CPTi was cast in a one-chamber pressure casting machine. Pore number and size were assessed on radiographs of the castings. Statistical analysis was done by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Fisher''s PLSD post hoc test. Results: The porosity in lingual arms increased significantly with increase of sprue diameter and sprue angle, while the porosity in minor connectors had an inversely proportional distribution. Very low porosity, uninfluenced by sprue design, was found in buccal arms. In conclusion, internal porosity in titanium circumferential clasp arms can be minimized through sprue design: the 0° sprue direction produced the least porosity, while for the 30 and 60° directions, 1.5mm diameter sprues produced lower porosity than 2.0 and 2.5mm diameter sprues. Significance: In this study, the lowest porosity in titanium circumferential clasp arms was obtained with sprues attached perpendicularly to the minor connectors, regardless of sprue diameter. Conventional sprue directions produced significantly higher porosity in clasp lingual arms, the amount of porosity increasing with sprue diameter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The thermal fluctuation of mirror surfaces is the fundamental limitation for interferometric gravitational wave (GW) detectors. Here, we experimentally demonstrate for the first time a reduction in a mirror's thermal fluctuation in a GW detector with sapphire mirrors from the Cryogenic Laser Interferometer Observatory at 17 and 18 K. The detector sensitivity, which was limited by the mirror's thermal fluctuation at room temperature, was improved in the frequency range of 90 to 240 Hz by cooling the mirrors. The improved sensitivity reached a maximum of 2.2 × 10-19 m/√Hz at 165 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This in vitro study investigated the effect of lateral cyclic loading with different load positions and periods on abutment rotational displacement (RD) of external hexagon implant system. Materials and Methods Four groups of five implant assemblies each were used. Each assembly consisted of Brånemark System® Mk IV implant (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden), CeraOne® abutment (Nobel Biocare AB), and a cement-retained casting. A cyclic load of 50 N was applied centrally and perpendicular to the long axis of the implant for groups A and B for 0.25 and 0.50 × 106 cycles, respectively, while for groups C and D, the same load was applied at 4-mm distance eccentrically for 0.25 and 0.50 × 106 cycles, respectively. The displacement was evaluated by hand drawing a longitudinal line across the implant-abutment interface. Before and after loading, the lateral distance between two reference points on the abutment and implant was measured under high resolution (×200) and the difference formed the RD value. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and compared with Tukey test (α=0.05). Results Group D had the highest mean of RD value (55.00 ± 1.871 μm), while group A had the lowest (2.800 ± 0.837 μm). Groups A and B had a high statistically significant difference in RD values, as compared to groups C or D ( p < .001). Moreover, group C had statistically significant difference from group D ( p=.011). Conversely, no statistical significance was obtained when group A was compared with group B. Conclusion Within the limits of this in vitro study, the RD of the external hexagon joint components occurred significantly under eccentric lateral loading when compared to centric loading. The displacement increased significantly with longer period of eccentric lateral loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although bone loss around implants is reported as a complication when it progresses uncontrolled, resorption does not always lead to implant loss, but may be the result of biomechanical adaptation to stress. To verify this hypothesis, a three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed and the influence of marginal bone resorption amount and shape on stress in the bone and implant was investigated. A total of nine bone models with an implant were created: a non-resorption (Base) model and eight variations, in which three different resorption depths were combined with pure vertical or conical (vertical–horizontal) resorption. Axial and buccolingual forces were applied independently to the occlusal node at the center of the superstructure. Regardless of load direction, bone stresses were higher in the pure vertical resorption (A) models than in the Base model, and increased with resorption depth. However, cortical bone stress was much lower in the conical resorption models than in both the Base and A models of the same resorption depth. An opposite tendency was observed in the cancellous bone under buccolingual load. Under buccolingual load, highest stress in the implant increased linearly with the resorption depth for all the models and its location approached the void existing below the abutment screw. The results of this analysis suggest that a certain amount of conical resorption may be the result of biomechanical adaptation of bone to stress. However, as bone resorption progresses, the increasing stresses in the cancellous bone and implant under lateral load may result in implant failure. To cite this article: Kitamura E, Stegaroiu R, Nomura S, Miyakawa O. Biomechanical aspects of marginal bone resorption around osseointegrated implants: considerations based on a three-dimensional finite element analysis. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2004.01022.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a light source suitable for laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. The developed light source has high power, TEM[sub 00] mode, linear polarization, high frequency stability, and low intensity noise. The light source with the quality is essential for attaining the goal sensitivity in the TAMA 300 and was found to be available for a observation run of a gravitational-wave detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]