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Two different Mg-containing hydroxyapatites, H-MgAp and Mg-HAp, were synthesized at 80 degrees C and pH 7.4. For H-MgAp, the calcium solution was supplied in the first half of the synthesis period and the calcium solution containing magnesium was supplied in the second half. For Mg-HAp, the order of supply was reversed. The X-ray diffraction patterns of H-MgAp and Mg-HAp differed slightly from each other. The (002) reflection of both patterns shifted towards a higher angle. The chemical compositions, especially the Mg contents, of the two apatites were almost the same as each other; and the Mg contents were half of that of homogeneous MgHAp synthesized with continuous supply of Mg at the same concentration. However, their crystal shapes were quite different, with H-MgAp appearing plate-like and Mg-HAp needlelike. In a solubility experiment, Mg-HAp was more soluble than H-MgAp. These results suggest that two different heterogeneous Mg-containing hydroxyapatites may be formed: hydroxyapatite covered with Mg-containing hydroxyapatite, and Mg-containing hydroxyapatite covered with hydroxyapatite.

A new type of ceramic bracket was prepared to minimize the destruction at the bracket-resin interface and to suppress resin remaining on the tooth surface in debonding. The brackets were of a chemical bonding type, and had a box-formed cavity in the bracket base to hold resin, a 0.018 inch slot, and twin-type wings. Impact strengths and debonding aspects of the residual resin were studied. The impact strengths of the brackets seemed to exceed the desired level, compared to other control ceramic brackets or metal brackets. A resin remaining ratio (RRR) was adopted as the quantitative evaluation for the residual resin condition. Mean RRR's of the brackets were about 10%, which was a very low value in comparison to the other brackets.

Porcelain-fused-to metal systems are popular in restorative dentistry. Residual stress caused by a mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficient of metal and porcelain induce clinical failure of the restoration. Titanium and its alloys have been gradually used in dentistry for their adequate strength, good corrosion resistance and excellent biocompatibility. Their oxidation characteristics and low thermal expansion coefficients capacitate for matching the low fusing porcelains. This investigation examined thermal compatibility of pure titanium with two low fusing porcelains and one high fusing porcelain. Thermal expansion coefficients (alpha) of pure titanium and porcelains were measured from room temperature to 600 degrees C at a mean heating rate of 5 degrees C/min. Difference in thermal expansion values (delta alpha) was also calculated to present the residual stress in each titanium-porcelain pairs. The bonding patterns of titanium to each opaque was demonstrated similar results from the predictions of alpha and delta alpha values.

Three types of fluoridated hydroxyapatites were synthesized in the presence of low concentrations of gelatin solution. The crystallinity of gelatin-free fluoridated hydroxyapatites increased at high degree of fluoridation, after it showed complex behavior at lower fluoride content. However, increasing of gelatin concentration in the solution, the crystallinity decreased, especially at high fluoride content. Chemical analysis and a- and c-axis dimensions showed no significant difference among those series, and gelatin contents in the precipitates were negligible when compared with the supplied amounts. These results suggest that gelatin may inhibit the crystal growth of fluoridated apatites only as a surrounding factor, overcoming the promoting action of fluoride.