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A defined surface roughness is important for the adhesive bonding of veneering ceramic to zirconia frameworks. Thus, we investigated the effects that sandblasting has upon the surface roughness and residual stress of zirconia. So as to achieve well-defined blasting parameters and also generate highly reproducible results; a custom-made, automated sandblasting machine was constructed (based on a 3D-printer construction kit). Thirty-two samples (measuring 30 mm × 35 mm × 0.2 mm) were cut from densely sintered 3Y-TZP blanks and then ground with a 45 µm grinding disc. After undergoing regeneration firing, the samples were sandblasted with varying working parameters: blasting angle (45°, 60° and 90°); blasting pressure (2 bar, 4 bar and 6 bar); and working distance (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.5 cm). The sandblasting path was chosen so as to create samples with an even surface roughness. Changes in blasting pressure resulted in the greatest changes in the surface roughness, the highest surface roughness values were achieved with sandblastings perpendicular to the sample surface. Furthermore, a correlation was found between the mean surface roughness and the residual stress.

Implant restoration is one of the basic treatments in dentistry today, yet implant loss from occlusal overload is still a problem. Complex biomechanical problems such as occlusal overload are often analyzed by means of the finite element method. This numerical method makes it possible to analyze in detail the influence that different loading situations have upon implants and tissues, which is a key element in optimizing these dental procedures. This study was designed to investigate the stress distribution in peri-implant bone of a single-tooth implant crown using the finite element method. The load was applied indirectly via an occluding tooth through a three and five contact setup into the implant crown. The friction coefficient values between the crown and antagonist were varied between 0.1 and 1.0. Additionally, three crowns with cusp inclinations of 20°, 30° and 40° were modeled. Non-linear contact computations indicated that an increase in friction changed the direction and magnitude of contact forces, which also led to reduced stresses in the bone. Furthermore, the stress magnitudes were higher when cusps of a greater inclination were used. The intensity of stress alterations was strongly dependent on the distribution and number of contacts, and the contact force vector. In maximum intercuspation, a resulting axial load due to well-distributed contacts prevented high stresses in bone even with high cusp inclinations and low friction. Therefore for long-term clinical success, particular attention should be paid to occlusal adjustment so as to prevent oblique loading onto dental implant restorations.

PURPOSE Fractures, occlusal adjustments, or marginal corrections after removing excess composite cements result in rough surfaces of all-ceramic FPDs. These have to be polished to prevent damage of the surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roughness of zirconia, silicate-ceramic, and composite after polish with different systems for intraoral use. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each set of 50 plates was made of zirconia, silicate-ceramic, and composite. All plates were ground automatically and were divided into 15 groups according to the treatment. Groups Zgrit, Sgrit, and Cgrit received no further treatment. Groups Zlab and Slab received glaze-baking, and group Clab was polished with a polishing device. In the experimental groups Zv, Sv, Cv, Zk, Sk, Ck, Zb, Sb, and Cb, the specimens were polished with ceramic-polishing systems "v", "k", and "b" for intraoral use. Roughness was measured using profilometry. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and Scheffe-procedure with the level of significance set at P=.05. RESULTS All systems reduced the roughness of zirconia, but the differences from the controls Zgrit and Zlab were not statistically significant (P>.907). Roughness of silicate ceramic was reduced only in group Sv, but it did not differ significantly from both controls (P>.580). Groups Cv, Ck, and Cb had a significantly rougher surface than that of group Clab (P

Die vorliegende Studie beschaftigt sich mit der Oberflachenqualitat von Glas- und Zirkoniumdioxidkeramik nach Politur mit diamantversetzten Silikonpolierern. Dafur wurden Messungen im Profilometer durchgefuhrt und es wurden rasterelektronenmikroskopische Aufnahmen erstellt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch die Polituren klinisch vertretbare Oberflachenqualitaten erreicht werden konnen, deren Rauigkeit im Bereich naturlichen Zahnschmelzes liegt.

In almost all finite element (FE) studies in dentistry, virtual forces are applied directly to dentures. The purpose of this study was to develop a FE model with non-linear contact simulation using an antagonist as force transmitter and to compare this with a similar model that uses direct force transmission. Furthermore, five contact situations were created in order to examine their influence on the peri-implant bone stresses, which are relevant to the survival rate of implants. It was found that the peri-implant bone stresses were strongly influenced by the kind of force transmission and contact number.

PURPOSE Temperature increase of 5.5 ℃ can cause damage or necrosis of the pulp. Increasing temperature can be caused not only by mechanical factors, e.g. grinding, but also by exothermic polymerization reactions of resin materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate influences of the form material on the intrapulpal temperature during the polymerization of different self-curing resin materials for temporary restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 provisonal bridges were made of 5 resin materials: Prevision Temp (Pre), Protemp 4 (Pro), Luxatemp Star (Lux), Structure 3 (Str) and an experimental material (Exp). Moulds made of alginate (A) and of silicone (S) and vacuum formed moulds (V) were used to build 10 bridges each on a special experimental setup. The intrapulpal temperatures of three abutment teeth (a canine, a premolar, and a molar,) were measured during the polymerization every second under isothermal conditions. Comparisons of the maximum temperature (TMax) and the time until the maximum temperature (tTMax) were performed using ANOVA and Tukey Test. RESULTS Using alginate as the mould material resulted in a cooling effect for every resin material. Using the vacuum formed mould, TMax increased significantly compared to alginate (P

PURPOSE To evaluate the load at fracture and influence of artificial aging of posterior teeth occlusal veneers ("table tops") made of two different ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 80 table tops were produced from feldspathic ceramic (VM) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (CD) using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Half of the specimens from each ceramic were aged prior to the load test. RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation (SD) load at fracture was significantly higher for CD (1,571.1 N ± 297.0 N) than for VM (573.6 N ± 86.4 N) (P < .001). After aging, load at fracture increased significantly to 1,819.0 N (± 310.6 N) for CD and to 745.2 N (± 168.3 N) for VM. CONCLUSION The use of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic for molar nonprep table tops should be uncomplicated according to the high load-at-fracture values. Mechanical stability of either ceramic is not compromised by aging.

Background: Biofilm formation on trans-gingival implant surfaces is a common reason for local inflammation of the peri-implantary tissue and can lead to implant loss. The aim of the current in situ study was to evaluate biofilm formation on titanium, gold alloy and zirconia abutment materials directly in the trans-gingival region. Materials and Methods: Specimens were attached to implant healing abutments and were inserted in 8 patients for 14 days. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to measure biofilm height and surface coverage. Results: Titanium showed a mean biofilm height of 10.8 μm and a surface coverage of 26.5%. For gold alloy, a height of 14.6 μm and coverage of 27.3% was found. Zirconia had a biofilm height of 2.7 μm and coverage of 10.5%. No statistically significant difference between the three materials was found. However, zirconia tended to form less biofilm than the other materials. Conclusion: All three materials seem to be suitable for the use as abutment material. Zirconia appeared to have the most favourable biological and aesthetic properties.

In the current in vitro study, the fracture stability of anterior crowns with zirconia cores of different designs was investigated after applying different veneering techniques. Four groups of zirconia cores (n = 10 in each group) were produced using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) process. Cores with a standard cervical design were veneered using the layering technique (CCL) or the press-over technique (CCP). Further cores were designed with a porcelain shoulder, where the cervical margin of the zirconia core was reduced by 1 mm. These cores were also veneered using the layering technique (PSL) or the press-over technique (PSP). All crowns were cemented onto metal teeth and loaded until fracture in a universal testing machine. Chipping or fracture of the core was found to occur for CCL at 919±265 N (mean ±SD), for CCP at 798±226 N, for PSL at 739±184 N, and for PSP at 734±209 N. anova did not show significant differences between the four groups. For CCL and CCP, fracture lines ran in a mesio-distal orientation. For PSL and PSP, fracture lines ran into the porcelain shoulder. In summary, the use of a porcelain shoulder can be recommended with zirconia crowns in combination with either the layering or the press-over veneering technique.

Purpose Plasma activation of hydrophobic zirconia surfaces might be suitable to improve the bond strength of luting materials. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of nonthermal argon-plasma on the shear bond strength (SBS) between zirconia and different combinations of 10-MDP adhesive systems and luting composites after artificial aging. Materials and methods Two hundred forty Y-TZP specimens were ground automatically with 165 µm grit and water cooling. Half of the specimens received surface activation with nonthermal argon-plasma. The specimens were evenly distributed into three groups according to the adhesive systems ([Futurabond U, Futurabond M, Futurabond M + DCA], VOCO GmbH, Germany, Cuxhaven) and into further two subgroups according to the luting materials ([Bifix SE, Bifix QM], VOCO GmbH). Each specimen underwent artificial aging by thermocycling and water storage. SBS was measured in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Scheffe procedure with the level of significance set to 0.05. Results Surface activation with nonthermal plasma did not improve the bond strength between zirconia and the tested combinations of adhesive systems and luting materials. The plasma-activation trended to reveal higher bond strength if the self-etch luting material (Bifix SE) was used, irrespective of the adhesive system. Conclusion Plasma-activation seems to be suitable to improve bond strength between zirconia and self-etch resin materials. However, further research is necessary to identify the influence of varying plasma-parameters.

Objectives Erosive attack on enamel leads to a bulk material loss and a partial demineralisation at the lesion body. This zone of softened enamel has a reduced physical stability and large interprismatic porosities. The aim of the current study was to measure the degree of demineralisation with respect to the content of calcium and inorganic phosphorus in softened enamel using ultrasonication and chemical analysis. The erosive demineralisation was to be compared with demineralisation in caries. Methods Erosion of 10 polished human enamel samples was performed in 0.3% citric acid adjusted to pH 3.2 at 35 °C in a slowly stirred solution, each in a volume of 15 ml. After erosion the softened enamel was removed by ultrasonication in 2 ml of deionised water and enamel crystals were dissolved by adding 220 μl of 1 M HCl. Substance loss was measured profilometricaly after erosion and after ultrasonication. Surface size of eroded enamel was measured thus volume loss could be calculated. Calcium and phosphate ion concentration in the solutions were measured after ultrasonication. Results Citric acid erosion caused a mean substance loss of 16.0 μm (SD 2.5 μm) and further enamel softening of 2.4 μm (SD 1.5 μm). The degree of demineralisation of softened enamel, in comparison the original mineral content, was 62% for calcium and 64% for inorganic phosphorus was calculated. Conclusion The high degree of demineralisation shown in the current study explains the instability of softened enamel even against mild physical impact.

Enamel erosion and softening are based on chemical processes which could be influenced by many factors including temperature and acid flow rate. Knowledge of the influence of these variables could have relevance to research experiments and clinical outcomes. Both parameters were investigated using an ultrasonication and profilometry method to assess erosion depth and surface softening of enamel. The influence of temperature was studied by eroding polished human enamel samples at 4, 20, 35 or 50 degrees C for 2 h. Secondly, different liquid flow conditions were established by varying acid agitation. Additionally, a slow laminar flow and a jet of citric acid, to simulate drinking through a straw, were applied to specimens. Erosion depth increased significantly with acid temperature from 11.0 microm at 4 degrees C to 35.8 microm at 50 degrees C. Surface softening increased much more slowly and plateaued at 2.9 microm to 3.5 microm after 35 degrees C. A strong dependence of erosion on liquid flow was revealed. In unstirred conditions only 8.6 microm erosion occurred, which increased to 22.2 microm with slow stirring and 40.9 microm with fast stirring. Surface softening did not increase correspondingly with its largest extent at slow stirring at 3.4 microm.The implication of these data are: first, the conditions for erosion experiments in vitro or in situ need to be specified for reliable comparisons between studies. Secondly, erosion of teeth by soft drinks are likely to be influenced both by the temperature of the drink and individual drinking habits.

Underdimensioning may adversely affect the clinical use of a crown or bridge. Insufficient dimensions may be due to inadequate modelling or deficiencies caused by the casting process. The dimensions of cast objects are measured mechanically using a calliper. This method has often proved to be insufficient in detecting areas of too small dimensions. This paper presents a non-destructive method of inspecting dental castings using radiography. The occlusal thickness of a random sample of 150 crowns made during regular clinical treatment in our department was inspected mechanically and radiographically. We found that 19% of the crowns were only 0.1 mm thick or less at the thinnest spot, 18% were between 0.1 and 0.2 mm and 9% were between 0.2 and 0.3 mm. In comparison to mechanical examination, radiographic inspection usually showed smaller values.

The mechanical stability of crowns or bridges as well as frameworks for removable partial dentures depends on factors like thickness and metal structure. The biological compatibility can be influenced by porosities and soldered joints. Radiological testing is a non-destructive method to check defects in dental castings. As dental precious metal alloys have high X-ray absorption, testing of high gold alloys should be performed with a suitable X-ray machine at a tube voltage of 120 kV since the X-ray penetration of dental X-ray units using a tube voltage of 70 to 80 kV is not high enough for these alloys. As the absorption of Co-Cr alloys and of titanium is much lower, these materials can be tested with a dental X-ray apparatus. The radiographs show location and size of metal defects. They enable an examination of metal thickness and content of porosities. Metal defects reducing the biological compatibility or cast stability can be detected prior to clinical fitting.