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Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive ceramic restorations executed by dentists with different levels of experience., Methods: Sixteen professionals were divided into 4 groups according to their experience levels. These included G1: up to 2 years since graduation, G2: 2-5 years, G3: 5-10 years, and G4: more than 10 years. All professionals were trained to follow the same standardized clinical protocol, but were unaware of the research objectives. A single evaluator followed the clinical treatments and recorded the complications and errors that occurred during the execution of the protocol. Ninety-one full crowns, 137 veneers, and 46 no-preparation veneers were prepared from lithium disilicate. Follow-ups were performed immediately and at 30, 180, and 360 days after the cementation and the evaluation based on the modified United States Public Health Service criteria. Ceramic chipping/fracture and debonding were considered failures. Fractures were replicated and submitted to fractographic analysis., Results: The highest number of failures were found in G1 followed by G3 and the lowest number of failures were found in G2. The level of success was 94% after 360 days. The fractographic analysis demonstrated the external surface of restorations as the critical area and suggested that failures might occur due to noncompliance with the clinical protocol. There was no correlation between professional experience and number of failures or patient satisfaction., Conclusions: Professional experience was not a decisive for patient satisfaction and success of minimally invasive ceramic restorations, and noncompliance with the clinical protocol was associated with early ceramic restoration failures.

Objective: To investigate the presence of non-infiltrated, partially demineralized dentin (PDD) beneath the hybrid layer for self-etch adhesive systems, and its effect on micromechanical behavior of dentin-adhesive interfaces (DAIs). This in-vitro laboratory and computer simulation study hypothesized that the presence of non-infiltrated PDD beneath the hybrid layer does not influence the mechanical behavior of the DAI of self-etch adhesive systems., Methods: Fifteen sound third molars were restored with composite resin using three adhesive systems: Scotchbond Multipurpose (SBMP), Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB) and Adper Promp L-Pop (APLP). The thickness and length of all DAIs were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, and used to generate three-dimensional finite element models. Elastic moduli of the hybrid layer, adhesive layer, intertubular dentin, peritubular dentin and resin tags were acquired using a nano-indenter. Finite element software was used to determine the maximum principal stress. Mixed models analysis of variance was used to verify statistical differences (P<0.05)., Results: Elastic moduli and morphology were found to differ between the adhesive systems, as well as the presence and extension of PDD., Significance: Both self-etch adhesive systems (APLP and CSEB) had PDD. The DAI stress levels were higher for the one-step self-etch adhesive system (APLP) compared with the etch-and-rinse adhesive system (SBMP) and the self-etch primer system (CSEB)., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)