Journal of Esthetic Dentistry

PURPOSE: This research investigated composite depths of cure using a variety of light-curing units and exposure protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Composite (Herculite XRV, shade A2, Kerr, Orange, California) was exposed in opaque compules to conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) units, soft-start units, high-intensity QTH and plasma arc (PAC) curing lights, and one argon laser. Cured compules were sonicated to remove uncured composite and were sectioned and polished along the long axis to expose cured composite...

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of ramped light intensity on the polymerization shrinkage forces and degrees of conversion (DC) of a hybrid composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Composite samples were bonded between two steel rods (2.50 mm diameter, 1.25 mm apart, configuration factor = 1.0) mounted in a universal testing machine using a constant displacement mode. Polymerization contraction force was recorded for 250 seconds under four light exposure conditions: group 1, STD: (40 s x 800 mW/cm2); group 2, EXP: (150 mW/cm2 logarithmic increase to 800 mW/cm2 over 15 s) + (25 s x 800 mW/cm2); group 3, 2-STEP: (10 s x 150 mW/cm2) + (30 s x 800 mW/cm2); group 4, MED: (80 s x 400 mW/cm2)...

PURPOSE: This study determined the effect of distance on the power density from standard and Turbo light guides (Demetron/Kerr, Danbury, Connecticut). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Power density was measured from 0 to 10 mm away from the tip of standard 8-mm curved light guides and 13/8-mm Turbo curved light guides. To determine the effect of distance on power density, a polynomial regression line was fitted. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) statistic and the Wilcoxon rank sum (WR) tests were used to determine if there was a difference in the rate at which the power density decreased for the standard and Turbo light guides as the distance from the tip increased...

PURPOSE: An important factor that contributes to deterioration of resin composite restorations is contraction stress that occurs during polymerization. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the clinician with the characteristics of contraction stress by visualizing the stresses associated with this invisible and complex phenomenon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internal residual stresses generated during polymerization of resin composite restorations were determined using micro-photoelastic analysis...

UNLABELLED: The development and continued evolution of photopolymerizable dental materials, particularly dental composite restoratives, represent a significant, practical advance for dentistry. The highly successful integration of the light-activated curing process for dental applications is described in this review. The basic mechanisms by which the photoinitiators efficiently convert monomers into polymers are discussed along with the variety of factors that influence the photopolymerization process...

PURPOSE: This article reviews material properties and application techniques important in minimizing effects of polymerization shrinkage during the curing reaction of resin composite restorative materials used in adhesive dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant scientific publications were critically reviewed. RESULTS: Since it was recognized that shrinkage, which takes place during the curing reaction of resin composite restorative materials, may cause severe problems in adhesive dentistry, considerable effort has been put into reducing the negative effects...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

PURPOSE: This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the new ShadeEye-EX Chroma Meter and a new visual porcelain shade-matching system (Vitapan 3-D Master, Omega 900) in comparison to the traditionally used visual porcelain shade-matching system (Vita Lumin Vacuum, VMK 68). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Shade matches and porcelain fabrications on individualized shade tabs were carried out. The fabricated porcelain tabs were evaluated against the respective natural tooth using the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria to determine clinically acceptable match...

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown a reduction in enamel bond strengths when the bonding procedure is carried out immediately after vital bleaching with peroxides. This reduction in bond strengths has become a concern in cosmetic dentistry with the introduction of new "in-office" and "waiting-room" bleaching techniques. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of three bleaching regimens: 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP), 35% carbamide peroxide (CP), and 10% CP, on dentin bond strengths...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various media on the color stability of compomer and to compare these results to those of other materials that could be used in similar clinical circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this test, six materials (shade A2) were used: four compomers (Dyract, Compoglass F, Xeno, F2000), one composite resin (Clearfil AP-X), and one resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC). There were four test solutions: one alcoholic (whiskey), two low pH soft drinks (Coca Cola, orange juice), and deionized water as a control...

PURPOSE: A comparative study which evaluated the effectiveness of bioactive glass granules of uniform size (300-335 microns) for the regenerative treatment of interproximal intrabony periodontal defects was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve pairs of advanced periodontal lesions in 12 patients (6 males and 6 females) were treated in a split-mouth design with open flap débridement in the control sites and open flap débridement with bioactive glass particles placed in the test sites...

Provisional restorations fulfill many functions in restorative dentistry. Quality provisional restorations can provide the clinician, the patient, and the laboratory technician much valuable information prior to fabrication of the definitive restoration. Such diagnostic provisional restorations fabricated with acrylic resin are easily adjusted and modified until both esthetic and functional results are approved by the patient. Once this approval has been obtained, the definitive restorations can be fabricated with confidence, using the esthetic form of the provisional restorations as a blueprint...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of fluoride released from compomer restorative materials after immersion in various media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this test, four materials were used: three compomers (Dyract, Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany; Compoglass, Vivadent, Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein; and Xeno, Sankins, Tochigi, Japan) and one resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC, GC, Tokyo, Japan). There were four test solutions: one alcoholic (whiskey), two low-pH drinks (Coca-Cola, orange juice), and one deionized water...

PURPOSE: For contemporary hydrophilic resin adhesive systems, bonding to dentin is improved if the substrate is maintained in a hydrated state following acid-etching. The purpose of this study was to compare the dentin shear bond strengths of two single-bottle adhesives (one acetone-based and one ethanol-based) applied under different etched-dentin conditions: dry, wet, or dry and re-wetted with different solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine incisors (N = 120) were mounted in acrylic, polished to 600-grit, and randomly assigned to 12 groups (n = 10)...

PURPOSE: A significant concern with computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-produced prostheses is the accuracy of adaptation of the restoration to the preparation. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of operator-controlled camera misalignment on restoration adaptation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A CEREC 2 CAD/CAM unit (Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany) was used to capture the optical impressions and machine the restorations...

Computer imaging can be helpful in demonstrating to patients the potential outcome of esthetic dental procedures. The current clinical study assesses the effectiveness of computer imaging by comparing the reactions of patient and dentist to conventional consultations versus the use of computer imaging. The responses from 35 subjects show that computer imaging consultations are more effective in helping patients decide to accept treatment. Patient satisfaction was higher (93.75%) with computer consultations than with conventional methods (83...

Enamel microabrasion is a proven method of removing superficial intrinsic enamel discoloration defects. The method is safe, easily performed, and causes no discomfort for the patient. A new commercially available microabrasion system has been introduced by Ultradent Products Inc. In addition, a new tooth isolation material is available, along with a visible light-activated in-office hydrogen peroxide solution. This article describes these new products and documents tooth-color correction for two young patients using this new tooth-color correction approach...