Journal of Esthetic Dentistry

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PURPOSE: This study evaluated the bond strength of four commercial resin luting cements to enamel and superficial dentin, using a second-generation laboratory composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty teeth were embedded in acrylic: 20 had superficial dentin exposed; 20 had enamel exposed. Each group was divided into four subgroups (n = 5) to be bonded with Variolink II, Dual Cement, 2-bond-2, and Permalute System, using an inverted, truncated cone of pre-cured Artglass that was placed over the resin cement with a load of 2 N for 2 seconds...

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PURPOSE: This study determined the color stability of a compomer, hybrid ionomer, and composite after staining with three fluoride varnishes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five disks (10 mm in diameter, 2 mm thick) of each material were prepared in a mold and incubated at 100% relative humidity at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Duraphat, Duraflor, FluorProtector, and water (control) were applied to the disks, which were subsequently brushed with a soft toothbrush and dentifrice...

PURPOSE: Quality standards for restorations recently have been defined in Switzerland. Amalgam substitutes must meet restoration Grade 2 requirements (i.e., pulp and dental hard substance must be preserved, and both form and function of the tooth have to be reconstituted). The pertinent operative technique has to be simple and amalgam-like. A minimum service life of 8 years is required. This in vitro study investigated the clinical potential of several amalgam substitutes, taking into account the operative requirements, the defined restorative guidelines, and the required service life...

PURPOSE: To evaluate resin bond strength to enamel contaminated with handpiece oil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine teeth were randomly assigned to six groups of 20 teeth each for treatment with one of six different bonding systems (five one-bottle and one multibottle). For each system, 10 enamel specimens were contaminated with handpiece oil before acid-etching and 10 were contaminated after acid-etching. The enamel was etched for 15 seconds using 35% phosphoric acid...

Many contemporary restorative procedures are primarily esthetically driven, and patients have high expectations. It is imperative for the restorative dentist to understand patients' desires and expectations prior to initiating irreversible therapy. It is equally important for patients to understand the anatomic and technical limitations inherent with restorative therapy.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) is presently the most popular crown and bridge technique. Its success is attributable to the use of a metal substructure to support the porcelain, resulting in good esthetics, limited ceramic flexure, and better longevity than all-porcelain restorations. A new concept suggests encapsulating the metal substructure with ceramic and placing the insert under the occlusal surface, thereby combining the best properties of the esthetics of porcelain and the support of metal to achieve improved restorations...

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The introduction of many new packable composites suggests that these products are rapidly gaining popularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro properties of a variety of packable composites and to determine if significant enhancements in physical and mechanical properties have been achieved for these materials compared with two popular nonpackable posterior composites. For the five packable and two regular composites tested (ALERT, Pyramid-Dentin, Pyramid-Enamel, Solitaire, SureFil, Heliomolar, and Z100), the values for fracture toughness, flexure strength, flexure modulus, hardness, and volumetric polymerization shrinkage were determined...

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro any increase in size of Class V resin-based composite (RBC) restorations as a result of replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For group 1, 20 Class V cavity preparations were prepared in extracted incisor and canine teeth. The cavosurface margin was prepared as a butt joint 90-degree angle toward the occlusal wall. Impressions were made of all preparations with a polyvinyl siloxane material. The cavities then received a 1.5-mm 45-degree bevel at the cavosurface margin of the occlusal wall...

The desire to place esthetically pleasing, conservative, functionally stable, posterior restorative materials has steadily increased over the past 20 years. The creation of successful dentin bonding adhesives and appropriate resin luting cements has paved the way for the development of a myriad of indirect resin-based restorative materials. These materials have been specifically designed to overcome the negative attributes of their porcelain counterparts, and to simplify fabrication, insertion, and post-delivery adjustments...

The choice of implant diameter depends on the type of edentulousness, the volume of the residual bone, the amount of space available for the prosthetic reconstruction, the emergence profile, and the type of occlusion. Small-diameter implants are indicated in specific clinical situations, for example, where there is reduced interradicular bone or a thin alveolar crest, and for the replacement of teeth with small cervical diameter. Before using a small-diameter implant, the biomechanical risk factors must be carefully analyzed...

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Restorative dentistry is moving toward more extensive diagnosis, caries risk assessment, and non-invasive caries management. There will be less restorative intervention and more conservation of existing tooth structure whenever possible. Prevention, minimal intervention, and restoration maintenance will be key guidelines. Restorative materials will continue to evolve slowly and steadily (Figure 1). However, most of the guiding principles for cavity preparation and restoration will be the same as they have been for the past decade...

Cervical erosion defects, particularly those of extensive size that are located in an area where control of the operative field is difficult, can present a significant restorative challenge. This article describes an indirect restorative technique to solve this problem. Following tooth preparation, an indirect restoration is luted to the tooth and the margins are finished and polished. Using an indirect technique minimizes operative field isolation time and the total chairside time required to restore the tooth...

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PURPOSE: Porcelain veneers are a safe and effective treatment modality for selected teeth that have poor esthetics. However, removal of porcelain veneers that have failed may be time-consuming and involve considerable removal of sound tooth structure adjacent to the veneer. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel method of porcelain laminate veneer removal by incorporating a fluorescent dye into the luting cement that allows the practitioner to visualize the cement on the tooth and remove the veneer without causing residual damage to the adjacent tooth substance...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro antibacterial effects of three different carbamide peroxide products (Nitewhite, Opalescence, and Proxigel) on cariogenic microorganisms (mutans streptococci [MS] and lactobacilli), and to evaluate the effects of a 10% carbamide peroxide solution (Proxigel) on salivary levels of MS and lactobacilli clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Growth inhibition studies were performed to determine the concentration and exposure time of carbamide peroxide to give total inhibition of recoverable growth of MS and lactobacilli...

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of stepped light intensity on the polymerization shrinkage forces and degrees of conversion of a hybrid composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Composite specimens were bonded between two steel rods (5.00 mm diameter, 1.25 mm apart, configuration factor = 2) mounted in a universal testing machine using a constant displacement mode. Polymerization contraction force was recorded for 300 seconds under four light exposure conditions: group 1: 40 s x 800 mW/cm2; group 2: 10 s x 100 mW/cm2 + 30 s x 800 mW/cm2; group 3: 60 s x 800 mW/cm2; group 4: 10 s x 100 mW/cm2 + 50 s x 800 mW/cm2...