Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: Numerous studies have reported the use of hydrofluoric (HF) acid as one of the most effective methods for the achievement of a durable bond between glass-based ceramics and resin cements. Nevertheless, there is little information available regarding the potential deleterious effect on the ceramic mechanical strength. Objectives: (1) to investigate the effect of HF acid etching regimens on the biaxial flexural strength of a low-fusing nanofluorapatite glass-ceramic (IPS e.max ZirPress, Ivoclar Vivadent), (2) to study the ability of an unfilled resin (UR) to restore the initial (i.e., before etching) mechanical strength, and (3) to evaluate the effect of HF acid etching on the ceramic surface morphology before and after UR treatment via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: One hundred and forty-four disc-shaped (15 ± 1 mm in diameter and 0.8 ± 0.1 mm in thickness) IPS e.max ZirPress specimens were allocated into 12 groups, as follows: G1-control (no etching), G2-30 s, G3-60 s, G4-90 s, G5-120 s, G6- 60 + 60 s. Meanwhile, groups (G7- G12) were treated in the same fashion as G1-G6, but followed by silane and UR applications. Surface morphology evaluation of non-etched and etched IPS e.max ZirPress (G1-G12) was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The flexural strength was determined by biaxial testing as described in ISO 6872. Statistics were performed using two-way ANOVA and the Sidak multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). In addition, the Weibull statistics were estimated. Results: A significant effect of etching time (p=0.0290) on biaxial flexural strength was observed. Indeed, G4 led to a significantly (p=0.0392) higher flexural strength than G1. Correspondingly, G10 revealed a considerably higher flexural strength than G7 (p=0.0392). Furthermore, biaxial flexural strength was significantly higher for G7 – G12 than for G1 – G6 (p<0.0001). For G1 – G6, G4 showed the highest Weibull characteristic strength while the lowest Weibull characteristic strength was seen in G6. In G7 – G12, the highest Weibull characteristic strength was presented in G10 whereas G7 had the lowest. Finally, the SEM data revealed that the HF acid etching affected the surface of IPS e.max ZirPress by generating pores and irregularities and more importantly that the UR was able to penetrate into the ceramic microstructure. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, HF acid etching time did not show a damaging effect on the biaxial flexural strength of the IPS e.max ZirPress ceramic. Moreover, the ceramic biaxial flexural strength could be enhanced after UR treatment.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of aqueous solutions of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) in different concentrations on bond strength to eroded dentin up to 6 months, using normal dentin as a control. METHODS: Exposed flat dentin of extracted third molars was only ground with 600-grit SiC paper/1 minute (normal dentin - N), or subsequently eroded by a regular-cola soft-drink (eroded dentin - E). N and E were acid-etched, washed, dried and rehydrated with 1.5 μL, respectively, of distillated water (control - NC / EC); of 0.004% CHX (N0.004% / E0.004%); or of 2% CHX (N2% / E2%). Adper Single Bond 2 was applied in all specimens and resin composite buildups were constructed with Filtek Z350. Specimens were sectioned in beams, which were tested (μTBS) immediately or after 6 months of aging. RESULTS: Microtensile bond strength to eroded dentin was always significantly lower than that to normal dentin. Application of tested CHX solutions did not exert a significant effect immediately; however, after aging, the 2% CHX prevented abrupt bond strength loss both to eroded and normal dentin. / Revisión por pares

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / PURPOSE: To assess the long-term effect of a 2% aqueous chlorhexidine (CHX) solution on bond strength to artificially eroded dentin compared to sound dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flat mid-coronal dentin surfaces of extracted third molars (n = 28) were subjected only to grinding with a 600-grit SiC paper for 1 min (sound dentin S, n = 14) or additionally to erosive pH cycling with a cola-based soft-drink (eroded dentin E, n = 14). After acid etching, rinsing, and air drying, S and E were rehydrated with 1.5 μl of 2% CHX (S2%, n = 7; E2%, n = 7) or of distilled water (control SC, n = 7; EC, n = 7). Composite buildups were incrementally constructed with Filtek Z350 following Adper Single Bond 2 application. Specimens were sectioned into beams, which were subjected to microtensile testing immediately or after 6 or 12 months of aging. Fractured surfaces were observed under a digital microscope (50X magnification). Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) (MPa) was analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05) and failure mode by the Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Compared to sound dentin, eroded dentin was consistently related to lower μTBS. Immediately and after 12-month aging, the effect of CHX was insignificant, but it was significant after 6-month aging, when it conserved the bond strength to both eroded and sound dentin. The percentage of adhesive and mixed failures were equivalent, and significantly more frequent than cohesive failures, whether in dentin or in composite. CONCLUSION: The 2% CHX effect on bond strength conservation to both eroded and sound dentin was not found to be persistent. / Revisión por pares

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / PURPOSE: To assess the influence of simulated oral erosive/abrasive challenges on the bond strength of an etch-and-rinse two-step bonding system to enamel using an in situ/ex vivo protocol. METHODS: Bovine enamel blocks were prepared and randomly assigned to four groups: CONT - control (no challenge), ABR - 3x/day-1 minute toothbrushing; ERO - 3x/day - 5 minutes extraoral immersion into regular Coca Cola; and ERO+ABR - erosive protocol followed by a 1-minute toothbrushing. Eight blocks were placed into an acrylic palatal appliance for each volunteer (n = 13), who wore the appliance for 5 days. Two blocks were subjected to each of the four challenges. Subsequently, all the blocks were washed with tap water and Adper Single Bond 2/Filtek Z350 were placed. After 24 hours, 1 mm2 beams were obtained from each block to be tested with the microtensile bond strength test (50 N load at 0.5 mm/minute). The data were statistically analyzed by one-way RM-ANOVA and Tukey's tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: No difference was detected among the ABR, ERO, and CONT groups (P > 0.05). ERO+ABR group yielded lower bond strengths than either the ABR and ERO groups (P < 0.0113). / Revisión por pares