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Biomedical subjects

A J de Gee

Publications and source records attributed to A J de Gee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Contraction stress in dentin adhesives bonded to dentin.

Adhesives cured under constrained conditions develop contraction stresses. We hypothesized that, with dentin as a bonding substrate, the stress would reach a maximum, followed by a continuous decline. Stress development was determined with a tensilometer for two total-etch systems and two systems with self-etching primers. The adhesives were placed in a thin layer between a glass plate and a flat dentin surface pretreated with phosphoric acid or self-etching primer. After an initial maximum shortly after light-curing, the stress decreased dramatically for the total-etch systems (70%) and, to a lesser extent, for the adhesives with self-etching primers (30%). The greater stress decrease for the total-etch systems was ascribed to water and/or solvents released into the adhesives from the fully opened dentinal tubules by the pulling/sucking action of the contraction stress. This happened less with the adhesives with self-etching primers, where the tubules remained mainly closed.

Analysis of Variance↗

The influence of accelerating the setting rate by ultrasound or heat on the bond strength of glass ionomers used as orthodontic bracket cements.

Conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs) may be a viable option for bracket bonding when the major disadvantages of these materials, such as the slow setting reaction and the weak initial bond strength, are solved. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of ultrasound and heat application on the setting reaction of GICs, and to determine the tensile force to debond the brackets from the enamel. A conventional fast-setting GIC, Fuji IX Fast, and two resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs), Fuji Ortho LC and Fuji Plus, were investigated. Three modes of curing were performed (n = 10): (1) according to the manufacturer's prescription, (2) with 60 seconds application of heat, or (3) with 60 seconds application of ultrasound. The tensile force required to debond the brackets was determined as the tension 15 minutes after the start of the bonding procedure. The mode of failure was scored according to the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) to establish the relative amount of cement remnants on the enamel surface. Curing with heat and ultrasound shortened the setting reaction and significantly (P < 0.05) increased the bond strength to enamel. The ARI scores showed an increase for all materials after heat and ultrasound compared with the standard curing method, most notably after heat application.

Acrylic Resins↗

The influence of specimen attachment and dimension on microtensile strength.

The higher microtensile bond strength values found for specimens with a smaller cross-sectional area are often explained by the lower occurrence of internal defects and surface flaws. We hypothesized that this aberrant behavior is mainly caused by the lateral way of attachment of the specimens to the testing device, which makes the strength dependent on the thickness. This study showed that composite bars of 1x1x10, 1x2x10, and 1x3x10mm attached at their 1-mm-wide side (situation A) fractured at loads of the same magnitude, as a result of which the microtensile strength ( micro TS), calculated as F/A (force at fracture/cross-sectional area), significantly increased for specimens with decreasing thickness. Attachment at the 1-, 2-, or 3-mm-wide side (situation B) resulted in equal micro TS values (P > 0.05). Finite element analysis showed different stress patterns for situation A, but comparable patterns for situation B. Both situations showed the same maximum stress at fracture.

Analysis of Variance↗

Light-curing units, polymerization, and clinical implications.

A comprehensive review of the techniques of light initiation of dental composites with special attention to polymerization efficacy and shrinkage stress control is presented. Optimal setting of an average-sized composite restoration requires a certain quantity of light energy. The amount of energy depends on the characteristics of the light source used and the time of irradiation. Swift conversion with high-energy lamps is proportionally accompanied by rapid hardening and could negatively affect the marginal integrity of the adhesive restoration. However, preliminary stress measurements did not show an increase in the rate of stress development. Full conversion in the deeper areas of the restoration may not be possible if defects occur in one or more of the various lamp components. Prolonging the irradiation time could reduce this risk. A regular check on the energy output of the light source is recommended. Although the high-energy light sources with their extremely short irradiation times should be used in a more critical way than the conventional light sources, they save a considerable amount of time and facilitate bond application, leading to better restorations where isolation control need not be optimal.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Structural integrity of resin-modified glass ionomers as affected by the delay or omission of light activation.

Since light activation of resin-modified glass ionomers as a means of polymerizing the HEMA is usually done shortly after mixing occurs, the acid-base reaction will proceed mainly within a formed HEMA-polymer matrix. Delaying or omitting light activation may alter the structure and consequently its integrity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on the structural integrity of Fuji II LC, Photac-Fil, and Vitremer by delaying or omitting light initiation as compared with the integrity when light activation is performed 2 min after mixing occurs. We evaluated integrity by three-body wear experiments, conducted 8 hrs after sample preparation, to establish the integrity in the early phase of hardening, as well as after 1 wk and after 4 mos, to follow the materials throughout the process of maturation. When light activation was delayed for 1 hr, the structural integrity of Fuji II LC and Photac-Fil improved significantly in the early stages of hardening. In the case of Vitremer, an hour's delay of light activation significantly decreased integrity, which declined further when light activation was omitted. Fuji II LC was not affected by the omission of light activation, while Photac-Fil was markedly weakened. After 4 mos of aging, most of the samples of each product which had been cured by the different methods attained equal integrity, with the exception of the non-light-activated Vitremer samples, which remained weaker. We concluded that the structural integrity of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements benefits from a chemical integration of the polyalkenoate and poly-HEMA networks, as in Vitremer. Improvement in the structural integrity in the early phase for cements with a mechanical entanglement of the matrices, as in Fuji II LC and Photac-Fil, requires an acid-base reaction, a considerable portion of which may take place before activation of the HEMA polymerization.

Composite Resins↗

Effect of tubule orientation in the cavity wall on the seal of dental filling materials: an in vitro study.

Dentinal tubules are oriented perpendicularly to the root canal walls but parallel to the lateral walls of class I occlusal preparation. It was hypothesized that the contact surface area of the material may depend on the tubule orientation in the cavity wall to which the material is applied, and that the difference in contact surface may affect the seal provided by the filling material. Standard central lumens, 2.6 mm in diameter and 3 mm high, were machined in human crown or root specimens. After removal of the smear layer with a conditioner, the specimens in each experimental group, consisting of 20 crown and 20 root specimens, were filled with amalgam, Fuji II glass ionomer (with or without varnish), or gutta-percha with Ketac-Endo root canal sealer. A modified fluid transport model was used to test the leakage along the fillings. Selected specimens were then split longitudinally and observed in a scanning electron microscope. The micrographs showed that all the test materials were pressed into the dentinal tubules. The contact surface of the material was calculated to be at least 45% larger in root specimens than in crown specimens, depending on the depth of the tubular penetration of the test material. The leakage results showed that all the test materials leaked less in root specimens than in crown specimens (P = 0.0000 for amalgam, P = 0.0374 for Fuji II with varnish, P = 0.0088 for Fuji II without varnish, P = 0.002 for gutta-percha with sealer). It was concluded that the tubule orientation in the cavity wall may influence the seal provided by certain dental filling materials.

Dental Alloys↗

The effect of curing light variations on bulk curing and wall-to-wall quality of two types and various shades of resin composites.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the influence of light intensity and irradiation time variations on the curing efficacy of two types and various shades of resin composites and the effect of reduced light intensity on the preservation of wall-to-wall continuity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three microfilled composites (in three different shades) and one hybrid composite were used in this study. Polymerization shrinkage, and the hardness and adaptation of adhesive restorations in dentin cavities were determined at light intensities of 175 and 700 mW/cm2 and irradiation times of 10 and 60 s. Data were compared using in a general linear model analysis. RESULTS: Shrinkage measurements were the indication of conversion and conversion rate. Reduced intensity slowed down the rate of polymerization but did not reduce the conversion as long as an irradiation time of 60 s was employed. High-energy irradiation caused increased separation of the composite from the tooth structure. On the basis of obtaining optimal conversion and adaption, it was demonstrated that the irradiation time to be more effective than irradiation energy. SIGNIFICANCE: Light-cured composites require an understanding of their structure, pigmentation and irradiation parameters to obtain optimal performance. High intensity light-curing does not necessarily lead to optimal quality.

Analysis of Variance↗

Sealing ability of eight resin bonding systems in a Class II restoration after mechanical fatiguing.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate eight different adhesive systems to determine whether functional loading affects the marginal integrity of Class II restorations. METHODS: In 80 extracted upper human premolars, Class II cavities were prepared and restored with eight different commercially available adhesive resin restorative systems. The occlusal margins were located in enamel and the gingival margins in dentin. During immersion in a dye solution, half of the restored teeth were exposed to a load-cycling procedure, after which all the specimens were sectioned, and the extent of dye penetration was visually examined using a stereo microscope. The results were analyzed statistically using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxons Rank test. RESULTS: Exposure of the restorations to load cycling significantly reduced the marginal integrity cervically. Perfect sealing was found practically at all occlusal margins. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the cervical sealing quality of the various adhesive systems. SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study show that functional loading damages the cervical marginal seal of adhesive Class II restorations. For many adhesive systems, the setting shrinkage stress alone was not able to damage the marginal integrity cervically. Therefore, mechanical fatiguing distinguishes the sealing quality of adhesive systems in a more expressive way. There is a substantial difference in sealing quality between the various resin restorative systems tested.

Bite Force↗

Polymerization contraction stress in thin resin composite layers as a function of layer thickness.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the effect of layer thickness on the curing stress in thin resin composite layers was investigated. Since the value of the contraction stress is dependent on the compliance of the measuring equipment (especially for thin films), a method to determine the compliance of the test apparatus was tested. METHODS: A chemically initiated resin composite (Clearfil F2, Kuraray) was inserted between two sandblasted and silane-coated stainless steel discs in a tensilometer. The curing contraction of the cylindrical samples was continuously counteracted by feedback displacement of the tensilometer crosshead, and the curing stress development was registered. After 20 min, the samples were loaded in tension until fracture. The curing stress was determined for layer thicknesses of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 microns, 1.4 mm and 2.7 mm. The compliance of the apparatus was calculated with the aid of a non-linear regression analysis, using an equation derived from Hooke's Law as the model. RESULTS: None of the samples fractured due to contraction stress prior to tensile loading. The contraction stress after 20 min decreased from 23.3 +/- 5.3 MPa for the 50 microns layer to 5.5 +/- 0.6 MPa for the 2.7 mm layer. The compliance on the apparatus was 0.029 mm/MPa. SIGNIFICANCE: A measuring method was developed which was found to be suitable for the determination of axial polymerization contraction stress in this films of chemically initiated resin composites. The method makes it possible to estimate the stress levels that occur in resin composite films in the clinical situation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Influence of filler parameters on the mechanical coherence of dental restorative resin composites.

Next to the presence of (chemical) coupling between filler and resin, filler particle size is important for the mechanical coherence of dental resin composites which are used for posterior restorations. In the range of the current composites a smaller particle size is desirable. The better mechanical coherence for composites with smaller particles found in an in vitro erosive wear test is probably related to the size of food fibres, which are part of the erosive medium. It appears that there is a critical value of the filler particle size (1.3-1.5 microns), under which the food fibres are not able to penetrate in the interparticle space, so the erosive capability of the erosive medium will be reduced.

Adhesiveness↗

Influence of enzymes and plaque acids on in vitro wear of dental composites.

The purpose of this investigation was to test the effect of an enzymatic and an acidic medium on in vitro wear of dental resin composites and an amalgam. Wear was evaluated in two-body and three-body wear conditions. The third body was a food slurry either in water, an esterase solution or an acid solution at a composition and concentration as found in caries active plaque fluid. In the two-body tests the slurry was left out. Under three-body wear conditions neither the enzyme nor the acids showed any significant (P < 0.05) effect on wear. Enzyme inactivation from a large excess of food constituents in the slurry or the absence of an effect from surface diffusion rates of the acids resulted in the lack of an effect on wear. The two-body/acids wear rates were statistically (P < 0.05) lower than the two-body/water wear rates caused by increased lubrication from the acids between sliding surfaces. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in wear was found in the two-body/enzyme experiments, showing that the enzymatic activity can start directly at the outer surface of the composites.

Acids↗

Light initiation of dental resins: dynamics of the polymerization.

Literature has shown that slowing down the curing rate of light-initiated resin composites by lowering the light intensity of the light source improved the integrity of the adhesive composite-cavity interface as a result of a more gradual contraction stress development. This study investigated how the curing rate could be controlled by varying the concentrations of the photoinitiator components in BisGMA-TEGDMA resin. Conversions and curing rates were evaluated by linear contraction experiments and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Curing rates could be moderated significantly be reducing the concentrations of both photoinitiator and reducing agent without affecting the conversion, provided that the light exposure with a standard dental light curing unit lasts for 60 s.

Light↗

Early and long-term wear of conventional and resin-modified glass ionomers.

Various studies have shown that glass ionomers are susceptible to brittle fracture and acid conditions and that they undergo long-term changes in their mechanical properties. Little information is available on how brittleness, acid susceptibility, and long-term changes are reflected in the wear characteristics of glass ionomers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term changes in conventional glass ionomers, metal-reinforced glass ionomers (including a cermet), and (light-curing) resinmodified glass ionomers by wear experiments simulating the wear process in occlusal contact-free areas. The wear tests were conducted periodically over a period of one year. In addition, wear was determined after one year at a pH of 5 or 6, for assessment of acid susceptibility, and at a condition as found in the occlusal contact areas. All materials showed high early-wear rates which decreased significantly during the one-year test period. This long-term process may be related to a slow progression of the acid-base reaction extending over several months. At each stage, the resinmodified glass ionomers wore significantly faster than the acid-base setting glass ionomers. Most of these materials were not affected at a pH of 6.0, while at a pH of 5.0 only the conventional and the metal-reinforced glass ionomers showed increased wear. Direct contacts with the antagonist led to a significant increase in wear in comparison with contact-free wear, probably as a result of sub-surface fatigue phenomena. In view of the unfavorable wear characteristics of the resin-modified glass ionomers and the high early wear of the conventional glass ionomers, including the metal-reinforced glass ionomers, it was concluded that none of these materials can yet be recommended for use in high-stress-bearing situations.

Aluminum Silicates↗

[Mechanisms and theory of occlusal wear].

The various mechanisms which cause wear of occlusal surfaces of the teeth, erosion as caused by the food, direct contact wear, and surface fatigue are discussed from their theoretical bases. Special attention is paid to the implications for the oral environment. The ACTA wear machine, designed to simulate these mechanisms, as well as some of its results, are briefly discussed.

Dental Materials↗

The influence of water sorption on the development of setting shrinkage stress in traditional and resin-modified glass ionomer cements.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the setting stress development for some traditional and resin-modified glass ionomer cements and to assess the effect of early water exposure to this stress. METHODS: The development of the setting stress of the glass ionomer cements was determined in a tensilometer set-up as described earlier by Feilzer et al. (1987). RESULTS: The results of this study show the influence of water sorption on the development of setting shrinkage stress in bonded glass ionomer cements. When curing took place under isolated conditions (no hydration or dehydration), all the traditional glass ionomer cements investigated fractured spontaneously, either adhesively and/or cohesively, due to the developing stress. Early exposure to water led to stress relief and prevented spontaneous fracturing. For the light-cured products, no spontaneous failures were observed under isolated conditions. Stress relief due to water sorption reversed the contraction stress into an expansion stress. SIGNIFICANCE: Exposure of traditional glass ionomer cements to water at an appropriate time by the use of permeable matrix systems is advised. Whether the conversion of contraction stresses into expansion stresses as observed for the resin-modified products, is beneficial for a restoration requires further study.

Absorption↗

Influence of light intensity on polymerization shrinkage and integrity of restoration-cavity interface.

The results of this study showed that the use of high intensity curing light units negatively affected the integrity of the restoration-cavity interface in class V restorations This is explained by the high reaction rates of light curing resin composites. The interfacial integrity was better preserved with low light intensity as it extends the visco-elastic stage of the setting materials, thereby moderating the setting stress development. The ultimate polymerization shrinkages for both conditions were equal, which suggested equal degrees of conversion and thus equal material properties. The results may alleviate the trend in using higher intensity light curing units and in particular the development of units with laser beams in an attempt to further increase conversion rates.

Composite Resins↗

Silane treatment of filler and composite blending in a one-step procedure for dental restoratives.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a one-step procedure of silane treatment of filler and composite blending could also produce the strong resin-filler integrity, as can be obtained for dental composites in two steps by pretreating the filler with a silane coupling agent before blending. Resin mixtures containing either a silane-functional methacrylate or a non-silane-functional methacrylate were blended with silane pretreated or non-treated filler particles. The resin-filler integrity of the composites was determined from the wear performance in three-body wear tests. For composites with the non-silane-functional methacrylate the wear rates dramatically decreased when the silane pretreated filler was used instead of untreated filler, showing the efficacy of the silane treatment. For composites with the silane-functional methacrylate the decrease was small, indicating comparable resin-filler integrity for the one-step and the two-step procedures.

Analysis of Variance↗