PURPOSE. To investigate the microtensile bond strength between two all-ceramic systems; lithium disilicate glass ceramic and zirconia core ceramics bonded with their corresponding glass veneers. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Blocks of core ceramics (IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Press and Lava$^{TM}$ Frame) were fabricated and veneered with their corresponding glass veneers. The bilayered blocks were cut into microbars; 8 mm in length and $1mm^2$ in cross-sectional area (n = 30/group). Additionally, monolithic microbars of these two veneers (IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Ceram and LavaTM Ceram; n = 30/group) were also prepared. The obtained microbars were tested in tension until fracture, and the fracture surfaces of the microbars were examined with fluorescent black light and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to identify the mode of failure. One-way ANOVA and the Dunnett's T3 test were performed to determine significant differences of the mean microtensile bond strength at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS. The mean microtensile bond strength of IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Press/IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Ceram ($43.40{\pm}5.51$ MPa) was significantly greater than that of Lava$^{TM}$ Frame/Lava$^{TM}$ Ceram ($31.71{\pm}7.03$ MPa)(P<.001). Fluorescent black light and SEM analysis showed that most of the tested microbars failed cohesively in the veneer layer. Furthermore, the bond strength of Lava$^{TM}$ Frame/Lava$^{TM}$ Ceram was comparable to the tensile strength of monolithic glass veneer of Lava$^{TM}$ Ceram, while the bond strength of bilayered IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Press/IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Ceram was significantly greater than tensile strength of monolithic IPS e.max$^{(R)}$ Ceram. CONCLUSION. Because fracture site occurred mostly in the glass veneer and most failures were away from the interfacial zone, microtensile bond test may not be a suitable test for bonding integrity. Fracture mechanics approach such as fracture toughness of the interface may be more appropriate to represent the bonding quality between two materials.

PURPOSE. This study focused on in vitro cell differentiation and surface characteristics in a magnesium coated titanium surface implanted on using a plasma ion source. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 40 commercially made pure titanium discs were prepared to produce Ti oxide machined surface (M) and Mg-incorporated Ti oxide machined surface (MM). Surface properties were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On each surface, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S staining for mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression, were evaluated. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP and GAPDH performing RT-PCR were performed to characterize osteoclast differentiation on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS. MM showed similar surface morphology and surface roughness with M, but was slightly smoother after ion implantation at the micron scale. M was more hydrophobic than MM. No significant difference between surfaces on ALP activity at 7 and 14 days were observed. Real-time PCR analyses showed similar levels of mRNA expression of the osteoblast phenotype genes; osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen 1 (Col 1) in cell grown on MM at 7, 14 and 21 days. Alizarin red S staining at 21 days showed no significant difference. BMMs differentiation increased in M and MM. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP showed osteoclast differentiation to be more active on MM. CONCLUSION. Both M and MM have a good effect on osteoblastic cell differentiation, but MM may speed the bone remodeling process by activating on osteoclast differentiation.

PURPOSE. This study was aimed to evaluate effect of the desensitizing pretreatments on the micro-tensile bond strengths (${\mu}TBS$) to eroded dentin and sound dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Forty-two extracted molars were prepared to form a flat dentin surface, and then they were divided into two groups. Group I was stored in distilled water while group II was subjected to a pH cycling. Each group was then subdivided into three subgroups according to desensitizing pretreatment used: a) pretreatment with desensitizer (Gluma); b) pretreatment with $CO_2$ Laser (Ultra Dream Pluse); c) without any pretreatment. All prepared surfaces were bonded with Single Bond 2 and built up with resin composite (Filtek Z250). The micro-tensile bond test was performed. Fracture modes were evaluated by stereomicroscopy. Pretreated surfaces and bonded interfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data obtained was analyzed by two-way ANOVA (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. For both sound and eroded dentin, samples treated with desensitizer showed the greatest ${\mu}TBS$, followed by samples without any treatment. And samples treated with $CO_2$ laser showed the lowest ${\mu}TBS$. SEM study indicated that teeth with eroded dentin appeared prone to debonding, as demonstrated by existence of large gaps between adhesive layers and dentin. CONCLUSION. Pretreatment with Gluma increased the ${\mu}TBS$ of Single Bond 2 for eroded and sound teeth. $CO_2$ laser irradiation weakened bond performance for sound teeth but had no effect on eroded teeth.

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to determine the absolute value of the root/crown ratio (R/C ratio) using panoramic radiographs (PRGs) in a healthy Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In total, 99 patient radiographs (of 50 males and 49 females subjects; aged 16 to 24 years old) were examined, and 2,770 teeth were analyzed. Crown lengths and root lengths were measured with modified Lind's measurements using PACS tools by two examiners in two separate sessions two months apart. All data were analyzed using SPSS. The independent t-test was used to assess for gender differences, and the paired t-test was used to compare both arches with a significance level of P<.05. RESULTS. The mean R/C ratios varied from 1.29 to 1.89 (male: 1.28-1.84; females: 1.31-1.94). The highest R/C ratios were recorded for the mandibular canines (1.89), followed by the maxillary canines (1.79). The lowest R/C ratios were recorded for the maxillary second molars (1.31). In comparison with the maxillary teeth (1.29-1.78), the mandibular teeth yielded the higher R/C ratio (1.47-1.89), and this difference was significant in the females (P<.05). The difference between the genders was not statistically significant, except for the maxillary central incisors, mandibular canines and mandibular first premolars. CONCLUSION. These data may enhance the understanding of the clinical R/C ratio as a useful guideline for determining the status of teeth and the ethnic difference.

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to measure the changes on the marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia based anterior fixed partial dentures after the porcelain firing process. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 34 anterior fixed partial dentures using LAVA CAD/CAM system (3M ESPE, Germany) were applied. Two silicone replicas were obtained: one is obtained before porcelain firing process (initial) and the other is obtained after porcelain firing process (final), followed by the examination under a binocular stereomicroscope. Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests were used for the statistical analysis (P<.05). RESULTS. No statistically significant difference was found between initial and final marginal gap values (P>.05). At the internal gap measurements, final marginal area values ($59.54{\mu}m$) were significantly lower than the initial marginal area values ($68.68{\mu}m$)(P<.05). The highest and the lowest internal gap values were observed at the incisal/occlusal area and at the marginal area, respectively. In addition, lower internal gap values were obtained for canines than for central incisors, lateral incisors and premolars at the incisal area (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The firing cycles did not affect the marginal gap of Lava CAD/CAM system, but it is controversial for the internal gap.

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability of three different methods using a drawing protractor, a digital protractor after tracing, and a CAD system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty-four artificial abutments that had been prepared by dental students were used in this study. Three dental students measured the convergence angles by each method three times. Bland-Altman plots were applied to examine the overall reliability by comparing the traditional tracing method with a new method using the CAD system. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) evaluated intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS. All three methods exhibited high intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (ICC>0.80, P<.05). Measurements with the CAD system showed the highest intra-rater reliability. In addition, it showed improved inter-rater reliability compared with the traditional tracing methods. CONCLUSION. Based on the results of this study, the CAD system may be an easy and reliable tool for measuring the abutment convergence angle.

PURPOSE. This study evaluated the depth of cure of resin composite cured by light through a translucent fiber post. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The opaque plastic tubes in various lengths of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 mm. were filled with resin composite in which two different translucent fiber posts were inserted into the center and photo-polymerized for 40 seconds. The degree of conversion of the cured composite at bottom surface were examined using Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectrometer (FTIR/ATR) at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mm apart from the post surface. RESULTS. The degree of conversion of the 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm apart from the post surface was highest at the 2 mm level and continuously decreased when the distance from the light source was increased and drastically decreased when the depth from the top of the post was greater than 4-6 mm. For each level, the highest degree of conversion was at 0.1 mm from the post surface and decreased continuously when the distance apart from the post surface was increased. CONCLUSION. The quantity of light transmission depends on the type of post and the light transmission capability of the post, especially after 4-6 mm depth and the area further apart from the post surface, are insufficient for clinical light activation of resin composite.

PURPOSE. This in vitro study investigated the fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars restored using silorane-or methacrylate-based composite along with or without fiber or nano-ionomer base. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-six intact maxillary premolars were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 12). G1 (negative control) was the intact teeth. In Groups 2-8, root canal treatment with mesio-occlusodistal preparation was performed. G2 (positive control) was kept unrestored. The other groups were restored using composite resin as follows: G3, methacrylate-based composite (Z250); G4, methacrylate composite (Z250) with polyethylene fiber; G5 and G6, silorane-based composite (Filtek P90) without and with the fiber, respectively; G7 and G8, methacrylate-and silorane-based composite with nano-ionomer base, respectively. After aging period and thermocycling for 1000 cycles, fracture strength was tested and fracture patterns were inspected. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. Mean fracture resistance for the eight groups (in Newton) were G1: $1200{\pm}169^a$, G2: $360{\pm}93^b$, G3: $632{\pm}196^c$, G4: $692{\pm}195^c$, G5: $917{\pm}159^d$, G6: $1013{\pm}125^{ad}$, G7: $959{\pm}148^d$, G8: $947{\pm}105^d$ (different superscript letters revealed significant difference among groups). Most of the fractures in all the groups were restorable, except Group 3. CONCLUSION. Silorane-based composite revealed significantly higher strength of the restored premolars compared to that of methacrylate one. Fiber insertion demonstrated no additional effect on the strength of both composite restorations; however, it increased the prevalence of restorable fracture of methacrylate-based composite restored teeth. Using nano-ionomer base under methacrylate-based composite had a positive effect on fracture resistance and pattern. Only fiber-reinforced silorane composite restoration resulted in a strength similar to that of the intact teeth.

PURPOSE. This study characterized the synthesis of a modified PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) denture acrylic loading platinum nanoparticles (PtN) and assessed its bacterial inhibitory efficacy to produce novel antimicrobial denture base material. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Polymerized PMMA denture acrylic disc ($20mm{\times}2mm$) specimens containing 0 (control), 10, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L of PtN were fabricated respectively. The obtained platinum-PMMA nanocomposite (PtNC) was characterized by TEM (transmission electron microscopy), SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), thermogravimetric and atomic absorption spectrophotometer analysis. In antimicrobial assay, specimens were placed on the cell culture plate, and $100{\mu}L$ of microbial suspensions of S. mutans (Streptococcus mutans) and S. sobrinus (Streptococcus sobrinus) were inoculated then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The bacterial attachment was tested by FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) analysis after staining with fluorescent probe. RESULTS. PtN were successfully loaded and uniformly immobilized into PMMA denture acrylic with a proper thermal stability and similar surface morphology as compared to control. PtNC expressed significant bacterial anti-adherent effect rather than bactericidal effect above 50 mg/L PtN loaded when compared to pristine PMMA (P=.01) with no or extremely small amounts of Pt ion eluted. CONCLUSION. This is the first report on the synthesis and its antibacterial activity of Pt-PMMA nanocomposite. PMMA denture acrylic loading PtN could be a possible intrinsic antimicrobial denture material with proper mechanical characteristics, meeting those specified for denture bases. For clinical application, future studies including biocompatibility, color stability and warranting the long-term effect were still required.

PURPOSE. This study aimed to develop a copper-aluminium-nickel alloy which has properties comparable to that of dental alloys used for dental post and core applications with the reasonable cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixteen groups of experimental copper alloys with variants of 3, 6, 9, 12 wt% Al and 0, 2, 4, 6 wt% Ni were prepared and casted. Their properties were tested and evaluated. The data of thermal, physical, and mechanical properties were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (${\alpha}$=0.05). The alloy toxicity was evaluated according to the ISO standard. RESULTS. The solidus and liquidus points of experimental alloys ranged from $1023^{\circ}C$ to $1113^{\circ}C$ and increased as the nickel content increased. The highest ultimate tensile strength ($595.9{\pm}14.2$ MPa) was shown in the Cu-12Al-4Ni alloy. The tensile strength was increased as the both elements increased. Alloys with 3-6 wt% Al exhibited a small amount of 0.2% proof strength. Accordingly, the Cu-9Al-2Ni and Cu-9Al-4Ni alloys not only demonstrated an appropriate modulus of elasticity ($113.9{\pm}8.0$ and $122.8{\pm}11.3$ GPa, respectively), but also had a value of 0.2% proof strength ($190.8{\pm}4.8$ and $198.2{\pm}3.4$ MPa, respectively), which complied with the ISO standard requirement (>180 MPa). Alloys with the highest contents of nickel (6 wt% Ni) revealed a widespread decolourisation zone (5.0-5.9 mm), which correspondingly produced the largest cell response, equating positive control. CONCLUSION. The copper alloys fused with 9 wt% Al and 2-4 wt% Ni can be considered for a potential use as dental post and core applications.

PURPOSE. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of thermocycling and mechanical loading on the biaxial flexural strength and the phase transformation of one Ce-TZP/$Al_2O_3$ and two Y-TZP core materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty disc-shaped specimens were obtained from each material. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups (control, thermocycled, and mechanically loaded). Thermocycling was subjected in distilled water for 10000 cycles. Mechanical loading was subjected with 200 N loads at a frequency of 2 Hz for 100000 times. The mean biaxial flexural strength and phase transformation of the specimens were tested. The Weibull modulus, characteristic strength, 10%, 5% and 1% probabilities of failure were calculated using the biaxial flexural strength data. RESULTS. The characteristic strengths of Ce-TZP/$Al_2O_3$ specimens were significantly higher in all groups compared with the other tested materials (P<.001). Statistical results of X-ray diffraction showed that thermocycling and mechanical loading did not affect the monoclinic phase content of the materials. According to Raman spectroscopy results, at the same point and the same material, mechanical loading significantly affected the phase fraction of all materials (P<.05). CONCLUSION. It was concluded that thermocycling and mechanical loading did not show negative effect on the mean biaxial strength of the tested materials.

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effects of different abutment geometries in combination with varying luting agents and the effectiveness of different cleaning methods (prior to re-cementation) regarding the retentiveness of zirconia copings on implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Implants were embedded in resin blocks. Three groups of titanium abutments (pre-fabricated, height: 7.5 mm, taper: $5.7^{\circ}$; customized-long, height: 6.79 mm, taper: $4.8^{\circ}$; customized-short, height: 4.31 mm, taper: $4.8^{\circ}$) were used for luting of CAD/CAM-fabricated zirconia copings with a semi-permanent (Telio CS) and a provisional cement (TempBond NE). Retention forces were evaluated using a universal testing machine. Furthermore, the influence of cleaning methods (manually, manually in combination with ultrasonic bath or sandblasting) prior to re-cementation with a provisional cement (TempBond NE) was investigated with the pre-fabricated titanium abutments (height: 7.5 mm, taper: $5.7^{\circ}$) and SEM-analysis of inner surfaces of the copings was performed. Significant differences were determined via two-way ANOVA. RESULTS. Significant interactions between abutment geometry and luting agent were observed. TempBond NE showed the highest level of retentiveness on customized-long abutments, but was negatively affected by other abutment geometries. In contrast, luting with Telio CS demonstrated consistent results irrespective of the varying abutment geometries. Manual cleaning in combination with an ultrasonic bath was the only cleaning method tested prior to re-cementation that revealed retentiveness levels not inferior to primary cementation. CONCLUSION. No superiority for one of the two cements could be demonstrated because their influences on retentive strength are also depending on abutment geometry. Only manual cleaning in combination with an ultrasonic bath offers retentiveness levels after re-cementation comparable to those of primary luting.

Fabricating a crown to retrofit an existing abutment tooth for a partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP) is one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive clinical procedures. In particular, when the patient is concerned with esthetic aspects of restoration, the task of fabricating becomes more daunting. Many techniques for the fabrication of all-metallic or metal-ceramic crowns have been discussed in the literature. This article was aimed to describe a simple fabrication method in which a retrofitting crown was fabricated for a precise fit using a ceramic-pressed-to-metal system.