The effect of bonded and nonbonded posts on the fracture resistance of dentin]

This in vitro study determined the effect of bonded and non-bonded cast, serrated, tin plated, parallel gold posts on the fracture resistance of surrounding dentine walls. Specimens were divided into two groups. One group's posts were luted with zinc phosphate cement and the other group's posts were tin-plated and adhesively bonded with an adhesive resin cement. Three different dentine wall thicknesses, namely 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm and 1.0 mm were prepared, subdividing the specimens of each main group into three subgroups. Specimens were subjected to a 50 degrees oblique force. The force required to fracture the dentinal walls was registered. There was no statistically significant differences in the fracture resistance of dentine with the two different cements or of the different dentine wall thicknesses.     

Microhardness and scanning electron microscopy analysis of Nd:YAG laser and acid treatment effects in dentin

Laser irradiation at and above parameters producing the modification threshold for dentin causes structural changes to the dentin surface. This study determined the microhardness of dentin before and after laser modification and acid treatment using a repeated-measures design. Seven dentin sections (4 mm in thickness) were cut from freshly extracted non-carious third molars using a diamond saw. The middle occlusal third was used as the test dentin surface. One section served as a control (C); three received laser modification (L) and then acid treatment (L + A); and three received acid (A) and then laser treatment (A + L). Laser modification was made using a pulsed (120 microseconds) fiber-optic-delivered (500 microns diameter) Nd:YAG (lambda = 1.06 microns) laser at the physical modification threshold of 207 J/cm2. Acid treatment consisted of 10% nitric acid applied for 45 seconds. Twenty Knoop indentation microhardness measurements (KHN) were obtained using 300 g force engaged for 15 seconds for each section before and after each treatment (n = 400). Knoop microhardness values recorded: C = 62 +/- 3; L = 149 +/- 35; A = 24 +/- 5; L + A = 40 +/- 16; and A + L = 33 +/- 5. Multifactor-repeated measures, with analysis of variance (ANOVA; p < or = 0.05), indicated significant differences between all treatment groups. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of dentin surfaces documented unique surface morphology for all treatment conditions. Laser modification of dentin before or after acid treatment increased dentin microhardness.     

Quantitative contribution of the collagen network in dentin hybridization

PURPOSE: To determine the quantitative contribution of dentin hybridization to bonded assembly strength and demonstrate the micromorphology of the interface with and without collagen present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of 10 molar teeth were finished to a 320 grit dentin smear layer. Two groups served as controls and two experimental groups were subjected to collagenase digestion of the collagen exposed by acid conditioning. All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond were used to bond Bisfil and Epic resin composite, respectively. Stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours the assemblies were tested in a shear mode at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/minute. Means and standard deviations were subjected to analysis for statistical significance. Twenty four teeth in four groups were examined by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the relationship between resin and conditioned dentin with and without the collagen network. RESULTS: All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond controls were 28.41 +/- 3.9 and 19.04 +/- 5.96 MPa, collagenase-treated groups scored 26.43 +/- 2.90 and 19.70 +/- 4.25 MPa respectively. No significant difference existed between the control and experimental groups. SEM showed an intertubular collagen network with patent tubules and a pronounced porous, irregular dentin topography following collagen digestion. A distinct hybrid zone and tubular penetration was observed but the collagenase-treated specimens showed only resin in the tubules and their lateral extensions. TEM confirmed the absence of a distinct hybrid zone in the collagenase groups with a tight, gap-free junction between the resin and the undemineralized dentin. An electron dense zone (< 50 nm) at the leading edge of conditioning was observed for All-Bond 2 and Amalgambond groups. It was concluded that the resin-reinforced or hybridized, collagenous network does not detract from, nor contribute any significant quantitative value per se to dentin bonding with the systems tested.     

An investigation on the shear bond strength of one dentin adhesive at two different dentin depths

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of dentin depth and patient's age on the shear bond strength of one dentin adhesive (ART Bond), using an Instron Universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Forty human molar teeth were used and were divided into two main groups, twenty each representing two age groups of patients, i.e., between 20 to 30 years and between 30-40 years of age. Every group was further subdivided into two subgroups of different dentin depths, i.e., superficial and deep. Results were recorded in Kg/Cm2 and converted into MPa units, then tabulated and statistically analyzed. A Duncan's range statistic test at P < or = 0.05 showed statistically significant differences between the bond strength values for both age groups at different dentin depths, with the superficial dentin showing higher bond values, and there were also statistically significant differences between the bond strength values of the two age groups at the same dentin depth, with the older age group showing higher bond values.     

Development of sensory innervation in dentin

We have labeled dental nerves of 3-week- to 1-year-old rats by axonal transport of radioactive protein in order to detect nerves in developing dentin by autoradiography. We found that, in addition to nerve growth, two processes determine adult dentinal nerve location: (1) enclosure of nerves within circumpulpal dentinal tubules during the last few weeks of dentinogenesis, beginning at the tip of the pulp horn and spreading to include most coronal dentin; and (2) gradual loss of the nerves near the tip of the cusp because of dentinal attrition and replacement by noninnervated, reparative dentin. Several days before a molar erupts, nerves at the tip of the cusp have already begun to be enclosed by dentin; 2-3 weeks later, when dentinogenesis at the cusp tip slows down, most of the innervation for that region has been established, nerves extend up to 160 micron into dentin, and the molar has reached the stage of functional occlusion. Soon after initial occlusion, the process of dentinal attrition and replacement by noninnervated reparative dentin begins; however, simultaneous dentinogenesis in more apical regions produces new innervated dentin. We studied nerve position in relation to dentin growth lines and found that there is a long-term association of nerve endings with specific sites in the dentinal tubules. The similarities between the development of dentinal innervation in rat molars and in human permanent teeth are discussed; it is found that as teeth mature and become more sensitive to painful stimuli, the density of dentinal nerves increases.     

Misanthropic effects of civilization]

Increase of cool distance in social relations entails not only higher consciousness of human being but also a shift from primary ingenuous emotional spontaneity of behavior to intellectually controlled thinking and striving. With progress of civilisation, social conformity is dissolving. That causes a clash between contradictory impulses: unruly urge for freedom and independence on the one hand, and insatiable yearning for harmonic community, that means, for imperturbable warm-hearted human relations on the other. In the same measure as modern men are growing unable to endure those restrictions which are unavoidable in every society, hostile motions are obstructing formation and maintenance of durable confidential contacts. In the end, estrangement and, at last, total disintegration of social structures will be conjured up.