Post-treatment with high-power lasers to improve bond strength of adhesive systems to bleached dentin

To assess the effect of Er:YAG and diode lasers on the shear bond strength (SBS) of adhesive systems to bovine dentin submitted to bleaching with a high concentration agent. One hundred and twenty bovine dentin fragments were used. Fragments were distributed into 12 groups (n = 10) considering the bleaching (present or not), surface post-treatment (untreated, Er:YAG laser or diode laser) and adhesive system (total-etching or self-etching). Specimens received two applications of 38% hydrogen peroxide. Er:YAG laser (2940 nm, 200 mJ, 4 Hz) and diode laser (980 nm, 1.5 W) were applied for 15 s on bleached dentin surface. Restoration was performed with resin using split matrix. Specimens were submitted to SBS test and data (MPa) were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). SBS of bleached specimens decreased in comparison with non-bleached (p < 0.05). The highest values were obtained for the post-treatment with Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). Total-etching adhesive was superior to self-etching system (p < 0.05). The irradiation of bleached dentin with Er:YAG laser followed by the application of the total-etching adhesive had similar SBS to unbleached dentin with no post-treatment (control) (p > 0.05). Er:YAG laser post-treatment followed by the total-etching adhesive system improve the bond strength of restorative material to bleached dentin.     

Bond strength of veneering porcelain to zirconia after different surface treatments

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various surface treatments on the bond strength of veneering feldspathic porcelain to zirconia. Methods: Fifty yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline specimens were divided into five groups (n = 10) according to various surface treatments. The groups were as follows: Group 1: control group with liner application and no further surface treatment; Group 2: air-particle abrasion with 110 μm of alumina (Al₂O₃) particles; Group 3: grinding with a diamond disk; Group 4: Nd:YAG laser irradiation (the laser and the energy parameters were 10 Hz, and 2 W and 200 mJ, and the pulse duration (short pulse) range was up to 180 μs); Group 5: selective infiltration etching (SIE). After surface treatments, a liner application was performed for all surfaces according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Veneering porcelain was applied on zirconia surfaces using a Teflon mold. Shear bond strength was tested using a universal testing machine. The fractured surface morphologies were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The data were statistically analyzed using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests (α = .05). Results: The Megapascal values of the bonding groups were as follows: G1 = 8.62 ± 1.12, G2 = 13.87 ± 5.08, G3 = 12.31 ± 3.35, G4 = 17.32 ± 6.16, and G5 = 16.17 ± 4.55. Statistically significant differences were observed between the control group and the other groups (p < 0.05). Group 4 had the highest bond strength while G1 showed the lowest bond strength. No significant differences were found between the Nd:YAG, grinding, sandblasting, and SIE groups. Conclusion: Surface treatments had different effects on the shear bond strength of feldspathic porcelain to zirconia. Surface treatment techniques used in this study can be used on zirconia specimens prior to liner application to obtain an acceptable bond strength of veneering porcelain to zirconia. The effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and SIE techniques on bond strength of veneering ceramic to zirconia should be evaluated with further studies.     

Viscoelastic behaviors and drying kinetics of different aqueous gelcasting systems for large Nd: YAG laser ceramics rods

Large and nondeforming Nd: YAG ceramic prepared by wet forming is of great importance as gain medium to obtain high-power solid-state lasers. However, it is difficult to achieve high-quality laser ceramics due to insufficiency of the in-depth understanding of transformation mechanism of gels viscoelasticity and effective control means during drying process. In this work, the rheological behaviors, viscoelastic characteristics, and mechanical strengths in classical acrylamide (AM) and novel Isobam (PIBM) gelcastings were systematically compared to explore the suitable route for the large-sized 2% Nd: YAG transparent ceramics with high aspect ratio (>10). AM system exhibited a higher complex viscosity (1.82 × 10⁵ Pa s), a shorter gel time (92.9 seconds), and a higher flexural strength (about 24.46 MPa) than PIBM system, and especially its ability to quickly gel was beneficial to the homogeneity of green body. In addition, the order of drying rates of wet gels in four drying media was observed as follows: 55℃ hot air> ethanol> solid desiccant> PEG-11000 and the moisture diffusion coefficients were calculated and simulated to offer the deep consideration of drying kinetics. The “ethanol + 55℃ hot air” was regarded as an effective composite drying method to eliminate defect and to achieve φ8 mm × 160 mm Nd: YAG ceramic with the in-line transmittance of 83% @1064 nm. Therefore, not only the cognition of gel process, but also the defects control strategy is proposed. More importantly, this work greatly promotes the application of wet forming and laser ceramics in high-power lasers.     

Fabrication and kW-level MOPA laser output of planar waveguide YAG/Yb:YAG/YAG ceramic slab

Using the tape casting method combined with vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing, high-quality planar waveguide YAG/10 at.%Yb:YAG/YAG ceramics were successfully prepared. For the sample presintered at 1750°C for 30 hours and then HIPed at 1700°C for 3 hours in 200 MPa argon, the in-line transmittance reached 82.5% at 400 nm and the average grain size was ~17.1 μm. The diffusion behaviors of Yb ions across the contact boundary between the cladding YAG layer and the core Yb:YAG layer were determined by Fick's second law. Then, a 1030 nm continuous-wave (CW) Yb:YAG planar waveguide ceramic laser based on the structure of master oscillator power amplification (MOPA) was realized. After a single-pass amplification, the maximum output of the ceramic slab (60 × 10 × 1 mm³) reached 1251 W and the corresponding optical-to-optical efficiency was 30.0%, which is the highest output power of a Yb:YAG planar waveguide ceramic laser to the best of our knowledge.     

Direct thermal diffusion bonding of Nd:YAG/YAG composite transparent ceramics by vacuum sintering

Nd:YAG/YAG transparent ceramics were prepared by vacuum sintering at 1780 °C for 40 h and annealed at 1450 °C for 20 h in air. Two separately polished Nd:YAG/YAG samples were bonded into monolithic and uniform composite-material followed by vacuum sintering at 1790 °C for 50 h under uniaxial pressure of 60 MPa, and then annealed at 1450 °C for 100 h in air. The fracture strength of bonded samples at the bonding interface is higher than that of as-prepared Nd:YAG/YAG samples. Meanwhile, the extinction coefficient of bonded samples is 0.0305 cm⁻¹ which is an improvement over as-prepared samples. The microstructure of the contact interface reveals the disappearance of the contact layer at the bond due to the grain growth and coalescence mainly based on grain boundary diffusion at higher temperatures and longer heat-treated time, which indicates that the bonding technology is beneficial to the fabrication of the thick composite materials.     

Effect of caries removal techniques on bond strength to caries affected dentin on gingival wall: AFM observation of dentinal surface

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different caries removal techniques on the bond strength of two adhesive systems. Materials and Methods: Seventy human molar teeth that had proximal carious lesions were randomly divided into four groups according to the technique used to remove the caries: a conventional steel bur, an Er:YAG laser, a chemomechanical Carisolv^® gel, and air polishing. The groups were then divided into two subgroups according to the adhesives used: Clearfil S³ (Kuraray Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) and Adper SE Plus (3 M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA). The enamel and superficial dentin of the crown was flattened and caries were removed using different methods. Teeth were restored with composite and three 1 mm² stick-shaped microtensile specimens were prepared from each tooth. For each removal technique, the surface roughness of one dentin sample was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microtensile bond strength data were then analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests, and multiple comparison tests (p = 0.05). Results: The two-way ANOVA showed that the effects of the cavity preparation techniques and adhesive systems and their interaction were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The μTBS values were highest when bonding with Adper SE Plus to cavities prepared with the steel bur (37.20 ± 11.65 MPa) and lowest when bonding with Clearfil S³ Bond to cavities prepared with the Er:YAG laser (16.74 ± 6.95 MPa). Conclusion: The caries removal techniques affected the bond strength values of the self-etch adhesive systems.     

Influence of desensitizing procedures on adhesion of resin cements to dentin

This study evaluated the effect of two desensitizer agents with different contents and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the shear bond strength (SBS) of adhesive resin cements to dentin. New treatment options of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and tetracalcium phosphate-containing agent applications were compared with routinely used glutaraldehyde-containing agents. One hundred and twenty human, caries-free premolars were embedded in acrylic resin blocks 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction. Buccal surfaces of the teeth were ground to expose dentin. The specimens were randomly assigned into three different surface treatments (desensitizing agents, Nd:YAG laser) and the control, then into three different adhesive resin cement applications (n = 10). Resin cements (Panavia SA cement (PA), Panavia SA cement with Clearfil Universal Bond (PACU), and Multilink N (MN)) were applied to the conditioned teeth surfaces using Teflon tubes. The specimens were thermocycled (5000 cycles, 5–55 ± 1 °C, dwell time 30 s). The SBS test was performed in all groups. The results were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (p < .05). Further, SEM analysis was performed on the dentin surfaces. SBS values were significantly difference among the surface treatment groups and also among adhesive resin cement groups (p < .05). The specimen cemented with PA showed lower SBS values than PACU- and MN-applied specimens. The highest SBS value was obtained in the Nd:YAG laser group which was cemented with PACU cement. The lowest SBS value was obtained in the control group which was cemented with PA cement. In addition, SEM evaluation revealed that desensitizing agents and Nd:YAG laser occluded dentin tubules.     

The effect of different surface pretreatments on the bond strength of veneering resin to polyetheretherketone

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different surface pretreatment methods on the bond strength of veneering resin to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) based aesthetic frameworks. Five hundred and forty PEEK disks were fabricated and divided into 6 pretreatment groups (n = 90); (C) untreated control group, (B) airborne-particle abrasion, (S) silica coating, (L) etching with Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser, (LB) etching with Er:YAG laser and airborne-particle abrasion and (LS) etching with Er:YAG laser and silica coating. After topographical surface examinations, specimens were conditioned with adhesive and veneering resin was polymerized onto the PEEK specimens. Twenty-four hours after veneering, specimens were subjected to thermal aging. Afterwards, shear bond strength (SBS) tests were performed and the obtained data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at a significance level of α = .05. Group B (1.58 ± 0.15 μm), Group L (1.79 ± 0.29 μm), Group LB (2.20 ± 0.23 μm) and Group LS (2.31 ± 0.52 μm) demonstrated significantly higher surface roughness (SR) values compared to Group C (1.03 ± 0.11 μm). Group B (10.97 ± 2.88 MPa), Group S (12.07 ± 2.82 MPa), Group LB (12.09 ± 2.08 MPa) and Group LS (13.14 ± 1.45 MPa) demonstrated significantly higher SBS values compared to Group C (6.35 ± 1.21 MPa). Airborne-particle abrasion, silica coating or their combined use with Er:YAG laser system establish durable bond between PEEK and resin; however, only Er:YAG laser treatment has no positive effect on resin-PEEK bond.     

Fabrication and properties of multistage gradient doping Yb:YAG laser ceramics

In order to fully pump and smoothen the temperature gradient of the gain medium, multistage gradient doping Yb:YAG laser ceramics were designed. The composite green bodies were fabricated by tape casting, and multistage gradient doping Yb:YAG ceramics with high optical quality were prepared by vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing. For samples pre-sintered at 1740°C for 30 h and then HIP-ed at 1700°C for 3 h in argon at 200 MPa, the in-line transmission values at 1100 nm of YAG, 0.6 at.%Yb:YAG, and 1.5 at.%Yb:YAG ceramics were found to be 83.9%, 84.1%, and 83.3%, respectively. Finally, the 940 nm laser diode was used as the pump source to realize the 1030 nm laser output of multistage gradient doping Yb:YAG ceramic slab with a total energy of 3.43 J. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion and slope efficiencies were 30% and 45%.     

The effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on root surface: shear-bond strength and SEM–EDX study

To investigate the effects of Nd:YAG laser and 17% EDTA treatment on root-dentin mineral content using scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and on shear-bond strength of epoxy-resin-based sealer (AH Plus) to root dentin. Twelve extracted premolars were decoronated and roots were sectioned, so that 24 two-root halves were obtained. Element levels of each half were examined by SEM/EDX, and AH Plus build-ups were created. After shear-testing, the test surfaces were reground and subjected to a 5.25% NaOCl. Two subgroups were created according to the surface treatment (n = 12): G1, with 17% EDTA for 5 min; G2, with the Nd:YAG laser. The element level analysis and shear-bond strength test were repeated for each half; the data were recorded (MPa) and analyzed (paired samples t-test). The EDTA treatment increased the O, C, Ca/P ratio (p < 0.001), decreased Ca, P content (p = 0.000), but did not change Na, Mg content (p > 0.05). The Nd:YAG laser increased O, Ca/P ratio (p < 0.001), and decreased the Ca, P content (p = 0.000). The C, Mg, Na content did not change with the Nd:YAG laser (p > 0.05). Both 17% EDTA and Nd:YAG laser had an effect on the mineral content of roots. The 17% EDTA treatment decreased the shear-bond strength of AH Plus to root dentin (p = 0.000); however, the Nd:YAG laser did not affect the bond strength (p = 0.238). Thus, an Nd:YAG laser can be used for disinfection of the root canal when AH Plus is used as a sealer.     

Quantitative relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties in Nd: YAG transparent ceramics

In this work, stereology and fractals were applied to identify the quantitative relation between stereology parameters, fractal dimension, and mechanical properties of Nd: YAG transparent ceramics sintered at 1750 °C for 8–50 h. Mechanical properties and microstructure of the samples were investigated by using universal testing machine, micro-hardness tester, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. When the ceramics were sintered at 1750 °C for 50 h, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and Vickers hardness reached 381.6 ± 5.2 MPa, 275.0 ± 5.5 MPa, and 1330.4 ± 18.5 MPa, respectively. Besides, the fracture toughness of ceramic samples was calculated by Vickers hardness. Micrographs of the sample surface and frequency distribution of crystal grains were analyzed by using metallographic image analyzer software. Findings suggest that compressive strength, flexural strength, and Vickers hardness linearly increase upon an increase in equivalent sphere diameter (D_3S). However, compressive strength, flexural strength, and Vickers hardness decrease as a function of specific surface area per unit volume of the grains (S_V) and discrete grains (S_VP) and mean free distance (λ). Perimeter and area of crystal grains were obtained by using Image-Pro Plus image analysis software. The relationship between the fractal dimension of grain boundary and mechanical properties was analyzed based on the area-perimeter (small-island) method. When the grain boundary fractal dimension is close to 1.0, the geometry of ceramic grains tends to be regular, and mechanical properties of ceramic samples increases.     

The effects of Er:YAG laser treatment on the binding of glass ionomer cement to the prepared enamel

Conditioning of the enamel surface is a common strategy to improve the binding of restorative materials. Er:YAG is used broadly in clinics. However, whether it is beneficial to the binding of restorative materials is controversial. In the current report, we examined the effects of Er:YAG laser in improving the binding of the glass ionomer cement (GIC) to enamel surfaces. Briefly, 77 human premolar and molar teeth free of visible caries were used from the study and treated with different methods, including regular abrasion with diamond saw (Bur), 10 polyacrylic acid, 37% phosphoric acid, and/or Er:YAG laser. The shear bond strength (SBS) between GIC and enamel surfaces were measured; the patterns of the junction between GIC and enamel were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); failure patterns were analyzed with stereomicroscope to determine the adhesive and cohesive patterns of the fracture. The results showed that the treatment of Er:YAG laser resulted in a higher SBS values than that of bur. The use of 10% polyacrylic acid could improve the GIC bonding to the bur-prepared enamel, but not for laser-prepared enamel surface. However, the treatment with 37% phosphoric acid increased the SBS dramatically both in bur-prepared and laser-prepared groups. The failure mold analysis and SEM observation demonstrated a cohesive failure within the cement. In conclusion, the treatment of Er:YAG laser was beneficial for the adhesion of GIC to enamel.     

Bond Strength of Porcelain Bonded to Enamel and Dentin Surfaces Prepared with Different Surface Treatments

Although acid etching is routinely used to condition tooth surfaces, it increases the caries susceptibility of enamel and enhances enamel demineralization; thus the role of alternative surface treatments such as alumina air abrasion and erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation for tooth conditioning is controversial. This study was undertaken to compare the effects of different conditioning methods on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement on enamel and dentin. Prepared permanent human dentin and enamel samples (N = 210) embedded in clear acrylic resin were conditioned by 37% phosphoric acid etching, 50-µm alumina air abrasion, Er:YAG laser irradiation (120 mJ, 10 Hz, medium short pulse mode), or their combinations. Porcelain laminates were cemented by using photopolymerizing luting composite. SBS was evaluated after thermal cycling (10,000 cycles, 5–55°C) and fracture types (adhesive, cohesive, or mixed) were observed by stereomicroscopy. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance and followed by Tamhane's test (p < 0.05). Enamel and dentin specimens showed significant differences in SBS (p < 0.000). Er:YAG laser etching presents successful alternatives to acid etching on dentin surfaces; it does not enhance adhesion of the resin cement on enamel surfaces.     

Post-treatment of nanopowders-derived Nd:YAG transparent ceramics by hot isostatic pressing

Neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) transparent ceramics were fabricated from Nd:YAG nanopowders synthesized via a reverse precipitation method by vacuum sintering and successive hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-treatment. The powders obtained by calcining the precursor at 1100 °C for 4 h and then ball milling for 2 h with 0.5 wt% TEOS as sintering aid were used to fabricate Nd:YAG ceramics. The green bodies were vacuum sintered at 1500–1800 °C for 10 h, followed by the HIP at 1600 °C for 3 h in 200 MPa Ar atmosphere. Influence of the calcination temperature on the phase, morphology and particle size evolution of the nanopowders, as well as the optical transparency and microstructure of the obtained Nd:YAG ceramics before and after the HIP post-treatment was investigated in detail. It was found that for the post-treated 1800 °C-vacuum-sintered Nd:YAG ceramic sample, the in-line transmittance increased from 48.0% up to 81.2% at the lasing wavelength of 1064 nm.     

Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface conditioning on the adhesion of fiber- reinforced composite and zirconia intraradicular posts to the root dentin

This study evaluated the influence of Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface conditioning on push-out bond strength of different root posts to the root dentin. Extracted (N = 27, n = 9 per group) and endodontically treated human mandibular premolars were prepared to receive the posts. Three types of posts, namely quartz fiber (D), glass fiber (S), and zirconium dioxide post (C) were luted with resin cement. The posts were randomly assigned to one of the surface conditioning method: (a) No conditioning, control (L0), (b) Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 175 mJ, 3.5 W for 60 s (L1), and (c) at 225 mJ, 4.5 W for 60 s, with 60 μs pulse duration and repetition rate was 20 Hz (L2) irradiation. Six sections (two coronal, two middle, and two apical) were made in each tooth yielding to 1 mm thick specimens. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37?°C for 24 h and push-out bond strength (MPa) was tested in a Universal Testing Machine (1 mm/min). Data were analyzed using Kruskall–Wallis and Dunns`s post hoc tests (α = 0.05). In group D, both laser treated groups (L1:16.16 ± 19.89; L2:8.24 ± 9.26) presented significantly less bond strength compared to control group (L0:28.3 ± 16.8) (p < 0.001). Mean push-out bond strength values did not significantly differ according to the root segments (coronal, middle, and apical) (p = 0.106). Application of Er,Cr:YSGG laser, with the parameters tested, did not increase the bond strength of zirconium glass fiber and zirconium oxide posts. Laser surface conditioning decreased the bond strength of quartz fiber posts in the root canal.     

The effect of Er:YAG laser and bulk filled composite type on marginal adaptation of class II cavities: an SEM analysis study

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cavity preparation method (Er:YAG laser or diamond bur) and bulk-filled composite material type on marginal adaptation mesial occlusal (MO) class II cavities. Materials and Methods: Two-surface box cavities (4-mm proximal depth and 5-mm occlusal width) were prepared on 60 human mandibular molar teeth. Cavities were prepared using Er:YAG laser or diamond burs in an air-turbine hand-piece. All cavities were applied Single Bond Universal dentin bonding agent. The cavities were further subdivided into three subgroups according to the restorative material used; two bulk-filled composites [Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior (3M ESPE) and SonicFill 2 (Kerr)] and one traditional composite material Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative (3M ESPE). Restorations were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy at ×200 magnification for their adaptation to the approximal margins of the tooth. Results were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc Test (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 900 SEM figures were obtained from all groups. Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior, SonicFill 2, and Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative exhibited statistically similar gapped margins. However, the lowest scores of gapped margins were observed with SonicFill 2 (4.22%). Conclusions: Completely gap-free margins were not obtained with any of the tested materials. Bulk-fill composite materials showed similar marginal adapatation compared with standard composite. Marginal adaptation of Er:YAG laser prepared cavities was more irregular and had more gaps, but was statistically similar to diamond bur-prepared cavities.     

Effect of different surface treatments on the shear bond strength of resin cement to zirconia ceramic and metal alloy*

The bonding of resin cement to ceramic materials plays an important role in dentistry. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of various surface treatments on the shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia ceramic and metal alloy. A total of 60 specimens were prepared from Y-TZP ceramic and metal alloy. The specimens were divided into three subgroups (n = 10) that received different surface treatments for each material. An Er:YAG laser (ER), a femtosecond laser (FS), and air-borne particle abrasion (A) were employed as surface treatments. One specimen from each group was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 500 x magnification after surface treatments. The self-adhesive resin cement was then bonded to the treated surfaces using a Teflon mold. The specimens were thermocycled for 5,000 cycles at 5–55 °C, and then the SBS test was performed. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to determine the differences between the groups (p = 0.05), and failure modes were evaluated for each specimen. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between the surface treatment methods. The mean SBS values of the air-borne particle-abraded groups were higher than those of the other groups. The femtosecond-irradiated groups of each material showed significantly higher SBS values than the Er:YAG-irradiated groups (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, air-borne particle abrasion and the femtosecond laser were more effective than Er:YAG laser treatment.     

Effect of erosive challenge and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on bond strength of adhesive systems to dentin

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and erosive challenge on bond strength of two adhesive systems to dentin.MethodsTwenty bovine incisors were cut and grounded to obtain eighty slabs of flat dentin. Specimens were allocated into eight groups, based on: adhesive system—a two-step etch-and-rinse and a two-step self-etch; laser irradiation—Nd:YAG (1 W/10 Hz) or control (no laser irradiation); and erosive challenge after restorative procedure—presence or absence of erosive challenge. Nd:YAG laser groups were submitted to laser irradiation before the restorative procedure. Blocks of composite resin were built up on the bonded surfaces with a Southern Dental Industries device to perform shear bond strength (SBS) test. After, each specimen of erosive challenge, groups were subjected to immersion in Sprite Zero^® (20 ml/2 h/24 °C/under agitation). The SBS test (0.5 mm/min) was performed after 24 h of water storage at 37 °C. Failure mode was evaluated with a stereomicroscope (X400). Data were analyzed with three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests (α=0.05).ResultsThe etch-and-rinse adhesive system presented higher bond strength values than self-etch adhesive. Laser irradiation increased the bond strengths values when erosive challenge was present. The predominant failure mode observed was adhesive.ConclusionsThe irradiation of Nd:YAG laser positively influences the bond strength values when erosive challenges are present. Moreover, the etch-and-rinse adhesive system is a better option to be used in dentin in this clinical condition.     

Laser type effects on repair bond strength of ormocers and nanoceramic based composites

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different surface treatments and different restoration materials on repair bond strength of ormocer and nanoceramic based composites. 24 (12 Admira, Voco, 12 Ceram X duo, Dentsply) thermally aged blocks (6 × 6 × 5 mm) were roughened with either bur, Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser. In each group half of the roughened samples were repaired with composite of their respective brand; other half was repaired with composite of the other brand. All samples were subjected to microtensile bond strength test. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni correction, Mann-Whitney U test (p = 0.05). For roughening methods no significant difference was found between Bur-Er:YAG (p = 0.536), however between the other groups (Bur-Nd:YAG and Er:YAG-Nd:YAG) significant difference were found (p < 0.001). For Admira as a filler material, no significant differences were found for bur, Er:YAG, Nd:YAG groups based on repair materials. For Ceram X duo as a filler material, while no significant differences were found for bur and Er:YAG groups; a significant difference was found for Nd:YAG group based on repair materials. A weak significant difference was found between the repair composite groups undergone thermocycling or not (p = 0.04). Surface roughening with Er:YAG laser can be used clinically for the repair of aged composite restorations.     

A novel batch-scale fabrication method for hundred-micron YAG transparent ceramic fibers

YAG ceramic fiber is the preferred material for the gain medium of the new generation fiber laser. However, the fabrication of hundred-micron and defect-free YAG ceramic fibers is still the primary challenge. In this paper, YAG ceramic fibers with the diameter of 147 µm and length of 113 mm were successfully batch fabricated by the combination of gelcasting and mold design, and the diameter fluctuation rate was only 1.4%. The solid loading of the slurries (46–54 vol%) were systematically investigated to achieve high density and net-shape forming of green fibers. It was found that the YAG ceramic fiber was highly transparent with the optimized solid loading of 52 vol%, and the transmittance of the YAG ceramic (2 mm thick) at 800 nm was 82.6%. Its bending strength was as high as 1124 ± 86 MPa. The ideas and methods of this study will promote the development of gelcasting in the field of hundred-micron ceramic fibers.