Journal of Dental Medicine

Statement of Problem: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are major parts of the occupational diseases in workplaces. Protection from such diseases is dependent on assessment and improvement of job postures by using job analysis methods in ergonomics.

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate ergonomic conditions in dental professions by rapid entire body assessment (REBA) in Birjand city and also to assess the relation between MSDS in different parts of the body and work conditions.

Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical approach performed on 48 persons working at different professions by using REBA method. The prevalence of MSDs was obtained by using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The data were analyzed by independent t-test, Chi-square and Fisher tests with P<0.05 as the limit of significance.

Results: In this investigation, the prevalence of disorders for different parts of the body was as follows: 65% for neck, 60% for back, 38% for shoulders, and 31% for wrist. These disorders were higher in women than men except for the back. There were significant correlation between disorders of femur and foreleg with work history, ankle and sole with body mass index (BMI), and MSDs with work conditions (P<0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that the work conditions and postures need to be improved. In addition the level of dental professional education regarding biomechanical hazardous effects as well as correct work conditions and postures should be increased.

Background and Aim: Pulpotomy is one of the routine methods for pulp therapy of primary teeth. At present it is a fact that ideal agent for this has not been discovered. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of electrosurgical pulpotomy versus formocresol pulpotomy in human primary molar teeth.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, pulpotomy was performed on 68 primary molars in children aged from 5 to 10 years. The teeth were treated using either a conventional formocresol (35 teeth), or electrosurgical technique (33 teeth). Following the pulpotomy procedure, the teeth were evaluated regarding clinical and radiographic success for 3, 6 and 9 months periods. The teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically for the presence of pain, abscess, fistula, mobility, internal and external resorption and radiolucency. Finally clinical and radiographic data were collected and analyzed with Fisher exact test using P<0.05 as the limit of significance.

Results: After 9 months follow up, the clinical and radiographic success rates for the electrosurgery group were 96% and 84% respectively and for formocresol group, 100% and 96.8% respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the success rates for the two groups (P>0/05).

Conclusion: Although electrosurgical pulpotomy is a nonpharmacological and easy to use technique, further investigations with longer evaluation periods are suggested.

Background and Aim: Care must be taken during root canal therapy to prevent contamination of filling materials and avoid root canal contamination. Gutta-percha cones are now widely used to fill root canals. However they are not resistant to conventional sterilization processes in moist or dry heat. To keep the aseptic chain, gutta-percha cones require rapid chair side decontamination before use. Considering different methods for rapid decontamination of gutta-percha cones, use of chemical agents is the best. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three different disinfectant solutions in rapid decontamination of gutta-percha cones in one minute

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 360 gutta-percha cones were placed in bacterial suspensions of Staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis spore for 30 minutes, and then immersed in disinfectant solutions (Micro-10, Deconex 53 Plus, 5.25% sodium hypocholorite) for 1 minute. After that, the cones were aseptically transferred to the test tubes containing sterile saline. This solution was diluted 10-fold and then cultured on in brain-heart-infusion agar and the number of colonies was estimated after 24 h incubation at 37ْC. A series of 5 previously sterilized cones was used as negative control to check the sterility of gutta-percha cones directly from the manufacturer's box. Another series of gutta-percha cones were considered as positive control group.

 Results: No bacterial growth was seen in different test groups and negative control group.

Conclusion: Analysis of disinfectant effects of sodium hypochlorite, Micro10 and Deconex 53 plus showed that all of these solutions have bactericidal and sporocidal effect and are very efficient in surface disinfection of gutta–percha cones in one minute. Because of irritative effects and unpleasant odor of sodium hypochlorite, Deconex 53 plus and Micro10 can be used for rapid decontamination of gutta-percha cones.

Background and Aim: Many methods and techniques of canal preparation work well in large and relatively straight canals. However, in severely curved canals, the complexity increases markedly, and techniques rendering good results in usual cases may be unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of five root canal preparation techniques on original canal anatomy in simulated severely curved canals.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental in vitro study, 100 simulated canal blocks with similar hardness were made from polyester. The degree of curvature was 45º with a radius of 2.55 mm and a straight part of 8mm. The blocks were prepared with five different techniques (20 canals in each group) as follows: 1-Stepback 2- Passive step back 3- Balanced force using flex-R files 4- Balanced force using Ni-Ti hand instruments 5- Hybrid using a rotary Ni-Ti system (XtremRace). Digital photographs were taken from pre- and post instrumentation colored canals. Then images were superimposed and analyzed by an image editing software. The amount of removed material from the inner and outer canal walls was measured at five levels: 1-The canal orifice (O) 2-The halfway between the orifice and the beginning of the curve (HO) 3-The beginning of the curve (BC) 4-The apex of the curve (AC) and 5-The endpoint of preparation (EP). Additionally, the time of instrumentation, instrument failure and changes in working length were recorded. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Kruskall-Wallis tests with p<0.05 as the limit of significance.

Results: Mean transportation was towards the outer aspect of the curve at the EP in all canals but there were no significant differences between the studied groups. At the BC point, all of the canals were transported towards the inner aspect of the curve and there were significant differences for both transportation values & direction among different groups. The highest amount of transportation was in step back and the lowest, in hybrid group. The highest transportation value was in step back and the lowest in balanced force group. Fractured and deformed instruments were observed in Flex-R files. The shortest canal preparation time was seen in XtremRace and the slowest, in Passive step back groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, changes in canal curvature were less with techniques using nickel titanium instruments and the fastest technique with least transportation was XtremRace.

Background and Aim: Three Dimensional obturation of root canal is one of the main goals of root canal therapy to preserve health or reach the regeneration or healing of periapical tissues. Root end filling materials are used in numerous situations to reach the mentioned goals. One of the common root end- filling materials is mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) which the foreign and Iranian ones are different in their prices. The aim of this study was to compare the rat connective tissue reaction to Iranian and foreign MTA.

Materials and Methods: This was an animal study in which 40 rats were divided into 5 groups of each 8. The polyethylene tubes filled with foreign (Pro Root MTA) and Iranian (Root MTA) white MTA and were implanted in subcutaneous connective tissue. Similarly, the empty tubes were inserted in subcutaneous connective tissue as control group. The samples were examined histologically after 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days and were scored as followings: 0, was characterized to samples without inflammatory cells without inflammatory reaction 1, for samples with less than 25 inflammatory cells mild inflammatory reaction. 2, for samples with 25 to 125 inflammatory cells moderate inflammatory reaction and 3, for ones with more than 125 inflammatory cells severe inflammatory reaction. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and p<0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

Results: In general, inflammatory reactions were reduced in all groups. Experimental groups had moderate to severe inflammation in the 7th day which had significant difference with the control group having mild to moderate inflammation (p=0.04). There was not any significant differences between experimental and control group in 14th, 30th, 60th and 90th days (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this investigation, inflammatory subcutaneous connective tissue reaction to Iranian (Root MTA) and foreign (Pro Root MTA) MTA was the same.

Background and Aim: Inducing anesthesia is one of the important tasks in dentistry. Among various techniques for injection, the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block (IANB) technique is one of the most practical and prevalent methods. However, according to some proofs in reference books, the success rate for this technique is some how low. Therefore the success rate of IANB performed by 10th-semester undergraduare students from Faculty of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences was assessed in this study.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study from patients referring to oral and maxillofacial surgery ward, 20 patients with predefined conditions were selected. For each of them, two IANB injections were done in two separated days one by a student and the other by an attend (or resident) of maxillofacial surgery ward. Success or failure of each injection was examined by Pin Prick test. In this study, the non-parametric Willcoxon test was used.

Results: In this study, the success rate of IANB was 70% and 90%, respectively for students and attends (or resident).

Conclusion: Significant statistically difference was seen between the two groups, we hope that through further practical education, this differences rsduce in following similar studies.

Background and Aim: According to controversies in the prevalence of hypersensitivity to dental local anesthetic drugs and patients who claim hypersensitivity to these drugs, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypersensitivity to dental amide local anesthetic drugs in patients referred to Tehran Allergy Clinic in 2005-2007.

Materials and Methods: In this Study (Review of existing data), records of 130 patients who were referred to "Tehran allergy Clinic" (2005-2007) were studied.

Results: The average age of patients was 29.5±18.8 years. 34% of cases showed positive skin reactions to at least one of the tested Lidocain concentrations and 10% of cases showed positive skin reactions to at least one of the tested Prilocain concentrations. There was a statistically significant difference in hypersensitivity to Lidocain 0.01 and 0.001 (p=0.017) and also between Lidocain 0.001 and 0.0001 (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between other tested drug concentrations (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Many patients with history of hypersensitivity, show positive reaction to local dental anesthetic drugs. Prilocain hypersensitivity reactions are less than Lidocain. So application of Prilocain accompanies with less risk but its application should not be considered completely safe.

Background and Aim: It is well recognized that implant treatment is common worldwide, but the approach to success is not predictable because of bone loss that occurs around the implants. Also there are many factors affecting crestal bone loss around the implants that one of them is the surgical protocol of implant installation. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the amount of crestal bone loss around the Replace implants installed according to submerged and non- submerged treatment protocol.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 11 patients received 34 implants. In each patient (unilateral or bilateral mandible), one of the implants was placed with submerged procedure and in the other one non- submerged procedure was used. In a period of 3 months a temporary partial denture that covered the implants was used. After 3 months the submerged fixture was exposed, impression was performed and fixed prosthesis was fabricated. Loss of crestal bone at each implant was measured. These measurements have been done at surgical times, over a period of 3 months after implant installation and 6 months after the delivery of the fixed prosthesis. The measurement was done with digital subtraction radiography. Data was analyzed by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test.

Results: Three months after implant placement, submerged groups showed statistically more crestal bone loss (0.65±0.71) than non-submerged (0.41±0.53) group (p=0.02). After 6 months the mean value of crestal bone loss in submerged group was 0.21±0.40 mm and in non submerged group was 0.29±0.49 mm. This data indicated no statistically significant difference between the two groups of implants (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Our results are in accordance with previously published studies and confirm that the value of crestal bone loss in submerged and non-submerged groups after 3 and 6 months were similar and in acceptable limit.

Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to measure and compare the tissue absorbed dose in thyroid gland, salivary glands, eye and skin in maxillofacial imaging with panoramic, conventional linear tomography, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computed tomography (CT).
Materials and Methods: Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were implanted in 14 sites of RANDO phantom to measure average tissue absorbed dose in thyroid gland, parotid glands, submandibular glands, sublingual gland, lenses and buccal skin. The Promax (PLANMECA, Helsinki, Finland) unit was selected for Panoramic, conventional linear tomography and cone beam computed tomography examinations and spiral Hispeed/Fxi (General Electric,USA) was selected for CT examination. The average tissue absorbed doses were used for the calculation of the equivalent and effective doses in each organ.
Results: The average absorbed dose for Panoramic ranged from 0.038 mGY (Buccal skin) to 0.308 mGY (submandibular gland), linear tomography ranged from 0.048 mGY (Lens) to 0.510 mGY (submandibular gland),CBCT ranged from 0.322 mGY (thyroid glad) to 1.144 mGY (Parotid gland) and in CT ranged from 2.495 mGY (sublingual gland) to 3.424 mGY (submandibular gland). Total effective dose in CBCT is 5 times greater than Panoramic and 4 times greater than linear tomography, and in CT, 30 and 22 times greater than Panoramic and linear tomography, respectively. Total effective dose in CT is 6 times greater than CBCT.
Conclusion: For obtaining 3-dimensional (3D) information in maxillofacial region, CBCT delivers the lower dose than CT, and should be preferred over a medical CT imaging. Furthermore, during maxillofacial imaging, salivary glands receive the highest dose of radiation.

Background and Aims: One of the common human evolutionary anomalies is dental Missing. Evolution of dental system is toward deduction of teeth number. The Missing of third molar is interesting subject for dentists and genetic researches because of its variety in different races. Consideration of bilateral effect of third molar Missing with jaw relation is an important subject. The aim of this study was to evaluate the third molar missing in Cl I and Cl II skeletal (without rotation) and comparison of them together.

Materials and Methods: The patients of the orthodontic department of school of Dentistry (Tehran University of Medical Sciences) were analyzed. About 121 patients had Cl I and 60 patients had ClI jaw relation. This relation identified based on cephalometric lateral radiographic ANB corner angle. Patient who had rotation in maxilla or mandible based on SN-Go Gn angle were excluded. The incidence of third molars agenesis in individual dentition quadrants, upper and lower jaw and right and left side of dentition was examined from panoramic radiography. AChi-square test was used for statistical analysis of data.

Results: Missing of one or more third molar in skeletal Cl I and Cl II was 43% and 33.3%, respectively. Missing of one or more third molar in Cl II was fewer than Cl I, but no statistically significant differences were seen between them.

Conclusion: There was not a direct relationship between jaw relation and third molar Missing.

Background and Aims: Lasers with different characteristics have been used to stimulate orthodontic tooth movements and to inhibit the pain during tooth movements. Considering the contradictory finding in this respect, the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) was evaluated on the pain during orthodontic tooth movement.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 12 patients were included with extracted upper first premolars and required canine retraction into extraction site. While in both sides canines were retracted by Niti coil spring, one side was exposed to GaAlAs laser (890nm). LLLT was done on the buccal and palatal mucosa by slow movement of probe. The patients were asked about their pain on both sides 2 days after beginning of retraction. Pain measurement was evaluated with VAS.

Results: Pain perception in LLLT side significantly decreased (P=0.007).

Conclusion: Based on the results, single irradiation of GaAlAs laser (12J energy per tooth) can decrease pain perception.

Background and Aims: The main purpose of orthodontic treatment is normal positioning of teeth in three dimensional plans, including the mesiodistal inclination. In this study, mesiodistal axial inclination of posterior teeth in skeletal class II was evaluated and compared with that of posterior teeth in skeletal class I.

Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight panoramic radiographs for subjects between 12 to 24 years old with skeletal class I and 78 panoramic radiographs for subjects between 12 to 19 years old with skeletal class II were selected. All of the subjects were in permanent dentition with no tooth missing, no tooth extraction, no impacted tooth, and no crowding in posterior teeth. Two reference lines were established over each radiograph: the upper one passing through the most inferior point of right and left orbits lower one passing through the right and left mental foramina. After that, the long axis of teeth was traced (the image of root canal in single-rooted teeth, mean image of buccal and palatal canals in upper premolars, mean image of mesial and distal canals in lower molars, and the image of palatal canal in upper molars.). The mean values for two skelotodental classes were analyzed using T-test.

Results: The results showed that there was significant difference between (P<0.05) mesiodistal axial inclination of teeth 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, and 27 in upper jaw in skeletal class II compared with that of the same teeth in skeletal class I, which was more mesially in skeletal class II. Mesiodistal axial inclination of teeth 36, 46, and 47 in lower jaw was more mesially in class II compared with that of the same teeth in class I. For other teeth there were no significant differences between two skeletodental classes (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The mesiodistal axial inclination of upper molars and second premolars and lower molars in class II was more mesially compared with that of the same teeth in class I.

Background and Aims: Occupational burnout is a psychological syndrome resulting from continuous tensions which causes absence, conflict, job changing, etc. In spite of much effort done in optimizing the work conditions and satisfying the employed persons, the dentists still suffer from this incident. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of occupational burnout in Birjand dentists and to provide an approach.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study by the census method, 38 dentists were investigated using Maslach questionnaire. Average values were compared with chi-square and comparison among the groups was performed by Tukey test using SPSS software. P≤0.05 was considered as the level of significance.
Results: In this study, there were 68.4% men and 31.6% women with average age of 37.9 ±7.6 years and average work experience of 12.5±7.3 years, 15.8% single and 84.2% married. Frequency of exhaustion, intense depersonalization, and intense feeling of being unsuccessful was 21.1%, 81.6%, and 100%, respectively. There were no significant differences between occupation burnout dimensions and the other variable, such as gender, sports, marital status, and workday hours (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Protection of this stratum, providing educational programs and creating job variations are necessary for optimizing the work environment. Future studies with more sample size are suggested to determine the effect of factors.

Background and Aims: Lasers with different characteristics have been used to stimulate orthodontic tooth movement. Considering the contradictory findings in this regard, this study was designed to assess the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 12 patients (4 boys and 8 girls average age:16.9 ± 3.4) with extracted upper first premolars and required canine retraction into extraction site were included. While in both sides canines were retracted by NiTi coil spring, one side was exposed to GaAlAs laser (890 nm). LLLT was done (on the buccal and palatal mucosa by slow movement of probe) at the beginning of the first month. Impression and cast fabrication performed at the beginning of retraction, one and two months later. The amount of retraction on the cast was measured with the aid of a reference plaque fabricated on the rogae using a digital caliper. Data were analyzed using paired sample T-test and one-sample Kolmogorov-Simirnov test.
Results: There was no significant difference in the amounts of canine movement between laser exposed and control sides (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The energy dose of laser used in this study (72 J per each tooth) was not appropriate for increasing dental movement.

Background and Aims: Marginal seal in class V cavity and determination of the best restorative material in reducing microleakage is of great concern in operative dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of load cycling on the microleakage of low shrinkage composites compared with methacrylate-based composites with low shirinkage rate in class V cavity preparation. Marginal integrity of these materials was assessed using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, class V cavity preparations were made on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 48 human premolars and molars (96 cavities). The specimens were divided into four groups each containing 12 teeth (24 cavities): group 1 (Kalore-GC+ G-Bond) , group 2 (Futurabond NR+Grandio), group 3 (All Bond SE+ Aelite LS Posterior), group 4 (LS System Adhesive Primer & Bond+Filtek P90). All the specimens were thermocycled for 2000 cycles (5-50^oC). In each group, half of the specimens (n=12) were subjected to 200,000 cycles of loading at 80 N. Epoxy resin replicas of 32 specimens (4 restorations in each subgroup) were evaluated using SEM and the interfacial gaps were measured. Finally, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours at 37⁰C, then sectioned and observed under stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and the comparison between occlusal and gingival microleakage was made with Wilcoxon test.

Results: Within unloaded or loaded specimens, there were no significant differences in microleakage among four groups on the occlusal margins (P>0.05). But there were statistically significant differences in microleakage between silorane and Aelite on the gingival margins (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the microleakage of the loaded and unloaded groups on both occlusal and gingival margins for all materials (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Silorane did not perform better than the conventional low shrinkage methacrylate-based composite in terms of sealing ability (except Aelite). Cyclic loading did not increase the extent of leakage in any groups.

Background and Aims: Endodontically treated teeth are prone to fracture because they loose a big amount of their structure. The treatment plan of those teeth is completed when they are rehabilitated with a strong and functional restoration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with amalgam cuspal coverage in comparison with other restorative techniques.

Materials and Methods: 40 human healthy maxillary premolars were divided into 4 groups: group1 (S): sound teeth, group 2(Co): endodontically treated teeth with MOD cavity restored with bonding and composite, group 3(Am-B): endodontically treated teeth with MOD cavity restored with bonding and amalgam and group 4 (Am-CC): endodontically treated teeth with MOD cavity restored with amalgam cuspal coverage. Then the restorations were stored in water and room temperature for 100 days at then thermocycled for 500 cycles between water baths at (5.5 ± 1) and (55 ± 1) ⁰ C. The fracture resistance was evaluated by universal testing machine (Instron, 1195 UK) with the compressive force of about 2000 N in 0.5 mm/min. The fracture modes were evaluated in four groups by a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis (Scheffe test) was done for all groups (P<0.05 was considered as the level of meaningfulness).

Results: The highest fracture resistance was found in group 4 (Am-CC) (976 ± 23.27 N) that had no significant difference with sound tooth (P>0.05). The lowest fracture resistance was found in group 2 (Co) (384 ± 137.4 N) that had no significant difference with group 3 (Am-B) (P>0.05). The fracture resistance in group 4 was significantly higher than group 2 (Co) and 3 (Am-B). The fracture mode in group 1 was cohesive within tooth and in group 2 (Co) and 3 (Am-B) was mixed cohesive and adhesive, and in group 4 was cohesive within in restorative material.

Conclusion: The highest fracture resistance was found in teeth that received amalgam cuspal coverage.

  Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was research on a new herbal compound (Seidlitzia Rosmarinus) made by Traditional Medicine Research Group, University of shahed to find a safer alternative to HCL-Pumice compound technique.

  Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial seventy two anterior teeth from 9 patients were divided in to three groups according to fluorosis severity: mild (34 teeth), moderate (14 teeth), and sever (24 teeth). In each patient, half of the teeth were treated with “Shahed” compound and other half treated with HCL-Pumice compound. Before and after treatment, photographs were taken in both groups. HCL-Pumice treatment compound was applied for 30 seconds periods and continued for 10 minutes if necessary. In case of herbal Shahed compound the time was determined by clinical symptoms or when labial contour was dismissed, If the result was not esthetistically acceptabale for the patient, HCL-Pumice compound was applied on teeth. NaF was applied after mouth washing. The photographs of the teeth before and after treatment were reviewed by two experienced observer unaware of the treatment modality. The results were analyzed using willcoxon^’s, kruskal-wallis and scheffe test.

  Results: There was over 81.3% acceptance between two observers and no significant differences in intraobservers evaluation (P>0.05). Improvement in beauty indexes were observed in all degrees of dental fluorosis by 18% with HCL-Pumice compound application, but “Shahed” herbal compound induced significant reduction in the amount of white spots in mild fluorosis and stain intensity of moderate fluorosis (P<0.05) , while the reduction in the severity of discoloration in group 2, these two techniques were statistically equivalent but in the remainder, HCL-Pumice compound was more significantly effective (P<0.05) .

  Conclusion: HCL-Pumice compound reduces the severity of the discoloration of the teeth. Shahed herbal compound cannot reduces the discoloration like as HCL-Pumice compound.

  Background and Aims: In case of nonsurgical endodontic re-treatment or replacing a restoration, one of the best methods for removing post from the canal is using an ultrasonic vibration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic vibration time on the retention of post luted with zinc phosphate or glass ionmer cements.

  Materials and Methods: 96 sound extracted lower premolars were selected. The coronal section of specimen was removed and the roots were endodontically treated. A 9-mm post space was prepared in each specimens and a stainless steel Parapost XP was cemented into the post space. Half of the specimens were cemented with the Zinc phosphate cement and the other by g lass ionomer cement. After 7 days of storage, both groups were equally divided into 4 subgroups of 12 teeth. Control group did not receive any treatment. The other subgroups subjected to ultrasonic vibration for 4, 8 or 12 minutes. The retention of all specimens was evaluated and data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests.

  Results: In control (no ultrasonic) group and 4 minute ultrasonic group, the retention of posts luted with Zinc phosphate cement were not significantly differen t from those luted with g lass ionomer cement. (P=0.372). On the other hand , applying of ultrasonic vibration for 8 and 12 minutes in zinc phosphate and 12 minutes in g lass ionomer caused a significant reduction in the retention of posts (P=0.01).

  Conclusion: Although, the initial retention of two cements was not different, the ultrasonic vibration had more catastrophic effect on zinc phosphate in comparison to glass ionomer.

  Background and Aims: Porcelain restorations are often ground for clinical adjustment and this removes the surface glaze layer and introduces flaws that can grow in wet environments due to stress-corrosion, reduce the strength of porcelain and limit restoration lifetime. The aim of this study was to introduce some surface treatment methods to control the flaws of ceramic restorations external surface and improve their strength.

  Materials and Methods: 40 feldspathic discs were prepared and divided into 4 groups (n=10): not indented (group 1) and others indented by vickers with 29.4 N and received different treatments: no treatment (group 2), polished (group 3) and polished-silane-resin (group 4). Biaxial flexural strength of discs was tested after water storage. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA .

  Results: The mean flexural strength of specimens in group 1 (134.49±12.60), 2 (94.81±15.41), 3 (89.20±16.22) and 4 (80.67±12.01) were measured. Group 1 (not indented) revealed significantly higher strength (P<0.001) than that of indented groups (2, 3 and 4) . There was no significant difference between group 2 (no treatment) and 3 or 4 (treated) and between treatment methods (3 and 4) (P=0.136).

  Conclusion: The strength of porcelains is dependent on presence of cracks. With the limitations of this study, none of the treatment methods could strengthen the cracked ceramic.