Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aim: Decreasing the hardness of dental restorative composites after curing in oral environment can influence their clinical durability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of food-simulating liquids such as 25%, 50%, 75 % ethanol and 50 % heptane on surface hardness of two composites - (Gradia and P60) after curing and immersing time of 24 hours and 7 days.
Materials and Methods: 45 specimens of each composite were prepared in a stainless steel mold with 6 mm diameter and 2 mm depth. 5 specimens of each composite were tested for microhardness immediately after curing as the control group. The other specimens of each composite were randomly divided into eight groups. Each specimen was immersed in one of the following solutions 25%, 50%, 75 % ethanol and 50 % heptane for either 24 hours or 7 days. Then the specimens were taken out of the solutions and washed and dried and transferred to the refrigerator until performing the test. In standard conditions, surface microhardness of specimens was evaluated by the microhardness device based on Vickers. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA 3 way ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc tests. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Surface hardness of P60 composite was higher than that of Gradia. An analysis of variance in gradia and p60 showed significant difference between the control and all the other groups (P<0.05) except the 25% ethanol (P=0.514). After 24 hours all the solutions had significant effect on Gradia (P<0.05) except 50% and 75% ethanol (P=0.793). After 7 days all the solutions had significant effect on Gradia except 50% and 25% ethanol (P=0.385)and 50% and 75% ethanol (P=0.150) According to P60 after both 24 hours and 7 days all the solutions had significant effect on the hardness. 50 % heptane increased the hardness (P=0.00). 75% ethanol significantly decreased the hardness (P=0.000) followed by 50% (P=0.001) and 25% ethanol (P=0.007).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the effect of time was not significant. P60 showed to be more resistant. 75% ethanol had much more effect followed by 50% and 25% ethanol. Heptane increased the mean surface hardness.

  Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of chlorhexidine 2%, ethanol 70% and sodium ascorbate 10% and delayed bonding for 1 week on the shear bond strength of composite resin to enamel after bleaching.

  Materials and Methods: 90 human central incisors were divided into 6 equal groups: Group 1: no bleaching Group 2: bleaching with carbamide peroxide 45% for 45 minutes Group 3: bleaching + restoring specimens in distilled water for 1 week. In group 4, 5 and 6, after bleaching, 1 cc of chlorhexidine 2%, ethanol 70% and sodium ascorbate 10% were applied for 15 minutes. Composite cylinders were bonded on the buccal surfaces. Specimens were thermocycled for 1000 cycles and the shear bond strength test was done. Specimens were examined under stereomicroscope and SEM. Data were analyzed a sign ANOVA and Bonferroni test.

  Results: The shear bond strength values were not significantly lower in the bleached teeth (group 3, 4, 5 and 6) than that of negative control group (group 1) (P=1.000, P=0.069, P=0.081, P=1.000) Bonferroni test results show significant difference between test groups (3, 4, 5 and 6) and group 2 (P<1.000, P=0.007, P=0.008, P<1.000) Under SEM, resin tags in group 2 was thinner and lesser than group 3, 4, 5 and 6. The most adhesive failures were in group 2.

  Conclusion: Bleaching with carbamide peroxide and immediate bonding of composite decreased the shear bond strength. Sodium ascorbate 10% and delayed bonding for 1 week were the most effective way.