Odontologic use of copper/aluminum alloys: mitochondrial respiration as sensitive parameter of biocompatibility. (41/711)

Copper/aluminum alloys are largely utilized in odontological restorations because they are less expensive than gold or platinum. However, tarnishing and important corrosion in intrabuccal prostheses made with copper/aluminum alloys after 28 days of use have been reported. Several kinds of food and beverage may attack and corrode these alloys. Copper is an essential component of several important enzymes directly involved in mitochondrial respiratory metabolism. Aluminum, in contrast, is very toxic and, when absorbed, plasma values as small as 1.65 to 21.55 microg/dl can cause severe lesions to the nervous system, kidneys, and bone marrow. Because mitochondria are extremely sensitive to minimal variation of cellular physiology, the direct relationship between the mitocondrial respiratory chain and cell lesions has been used as a sensitive parameter to evaluate cellular aggression by external agents. This work consisted in the polarographic study of mitochondrial respiratory metabolism of livers and kidneys of rabbits with femoral implants of titanium or copper/aluminum alloy screws. The experimental results obtained did not show physiological modifications of hepatic or renal mitochondria isolated from animals of the three experimental groups, which indicate good biocompatibility of copper/ aluminum alloys and suggest their odontological use.  (+info)

Impact strength of acrylic denture base resin reinforced with woven glass fiber. (42/711)

This study investigated the effect of the number and position of woven glass fibers in denture base resin matrix on its impact strength. Test specimens were reinforced with woven glass fiber 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mm below the surface. The impact strength was tested using an Izod-type impact tester with an impact speed of 335 cm/s, which simulates dropping the denture, and using a flywheel-type impact tester with a two-point support at 13.5 and 75.0 cm/s, which simulates the chewing. The woven glass fibers had a strengthening effect in all tests, and the impact resistance was further improved when the woven glass fibers were positioned more superficially in the resin. The results suggest that woven glass fiber is an effective reinforcement in denture base resin.  (+info)

Studies on MMA-TBB resin II. The effect of dual use of TBB and other initiators on polymerization of PMMA/MMA resin. (43/711)

The effects of dual use of tributylborane (TBB) and benzoyl peroxide/ N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (BPO/DMPT) or camphorquinone/N,N-dimethyaminoethyl methacrylate (CQ/DMAEMA), as well as BPO/DMPT and CQ/DMAEMA for comparison purposes, on postpolymerization of PMMA/MMA resin were examined from the view point of long term changes of residual MMA and molecular weight. Each resin was polymerized and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. The effect of dual use of TBB and BPO/DMPT or CQ/DMAEMA on polymerization of PMMA/MMA resin was additive in nature and each initiator system worked rather independently without little interaction between the two. TBB was effective especially during the period of postpolymerization. On the other hand, BPO/DMPT used in combination with CQ/DMAEMA had a limited effect only during the initial period and little effect during postpolymerization. It was suggested that TBB was most suitable as a chemically accelerated initiator component for a dual cure system.  (+info)

Latent fingerprint detection with SYPRO Rose Plus Protein Blot Stain. (44/711)

Lanthanide complexes are employed in photoluminescence detection of fingerprints because their long luminescence lifetimes allow use of time-resolved imaging techniques to suppress problematic background fluorescence. To date, however, these complexes have been unsuccessful when used in developing old fingerprints on porous substrates. SYPRO Rose Plus Protein Blot Stain remedies this shortcoming; it lends itself to smooth surfaces as well, thus having potential as a universal fingerprint reagent.  (+info)

Effect of processing variables (different compression packing processes and investment material types) and time on the dimensional accuracy of polymethyl methacrylate denture bases. (45/711)

In this study we determined the effect of different compression packing processes, investment materials (a hemihydrate and dental stone) and time on the dimensional accuracy of polymethyl metacrylate denture bases. Square stainless steel plates (15 mm x 15 mm x 5 mm) were prepared to make an acrylic resin specimen. The linear dimensional changes of acrylic resin were determined by measuring the distances of fix points. Measurements were made at 24 hours, 48 hours, 12 days and 30 days after setting with a digital compass. Dimensional changes of test specimens that were obtained with three different flasks and two press techniques were compared by univariate analysis. Measurements of the linear dimensions of specimens cured by different compression packing techniques suggested that differences existed. The time interval differences were not significant. According to the results; flask and investment material types affect the dimensional accuracy of test specimens (p < 0.05). The least dimensional change observed in the specimens was obtained with Type 1 flask-dental stone-manual press combinations.  (+info)

A new procedure of the tensile fatigue test for dental materials. (46/711)

A new tensile fatigue test using a stainless steel screw was introduced. A transparent PMMA rod was selected as the test material. A hole was drilled and tapped into the rod; a screw was put into the rod with dental cement or without cementation. Three types of cyclic loads were applied to the test piece; the number of times the load was applied when the initial crack was observed and when the final fracture occurred were recorded. Surface observation showed that actual fatigue fractures occurred in the test piece. The preferred applied load waveform was the cyclic haver-triangles load because of the small coefficient of variance. Fatigue strengths of test pieces with and without cementation were different. Cementation improved the fatigue properties, and the type of cement had an effect on the fatigue properties. Although the number of final fractures minus the number of initial cracks was the constant regardless of the type of cement used.  (+info)

Thermal coefficients of paste-paste type pulp capping cements. (47/711)

Thermal coefficients of four kinds of commercially available paste-paste type pulp capping cements were examined. Control reference samples were made of dentin. A thermal coefficient analyzer was used, heating specimens for a few nanoseconds by a xenon flash bulb and measuring thermal changes by using a thermocouple. Thermal coefficients were examined by this non-steady state method. Thermal conductivities of all cements were almost the same or lower than that of dentin. Therefore, when each cement was heated, the penetrating energy was almost the same or lower than that of dentin. The thickness of the cements was converted into that of the dentin by using the obtained thermal conductivity. The 1-mm thickness of the examined cements were equal to between 0.97-mm and 2.10-mm thicknesses of lost dentin. The use of a pulp capping cement provided better pulp protection from thermal stimuli than did the same thickness of dentin.  (+info)

Fluoride release by restorative materials before and after a topical application of fluoride gel. (48/711)

The release of fluoride from restorative materials (Vitremer, Ketac-Fil, Fuji II LC and Freedom) was evaluated during two 15-day periods, before and after a topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF). For each material, 6 specimens were made, which were immersed in 2 ml of deionized water. The fluoride concentration dosages in the solutions were read at intervals of 24 hours for 15 days. After this period, the specimens of each material received treatment with APF gel for 4 minutes and the fluoride released was analyzed at 24-hour intervals during the following 15 days. The analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p < 0.05) showed that the total mean fluoride released during the initial 15 days was greater for Vitremer and Ketac-Fil and lower for Fuji II LC and Freedom; and in the final 15 days there was a difference in release readings, with the greatest value for Vitremer, followed by Fuji II LC, Ketac-Fil and Freedom. The comparison of the results between the 1st day and the 16th day (after gel application) showed a greater fluoride release on the 16th day for Vitremer, Fuji II LC and Freedom and was equal for Ketac-Fil. Although all the materials evaluated gained fluoride with the application of APF, the data suggest that the resin-modified ionomers are more efficient in releasing fluoride to the medium than the other materials.  (+info)