The International Journal of Prosthodontics, 04/1992

Dental ceramics generally fail because of the growth of microscopic surface flaws that form during processing or finishing or that result from surface impact during service. The ion-exchange process has been shown to be effective in improving the flexural strength of most dental porcelains through the development of a compressive surface layer. The Vickers hardness and crack resistance of several commercial dental ceramics were determined by indentation techniques. The results of this investigation indicate that ion-exchange reinforcement can significantly improve the resistance of the ceramic surface to crack propagation with little effect on apparent surface hardness.

Properties of seven newer resins polymerized using a water bath, microwave energy, or by visible light were measured. Generally, the new resins were harder and less flexible but had lower impact strength than did the heat-polymerized, rubber-modified resin (Lucitone). The light-activated urethane dimethacrylate resin (Triad) was the least flexible. Microwave polymerization improved the modulus of elasticity of two resins, decreased the impact strength of one, and had little effect on the properties of two other resins.

The dislodging force, the compressive strength at 24 hours, and the film thickness of four resin composite luting cements (UDA, UDA with fluoride, Panavia OP, and DenMat) and a conventional glass-ionomer cement (Shofu Type I) were compared. The axial force necessary to dislodge each cemented 0 degree abutment from an internally threaded Steri-Oss implant (n = 5) was then determined using a mechanical testing machine. UDA with fluoride appears to be a significantly stronger luting agent for abutment cementation than is either UDA or DenMat (P less than .05). DenMat resin composite cement exhibited the highest mean compressive strength whereas Panavia OP had the lowest value for film thickness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the probable effects of the magnetic field produced by dental magnets on neighboring capillary circulation. Ten subjects were used. Transparent acrylic resin devices were prepared to receive the dental magnets and were used continually by subjects except during sleep. The maxillary buccal mucosal blood flow was measured on both sides (control and experimental) in the same subjects before the use of dental magnets and after 3, 7, 15, 30, and 45 days by the 133Xe clearance technique. Upon analysis it was found that the difference in blood flow between the control and experimental sides was insignificant (P greater than .05). The decrease in blood flow as time progressed was attributed to the pressure exerted by the oral devices rather than by the effect of the magnetic field.

Casts of 42 patients free from temporomandibular joint problems were mounted on an articulator in centric relation contact position. The movement of the horizontal axis of rotation was measured when the casts were moved from centric relation contact position to the intercuspal position. Measurements of the vertical and horizontal movements of the incisal pin were also made during this movement. There was a highly significant correlation between the movement of the horizontal axis in the horizontal plane and the ratio of vertical to horizontal movement as measured at the incisal pin. The greater this ratio was, the smaller the horizontal movement of the axis was; the smaller the ratio (the larger the horizontal component) was, the larger was the horizontal movement of the axis. The clinical implications are discussed.

This study was conducted to discover whether a relationship exists between clasp width-thickness ratios and wear or deformation. Five different forms of circumferential clasps were studied. The clasps were fabricated with a 160 degree curvature around an 8-mm (diameter) cylinder and cast in Ticonium alloy. The clasps were subjected to 1500 cycles of 0.01 inch flexure. The degree of permanent deformation was not related to clasp form or width-thickness ratio. Of the five forms, only one exhibited no permanent deformation. According to Duncan's Multiple Range Test, significant differences in wear against a steel tooth model were observed among the five clasp forms evaluated (alpha = 0.05).

Image analysis was used to determine masticatory efficiency and performance before and after placement of immediate dentures. Sections of cored carrot were used as the test food and the particle size of chewed expectorated food was measured using image analysis. Measurements were shown to be accurate and reproducible. Masticatory function of immediate-denture patients was also compared with a similar number of dentate individuals and experienced complete-denture wearers. Dentate subjects were significantly (P less than .01) more efficient at masticating the test food than were the complete- or immediate-denture wearers. The new method of measurement removes the necessity for the unpleasant and unhygienic sieving process previously used in this type of study.

The Michigan Computer-Graphics Coordinate Measurement System (MCGCMS) was used to determine the dimensional accuracy of dentures processed by three different techniques: conventional heat compression, microwave, and visible-light activation. Standardized dentures were fabricated from casts made in an RTV silicone mold. All casts were duplicated with hydrocolloid and 42 dentures were made (ie, 14 dentures for each technique). The MCGCMS measured 22 points on two frontal planes to compare master casts to dentures. The results showed no significant difference in overall dimensional accuracy. At specific sites, however, the visible-light-activated technique produced significantly more flange distortion than did either the conventional or microwave techniques.

This study determined the in-vitro bond strength of abrasive-sprayed and silica-coated Ni-Cr-Be posts to roots of extracted teeth using three resin cements (Panavia EX [P], Super-Bond C&B [SB], Prisma Universal Bond 2-Dicor [PUB-D]) and zinc phosphate cement (ZP). There were no significant differences among bond strengths of resin cements (8.8 to 10.8 MPa) bonded to abrasive-sprayed posts, but the bonds were stronger than those obtained using zinc phosphate cement (4.4 MPa). With the silica-coated posts, Super-Bond C&B produced the highest bond strength (14.5 MPa), followed by PUB-D (10.9 MPa), P (7.5 MPa), and ZP (5.4 MPa).

Four-unit fixed partial dentures were fabricated as a one-piece casting or as two-piece castings joined by soldering prior to the addition of porcelain. The accuracy of the two techniques was compared and evaluated using an anatomic cast-metal master model. All procedures, including SEM measurements, were performed directly on the master model. The cast one-piece units had smaller vertical marginal openings than did the soldered units. The rigid nature of the abutments evokes the problems occurring with osseointegrated implants.