PURPOSE: This study investigated the influence of surface conditioning procedures and repeated firings on monoclinic content and strength of zirconia before cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sintered bar-shaped zirconia specimens were subjected to no surface treatment (control), air abrasion, or grinding (n=21). Their roughness was evaluated using a profilometer, and microscope analysis was performed on one specimen of each group. Then, 2 or 10 repeated firings (n=10) were executed, the monoclinic content of specimens was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and a three-point flexural strength test was performed. Surface roughness values were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests, the monoclinic content values were tested using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and the flexural strength values were tested using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P=.05). Spearman's correlation test was performed to define relationships among measured parameters. RESULTS: Surface-treated specimens were rougher than untreated specimens and had a higher monoclinic content (P<.005), and the relationship between roughness and monoclinic content was significant (P<.000). Neither surface treatment nor firing significantly affected the flexural strength, but Weibull analysis showed that for the air-abraded samples the characteristic strength was significantly lower after the 10th firing than after the 2nd firing. CONCLUSION: After firing, a negligible amount of monoclinic content remained on the zirconia surfaces, and rougher surfaces had higher monoclinic contents than untreated surfaces. Multiple firings could be performed if necessary, but the fracture probability could increase after multiple firings for rougher surfaces.
Cementation ; Ceramics ; Fires* ; X-Ray Diffraction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of temporary luting cements on bovine dental pulp-derived cells (bDPCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different temporary cements were tested: Rely X Temp E (3M ESPE), Ultratemp (Ultradent), GC Fuji Temp (GC), and Rely X Temp NE (3M ESPE). The materials were prepared as discs and incubated in Dulbecco's modified eagle's culture medium (DMEM) for 72 hours according to ISO 10993-5. A real-time cell analyzer was used to determine cell vitality. After seeding 200 microL of the cell suspensions into the wells of a 96-well plate, the bDPCs were cured with bioactive components released by the test materials and observed every 15 minutes for 98 hours. One-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer tests were used to analyze the results of the proliferation experiments. RESULTS: All tested temporary cements showed significant decreases in the bDPCs index. Rely X Temp E, GC Fuji Temp, and Rely X Temp NE were severely toxic at both time points (24 and 72 hours) (P<.001). When the cells were exposed to media by Ultratemp, the cell viability was similar to that of the control at 24 hours (P>.05); however, the cell viability was significantly reduced at 72 hours (P<.001). Light and scanning electron microscopy examination confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: The cytotoxic effects of temporary cements on pulpal tissue should be evaluated when choosing cement for luting provisional restorations.
Cell Survival ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Suspensions