PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of dual-cure resin cement in CAD-CAM zirconia after different cleaning techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty discs of zirconia-based ceramic from Ivoclar Vivadent were embedded in acrylic resin. The discs were divided into five groups according to the cleaning methods: used: Group 1: drying with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 ; Group 2: washed with water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O 3 ; Group 3: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + zirconium oxide (Ivoclean); Group 4: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + potassium hydroxide (Zirclean); and Group 5: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + 1% NaClO. All of the groups were contaminated with artificial saliva for 1 minute and then cleaned. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among all groups for µSBS (P < .05). The group treated with zirconium oxide (Group 3) showed the highest µSBS (18.75 ± 0.23 MPa). CONCLUSION When applied to zirconia, the cleaning methods affected the bonding with resin cement differently.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of dual-cure resin cement in CAD-CAM zirconia after different cleaning techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty discs of zirconia-based ceramic from Ivoclar Vivadent were embedded in acrylic resin. The discs were divided into five groups according to the cleaning methods: used: Group 1: drying with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 ; Group 2: washed with water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O 3 ; Group 3: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + zirconium oxide (Ivoclean); Group 4: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + potassium hydroxide (Zirclean); and Group 5: washed with distilled water and dried with spraying + sandblasting with Al2O3 + 1% NaClO. All of the groups were contaminated with artificial saliva for 1 minute and then cleaned. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among all groups for µSBS (P < .05). The group treated with zirconium oxide (Group 3) showed the highest µSBS (18.75 ± 0.23 MPa). CONCLUSION When applied to zirconia, the cleaning methods affected the bonding with resin cement differently.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of physically damaged and resin-contaminated tips on radiant emittance, comparing them with new undamaged, non-contaminated tips using 3 pieces of spectrophotometric laboratory equipment. Materials and Methods: Nine tips with damage and/or resin contaminants from actual clinical situations were compared with a new tip without damage or contamination (control group). The radiant emittance was recorded using 3 spectrophotometric methods: a laboratory-grade thermopile, a laboratory-grade integrating sphere, and a portable light collector (checkMARC). Results: A significant difference between the laboratory-grade thermopile and the laboratory-grade integrating sphere was found when the radiant emittance values of the control or damaged/contaminated tips were investigated (p < 0.05), but both methods were comparable to checkMARC (p > 0.05). Regardless of the method used to quantify the light output, the mean radiant emittance values of the damaged/contaminated tips were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.05). The beam profile of the damaged/ contaminated tips was less homogeneous than that of the control. Conclusions Damaged/contaminated tips can reduce the radiant emittance output and the homogeneity of the beam, which may affect the energy delivered to composite restorations.The checkMARC spectrophotometer device can be used in dental offices, as it provided values close to those produced by a laboratory-grade integrated sphere spectrophotometer. Dentists should assess the radiant emittance of their light-curing units to ensure optimal curing in photoactivated, resin-based materials.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the potential of amoxicillin-loaded polymeric microspheres to be delivered to tooth root infection sites via a bioactive reparative cement. Materials and Methods: Amoxicillin-loaded microspheres were synthesized by a spray-dray method and incorporated at 2.5% and 5% into a mineral trioxide aggregate cement clinically used to induce a mineralized barrier at the root tip of young permanent teeth with incomplete root development and necrotic pulp. The formulations were modified in liquid:powder ratios and in composition by the microspheres. The optimized formulations were evaluated in vitro for physical and mechanical eligibility. The morphology of microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy. Results: The optimized cement formulation containing microspheres at 5% exhibited a delayed-release response and maintained its fundamental functional properties. When mixed with amoxicillin-loaded microspheres, the setting times of both test materials significantly increased. The diametral tensile strength of cement containing microspheres at 5% was similar to control. However, phytic acid had no effect on this outcome (p > 0.05). When mixed with modified liquid:powder ratio, the setting time was significantly longer than that original liquid:powder ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions Lack of optimal concentrations of antibiotics at anatomical sites of the dental tissues is a hallmark of recurrent endodontic infections. Therefore, targeting the controlled release of broad-spectrum antibiotics may improve the therapeutic outcomes of current treatments. Overall, these results indicate that the carry of amoxicillin by microspheres could provide an alternative strategy for the local delivery of antibiotics for the management of tooth infections.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of physically damaged and resin-contaminated tips on radiant emittance, comparing them with new undamaged, non-contaminated tips using 3 pieces of spectrophotometric laboratory equipment. Materials and Methods: Nine tips with damage and/or resin contaminants from actual clinical situations were compared with a new tip without damage or contamination (control group). The radiant emittance was recorded using 3 spectrophotometric methods: a laboratory-grade thermopile, a laboratory-grade integrating sphere, and a portable light collector (checkMARC). Results: A significant difference between the laboratory-grade thermopile and the laboratory-grade integrating sphere was found when the radiant emittance values of the control or damaged/contaminated tips were investigated (p < 0.05), but both methods were comparable to checkMARC (p > 0.05). Regardless of the method used to quantify the light output, the mean radiant emittance values of the damaged/contaminated tips were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.05). The beam profile of the damaged/ contaminated tips was less homogeneous than that of the control. Conclusions Damaged/contaminated tips can reduce the radiant emittance output and the homogeneity of the beam, which may affect the energy delivered to composite restorations.The checkMARC spectrophotometer device can be used in dental offices, as it provided values close to those produced by a laboratory-grade integrated sphere spectrophotometer. Dentists should assess the radiant emittance of their light-curing units to ensure optimal curing in photoactivated, resin-based materials.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the potential of amoxicillin-loaded polymeric microspheres to be delivered to tooth root infection sites via a bioactive reparative cement. Materials and Methods: Amoxicillin-loaded microspheres were synthesized by a spray-dray method and incorporated at 2.5% and 5% into a mineral trioxide aggregate cement clinically used to induce a mineralized barrier at the root tip of young permanent teeth with incomplete root development and necrotic pulp. The formulations were modified in liquid:powder ratios and in composition by the microspheres. The optimized formulations were evaluated in vitro for physical and mechanical eligibility. The morphology of microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy. Results: The optimized cement formulation containing microspheres at 5% exhibited a delayed-release response and maintained its fundamental functional properties. When mixed with amoxicillin-loaded microspheres, the setting times of both test materials significantly increased. The diametral tensile strength of cement containing microspheres at 5% was similar to control. However, phytic acid had no effect on this outcome (p > 0.05). When mixed with modified liquid:powder ratio, the setting time was significantly longer than that original liquid:powder ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions Lack of optimal concentrations of antibiotics at anatomical sites of the dental tissues is a hallmark of recurrent endodontic infections. Therefore, targeting the controlled release of broad-spectrum antibiotics may improve the therapeutic outcomes of current treatments. Overall, these results indicate that the carry of amoxicillin by microspheres could provide an alternative strategy for the local delivery of antibiotics for the management of tooth infections.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the EFI, a clinical tool that predicts the possibility of pregnancy in Filipino women with laparoscopically-diagnosed endometriosis-associated infertility.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort

SETTING

St. Luke's Medical Center

PATIENTS

One hundred twenty-two infertile women with laparoscopically-diagnosed endometriosis.

METHODOLOGY

Subjects were scored using the Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI). Pregnancy rates were determined separately. Discriminative capacity of the EFI was assessed by Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the test at different thresholds were determined. Correlation of EFI scores and pregnancy rates was determined by logistic regression analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

EFI scores, pregnancy rates, ROC curve, Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Logistic fit of pregnancy VS. EFI scores.

RESULTS

Twenty-two pregnancies occurred during the 12-month period with 13 pregnancies occurring within the first six months. Over-all pregnancy rate was 18.3%. The ROC curve straddled the line and showed an AUC of 67%. The sensitivity and specificity of the EFI for each threshold showed increasing sensitivity with lower scores and higher specificity with higher scores. Positive predictive values (PPV) were low, but Negative predictive values (NPVs) were high. Logistic regression analysis showed a good correlation between EFI scores and pregnancy (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The individual scores correlate well with the chances of pregnancy and the negative predictive value of the test is high. This index is a newly validated, simple clinical tool that can predict pregnancy in infertile women with endometriosis. The discrimination Gapability of the EFI needs further analysis.

Human ; Female ; Endometriosis ; ; Infertility ; ; Laparoscopy ; ; Pregnancy Rate ; ; Pregnancy ; ; Women ; ; Philippines