Umeå University's logo

Magnesium alloy is a promising biodegradable metal material for hard tissue engineering. However, its high corrosion rate limits its application. In our previous study, we biomimetically deposited a calcium carbonate coating on the surface of magnesium alloy using siloxane induction. This calcium carbonate coating demonstrated excellent in vitro biocompatibility and provided partial protection for the magnesium alloy substrate. In this study, we further enhanced the corrosion resistance of the calcium carbonate coating by treating it with stearic acid and its derivative, sodium stearate. Electrochemical corrosion tests revealed that the sodium stearate-treated calcium carbonate coating reduced the corrosion rate by two orders of magnitude. Additionally, in vitro biocompatibility assessments showed that while the biocompatibility of the sodium stearate-treated coating was slightly reduced, it remained acceptable compared to the magnesium substrate. This study builds on our previous work and offers a promising reinforcement strategy for degradable magnesium alloys in medical applications.

Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) have evolved as useful anchorage providers for orthodontic tooth movements. To improve the stability of TADs, a number of modifications on their surface have been developed and investigated. This review comprehensively summarizes recent findings of clinically applied surface modifications of TADs and compared the biological improvement of these modifications. We focused on sandblasting, large-grit, acid etching (SLA), anodic oxidation (AO) and ultraviolet photofunctionalization (UVP). In vitro, in vivo and clinical studies of these surface modifications on TADs with clear explanations, low possibility of bias and published in English were included. Studies demonstrated that SLA, AO and UVP enhance cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. The biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of TAD surface are improved in vivo. However, in clinical studies, the changes are generally not so impressive. Furthermore, this review highlights the promising potential in combinations of different modifications. In addition, some other surface modifications, for instance, the biomimetic calcium phosphate coating, deserve to be proposed as future strategies.

Introduction: Polymethyl methacrylate is a polymer commonly used in clinicaldentistry, including denture bases, occlusal splints and orthodontic retainers.

Methods: To augment the polymethyl methacrylate-based dental appliances incounteracting dental caries, we designed a polymer blend film composed ofpolymethyl methacrylate and polyethylene oxide by solution casting and addedsodium fluoride.

Results: Polyethylene oxide facilitated the dispersion of sodium fluoride,decreased the surface average roughness, and positively influenced thehydrophilicity of the films. The blend film made of polymethyl methacrylate,polyethylene oxide and NaF with a mass ratio of 10: 1: 0.3 showed sustainedrelease of fluoride ions and acceptable cytotoxicity. Antibacterial activity of all thefilms to Streptococcus mutans was negligible.

Discussion: This study demonstrated that the polymer blends of polyethyleneoxide and polymethyl methacrylate could realize the relatively steady release offluoride ions with high biocompatibility. This strategy has promising potential toendow dental appliances with anti-cariogenicity.

A series of three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the gradual failure process of molars in this study. The real morphology and internal mesoscopic structure of a whole tooth are implemented into the numerical simulations through computerized tomography scanning, digital image processing, and 3D matrix mapping. The failure process of the whole tooth subject to compressions including crack initiation, crack propagation, and final failure pattern is reproduced using 3D realistic failure process analysis (RFPA3D) method. It is concluded that a series of microcracks are gradually initiated, nucleated, and subsequently interconnect to form macroscopic cracks when the teeth are under over-compressions. The propagation of the macroscopic cracks results in the formation of fracture surfaces and penetrating cracks, which are essential signs and manifestations of the tooth failure. Moreover, the simulations reveal that, the material heterogeneity is a critical factor that affects the mechanical properties and fracture modes of the teeth, which vary from crown fractures to crown-root fractures and root fractures depending on different homogeneity indices.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of zirconia, stabilised with 5% yttria, luted to enamel and to evaluate the fracture pattern at loss of retention.

Methods: A total of 53 test specimen were manufactured from two partially stabilised zirconia materials, Zirkonzahn Prettau Anterior (ZPA) (n = 16) and Whitepeaks CopraSmile Symphony 5 layer (WCS) (n = 18), and a lithium disilicate (Ivoclar e.Max Press) (n = 19) acting as control. All test specimens were cemented to human enamel with Variolink Esthetic DC and then subjected to a shear bond strength test. Fracture and surface analysis were performed using light and scanning electron microscope.

Results: No significant differences in shear bond strength were detected when analysing the three groups. Dividing them according to the fracture pattern significant difference in shear bond strength between the two zirconia groups could be seen analysing test bodies with failure of adhesion to the test body, but not to enamel. The ZPA had higher shear bond strength (23.68 MPa) than WCS (13.00 MPa). No significant differences were seen compared to the control group (19.02 MPa).

Conclusion: Partially stabilised zirconia shows potential as a material to be used where macro mechanical bonding is not possible, although this study does not reveal how or if the bonding deteriorates over time.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of surface treatment, specimen thickness, and aging on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of two types of yttria-stabilized, tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramics.

Methods and Materials: Disc-shaped specimens, 0.4 and 1.3 mm thick, made from hot isostatic pressed (Denzir) and non–hot isostatic pressed (ZirPlus) Y-TZP, were sandblasted, heat treated, and autoclaved. The surface topography was assessed in accordance with European Standard 623-624:2004 and the BFS tests in accordance with International Organization for Standardization Standard 6872:2008. For statistical analyses, one-way Shapiro-Wilk test, analysis of variance (post hoc: least significant differences), Mann-Whitney U-test, and Pearson correlation tests (p<0.05) were used.

Results: As delivered, the BFS of the 0.4-mm ZirPlus was >1.3-mm ZirPlus (p<0.01), and the BFS of the 0.4-mm Denzir was >1.3-mm Denzir (p<0.001). Sandblasting with 0.2 MPa reduced the BFS of the ZirPlus and Denzir discs (p<0.01), whereas sandblasting with 0.6 MPa increased the BFS of the 0.4-mm Denzir (p<0.001) and reduced the BFS of the 0.4-mm ZirPlus (p<0.05). Heat treatment significantly reduced the BFS of all the groups except for the 0.6 MPa sandblasted 0.4-mm ZirPlus. Autoclaving reduced the BFS of the as-delivered ZirPlus and Denzir specimens (p<0.001), whereas autoclaving the 0.6 MPa sandblasted and heat-treated specimens had no effect (p>0.05) on the BFS. The 0.6 MPa sandblasted, heat-treated, and autoclaved 0.4-mm Denzir exhibited higher BFS than the 0.6 MPa sandblasted, heat-treated, and autoclaved 0.4-mm ZirPlus (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Thickness and surface treatment of Y-TZP–based ceramics should be considered since those factors could influence the BFS of the material.

Zirconia is known for its high strength but lacking translucency. Recently, a new type of high translucent zirconia, 5 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (5Y-PSZ), with a larger fraction of cubic zirconia phase has become commercially available. However, the resistance to aging of these commercially available zirconia materials is not yet fully established.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of artificial aging on surface roughness, transparency, phase transformation and biaxial flexural strength of two 5Y-PSZ products, DD cubeX2 and Prettau Anterior.

Materials and methods: The artificial aging was performed in an autoclave under 2 bars of pressure at 134 °C for 10 hours, which is estimated to correspond to 30–40 years in vivo. Artificial aging for 10 hours had no significant effect on surface roughness, transparency, or phase transformation for either of the tested materials.

Results: DD cubeX2 had higher mean flexural strength than Prettau Anterior both before and after artificial aging for 10 hours (p < .05). DD cubeX2 showed, however, a significant reduction in flexural strength after artificial aging (p < .05), whereas Prettau Anterior showed a slight increase in flexural strength after artificial aging but not at a significant level.

Conclusion: Within the limitation of the present study, both DD cubeX2 and Prettau Anterior seems to be relatively resistant to aging. However, a wider range of measured flexural strength indicated that Prettau Anterior probably is a less stable material than DD cubeX2, which also means that the flexural strength of DD cubeX2 could be more predictable.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of specimen thickness, pretreatment and hydrothermal aging on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of lithium di-silicate glass (e.max Cad) and magnesia-stabilized zirconia (ZirMagnum) ceramic discs. Methods: The e.max Cad discs was studied: i) crystallized, ii) crystallized and glazed and iii) crystallized, glazed and unglazed side etched with hydrofluoric acid. The ZirMagnum discs were studied: i) as delivered, ii) after sandblasting and iii) after heat treatment similar to veneering. Hydrothermal aging was simulated by autoclave treatment. Results: The BFS of all the ZirMagnum specimens was superior (p < 0.001) to all the e.max Cad specimens. Glazing the 0.4 mm e.max Cad discs reduced (p < 0.05) their BFS compared with the unglazed 0.8 mm specimens, whereas glazing of 0.8 mm discs had no influence (p > 0.05) on the strength. Etching and autoclaving of e.max Cad did not affect (p > 0.05) the BFS. For ZirMagnum sandblasting with 0.2 MPa or 0.6 MPa did not influence the biaxial flexural strength (p > 0.05), whereas heat treatment reduced (p < 0.01) the BFS of 0.6 MPa sandblasted ZirMagnum. Autoclaving reduced the strength (p < 0.05) compared with ZirMagnum as delivered, whereas autoclaving of the 0.6 MPa sandblasted and heat treated specimens did not influence (p > 0.05) the BFS. Glazing, etching and sandblasting increased (p < 0.05) surface roughness. Conclusions: The effects of glazing, heat treatment, aging and mechanical treatment of the materials evaluated should be considered since their strength could be affected. Clinical significance: Mechanical properties of restorations made from prefabricated ceramic blocks could be affected of various treatments and could change over time.

Using a newly developed three-dimensional (3D) numerical modeling code, an analysis was performed of the fracture behavior in a three-unit ceramic-based fixed partial denture (FPD) framework subjected to oblique loading. All the materials in the study were treated heterogeneously; Weibull׳s distribution law was applied to the description of the heterogeneity. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion with tensile strength cut-off was utilized in judging whether the material was in an elastic or failed state. The simulated loading area was placed either on the buccal or the lingual cusp of a premolar-shaped pontic with the loading direction at 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° angles to the occlusal surface. The stress distribution, fracture initiation and propagation in the framework during the loading and fracture process were analyzed. This numerical simulation allowed the cause of the framework fracture to be identified as tensile stress failure. The decisive fracture was initiated in the gingival embrasure of the pontic, regardless of whether the buccal or lingual cusp of the pontic was loaded. The stress distribution and fracture propagation process of the framework could be followed step by step from beginning to end. The bearing capacity and the rigidity of the framework vary with the loading position and direction. The framework loaded with 90° towards the occlusal surface has the highest bearing capacity and the greatest rigidity. The framework loaded with 30° towards the occlusal surface has the least rigidity indicating that oblique loading has a major impact on the fracture of ceramic frameworks.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) as a potential coating material for dental zirconia from a biological perspective: its effect on cell proliferation, viability, morphology, and the attachment of an osteoblast-like cell. Osteoblast-like (Saos-2) cells were seeded on uncoated and fMWCNT-coated zirconia discs and in culture dishes that served as controls. The seeding density was 10⁴ cells/cm², and the cells were cultured for 6 days. Cell viability, proliferation and attachment of the Saos-2 cells were studied. The results showed that Saos-2 cells were well attached to both the uncoated and the fMWCNT-coated zirconia discs. Cell viability and proliferation on the fMWCNT-coated zirconia discs were almost the same as for the control discs. Better cell attachment was seen on the fMWCNT-coated than on the uncoated zirconia discs. In conclusion, fMWCNTs seem to be a promising coating material for zirconia-based ceramic surfaces to increase the roughness and thereby enhance the osseointegration of zirconia implants.