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Biomedical subjects

J L Ferracane

Publications and source records attributed to J L Ferracane.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Quantitation of total mercury vapor released during dental procedures.

An in vitro method is described in which measurements were made of the total amount of mercury vapor released from three types of amalgam during routine dental procedures. It was found that the greatest amount of mercury was released during dry polishing of one amalgam (44 micrograms). Removal of amalgam from a Class I cavity under water spray and high volume evacuation also generated large amounts of mercury as expected (15-20 micrograms). However, under the more clinically relevant conditions of extending evacuation for one minute to remove residual amalgam and mercury after cutting, this value was reduced by approximately 90%. The total amount of mercury generated during placement (6-8 micrograms), wet polishing (2-4 micrograms) and trituration (1-2 micrograms) were also measured. The study showed that dental procedures associated with amalgam do potentially expose the patient and operator to mercury vapor. However, the total amount of mercury released during any procedure was far below the total exposure level calculated from the daily threshold limits established by regulatory agencies for occupational exposure.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Post-cure heat treatments for composites: properties and fractography.

Two commercial and four experimental composites were subjected to post-cure heat treatments of 10 min and 3 h duration immediately after light-curing. Fracture toughness, flexural modulus, microhardness and degree of conversion (FTIR) were evaluated 24 h later. The results showed that post-cure heat treatments at 120 degrees C of short or long duration can be used to produce significant improvements in the degree of cure and the mechanical properties of dental composites used as inlays. A 10 min heat treatment was as effective as a 3 h treatment in enhancing properties and degree of cure. In addition, a 3 h heat treatment carried out 7 days after the initial light-curing was capable of improving properties and cure to almost the same extent as the immediate heat treatments. The improvement in properties, in conjunction with the fractography, indicate a toughening of the filled resin matrix and possibly an improved filler/matrix adhesion in the microfills. The changes appear to be predominantly the result of an increase in degree of cure.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1992

Solvent degradation and reduced fracture toughness in aged composites.

Qartz- and barium-glass-filled composites aged for more than one year in ethanol experienced a significant reduction in fracture toughness (K1c), essentially identical to that experienced after two months of aging. This reduction is mainly attributed to a softening of the resin matrix, but cracking within the resin and at the filler/matrix interface, as revealed by SEM microscopy, may also have contributed. No significant cracking could be seen in the composites aged in water. Composites post-cured at temperatures approaching their glass-transition temperature also experienced a reduction in K1c after alcohol storage. Storage in water for one year had little effect on the K1c of composites cured at oral temperatures, but a significant increase was observed for those post-cured at elevated temperatures. This increase is difficult to explain, but appears to involve a filler/matrix interfacial phenomenon, because it was not observed in the unfilled resin. The results of this study demonstrate that an alteration in the fracture resistance and some degradation of the filler/matrix interface, as has been observed clinically, occur after long-term exposure of dental composites to certain solvents used as food-simulating liquids.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate↗
PubMed1992

Effectiveness of oxide films in reducing mercury release from amalgams.

The release of mercury from four freshly-triturated amalgams into air, argon, and moist air environments was quantitated at three different temperatures. Although a measurable amount of mercury was released from dental amalgam, the evaporation rate was immediately reduced by several phenomena, the most important being the formation of an oxide film on the surface. This hypothesis was supported by the fact that release rates were elevated in an inert argon environment, but declined dramatically once air was introduced and oxidation could occur. The further amalgamation of "free" mercury, as well as the presence of water vapor, also contributed to the reduced release rates observed during aging. Mercury release was reduced to a negligible level within three to four hours after trituration. Only one of the amalgams, Tytin, demonstrated a thermal dependence for mercury release in air. The results of this study suggest that the exposure to mercury vapor from a freshly placed amalgam restoration would be negligible in consideration of the normal estimated daily intake from all other sources.

Air↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of subsurface defects created during the finishing of composites.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a degraded subsurface layer containing microcracks is produced in dental composites as a result of finishing procedures. Various composites in the form of rectangular bars were finished with a 12-fluted carbide bur or a fine diamond within minutes of light-curing, and were subsequently stained with silver nitrate. Microscopic evaluation revealed that significant penetration of stain occurred in the unfinished as well as in the finished surfaces. The extent of dye penetration that could be directly attributed to a damaged layer produced by the finishing procedure was less than 10 microns, being greatest for a microfill (Silux Plus) and a hybrid (P-50) composite. There was no difference between the effects of the finishing instruments. SEM analysis of the subsurface showed an absence of any cracks for the composites. However, occasional disruption of the interface between the pre-polymerized resin fillers and the matrix was apparent for the microfill material. The results showed that only a very limited subsurface damage may be created in certain composites during the initial contouring of a restoration.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Using posterior composites appropriately.

The success rates of posterior composite restorations vary depending on whether they are used in clinical studies or by practitioners. This article offers a guide to determining when to use these materials.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1991

Cytotoxicity of amalgams, alloys, and their elements and phases.

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative cytotoxicity of amalgams, alloys, and their constituent elements and phases, by means of a rapid and sensitive in vitro cell culture test. Pure copper and zinc showed intensive cytotoxicity, significantly greater than that of pure silver and mercury. Pure tin was non-cytotoxic. The gamma-one phase (Ag2Hg3) revealed moderate cytotoxicity, which was significantly decreased by the addition of 1.5% and 5% Sn. However, the addition of 1.5% Zn to gamma 1 containing 1.5% Sn dramatically increased the cytotoxicity of gamma 1 to the same level as that of pure zinc. Whenever zinc was present in amalgams, higher cytotoxicity was revealed. High-copper amalgams showed the same cytotoxicity as a zinc-free low-copper amalgam. The addition of selenium did not reduce the cytotoxicity of amalgam. The cytotoxicity of amalgams was reduced after 24 h. The results of this study suggest that the major contributor to the cytotoxicity of alloy for amalgam is probably copper, while that for amalgam is zinc.

Copper↗
PubMed1990

Marginal leakage in class V composite resin restorations with glass ionomer liners in vitro.

This in vitro study evaluated the use of a glass ionomer lining cement in conjunction with composite resin in class V preparations in terms of marginal sealing ability. Two preparations, the occlusal walls in enamel (etched) and the gingival walls in dentin, were place in each tooth. One contained the etched glass ionomer liner, a dentin bonding agent, and a microfill composite resin. The second contained the dentin bonding agent and the microfill composite resin. The teeth were thermocycled, stained with methylene blue dye, sectioned, and evaluated for leakage at the occlusal and gingival margins on a scale of 0 to 3. No significant leakage was recorded at the occlusal margin for either restoration. Leakage at the gingival margin was significantly reduced for the lined restorations, and in no instance did the dye penetrate beyond the liner, which suggests that the lining cement may significantly decrease leakage at the gingival aspect of composite resins in class V restorations.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed1990

Comparative study of hydroxyapatite and titanium dental implants in dogs.

This study compares the clinical performances and histologic response in dogs to a cylindrical implant with a surface consisting of dense hydroxyapatite (HA) and a threaded titanium implant in functionally loaded and unloaded conditions. Implantation was performed in five dogs, which were killed at 2 or 4 months postfunctional condition (4 or 6 months after implantation). Clinical evaluation showed that neither implant demonstrated significant movement, and assessment of gingival inflammation and sulcus depth showed no significant differences between them. After axial sectioning, the titanium implants were easily removed from the bone, whereas the HA-coated implants were adherent to the bone. Histologically, both implants showed osteogenic ingrowth to the surface in functional and nonfunctional conditions. High-magnification scanning electron micrographs of plastic sections showed that a portion of the interface between the HA-coated implant and the bone showed no gap, whereas gaps were observed at all interfaces with the titanium implant. Histomorphometric analysis by light microscopy indicated that there was no significant difference in the percent bone contact length. Clinically, the two implants behaved similarly.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1990

Rate of elution of leachable components from composite.

The uptake of solvent and the elution of molecules from a dental composite and an unfilled resin were monitored with time during soaking in either water or an ethanol/water mixture. The results showed that approximately 50% of the leachable species were eluted from the composite within three hours of soaking in water, while 75% of the leachable molecules were eluted into the ethanol/water mixture. Elution of nearly all of the leachable components was complete within a 24-hour period in either solvent. The study lends support to the view that dental composites do not provide a chronic source of unreacted monomer to the pulp or other oral tissues, due to a rapid and complete elution of the molecules.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of glass-cermet cores under cast crowns.

The goal of this study was to compare two core materials--glass-cermet and amalgam--in terms of crown retention when significant tooth structure is missing. The glass-cermet's ability to bond to teeth with and without the aid of retentive pins and/or grooves was examined. The effects of two storage solutions, formalin and sodium azide, on the bond of the glass-cermet were also evaluated. Sixty human molars were obtained and stored in either formalin or sodium azide. Thirty molars were prepared with one wall of tooth structure remaining, and the other 30 were prepared with two walls. Before being restored with glass-cermet, the preparations received either no retention, retentive grooves and pins, or retentive grooves only. Each preparation restored with amalgam received pins and grooves. Type III gold crowns were cemented in vitro with glass-ionomer luting agent, thermocycled 2500 times (5-50 degrees C), and then removed under a tensile force. The to amalgam and has adequate adhesion to the tooth, without additional retention, when at least two walls of the tooth remain. However, when only one wall of the tooth remains, the amalgam core is superior under tensile forces. There was a significant difference between the sodium azide and formalin storage solutions with regard to bond strength in one group (two walls, no pins, no grooves). In general, the cores placed on teeth stored in sodium azide exhibited tensile bond strengths lower than those stored in formalin.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1989

Comparative study of luting agents with composite resin cores.

This study compared bond strengths of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cements in cementing cast gold crowns to composite resin cores. The study also compared the effect of thermocycling on the bond strengths in tension of the two cements under varied storage and thermocycling conditions. Sixty standard cores were made from composite resin material. Gold alloy crowns were cast for each core and cemented with zinc phosphate or polycarboxylate cement. The samples were stored for 1 day or 1 month and then cycled with 60-second dwell times between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C distilled water baths for 5, 100, or 1000 cycles. The controls were stored for the same periods and were not cycled. Overall comparison of both storage periods and all cycled and noncycled groups revealed that zinc phosphate cement had significantly higher bond strengths than polycarboxylate cement. Increasing the storage time before cycling significantly increased the bond strengths for both cements. There was no difference between any of the cycle periods or the noncycled controls for either cement.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed1989

Properties of a glass-ionomer/resin-composite hybrid material.

A small percentage of the liquid resin used in commercial dental composites was added to the liquid used in a commercial glass-ionomer restorative in order to produce a fluoride-containing hybrid restorative-type material that would adhere to dentin while being stronger, less brittle, and less sensitive to desiccation in the oral cavity than glass ionomer. Compressive strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and tensile strength were analyzed for this hybrid, light-cured material. In addition, the solubility in water, adhesion to dentin, and surface roughness were also examined in vitro. The results suggest that the early (one-hour) mechanical properties of the hybrid material exceed those of glass ionomer. In addition, the brittleness and solubility of the material are less than those of commercial glass ionomer, while adhesion to dentin is unaffected. Most importantly, surface crazing, a documented problem with some glass ionomers when they become desiccated, is alleviated with this hybrid formulation.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed1989

A comparative study of the bond strengths of amalgam and alloy-glass ionomer cores.

The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strengths of dental amalgam cores and dental alloy-glass ionomer cores that were luted to cast gold crowns with glass ionomer cement. Seventy-two human extracted molars were sectioned horizontally and four regular thread mate system pins were inserted into a flat pulpal floor. The teeth were restored with amalgam or alloy-glass ionomer admixture and prepared for crown preparations. Castings were produced with type III gold and cemented to the cores with Fuji type I glass ionomer cement. Thirty-six of the specimens were subjected to thermal fatigue by cycling between 4 and 50 degrees C for periods of 1, 5 and 10 weeks. The remainder of the specimens were retained in deionized water at 37 degrees C. Bond strengths of the cores, in tension, were measured with a universal testing machine. The alloy-glass ionomer cores exhibited higher bond strengths than the amalgam cores for virtually all time periods, particularly the thermocycled samples. The alloy-glass ionomer cores exclusively displayed core fractures and pin/tooth insufficiencies while the amalgam cores failed because of a deterioration of the glass ionomer luting cement.

Crowns↗