Assessment of Water Sorption, Solubility and Interface Properties for Two Different Pit and Fissure Sealants
The purpose of modern dental medicine is to prevent dental caries and promote minimally invasive techniques at the expense of invasive methods. Dental sealants are largely recommended for occlusal surfaces protection, but concerns are related about microleakage at material-enamel interface. This in vitro study aimed to investigate the association between chemical structure, sealing capacity and marginal infiltration for 2 fluoride F containing commercially available resin-based sealants: Pit&Fissure® Sealant (DMP) and Fissurit FX® (Voco) in order to achieve a better description and ensure adequate material selection in every day practice. An optimal resin-based sealant should mimic the structural, physical and mechanical characteristics of enamel. The main difference between the sealing materials tested is based on the amounts of inorganic filler and on the various shapes of the particles in the filler. Pit&Fisure® Sealant express less attachment at enamel interface, higher sorption and greater water solubility, when compared to Fissurit FX®. The better sealing capacity of Fissurit FX® can be described by the homogeneity of the material and the very small size of the inorganic fillers. Dental materials properties used as pit and fissure sealants are sensitive to mechanical, thermic and chemical stress from oral cavity. Regular dental check-up can detect the presence and integrity of sealant and ensure preventive effect in time.
Morphometric Characteristics of Renal Vessels and Ureter Concerned on Mulages Obtained by Plastic Injections
The study was performed on a number of 48 plastic molds, obtained by injection of Technovit 7143. Technovite is a self-curing resin based on methyl methacrylate. Technovite no longer requires the use of dyes that can adversely affect the polymerization process and has a short polymerization time, making corrosion possible shortly after injection.
Dimensional Accuracy of Digitalized Stone Models Obtained from Alginic Acid Polymer and Poly-dimethyl-siloxane Impressions
The prognosis of the prosthetic rehabilitation is linked to the proper transfer of the clinical data to the dental laboratory, in the digital or conventional workflow. The aim of the present study was to compare the dimensional accuracy of analog and digitalized models, focusing on the influence of impression polymeric materials on the final digital model. Methods: The master model with standard reference points and the three groups of test models, obtained by alginic acid polymer impression (group A) and condensation-cured poly(dimethyl siloxane) in two impression techniques (1-step putty/light-body-group 1T, 2-steps putty/ light-body-group 2T), were measured in four standardized points before and after digitization. The differences from the master model and between the pair analog and digital models was calculated and statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney tests (2 groups), and one-way Anova (3 groups) with post-hoc Tukey`s Test was applied for pairwise analysis (á=0.05). Results: All analog and digitalized model tests showed altered dimensions from the master model. A general reduction of the digitalized models, in sagittal and transversal dimensions, was observed, comparing to the reference model. The impression material was a significant factor influencing dimensional accuracy. Conclusions: a statistically significant difference was found between most of the models and the master model. However, through digitalization, some of the errors were compensated. The digital models from alginic acid polymer group (group A) registered the highest trueness, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) from the reference model.
The Flexural Strength of Traditional and Modern Acrylic Prosthetic Bases
The aim of this paper is to investigate the resistance to flexure of traditional and modern dental acrylic prosthetic bases. The practical utility of the laboratory studies carried out in this research is to apply the physical properties of plastic in medical technology, for improved clinical practice. The clinical utility of this research on prosthetic acrylic bases resistance is reflected in the quality of life of patients, the quality of mastication and durability of the prosthesis. Material and methods: experimental research, using a mechanical test machine. The results were analysed through quantitative methodes. Statistical correlations were made in the final experimental part. In conclusion, the values obtained in our experiments are comparable with those found in scientific literature. This fact enables us to recommend the use of the injection molding technique in clinical practice in our country, as well as the abandonment of the traditional manual stuffingpressing process.
Polymeric Geomembranes Used in Municipal Waste Facilities
This research aims to establish the behaviour of geomembranes used for base sealing and for covering municipal waste facilities. The geomembranes used for base sealing are subjected to leachate pressure and to the action of chemical and microbiological pollutants. Geomembranes used for covering waste facilities are subjected to the action of precipitation water and released gases. This paper analyzes the following: the permeability mechanism of geomembranes made of polymers, the process of water vapours diffusion through polymers, diffusion flow, characteristic of permeability and influencing factors. The study also presents data on the permeability of some polymers - the most commonly used in the structure of geomembranes used in household waste facilities - as well as some of the results of ongoing research on the behaviour of high density polyethylene geomembranes in contact with the waste facilities’ leachate. Diffusion was determined by measuring the weight of the vessel (water loss) daily for 30 days. The polymer influences the permeability and diffusion through the molecular and intermolecular chemical structure, the packing density, the degree of crystallinity, the crosslinking density and through the flexibility of the macromolecular chains. The results show that the permeability of polymeric geomembranes is comparable to that of a microporous material (cement stone, bentonite).
Hybrid Beads Bearing Immobilized Bacteria as Advanced Means for the Removal of Acid Blue 93 Dye
This paper describes the preparation of three- component hybrid copolymer beads, with water purification features. These newly developed hybrid beads were prepared starting from a mixture of poly(acrylonitrile- co- methacrylic acid) (PAN-co-PMAA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and magnetite (Fe3O4), respectively. The preparation itself involved a Wet Phase Inversion (WPI) process. A Pseudomonas sp. strain was immobilized onto previously mentioned beads, before and after activation of the beads surface with glutardialdehyde, and afterwards used for the amendment of simulated water bearing an azo- blue dye, i.e. Acid Blue 93. In order to highlight the immobilization of Pseudomonas sp. strain, FTIR spectra and TGA results were recorded. CFU measurements as well as SEM images further provided evidence towards the occurrence of immobilization. The biodegradation studies of Acid Blue 93were carried out by means of UV spectroscopy at various contact times (24; 72 and 144 h) of the hybrid beads with the targeted dye.
Optimization of Variables Influencing the Thermal Conductivity and Fracture Strength of Reinforced PMMA by Using the Taguchi Method
How the particle size and volumetric ratio of silicon carbide (SiC) powder additions will strengthen polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is unclear. The purpose of this in vitro study was to optimize the reinforcement parameters of PMMA with SiC powder by using the Taguchi experimental design method. Particle size, volumetric rate, silane coupling rate, and mixing type were determined as parameters that would affect the reinforcement of PMMA with SiC powder. Using the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, test specimens with different parameter combinations were fabricated and tested. The fracture load (in newtons) of each specimen group was recorded with the 3-point bend test. The thermal conductivity values of 60x50-mm and 3-mm-thick rectangular specimens were measured by using the Linseis THB100 thermal conductivity unit. The thermal diffusivity values were then calculated. Thermal analysis indicated improvement in the thermal conductivity of PMMA after reinforcement with SiC. The maximum thermal diffusivity was obtained with 15% SiC powder by volume. Thermal conductivity and flexural strength increased with an increase in particle size. The maximum flexural strength value was obtained with 5% SiC powder by volume. Increasing the particle size of the filler SiC powder resulted in increased thermal conductivity and flexural strength. Increasing the SiC filler powder by volume increased the thermal conductivity of PMMA but reduced its flexural strength. This study helped determine the optimum conditions for the use of SiC powder. Knowledge of the importance of these variables will help in more effective modification of denture base resin with SiC powder to improve heat transfer without adversely affecting strength.
Impact of Aging Effect and Heat Treatment on the Tensile Properties of PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) Printed Parts
Rapid innovations in 3D printing technology have allowed highly complex parts to be manufactured quickly and easily, particularly for prototyping purposes. Fused Deposition Modeling of thermoplastic materials is one of the most commonly used techniques in three-dimensional (3D) printing. The major aim of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is to design and manufacture usable parts for fields such as engineering and medicine. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the mechanical properties of such FDM processed structures. One of the most commonly used materials currently on the market is Polylactic Acid (PLA). The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of aging and heat treatment on the tensile properties of PLA printed test specimens. The tensile properties of parts manufactured by the 3D printer are influenced by various parameters such as extrusion temperature, infill density, building direction, layer height, etc. A total of 96 specimens were built by altering building orientation and layer height to estimate and compare the tensile properties of the printed parts. To investigate the aging effect, 30 of 96 specimens were printed 6 months before the tensile experiment. Half of both aged and new specimens were cured in an oven at 57.5 [¢ªC] for 3 hours while the other half endured no heat treatment. After the performed measurement, it can be concluded that heat treatment generally improves structural strength of the printed parts, while aging decreases it. However, these effects are highly dependent on the layer thickness and printing quality. The tensile test is conducted according to the ASTM D638 standard. The fractured samples were further characterized using an electron microscope.
Prediction of Surface Roughness in Drilling of Polymers using a Geometrical Model and Artificial Neural Networks
Polymeric materials are synthetic macromolecular products, of which, by mechanical or thermal processing, objects of various shapes can be obtained, with wide uses in industry and commerce. This paper deals with the roughness of surfaces obtained during drilling of three polymeric materials: polyamide - PA6, polyacetal - POM-C and high density polyamide - HDPE 1000. In the experimental research was used a EMCO MILL 55 milling machine numerical controlled and HS steel helical drills with two straight cutting edges with the diameter of Ø8 mm and Ø10 mm, respectively. Experimental determinations consisted in drilling of the polymeric materials by modifying some parameters of the cutting regime, and determining the roughness of the surface of the holes machined, using the Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-210 rough meter. The purpose of the paper is to predict the roughness of the machined surfaces as one of the important surface quality indicators by using a geometrical model and an artificial neural network (ANN) methodology.
Study on the Surface Condition of Composite Biomaterials Related to Saliva pH
In the context of an extremely diverse offer of composite materials, the clinical reality permanently offers data about the way in which the individual feeding behavior, correlated with the salivary structure definitely have an impact on the structure, namely the quality of fillings made of various composite materials.The purpose of this study is represented by the analysis of the behavior of 6 types of composite materials that are frequently used in the dental medical practice in the presence of an acidic pH. The composite materials analyzed were Premise (Kerr) - P1, Polofil Supra (Voco) - P2, Nexcomp (Meta Biomed) - P3, Point 4 (Kerr) - P4, Pekalite (Heraeus Kulzer) - P5, and Progress (K.B. Mutsumi) - P6. The images of scanning electron microscopy clearly indicate that all samples are affected by acidic conditions (pH 4) after a moderately, but continuous exposure of 3 months. Signs of abrasions structural deterioration and leaks are obvious after pH 4 saliva treatments within all samples and magnifications, being marked by texture decay, rust-like presentation, and shallows, holes and cracks rise and enlargement. The intensity of deterioration processes varies between the studied commercial samples, with Pekalite (Heraeus Kulzer) followed by Point 4 (Kerr) being the most resistant to degradation in the current experimental conditions.