Single tooth anatomy
Page 1
Increasing Surface Energy
How to increase surface energy:
Acid Etching
Application of Phosphoric Acid:
To increase surface energy of the tooth.
Achieving Low Surface Tension:
Use of low molecular weight monomer, resulting in a more fluid adhesive.
Organic Component in Enamel:
Contains 1% organic material to help manage cracks on the tooth surface.
Dentin Composition:
High in organic components, mainly collagen.
Aging of collagen causes teeth to turn yellow.
Phosphoric Acid Application:
60 seconds application shows no change compared to 30 seconds.
Optimal Phosphoric Acid Application on different surfaces:
Best on buccal enamel for orthodontic brackets.
Weaker bonding in Class II (dentin-rich) and Class V (cervical enamel) areas due to moisture and structural differences.
Adhesion Types:
Micromechanical adhesion to enamel.
Adhesive Compatibility:
Adhesive and composite (containing Bis-GMA) must be chemically compatible and hydrophobic.
Bonding Strength Comparison:
Better in Class IV restorations (incisal edge) due to thicker enamel than in Class V restorations (cervical area).
Usage of Rubber Dam:
To avoid moisture during bonding; moisture prevents proper polymerization.
Bonding in Dentin:
Easier in superficial dentin compared to deeper dentin due to less moisture.
Adhesion Types
Ochemical Adhesion:
Includes physical, chemical, and mechanical properties.
Clinical Failures:
Caused by issues such as cohesion failure or adhesion inadequacy leading to gap formation and restoration staining.
Organic Composition of Enamel:
96% inorganic (hydroxyapatite), 3% water, 1% organic material.
Loss of Bonding Strength:
With age, organic proportion increases, leading to reduced bonding strength.
Application of Phosphoric Acid:
Etches enamel and creates micromechanical retention.
Aprismatic Enamel:
Requires sand blasting with aluminum oxide for retention if phosphoric acid is insufficient.
Page 2
Dentin Considerations
Bonding Strength:
Easier in superficial dentin than deep dentin due to larger tubules and moisture.
Smear Layer:
Protective covering of dentin tubules, significant for bonding considerations.
Composed of:
Smear-on layer (superficial)
Smear plug layer (covers tubule entries).
Issues with Smear Layer Removal:
Leaving it can lead to restorations breaking due to improper bonding.
Hybrid Layer:
Formed when the adhesive infiltrates and replaces the smear layer, allowing for better bonding.
Thicker when using a two-bottle adhesive system.
Role of Solvent in Adhesives:
Facilitates infiltration of collagen fibers; ethanol is the most common solvent.
Adhesives for Dentin and Enamel:
Not necessary to use separate adhesives for each.
Page 3
Decay and Preparation Techniques
Gingival Contact Removal:
Essential for thorough decay removal.
Gingival Floor Planing:
To eliminate unsupported enamel rods.
Drying After Primer Application:
Required to evaporate alcohol solvent.
Moisture Control Techniques:
Use of self-etching systems to facilitate bonding.
Etching Time Control:
Dentin is prone to over-etching; self-etching aids control.
MMP Activation Control:
Self-etching helps manage activation of collagen-degrading enzymes.
Total Etch vs. Self-Etch:
Total Etch: Apply for 20 seconds, then dry; Self-Etch: Apply with microbrush for 30 seconds.
Selectively Etching Enamel:
Solves the problem of poor enamel bonding from self-etching adhesives.
Page 4
Composite Composition
Inorganic Components of Composites:
Composed of various fillers.
Ideal Filler Content:
Higher filler content enhances performance; 100% filler results in a ceramic material.
Silane:
A bifunctional monomer crucial for composite interactions.
Common Initiator and Activator:
Camphorquinone is the most common initiator, activated by blue curing light (470 nm wavelength).
Composite Types:
Microhybrid and nanohybrid composites offer strength and polishability.
Nanofilled composites show clinical results similar to microhybrids.
Composite Layering and Shrinkage Control:
Apply composite in layers to mitigate shrinkage, ideally in 2 mm increments.
Page 5
Managing Composite Shrinkage
Factors Affecting Shrinkage:
Size of monomers, filler content, and type of composite (flowable vs packable).
Clinician's Shrinkage Control Techniques:
Volume of resin, C-factor control, light intensity adjustments, and using low-shrinkage resins.
Recommended Layer Thickness:
2 mm layers recommended to achieve effective light penetration and shrinkage control.
Understanding C-factor:
The ratio of bonded to unbonded surfaces impacts shrinkage risk.
Curing Light Requirements:
Minimum intensity of 450 mW/cm² needed to polymerize composite effectively.
Impact of Polymerization Speed on Shrinkage:
Slower polymerization generates less shrinkage, supported by lower intensity settings on curing lights.
Page 6
Material Properties and Polymerization
Material Types:
Weak: Composites
Strong: Metals, ceramics
Ductile vs Brittle: Ductile materials deform before breaking; brittle materials do not.
Flexible vs Stiff: Flowable composites are flexible while others are stiff.
Post-Curing Adjustments:
Resin polishing typically occurs immediately post-placement despite ongoing polymerization.
Chemical Aggressions to Teeth
Types of Chemical Challenges:
Caries, dental adhesives, low-pH beverages, gastric acid.
Erosion Identification:
Gastric acid erosion noted on lingual tooth surfaces.
Physical and Mechanical Aggressions
Common Physical Aggressions:
High-speed drills and curing lights.
Mechanical Aggressions:
Attrition and abrasion.
Patient Age Factor:
Older patients generally present more protective opportunities than younger ones.
Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) Basics:
Composed of polyacrylic acid and glass silicate, offering chemical adhesion due to polyacrylic acid.
Page 7
Caries Management
Initial Caries Removal:
Begin from the periphery to ensure complete decay elimination.