Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of root canal and glass fiber post diameters on the biomechanical behavior of the dentin/cement/post interface of a root-filled tooth using 3D finite element analysis. Material and Methods: Six models were built using micro-CT imaging data and SolidWorks 2007 software, varying the root canal (C) and the glass fiber post (P) diameters: C1P1-C=1 mm and P=1 mm; C2P1-C=2 mm and P=1 mm; C2P2-C=2 mm and P=2 mm; C3P1-C=3 mm and P=1 mm; C3P2-C=3 mm and P=2 mm; and C3P3-C=3 mm and P=3 mm. The numerical analysis was conducted with ANSYS Workbench 10.0. An oblique force (180 N at 45º) was applied to the palatal surface of the central incisor. The periodontal ligament surface was constrained on the three axes (x=y=z=0). Maximum principal stress (σmax) values were evaluated for the root dentin, cement layer, and glass fiber post. Results: The most evident stress was observed in the glass fiber post at C3P1 (323 MPa), and the maximum stress in the cement layer occurred at C1P1 (43.2 MPa). The stress on the root dentin was almost constant in all models with a peak in tension at C2P1 (64.5 MPa). CONCLUSION: The greatest discrepancy between root canal and post diameters is favorable for stress concentration at the post surface. The dentin remaining after the various root canal preparations did not increase the stress levels on the root.

OBJECTIVES: The non-homogenous aspect of periodontal ligament (PDL) has been examined using finite element analysis (FEA) to better simulate PDL behavior. The aim of this study was to assess, by 2-D FEA, the influence of non-homogenous PDL on the stress distribution when the free-end saddle removable partial denture (RPD) is partially supported by an osseointegrated implant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six finite element (FE) models of a partially edentulous mandible were created to represent two types of PDL (non-homogenous and homogenous) and two types of RPD (conventional RPD, supported by tooth and fibromucosa; and modified RPD, supported by tooth and implant [10.00x3.75 mm]). Two additional Fe models without RPD were used as control models. The non-homogenous PDL was modeled using beam elements to simulate the crest, horizontal, oblique and apical fibers. The load (50 N) was applied in each cusp simultaneously. Regarding boundary conditions the border of alveolar ridge was fixed along the x axis. The FE software (Ansys 10.0) was used to compute the stress fields, and the von Mises stress criterion (svM) was applied to analyze the results. RESULTS: The peak of svM in non-homogenous PDL was higher than that for the homogenous condition. The benefits of implants were enhanced for the non-homogenous PDL condition, with drastic svM reduction on the posterior half of the alveolar ridge. The implant did not reduce the stress on the support tooth for both PDL conditions. Conclusion: The PDL modeled in the non-homogeneous form increased the benefits of the osseointegrated implant in comparison with the homogeneous condition. Using the non-homogenous PDL, the presence of osseointegrated implant did not reduce the stress on the supporting tooth.

El valor estético de una restauración cerámica es parcialmente influenciado por múltiples factores. Muchos de estos factores son conocidos por el odontólogo, sin embargo, existen otros , tales como: grosor de la cerámica, color del agente cementante, color de la estructura dental subyacente, limitaciones de las guías de colores disponibles, composición de los materiales cerámicos, etc. que pueden interferir en la correcta selección del color, siendo un problema clínico muy común. El propósito de este trabajo fue hacer una revisión bibliográfica sobre la influencia de los factores físicos y sensoriales y como estos pueden afectar en la selección del color de las restauraciones protésicas con el fin de evitarlos o disminuirlos

The esthetic value of dental ceramic restorations is influenced by several factors. Many factors is know by the dentist , however, others factors like: ceramic thickness, luting agent, shade guides, color of dental substrate, the limited range of available ceramic shades, varying compositions of ceramic materials, is a common clinical problem. The aim of this study was made a literature review of the influence of physical and sensorial factors on the shade selection in ceramics restorations for avoid or minimize these factors

The presence of porosities at the dentin/adhesive interface has been observed with the use of new generation dentin bonding systems. These porosities tend to contradict the concept that etching and hybridization processes occur equally and simultaneously. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the micromechanical behavior of the hybrid layer (HL) with voids based on a self-etching adhesive system using 3-D finite element (FE) analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three FE models (Mr) were built: Mr, dentin specimen (41x41x82 μm) with a regular and perfect (i.e. pore-free) HL based on a self-etching adhesive system, restored with composite resin; Mp, similar to M, but containing 25% (v/v) voids in the HL; Mpp, similar to Mr, but containing 50% (v/v) voids in the HL. A tensile load (0.03N) was applied on top of the composite resin. The stress field was obtained by using Ansys Workbench 10.0. The nodes of the base of the specimen were constrained in the x, y and z axes. The maximum principal stress (σmax) was obtained for all structures at the dentin/adhesive interface. RESULTS: The Mpp showed the highest peak of σmax in the HL (32.2 MPa), followed by Mp (30 MPa) and Mr (28.4 MPa). The stress concentration in the peritubular dentin was high in all models (120 MPa). All other structures positioned far from voids showed similar increase of stress. CONCLUSION: Voids incorporated into the HL raised the σmax in this region by 13.5%. This behavior might be responsible for lower bond strengths of self-etching and single-bottle adhesives, as reported in the literature.

A pesar de las mejoras ocurridas en las condiciones de salud general de la población, aún es frecuente, con el proceso de envejecimiento, la de pérdida de piezas dentarias, acarreando disturbios en el sistema masticatorio y reflejándose en todo el organismo del anciano. De esta forma, este trabajo realizó una revisión de literatura al respecto de este sistema, sus funciones, peculiaridades y alteraciones especialmente relacionadas a la pérdida dentaria, enfatizando la importancia de las rehabilitaciones protésicas para restaurar la función y los cuidados necesarios en el planeamiento, instalación y manutención de las prótesis en los pacientes de la tercera edad. Fue posible concluir que, debido a la complejidad del sistema masticatorio y de todas las estructuras relacionadas, la reunión del mayor número posible de informaciones durante la anamnesis, examen clínico, radiográfico y de modelos de estudio montados en el articulador son de mucha importancia para el éxito de cualquier tratamiento que envuelve pacientes ancianos. Estos tratamientos, deben someterse a un planeamiento multidisciplinar donde cada especialidad siga una secuencia lógica e integrada de ejecución, para que sean alcanzados los resultados anhelados.

Despite of the improvements happened in the general conditions of population health, it's frequent the occurrence of teeth loss with the aging. This phenomenon cause masticatory system disturbance and can be observed in all the elderly organism. By this way, this study realized a literature review about this system, its functions, peculiarities and alterations related to the loss of tooth, emphasizing the importance of prosthetic rehabilitations to restore the functions and the necessary care on treatment planning, installation and prosthesis maintenance in elderly people. In virtue of masticatory system complexity and its related structures, it can be concluded that the reunion of a great data number during the anamnesis, clinical and radiographic examination, and the mounting of diagnostic casts in semi-adjustable articulator are very important for a successful treatment involving elderly people. These treatments may involve a multidisciplinary planning where each involved specialty follow a logic and integrated sequence of execution to reach the desired results.