The purpose of this study was to prove that an intermediate resin layer (IRL) can increase the bond strength to dentin by reducing the permeability of single-step adhesives.

Flat dentin surfaces were created on buccal and lingual side of freshly extracted third molar using a low-speed diamond saw under copious water flow. Approximately 2.0 mm thick axially sectioned dentin slice was abraded with wet #600 SiC paper. Three single-step self-etch adhesives; Adper Prompt L-Pop (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA), One-Up Bond F (Tokuyama Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and Xeno III (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) were used in this study. Each adhesive groups were again subdivided into ten groups by; whether IRL was used or not; whether adhesives were cured with light before application of IRL or not; the mode of composite application.

The results of this study were as follows;

1. Bond strength of single-step adhesives increased by an additional coating of intermediate resin layer, and this increasement was statistically signigicant when self-cured composite was used (p < 0.001).

2. When using IRL, there were no difference on bond strengths regardless the curing procedure of single-step adhesives.

3. There were no significant difference on bond strengths between usage of AB2 or SM as an IRL.

4. The thickness of hybrid layer was correlated with the acidity of adhesive used, and the nanoleakage represented by silver deposits and grains was examined within hybrid and adhesive layer in most of single-step adhesives.

5. Neither thickness of hybrid layer nor nanoleakage were related to bond strength.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of burs on microleakage of Class V resin restorations when a self-etching primer adhesive was used.

Forty Class V cavities were prepared with four different cutting burs on extracted third molars, and divided into one of four equal groups (n = 10); Group 1-plain cut carbide bur (no. 245), Group 2-cross cut carbide bur (no. 557), Group 3-fine diamond bur (TF-21F), Group 4-standard diamond bur (EX-41).

The occlusal and gingival margin of cavities was located in enamel and dentin, respectively. Cavities were treated with Clearfil SE Bond and restored with Clearfil AP-X. Specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, and bisected longitudinally. They were observed leakages at enamel and dentinal margins. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed ranked test.

The results of this study were as follows;

1. At enamel margin, microleakage of group 4 was statistically higher than those of group 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.01).

2. At dentinal margin, microleakage of group 4 was statistically higher than group 3 (p < 0.01), but group 1 and 2 were not statistically different with group 3 and 4.

3. Enamel microleakage was statistically higher than dentinal microleakage in group 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.05), but statistical difference between the microleakage of enamel and dentinal margin was not in group 4.

In conclusion, the use of coarse diamond bur showed high microleakage at both enamel and dentinal margin when Clearfil SE Bond was used in class V cavity.

C-shaped canals are known to present a complex canal anatomy with numerous fins connecting individual canals, thus requiring supplementary effort to accomplish a successful root canal treatment. This study examined the frequency of the C-shaped mandibular second molars and interrelation between the clinical records and radiographs to recognize them treated in the Department of Conservative Dentistry of the Chosun University Dental Hospital during a six-year period (1998 - 2004). This study reviewed the clinical records of 227 patients who underwent root canal treatment of the mandibular second molars. After opening the chamber, those cases with C-shaped orifices in the pulpal floor were selected, and the C-shaped root canal types were classified according to Melton's criteria. Three experienced dentists evaluated the radiographs of the C-shaped mandibular second molar on a viewer using a magnifying glass in order to determine if the root apex was fused or separated, the distal root canal was either centered or mesial shifted in the distal root, and if there was bilateral symmetry in a panorama. In conclusion, there is a high frequency of C-shaped mandibular second molars in Koreans. Simultaneous interpretation of the root shape and distal root canal using the preoperative, working length and post-treatment radiographs is important for diagnosing a C-shaped mandibular second molar.

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the durability of 4 resin cements by means of microtensile bond strength test combined with thermocycling method and fractographic FE-SEM analysis.

Experimental groups were prepared according to thermocycling (0, 1,000, 5,000) and the kind of resin cements, those were Variolink II, Multilink, Panavia F 2.0, Rely X Unicem. Flat dentin surfaces were created on mid-coronal dentin of extracted third molars. Then fresh dentin surface was grounded with 320-grit silicon carbide abrasive papers to create uniform smear layers. Indirect composite block (Tescera, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) was fabricated (12 × 12 × 6 mm³). It's surface for bonding to tooth was grounded with silicon carbide abrasive papers from 180- to 600-grit serially, then sandblasted with 20 - 50 µm alumina oxide. According to each manufacturer's instruction, dentin surface was treated and indirect composite block was luted on it using each resin cement. For Rely X Unicem, dentin surface was not treated. The bonded tooth-resin block were stored in distilled water at 37℃ for 24 hours. After thermocycling, the bonded tooth-resin block was sectioned occluso-gingivally to 1.0 mm thick serial slabs using an Isomet slow-speed saw (Isomet, Buehler Ltd, Lake Bluff, IL, USA). These sectioned slabs were further sectioned to 1.0 × 1.0 mm² composite-dentin beams. The specimens were tested with universal testing machine (EZ-Test, Shimadzu, Japan) at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min with maximum load of 500 N. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple comparison test at p ≤ 0.05 level.

Within the limited results, we conclude as follows;

1. The bond strength of Variolink II was evaluated the highest among experimental groups and was significantly decreased after 1,000 thermocycling (p < 0.05).

2. The bond strength of Multilink was more affected by thermocycling than the other experimental groups and significantly decreased after 1,000 thermocycling (p < 0.05).

3. Panavia F 2.0 and Rely X Unicem showed the gradually decreased tendency of microtensile bond strength according to thermocycling but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05).

4. Adhesive based-resin cements showed lower bond strength with or without thermocycling than composite based-resin cements.

5. Variolink II & Multilink showed high bond strength and mixed failure, which was occurred with a thin layer of luting resin cement before thermocycling and gradually increased adhesive failure along the dentin surface after thermocycling.

The bonding performance of resin cement can be affected by application procedure and chemical composition. Composite based-resin cement showed higher bond strength and durability than adhesive based-resin cement.

The purpose of this study was to assess the background color-interceptive ability and opacity of opaque shade composites (Universal composite, Filtek Z350, Charisma, Clearfil ST, Palpaque Estelite, Esthet-X, and Metafil Flo).

Twenty four background specimens (diameter 5.5 mm, thickness 3.0 mm) with Root dentin Mustard (Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA) were made. The CIE L^*a^*b^* value of background specimens was measured by a spectrophotometer (Spectrolino, GretagMacbeth, Regensdorf, Switzerland). Three specimens in every group were filled on the background specimens. The surface color of samples was measured by a spectrophotometer in 3.0 mm and every thickness to 0.5 mm while grinding. The color difference in the background color along with 3.0 mm specimen gauged the masking effect in each thickness while grinding and polishing. The opacity was calculated in 1 mm thick specimens.

The opacity was in the decreasing order of Clearfil ST, Metafil Flo, Filtek Z350, Palpaque Estelite, Universal composite, Charisma, and Esthet-X (p < 0.05). As the thickness get reduced, L^* value showed decreasing, a^* increasing tendency. The surface color difference between pair of the 3.0 mm thick specimen and after grinding in same opaque resin was above 3.3 except Clearfil ST and Metafil Flo. The color difference (ΔE^*) between pair of background specimen and opaque resin builtup specimen showed more than 10.0 regardless kinds and thickness.

The variance in opacity characteristics and color of the opaque composites is dependent upon manufacturer. When using the opaque resin, the optical properties of each material must be considered as well as cavity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different etching times on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin both initial and after thermocycling with 3 different types of total-etching adhesives.

Fifty four teeth were divided into 18 groups by etching times (5, 15, 25 sec), adhesives types (Scotchbond Multipurpose (SM), Single Bond (SB), One-Step (OS)), and number of thermocycling (0, 2,000 cycles).

Flat dentin surfaces were prepared on mid-coronal dentin of extracted third molars. After exposed fresh dentin surfaces were polished with 600-grit SiC papers, each specimen was acid-etched with 35% phosphoric acid (5, 15, 25 sec) and bonded with 3 different types of total etching adhesives respectively. Then, hybrid composite Z-250 was built up. Half of them were not thermocycled (control group) and the others were subjected to 2,000 thermocycle (experimental group). They were sectioned occluso-gingivally into 1.0 × 1.0 mm² composite-dentin beams and tested with universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min.

Within limited data of this study, the results were as follows

1. There was no statistically significant difference in µTBS between the thermocycled and non-thermocycled groups, except for both SM and SB etched for 25 sec.

2. In thermocycled SM and SB groups, bond strength decreased by extended etching time.

In total etching systems, adhesive durability for dentin could be affected by type of solvents in adhesive and etching time. Especially, extended etching time may cause deteriorate effects on bond strength when ethanol-based adhesive was used.

Present tooth bonding system can be categorized into total etching bonding system (TE) and self-etching boding system (SE) based on their way of smear layer treatment. The purposes of this study were to compare the effectiveness between these two systems and to evaluate the effect of number of themocycling on microleakage of class V composite resin restorations.

Total forty class V cavities were prepared on the single-rooted bovine teeth and were randomly divided into four experimental groups: two kinds of bonding system and another two kinds of thermocycling groups. Half of the cavities were filled with Z250 follwing the use of TE system, Single Bond and another twenty cavities were filled with Metafil and AQ Bond, SE system. All composite restoratives were cured using light curing unit (XL2500, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) for 40 seconds with a light intensity of 600 mW/cm².

Teeth were stored in distilled water for one day at room temperature and were finished and polished with Sof-Lex system. Half of teeth were thermocycled 500 times and the other half were thermocycled 5,000 times between 5℃ and 55℃ for 30 second at each temperature.

Teeth were isolated with two layers of nail varnish except the restoration surface and 1 mm surrounding margins. Electrical conductivity (µA) was recorded in distilled water by electrochemical method. Microleakage scores were compared and analyzed using two-way ANOVA at 95% level.

From this study, following results were obtained: There was no interaction between variables of bonding system and number of thermocycling (p = 0.485). Microleakage was not affected by the number of thermocycling either (p = 0.814). However, Composite restoration of Metafil and AQ Bond, SE bond system showed less microleakage than composite restoration of Z250 and Single Bond, TE bond system (p = 0.005).

The aims of this study were to compare the shaping effect and safety between single length technique recommended by manufacturer and crown-down technique using Mtwo rotary file and to present a modified method in use of Mtwo file.

Sixty simulated root canal resin blocks were used. The canals were divided into three groups according to instrument and the manner of using methods. Each group had 20 specimens. Group MT was instrumented with single length technique of Mtwo, group MC was instrumented with crowndown technique of Mtwo and group PT was instrumented with crown-down technique of ProTaper. All of the rotary files used in this study were operated by an electric motor. The scanned canal images of before and after preparation were superimposed. These superimposed images were evaluated at apical 1 to 8 mm levels. Angle changes were calculated. The preparation time, weight loss, instrument failure and binding, canal aberrations, and centering ratio were measured. Statistical analysis of the three experimental groups was performed with ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range tests for post-hoc comparison and Fisher's exact test was done for the frequency comparison.

In total preparation time, group MT and group MC were less than group PT. In the aberrations, group MT had more elbows than those of group MC and group PT. The binding of group MC was least and group MT was less than group PT (P < 0.05).

Under the condition of this study, crown-down technique using Mtwo rotary file is better and safer method than single length technique recommended by the manufacturer.