The formation of new bone by periosteum due to an insult is called periosteal bone reaction (PBR). This study assessed the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) patterns of periosteal bone reactions associated with periapical inflammatory lesion (apical periodontitis/periapical rarefying osteitis).

Twenty-two small field of view CBCT images of patients with PBR were selected from a database of a private practice limited to endodontics. The volume of the periapical inflammatory lesion, the presence of cortical fenestration, the distance of the root apices to the affected cortex, and the location, pattern, and longest diameter of the periosteal reaction were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon Ranksum, Fischer’s exact, Spearman Correlation Coefficient, and paired t-test.

In all cases, periosteal bone reaction manifested as either parallel (90.9%) or irregular (9.1%). No correlation was found between periapical inflammatory lesion volume and the periosteal reaction's longest diameter (p > 0.05). Cortical fenestration was noted in 72.7% of the cases. In addition, the findings showed that periosteal reactions were located mostly on the buccal and were present 53.8% and 100% of the time in the mandible and maxilla, respectively.

The periosteal reactions of endodontic origin had a nonaggressive form (i.e., parallel or irregular), and none of the lesions resulted in a periosteal reaction with an ominous Codman’s triangle or spicule pattern.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of peak kilovoltage (kVp) and a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on image quality and the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Twenty single-rooted human teeth filled with an intracanal metal post were divided into 2 groups: control (n = 10) and VRF (n = 10). Each tooth was placed into the socket of a dry mandible, and CBCT scans were acquired using a Picasso Trio varying the kVp (70, 80, 90, or 99), and the use of MAR (with or without). The examinations were assessed by 5 examiners for the diagnosis of VRF using a 5-point scale. A subjective evaluation of the expression of artifacts was done by comparing random axial images of the studied protocols. The results of the diagnoses were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test, the subjective evaluations were compared using the Friedman test, and intra-examiner reproducibility was evaluated using the weighted kappa test (α = 5%).

The kVp and MAR did not influence the diagnosis of VRF (p > 0.05). According to the subjective classification, the 99 kVp protocol with MAR demonstrated the least expression of artifacts, while the 70 kVp protocol without MAR led to the most artifacts.

Protocols with higher kVp combined with MAR improved the image quality of CBCT examinations. However, those factors did not lead to an improvement in the diagnosis of VRF.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of conversion (DC) and mechanical properties of a microhybrid Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) resin composite after aging.

The specimens were fabricated using circular molds to investigate Vickers microhardness (Vickers hardness number [VHN]) and DC, and were prepared according to ISO 4049 for flexural strength testing. The initial DC (%) of discs was recorded using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy. The initial VHN of the specimens was measured using a microhardness tester under a load of 300 g for 15 seconds and the flexural strength test was carried out with a universal testing machine (crosshead speed, 0.5 mm/min). The specimens were then subjected to thermocycling in 5°C and 55°C water baths. Properties were assessed after 1,000–10,000 cycles of thermocycling. The surfaces were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test.

Statistical analysis showed that DC tended to increase up to 4,000 cycles, with no significant changes. VHN and flexural strength values significantly decreased upon thermal cycling when compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between initial and post-thermocycling VHN results at 1,000 cycles. SEM images after aging showed deteriorative changes in the resin composite surfaces.

The Z250 microhybrid resin composite showed reduced surface microhardness and flexural strength and increased DC after thermocycling.

To determine and compare the fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary central incisors restored with different posts and cores.

Forty-eight upper central incisors were randomly divided into four groups: cast post and core (group 1), fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) post and composite core (group 2), composite post and core (group 3), and controls (group 4). Mesio-distal and bucco-lingual dimensions at 7 and 14 mm from the apex were compared to ensure standardization among the groups. Twelve teeth were prepared for crown restoration (group 4). Teeth in other groups were endodontically treated, decoronated at 14 mm from the apex, and prepared for posts and cores. Resin-based materials were used for cementation in groups 1 and 2. In group 3, composite was used directly to fill the post space and for core build-up. All samples were restored by standard metal crowns using glass ionomer cement, mounted at 135° vertical angle, subjected to thermomechanical aging, and then fractured using a universal testing machine. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data.

Fracture resistance of the groups was as follows: Control (group 4) > cast post and core (group 1) > fiber post and composite core (group 2) > composite post and core (group 3). All samples in groups 2 and 3 fractured in restorable patterns, whereas most (58%) in group 1 were non-restorable.

Within the limitations of this study, FRC posts showed acceptable fracture resistance with favorable fracture patterns for reconstruction of upper central incisors.

This study evaluated microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and short-rod fracture toughness to explain fractural behavior of repaired composite restorations according to different surface treatments.

Thirty composite blocks for µTBS test and sixty short-rod specimens for fracture toughness test were fabricated and were allocated to 3 groups according to the combination of surface treatment (none-treated, sand blasting, bur roughening). Each group was repaired immediately and 2 weeks later. Twenty-four hours later from repair, µTBS and fracture toughness test were conducted. Mean values analyzed with two-way ANOVA / Tukey's B test (α = 0.05) and correlation analysis was done between µTBS and fracture toughness. FE-SEM was employed on fractured surface to examine the crack propagation.

The fresh composite resin showed higher µTBS than the aged composite resin (p < 0.001). Mechanically treated groups showed higher bond strength than non-mechanically treated groups except none-treated fresh group in µTBS (p < 0.05). The fracture toughness value of mechanically treated surface was higher than that of non-mechanically treated surface (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between fracture toughness and microtensile bond strength values. Specimens having high K_IC showed toughening mechanism including crack deviation, microcracks and crack bridging in FE-SEM.

Surface treatment by mechanical interlock is more important for effective composite repair, and the fracture toughness test could be used as an appropriate tool to examine the fractural behavior of the repaired composite with microtensile bond strength.