The purpose of this study is to develope new dental color-space system. Twelve kinds of dental composites and one kind of dental porcelain were used in this study. Disk samples (15 mm in diameter, 4 mm in thickness) of used materials were made and sample's CIE L^*a^*b^* value was measured by Spectrocolorimeter (MiniScan XE plus, Model 4000S, diffuse/8° viewing mode, 14.3 mm Port diameters, Hunter Lab. USA). The range of measured color distribution was analyzed. All the data were applied in the form of T### which is expression unit in CNU Cons Dental Color Chart.

The value of L^* lies between 80.40 and 52.70. The value of a^* are between 10.60 and 3.60 and b^* are between 28.40 and 2.21. The average value of L^* is 67.40, and median value is 67.30. The value of a^* are 2.89 and 2.91 respectively. And for the b^*, 14.30 and 13.90 were obtained. The data were converted to T### that is the unit count system in CNU-Cons Dental Color Chart. The value of L^* is converted in the first digit of the numbering system. Each unit is 2.0 measured values. The second digit is the value of a^* and is converted new number by 1.0 measured value. For the third digit b^* is replaced and it is 2.0 measured unit apart. T555 was set to the value of L^* ranging from 66.0 to 68.0, value of a^* ranging from 3 to 4 and b^* value ranging from 14 to 16.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of surface roughness on the surface color and translucency of the composite resins.

Two composite resins (Esthet-X, Dentsply, Milford, USA and Charisma, Kulzer, Domagen, Germany) were used to investigate the surface color. Charisma was used to investigate the translucency. 40 disc samples (diameter: 8 mm, thickness: 5 mm) were made by each product to measure the surface color. Polymerized each sample's one side was treated by Sof-Lex finishing and polishing system (Group C, M, F, SF). 40 disc samples (diameter: 6 mm, thickness: 1 mm) were prepared to measure the opacity. 1 mm samples were ground one side with #600, #1000, #1500 and #2000 sandpapers. CIE L*a*b* values of each 5 mm thickness samples, and XYZ values of 1 mm thickness samples on the white and black background were measured with spectrophotometer (Spectrolino, GretagMacbeth, Regensdorf, Switzerland).

Mean surface roughness (Ra) of all samples before and after surface treatment was measured using the Surface Roughness Tester SJ-301 (Mytutoyo, Tokyo, Japan).

Regardless of type and shade of the composite resin, L* values measured in group C were higher than others (p < 0.05), and L* value decreased as the Ra value decreased except B3 shade of Esthet-X. But there were no significant difference in a* values among groups. In control group and SF, highest b* values were measured (p < 0.05), except B1 shade of Esthet-X.

Contrast ratio decreased as the Ra value decreased (p < 0.05).

With the above results, difference of surface roughness has influence on surface color and translucency of dental composite resins.

This study was conducted to evaluate canal configuration after shaping by ProTaper™ with various rotational speed in J-shaped simulated resin canals.

Forty simulated root canals were divided into 4 groups, and instrumented using by ProTaper™ at the rotational speed of 250, 300, 350 and 400 rpm. Pre-instrumented and post-instrumented images were taken by a scanner and those were superimposed. Outer canal width, inner canal width, total canal width, and amount of transportation from original axis were measured at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mm from apex. Instrumentation time, instrument deformation and fracture were recorded. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test.

The results were as follows

Regardless of rotational speed, at the 1~2 mm from the apex, axis of canal was transported to outer side of a curvature, and at 3~6 mm from the apex, to inner side of a curvature. Amounts of transportation from original axis were not significantly different among experimental groups except at 5 and 6 mm from the apex.

In conclusion, the rotational speed of ProTaper™ files in the range of 250~400 rpm does not affect the change of canal configuration, and high rotational speed reduces the instrumentation time. However, appearance of separation and distortion of Ni-Ti rotary files can occur in high rotational speed.

This study was conducted to evaluate the insertion depth of Buchanan plugger after shaping by various Ni-Ti rotary files. It was conducted to determine which size of plugger are appropriate, when root canals are shaped with Ni-Ti rotary files and obturated by Continuous wave of condensation technique.

Two type of eighty simulated resin blocks were used : J-shaped and straight shaped canal. The simulated canals were instrumented by ProTaper and ProFile. Buchanan pluggers were inserted into the canal, and then the image was recorded to scanner. The distance from the apex of the canal to the plugger tip was measured by image analysis program. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test.

The results were as follows

1. In straight canal finished up to ProTaper F2 and F3 file, F and FM pluggers were inserted more than 5 mm short of working length.

2. In J-shaped canal finished up to ProTaper F2 file, F pluggers were inserted more than 5 mm short of working length. Finished up to ProTaper F3 file, F and FM pluggers were inserted more than 5 mm short of working length.

3. In straight and J-shaped canal finished up to ProFile .06/#20 and .06/#25, any of Buchanan plugger could not be inserted more than 5 mm short of working length.

These results suggest that canals shaped by ProTaper could be obturated by Continuous wave of condensation technique with F and FM size Buchanan plugger.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing application time of single bottle adhesives (SBA) to microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of dried dentin. To expose the superficial dentin surfaces, human molars were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis of tooth. 32% phosphoric acid gels were applied for 15s and rinsed. The teeth were randomly assigned to 3 groups ; S group (Single Bond), O group (One-Step), P group (Prime & Bond NT). Each group was divided to 3 subgroups (W: dentin wipe with wet gauge and light cured immediately, D: dentin dried for 30s and light cured immediately, 30: dentin dried for 30s and light cured after applying SBA for 30s). Composite resin was built up on the dentin surface and sectioned to obtain 20 specimens with 1 mm² cross sectional area and the MTBS was measured.

For Single Bond, the mean MTBS of S-W and S-30 group were higher than that of S-D group statistically (P < 0.05). For One-Step, the mean MTBS of O-D group was statistically lower than that of O-W group (P < 0.05). For Prime & Bond NT, the mean MTBS of P-30 group was statistically lower than that of P-D group (P < 0.05).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate which type of Ni-Ti files are able to maintain canal configuration better in the simulated canal with abrupt curvature near it's apex.

Ninety six simulated root canals were made in epoxy resin and #15 finger spreader was used as root canal templates. The simulated root canals were made with radius of curvature of 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm, 6.0 mm respectively and the angle of curvature of all simulated canals were adjusted to 90 degree. The simulated canals were instrumented by ProFile, ProTaper, Hero 642, and K³ at a 300 rpm using crown-down pressureless technique. Pre-instrumented and post-instrumented images were taken by digital camera and were superimposed with Adobe Photoshop 6.0 program. Images were compared by image analysis program.

The changes of canal width at the inner and outer side of the canal curvature, canal transportation were measured at 9 measuring point with 1 mm interval. Statistical analysis among the types of Ni-Ti files was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test.

The result was that ProFile maintain original canal configuration better than other engine driven Ni-Ti files in the canals above 3.0 mm radius of curvature, and in the 1.5 mm radius of curvature, most of Ni-Ti flies were deformed or separated during instrumentation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the canal configuration after shaping by ProFile, ProTaper and K-Flexofile in simulated resin canals with different angles of curvature.

Three types of instruments were used : ProFile, ProTaper, K-Flexofile. Simulated root canals, which were made of epoxy resin, were prepared by ProFile, ProTaper with rotary instrument using a crown-down pressureless technique, and hand instrumentation was performed by K-Flexofile using a step-back technique. All simulated canals were prepared up to size 25 file at end-point of preparation. Pre and post instrumentation images were recorded with Scanner. Assessment of canal shape was completed with Image Analysis program. Measurements were made at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm from the apex. At each level, outer canal width, inner canal width, total canal width, and amount of transportation from original axis were recorded. Instrument deformation and fracture were recorded. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA analysis of variance and the Sheffe's test.

The result was that ProFile and ProTaper maintain original canal shape regardless of the increase of angle of curvature than K-Flexofile. ProFile show significantly less canal transportation and maintained original canal shape better than ProTaper.

This study was done to evaluate whether vital bleaching agents could influence on the translucency of the bovine enamel. The anterior bovine teeth that were extracted one day before and without any gross discoloration were obtained and then were preserved in physiologic saline. 6 mm cylindrical tooth specimens were fabricated with diamond puncher perpendicularly on labial surface of bovine tooth. After embedded in transparent acrylic resin with labial surface being exposed, they were cut to a thickness of 1.2 mm with low speed diamond saw (Isomat, Buehler Co., Lake Bluff, IL, USA). They were smoothly ground to 1 mm thickness of enamel with sandpaper. 24 specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups and control group respectively. Opalescence (10% carbamide peroxide, Ultradent, South Jordan, USA), Rembrandt (10% carbamide peroxide, DenMat, USA) and Opalescence F (15% carbamide peroxide with fluoride, Ultradent, USA) were applied on labial sides of the bovine enamel for 7 days (bleaching agents were reapplied every 24 hours) and the opposite surface was contacted to cotton that soaked in distilled water. The control group was soaked in distilled water. Three stimulus value X, Y and Z were evaluated with colorimeter (Color & Color Differencemeter, Model TC-6FX, Tokyo Denshoku Co., Japan) on the labial surface of all specimen three times on white and black background plate before the bleaching agents were applied and on 3rd, 5th and 7th day after applied. The degree of translucency was normally assessed by measuring the inverse property, opacity (contrast ratio).

10% Opalescence, 15% Opalescence-F, and control group showed no significant variation in the translucency of bovine enamel, However Rembrandt decreased the translucency of it (p < 0.01).

This study was conducted in order to assess whether the form of the shade guide affects in deciding the color of the teeth using the shade guide.

Eight shade light cured composite resins (Esthet-X, Dentsply, Milford, USA) were used in this study. Shade guides including the model of maxillary central incisors, teeth-form shade guide, doughnut form shade guide, and shade guide with perforated gray shield were prepared with eight shade composite resins and provided the codes randomly.

After arranging the models of teeth, 19 dentists working at the clinic of the Dentistry of Chonnam University Hospital and 65 students of college of dentistry, Chonnnam University selected the shade guides corresponding to the color of each tooth on the gray board under the D65 standard illuminant.

B1 shade showed highest accuracy of about 95% among all shade guides of 3 forms applied to the test and regardless of observer, tooth form shade guide showed the highest accuracy (p < 0.05), and the doughnut form showed the lowest accuracy (p < 0.05).

At the time of deciding on the color of the teeth using the shade guides as a result of above, the forms of the shade guides can affect the accuracy, and it suggests that the development of the diversified forms of shade guides, which may obtain more accurate results, is required.

This study was done to evaluate the shear bond strength between light-cured glass ionomer cement (GIC) base and resin cement for luting indirect resin inlay and to observe bonding aspects which is produced at the interface between them by SEM.

Two types of light cured GIC (Fuji II LC Improved, GC Co. Tokyo, Japan and Vitrebond™, 3M, Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A) were used in this study. For shear bond test, GIC specimens were made and immersed in 37℃ distilled water for 1 hour, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. Eighty resin inlays were prepared with Artglass® (Heraeus Kultzer, Germany) and luted with Variolink® II (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein).

Shear bond strength of each specimen was measured and fractured surface were examined. Statistical analysis was done with one-way ANOVA.

Twenty four extracted human third molars were selected and Class II cavities were prepared and GIC based at axiopulpal lineangle. The specimens were immersed in 37℃ distilled water for 1 hour, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. And then the resin inlays were luted to prepared teeth. The specimens were sectioned vertically with low speed saw. The bonding aspect of the specimens were observed by SEM (JSM-5400®, Jeol, Tokyo, Japan). There was no significant difference between the shear bond strength according to storage periods of light cured GIC base. And cohesive failure was mostly appeared in GIC. On scanning electron micrograph, about 30 - 120 µm of the gaps were observed on the interface between GIC base and dentin. No gaps were observed on the interface between GIC and resin inlay.

In this study we measured the amount of light energy that was projected through the tooth material and analyzed the degree of polymerization by measuring the surface hardness of composites. For polymerization, Optilux 501 (Demetron, USA) with two types of light guide was used: a 12 mm diameter light guide with 840 mW/cm² light intensity and a 7 mm diameter turbo light guide with 1100 mW/cm².

Specimens were divided into three groups according to thickness of penetrating tooth (1 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm). Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to type of light guide and curing time (20 seconds, 40 seconds). Vickers'hardness was measured by using a microhardness tester. In 0 mm and 1 mm penetrating tooth group, which were polymerized by a turbo light guide for 40 seconds, showed the highest hardness values. The specimens from 2 mm penetrating tooth group, which were polymerized for 20 seconds, demonstrated the lowest hardness regardless of the types of light guides (p < 0.05).

The results of this study suggest that, when projecting tooth material over a specified thickness, the increase of polymerization will be limited even if light intensity or curing time is increased.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the penetration pattern of dentin adhesives according to the orientation of dentinal tubules with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Specimens having perpendicular, parallel and oblique surface to dentinal tubules were fabricated. The primer of dentin adhesives (ALL BOND® 2, CLEARFIL™ SE BOND and PQ1) was mixed with fluorescent material, rhodamine B isothiocyanate (Aldrich Chem. CO., Milw., USA). It was applied to the specimens according to the instructions of manufactures. The specimens were covered with composite resin (Estelite, shade A2) and then cut to a thickness of 500 µm with low speed saw (Isomet™, Buehler, USA). The adhesive pattern of dentin adhesives were observed by fluorescence image using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

The results were as follows.

For the groups with tubules perpendicular to bonded surface, funnel shape of resin tag was observed in all specimen. However, resin tags were more prominent in phosphoric acid etching system (ALL BOND® 2 and PQ1) than self etching system (CLEARFIL™ SE BOND).