Thermal expansion of dental casting alloys and phosphate-bonded investments.
For a dental investment to render accurate castings, it is essential 1) that the setting expansion is low enough not to cause any distortion of the wax pattern, and 2) that the thermal expansion is high enough to compensate fully for the solid thermal contraction of the casting alloy used1-8). However, all phosphate-bonded investments known today when used according to the manufacturers' instructions, are characterized by a relatively high setting expansion, and by a thermal expansion insufficient to compensate adequately for the solid thermal contraction of conventional casting alloys. Recent studies9) have shown that the setting expansion of representative European brands of phosphate-bonded investments may be reduced to an acceptable low value by modifying the mixing liquid. It was the purpose of the present work to study the thermal expansion of thus modified products, and for comparison also the thermal expansion of several dental casting alloys.
Dimensional change in mould space on setting of phosphate bonded investment.
— The effect of setting expansion and of temperature rise during setting of phosphate bonded investment on selected dimensions of an MOD casting mould space was studied. Excessive mould expansion and distortion was demonstrated. It was concluded that investments having zero setting expansion and sufficient thermal expansion to compensate for casting shrinkage should be used with the die-investing technique. However, such investments are not at present available for all alloys.
Endodontic regeneration: hard shell, soft core
A loss of organs or the destruction of tissue leaves wounds to which organisms and living things react differently. Their response depends on the extent of damage, the functional impairment and the biological potential of the organism. Some can completely regenerate lost body parts or tissues, whereas others react by forming scars in the sense of a tissue repair. Overall, the regenerative capacities of the human body are limited and only a few tissues are fully restored when injured. Dental tissues may suffer severe damage due to various influences such as caries or trauma; however, dental care aims at preserving unharmed structures and, thus, the functionality of the teeth. The dentin–pulp complex, a vital compound tissue that is enclosed by enamel, holds many important functions and is particularly worth protecting. It reacts physiologically to deleterious impacts with an interplay of regenerative and reparative processes to ensure its functionality and facilitate healing. While there were initially no biological treatment options available for the irreversible destruction of dentin or pulp, many promising approaches for endodontic regeneration based on the principles of tissue engineering have been developed in recent years. This review describes the regenerative and reparative processes of the dentin–pulp complex as well as the morphological criteria of possible healing results. Furthermore, it summarizes the current knowledge on tissue engineering of dentin and pulp, and potential future developments in this thriving field.