1.
Comparison of fracture resistance between cast posts and fiber posts: a meta-analysis of literature.
Zhou, L, Wang, Q
Journal of endodontics. 2013;(1):11-5
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of cast posts versus the fracture resistance of fiber posts by means of meta-analysis when they were used in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth. METHODS MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Biology Medicine disc were used in the literature search. Two independent reviewers assessed the titles and abstracts of all articles that were found according to the predefined inclusion criteria. Relevant articles were acquired in full-text form. Data in these studies were independently extracted. Standardized mean differences of included studies were combined and analyzed by using meta-analysis. RESULTS Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity among these studies. The standardized mean difference of the combined data was 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.08-1.20; P < .001), indicating that the cast post group displayed significantly higher fracture resistance than the fiber post group. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the current best available evidence, we concluded that cast posts had higher fracture resistance than fiber posts.
2.
Reliability of in vitro microleakage tests: a literature review.
Raskin, A, D'Hoore, W, Gonthier, S, Degrange, M, Déjou, J
The journal of adhesive dentistry. 2001;(4):295-308
Abstract
PURPOSE The literature contains conflicting data about in vitro microleakage evaluations and their usefulness and reliability. No standardization has yet been established. Here we consider features of published studies that might affect the results of the in vitro microleakage tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed 144 in vitro microleakage studies, published in 14 international reviews between 1992 and 1998, which comprised 917 sets or groups of experiments. The published studies were entered in a database and compared using selected literature criteria: sample, cavities, restoration procedures, thermocycling and mechanical cycling, evaluation method. RESULTS The methods employed vary widely. The most frequent methodological choices (%) were (1) specimen storage after extraction: duration (unspecified, 59.2), medium (distilled or deionized water, 33.8), temperature (unspecified, 52.2), additives (none, 47.0); (2) aging method (79.1): duration before aging (< 24 h, 35.9); medium and temperature of storage before aging (distilled or deionized water, 26.8; 37 degrees C, 54.3); (3) medium of cycling (tap water, 50.5), number of cycles ([250-500], 34.6), number of baths (2, 84.0), bath temperature (5 degrees C to 55 degrees C, 60.6), immersion dwell time (30 s, 44.3); (4) tracer: type (basic fuchsin, 40.7), time of immersion (after thermocycling and/or mechanical cycles, 64.1), immersion duration (basic fuchsin: 24 h, 59.5); assessment of dye penetration of sections (91.7): direction (perpendicular, 88.5), number (1, 47.1). CONCLUSION The great variability in the methods used in these 144 studies prevented meta-analysis and comparison of the results, thus reducing the value of these methods.