Reduced light energy density decreases post-gel contraction while maintaining degree of conversion in composites.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between curing light intensity and (1) linear post-gel polymerization contraction strain, and (2) degree of conversion of a dental composite. Cylindrical specimens of a dental resin composite were cured from a distance of 7 mm for 40 s at four attenuated light intensities (71%, 49%, and 34% of control intensity and for 20 s at 71% plus 20 s at 100% intensity). A group cured at full intensity served as a control. Degree of conversion (DC) was measured at the top and bottom and linear contraction strain was measured at the bottom of the composite samples. DC at the sample top was significantly different (P < 0.05) between all groups except the 71% and 49% intensity groups. At the sample bottom, DC resulting from the two highest intensities (71% and 100%) were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.05). All other groups were significantly different from each other (P < 0.05). DC for the sample cured at two light intensities was not significantly different from those cured at the lower intensity or higher intensity for 40 s (P > 0.05). The sample cured with two intensities showed a 21.8% reduction from the contraction strain predicted by a light energy density calculation. Application of light at less than the maximum intensity of the curing light resulted in significant reduction of polymerization contraction strain without significantly affecting the degree of conversion.

In vitro aging of dental composites in water--effect of degree of conversion, filler volume, and filler/matrix coupling.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of aging in water on the physical properties of experimental composites having systematically controlled differences in degree of conversion (DC), filler volume fraction (Vf), and percentage of silane-treated fillers. Composites were made with a 50% Bis-GMA:50% TEGDMA light-cured resin and a 1-2 microm (average size) strontium glass filler (+ 5 wt% SiO2 microfiller). For composites A-E, the DC was varied from 56-66% by changing the curing time; for D and F-I, the Vf was varied from 28-62 vol%; and for D and J-M, the percent of fillers with a silane coupling agent (gamma-MPS) was varied from 20-100%. Fracture toughness (KIc), flexure strength (FS), elastic modulus (E), and hardness (KHN) were tested after soaking in water at 37 degrees C for 1 day, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The KIc was reduced 20-30% for all composites after 6 months, with minimal changes thereafter. The FS was reduced for several composites at 6 months, but only those with poor cure (A and B) were lower at 2 years than they were initially. The E was not reduced for most composites. Hardness was reduced for most composites after 6 months, but many returned to their original levels at 2 years. Long-term aging in water caused a reduction in the KIc, independent of composition, but had little effect on other properties, suggesting limited degradation of composites in water.

Fracture toughness of experimental dental composites aged in ethanol.

Fracture toughness (KIc) is an intrinsic property which may be related to the ability of a restorative material to resist fracture and abrasion. This property may change for a dental composite restorative due to the effects of various oral solvents. The hypothesis to be tested was that aging in ethanol would cause a reduction in the fracture toughness of dental composites, and that the extent of this reduction might be dependent upon certain compositional variables. The fracture toughnesses of three series of experimental composites with various degrees of conversion, filler volume, and percent of silane-treated fillers were compared after the composites were aged for periods of one month and six months in 75% ethanol/water, a solvent which serves as a food-simulating liquid. An unfilled Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin served as the control. All composites, with the exception of one subjected to a post-light-curing heat treatment, experienced a significant reduction (from 30 to 56%) in KIc after being aged in 75% ethanol for six months. A similar reduction in KIc of 58% for the unfilled resin suggested that the reduction for the composites was due to a weakening of the resin matrix, which facilitated crack propagation. A simultaneous reduction in microhardness was also demonstrated. One month of aging in ethanol also produced large reductions in KIc for specimens with insufficient cure and minimal filler volume, suggesting that the properties of the resin matrix predominated for these composites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)