Dynamic mechanical properties of dental nanofilled light-cured resin composites: Effect of food-simulating liquids

Abstract

This work is aimed at the study by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of viscoelastic properties that is, the elastic modulus (E′), the loss modulus (E″), the loss tangent (tanδ) and the glass transition temperature (Tg), of two current commercial light-cured resin composites, Filtek Supreme Body and Filtek Supreme Translucent, characterized as nanofilled. These composites show differences in the filler content and type. For DMA analysis the bar-shaped specimens were divided into groups of three samples each. The first group consisted of dry samples measured 1 h after light-curing (at room temperature) during which they were placed in a desiccator at 37 °C. The other groups consisted of samples which had been stored in air, distilled water, artificial saliva SAGF or ethanol/water solution (75 v/v), at 37±1 °C for 1, 7, 30 or 90 days. DMA tests were performed on a Diamond Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (Perkin–Elmer) in bending mode. A frequency of 1 Hz was applied and a temperature range of 25–185 °C, while a heating rate of 2 °C/min were selected to cover mouth temperature and the materials’ likely Tg. The studied dry composites showed comparable values for their properties in spite of their differences in the filler content and type. Storage of composites in air 37 °C for 1 day caused a significant post curing which was not continued during storage up to 90 days. Water and artificial saliva showed the same effect on composites. They caused both post curing and plasticization. Ethanol/water solution 75% v/v had a more strong effect than water and artificial saliva due to its organophilic nature. It caused post curing, plasticization and most probably degradation of the bond filler–silane coupling agent.