Abstract
This paper presents the problems associated with changes in resistance to the tribological wear of light-cured polymer matrix ceramic composites (LC PMCCs) used in conservative dentistry and in dental prosthetics (fillings of carious cavities, dental bridges, structural reinforcements of the dental arch). Wear resistance of the surface layer of PMCCs depends on the time of exposure to the conditions of the oral environment, such as alternating temperatures and the exposure to liquids. The aim of the study was to assess changes in the mechanical properties of the surface layer under thermal cycling in liquid. Indentation hardness tests and scratch tests were performed before and after conditioning. Conditioning included 10,000 cycles of step temperature changes (10–70°C). The results of the scratch tests showed that universal composites that had relatively high filler contents were more resistant to scratching than flow type composites with lower filler contents. It was found that cyclic changes in ambient temperature reduced the wear resistance of universal composites but improved the resistance of flow type composites. In addition, in the case of flow type composites, the hardness of the surface layer was also increased.
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