Linear Polymerization Shrinkage Research Articles

Novel Bone Void Filling Cement Compositions Based on Shell Nacre and Siloxane Methacrylate Resin: Development and Characterization.

Shell nacre from Pinctada species has been extensively researched for managing bone defects. However, there is a gap in the research regarding using shell nacre powder as a cement with improved biological and physicochemical properties. To address this, bone void filling cement was formulated by incorporating shell nacre powder and an organically modified ceramic resin (ormocer). The shell nacre powder was specifically processed from the shells of Pinctada fucata and analysed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the presence of organic constituents and inorganic aragonite. Trace element analysis confirmed the eligibility of shell nacre powder for biomedical applications. Next, the ormocer SNLSM2 was synthesized through a modified sol-gel method. FTIR, Raman, TGA, and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the presence of a ladder-structured siloxane backbone and methacrylate side chain. To develop chemical curable composite shell nacre cement (SNC), different amounts of shell nacre (24%, 48%, and 72%) were added to the SNLSM2 resin, and the impact on the physicochemical properties of the cement was studied. Among the compositions, SNC 72 exhibited significantly lower linear polymerization shrinkage (0.4%) and higher compressive (>100 MPa) and flexural strength (>35 MPa). SNC 72 was radiopaque, and the exotherm generated during the cement curing was minimal. Cytotoxicity studies with L929 cells revealed the non-cytotoxic nature of the cement. Overall, the findings of this study prove that the shell nacre cement is a promising candidate for managing bone voids.

Synthesis and characterization of ladder structured ormocer resin of siloxane backbone and methacrylate side chain

Available resin-based hard tissue restorations are highly influenced by the problems associated with post-polymerization shrinkage and toxicity of uncured monomers. To address this scenario, we have synthesized an ormocer resin (LSM) of inorganic siloxane backbone using the monomer 3-(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate (3-TMSPM) by modified sol gel method. The synthesized polycondensed LSM resin is fashioned with three-dimensional network of ladder structured Si-O-Si backbone which grow continuously to form higher molecular weight (Mn-18956 KDa) prepolymer. Four membered siloxane rings along with intact methacrylates constituted the monomeric unit of the prepolymer LSM. High thermal stability indicated the presence of intense siloxane network whereas low glass transition temperature and melting peak demonstrated the flexibility and partial crystallinity of the LSM resin. Low linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS) of cured LSM resin (0.422 ± 0.04%) witnessed the presence of inorganic siloxane backbone and performed better than cured bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA)composite (0.916 ± 0.09%). Non-cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of the cured LSM resin proved the eligibility of the resin for hard tissue restorative applications.

Assessing two dominant methods of dental composites linear polymerization shrinkage management: macromonomers and prepolymerized fillers

Assessing two dominant methods of dental composites linear polymerization shrinkage management: macromonomers and prepolymerized fillers

Change in the Shrinkage Forces of Composite Resins According to Controlled Deflection.

The aim of this study was to investigate how the polymerization shrinkage forces of composite resins change with change in deflection. Five composites, SDR (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA), EcuSphere-Shape (DMG, Hamburg, Germany), Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), CLEARFIL AP-X (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Sakazu, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan), and Filtek Z350 XT (3M Dental Products, St Paul, MN, USA), were tested in this experiment. The polymerization shrinkage forces of the composites were measured using a custom-made tooth-deflection-mimicking device and software (R&B Inc, Daejon, Korea). In all measurements, six modes were tested: maximum-deflection, zero-deflection, and four deflection-controlled modes. For each deflection mode, the shrinkage forces were recorded continuously every 0.1 second for 180 seconds. Polymerization shrinkage and flexural modulus were also measured. Eight specimens of each material were allocated for each test. For each material, six groups of shrinkage force values were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at a 95% confidence level. The polymerization shrinkage force of each material in each of the six deflection modes was analyzed with 95% confidence using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. The relationship between the force measured in the six deflection modes and the linear polymerization shrinkage and flexural modulus was analysed with 95% confidence using Pearson correlation analysis. For each material, the following held true: the shrinkage force was highest in zero-deflection mode, the force decreased as deflection increased, and the smallest force appeared in maximum-deflection mode (p<0.05). There was a high negative correlation between allowable deflection and shrinkage force in all materials.

Effect of Shrinking and No Shrinking Dentine and Enamel Replacing Materials in Posterior Restoration: A 3D-FEA Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of shrinking and no shrinking dental filling materials combination in posterior restorations under the combined effects of polymerization shrinkage and occlusal load by means of 3D Finite Elements Analysis. Six computer-generated and restored class I or class II cavities models of a lower molar were designed in the CAD software and evaluated according to the cavity and restorative procedure. Different shrinking and no shrinking adhesive materials combination with diverse Young’s modulus were considered. A food bolus was modeled on the occlusal surface replicating the chewing load using static linear analyses Polymerization shrinkage was simulated for the shrinking different restorative materials. The maximum principal stress was selected as analysis criteria. All models exhibited higher stresses along the dentine restoration interfaces with different magnitude and a similar stress trend along enamel restoration interface. Stress values up to 22 MPa and 19 MPa were recorded in the enamel and restoration, respectively. The use of elastic not shrinking material layer in combination with bulk fill composite reduced the stress magnitude in dentine and enamel to replace dental tissues. Class I and class II posterior cavities adhesively restored with shrinking filling material’s combination showed the most unfavorable stress concentrations and the multilayer technique is a promising restorative alternative in posterior adhesive restorations when deep dentin and enamel volumes are missing.

Polymerization and shrinkage stress formation of experimental resin composites doped with nano- vs. micron-sized bioactive glasses.

This study investigated the effect of adding bioactive glass 45S5 (BG) of different particle sizes to dental composite on resin polymerization and shrinkage stress formation. Commercial flowable composite was mixed with either 15 wt% BG fillers (nanometric, micrometric, or hybrid BG) or inert barium glass. Real-time linear polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage stress were recorded, and the degree of conversion was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. The commercial (unmodified) composite developed significantly higher linear shrinkage and shrinkage stress than the groups with 15 wt% added inert or BG fillers. After adding inert barium glass, the composite showed significantly higher linear shrinkage than when micrometric BG was added. The addition of bioactive or inert glass fillers did not affect the degree of conversion. Shrinkage stress can be reduced by adding inert or bioactive fillers (nano- and/or microparticulate BG) without affecting monomer conversion.

Shrinkage vectors in flowable bulk-fill and conventional composites: bulk versus incremental application

ObjectivesSufficient depth of cure allows bulk-fill composites to be placed with a 4-mm thickness. This study investigated bulk versus incremental application methods by visualizing shrinkage vectors in flowable bulk-fill and conventional composites.Materials and methodsCylindrical cavities (diameter = 6 mm, depth = 4 mm) were prepared in 24 teeth and then etched and bonded with OptiBond FL (Kerr, Italy). The composites were mixed with 2 wt% radiolucent glass beads.In one group, smart dentin replacement (SDR, Dentsply) was applied in bulk “SDR-bulk” (n = 8). In two groups, SDR and Tetric EvoFlow (Ivoclar Vivadent) were applied in two 2-mm-thick increments: “SDR-incremental” and “EvoFlow-incremental.” Each material application was scanned with a micro-CT before and after light-curing (40 s, 1100 mW/cm2), and the shrinkage vectors were computed via image segmentation. Thereafter, linear polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress and gelation time were measured (n = 10).ResultsThe greatest shrinkage vectors were found in “SDR-bulk” and “SDR-increment2,” and the smallest were found in “SDR-increment1-covered” and “EvoFlow-increment1-covered.” Shrinkage away from and toward the cavity floor was greatest in “SDR-bulk” and “EvoFlow-increment2,” respectively. The mean values of the shrinkage vectors were significantly different between groups (one-way ANOVA, Tamhane’s T2 test, p < 0.05). The linear polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage stress were greatest in Tetric EvoFlow, and the gelation time was greatest in “SDR-bulk.”ConclusionsThe bulk application method had greater values of shrinkage vectors and a higher debonding tendency at the cavity floor.Clinical relevanceIncremental application remains the gold standard of composite insertion.

Polymerization Shrinkage Evaluation of Restorative Resin-Based Composites Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors.

The purpose of this study was to compare the linear polymerization shrinkage of different restorative resin-based composites (RBCs) using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. Five RBCs were evaluated: Zirconfill® (ZFL); Aura Bulk-Fill (ABF); Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk-Fill (TBF); FiltekTM Bulk-Fill (FBF); and Admira Fusion-Ormocer® (ADF). Ten samples per resin were produced in standardized custom-made half-gutter silicone molds. Two optical FBG sensors were used to assess temperature and polymerization shrinkage. Light curing was performed for 40 s and polymerization shrinkage was evaluated at 5, 10, 40, 60, 150, and 300 s. Statistical analysis was accomplished for normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk, p > 0.05). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction followed by Bonferroni′s post-hoc test was used to analyze the linear shrinkage data (p < 0.05). ZFL showed the highest linear shrinkage and ADF the lowest. Shrinkage increased for all RBCs until 300 s, where significant differences were found between ADF and all other resins (p < 0.05). Among bulk-fill RBCs, TBF showed the lowest shrinkage value, but not statistically different from FBF. The ADF presented lower linear shrinkage than all other RBCs, and restorative bulk-fill composites exhibited an intermediate behavior.

Effect of Incorporation of Nanoclay on the Properties of Heat Cure Denture Base Material: An In vitro Study.

Purpose:The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of incorporation of organically modified nanoclay in 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight on the flexural strength, surface hardness, and linear polymerization shrinkage of heat cure denture base material.Materials and Methods:One hundred and twenty specimens of heat-polymerized acrylic resin were fabricated. The specimens were divided into four groups (n = 10) coded I to IV. Group I was the control group (unmodified acrylic resin specimens). The specimens of the remaining three groups were reinforced with nanoclay (organically modified montmorillonite) nanoparticles to achieve loadings of 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight. The resulting nanocomposites were subjected to mechanical testing and were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope.Results:The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant increase in flexural strength within and between the groups. The most significant increase in surface hardness was observed between Group I (control) and Group II (1% nanoclay). Linear polymerization shrinkage of the specimens showed a significant decrease in the control and all the experimental groups.Conclusion:Addition of 1 wt% nanoclay to polymethyl methacrylate heat cure denture base material could enhance the surface hardness and reduce the linear polymerization shrinkage of the resin. However, there was no significant increase in flexural strength of the resulting nanocomposite.

Linear polymerization shrinkage of Bulk Fill resins

Abstract Objective: the objective of the present study was to analyze the polymerization shrinkage gap of different composite resins. Methods: four commercial brands (n=5) were tested: Z350 (3M/ESPE); Filtek Bulk Fill (3M/ESPE); Surefill (Dentsply); Xtra Base (Voco). Increments of composite resins were inserted into a circular metal matrix of 7 mm internal diameter and 4 mm high and pressed by two glass plates supported on polyester strips. After photoactivation with a Optilight Plus device (Gnatus), with light intensity of 1000 ± 10mW/cm2, the test samples were polished and 24h later, taken to the scanning electron microscope for analysis of the polymerization shrinkage gap, measured at 4 points in the sample (3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock). The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (Anova one-way). Results: the highest mean of polymerization shrinkage gap was observed for Filtek Z350 (3M/ESPE), while the lowest mean of gap was found for Xtra Base (Voco) brand, with significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: the inorganic filler content and different associations in the organic matrices interfered expressively in the polymerization shrinkage gap. Keywords: Composite resins. Bulk Fill resins. Polymerization shrinkage.

CAD-FE modeling and analysis of class II restorations incorporating resin-composite, glass ionomer and glass ceramic materials

ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of specific resin-composite, glass ceramic and glass ionomer cement (GIC) material combinations in a “multi-layer” technique to replace enamel and dentin in class II mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) dental restorations using 3D-Finite Element Analysis (FEA). MethodsFour 3D-FE models (A–D) of teeth, adhesively restored with different filling materials, were created and analyzed in comparison with a 3D model (E) of a sound lower molar. Models A, B & C had “multilayer” constructions, consisting of three layers: adhesive, dentin replacement and enamel replacement.Model A: had a low modulus (8GPa) composite replacing dentin and a higher modulus (12GPa) composite replacing enamel.Model B: had a GI cement replacing dentin and a higher modulus (12GPa) composite replacing enamel.Model C: had a low modulus (8GPa) composite replacing dentin and a very high modulus (70GPa) inlay replacing enamel.Model D: had a lithium disilicate inlay replacing both dentin and enamel with a luting cement base-layer.Polymerization shrinkage effects were simulated and a load of 600N was applied. All the materials were assumed to behave elastically throughout the entire deformation. ResultsModel A showed the highest stress distribution along all the adhesive interfaces of the shrinking resin-based materials with a critical condition and failure risk marginally and internally. Model D, by contrast, showed a more favorable performance than either of the multilayer groups (A–C). Stress and displacement plots showed an elastic response similar to that obtained for the sound tooth model. Model B and Model C performed according to their bilayer material properties. The use of a non-shrink dentin component simulating a GIC clearly affected the shrinkage stress at the basis of the Model B; while the bulk resin composite having a 12GPa Young’s modulus and linear polymerization shrinkage of 1% strongly influenced the biomechanical response in the bucco-lingual direction. SignificanceDirect resin-based composite materials applied in multilayer techniques to large class II cavities, with or without shrinking dentin layers, produced adverse FEA stress distributions and displacements. An indirect lithium disilicate inlay used to replace lost dentin and enamel in posterior restored teeth generated lower stress levels, within the limits of the elastic FEA model.

Mechanical behavior of bulk direct composite versus block composite and lithium disilicate indirect Class II restorations by CAD-FEM modeling

ObjectivesTo study the influence of resin based and lithium disilicate materials on the stress and strain distributions in adhesive class II mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) restorations using numerical finite element analysis (FEA). To investigate the materials combinations in the restored teeth during mastication and their ability to relieve stresses. MethodsOne 3D model of a sound lower molar and three 3D class II MOD cavity models with 95° cavity-margin-angle shapes were modelled. Different material combinations were simulated: model A, with a 10μm thick resin bonding layer and a resin composite bulk filling material; model B, with a 70μm resin cement with an indirect CAD-CAM resin composite inlay; model C, with a 70μm thick resin cement with an indirect lithium disilicate machinable inlay. To simulate polymerization shrinkage effects in the adhesive layers and bulk fill composite, the thermal expansion approach was used. Shell elements were employed for representing the adhesive layers. 3D solid CTETRA elements with four grid points were employed for modelling the food bolus and tooth. Slide-type contact elements were used between the tooth surface and food. A vertical occlusal load of 600 N was applied, and nodal displacements on the bottom cutting surfaces were constrained in all directions. All the materials were assumed to be isotropic and elastic and a static linear analysis was performed. ResultsDisplacements were different in models A, B and C. Polymerization shrinkage hardly affected model A and mastication only partially affected mechanical behavior. Shrinkage stress peaks were mainly located marginally along the enamel-restoration interface at occlusal and mesio-distal sites. However, at the internal dentinal walls, stress distributions were critical with the highest maximum stresses concentrated in the proximal boxes. In models B and C, shrinkage stress was only produced by the 70μm thick resin layer, but the magnitudes depended on the Young’s modulus (E) of the inlay materials. Model B mastication behavior (with E=20GPa) was similar to the sound tooth stress relief pattern. Model B internally showed differences from the sound tooth model but reduced maximum stresses than model A and partially than model C. Model C (with E=70GPa) behaved similarly to model B with well redistributed stresses at the occlusal margins and the lateral sides with higher stress concentrations in the proximal boxes. Models B and C showed a more favorable performance than model A with elastic biomechanics similar to the sound tooth model. SignificanceBulk filling resin composite with 1% linear polymerization shrinkage negatively affected the mechanical behavior of class II MOD restored teeth. Class II MOD direct resin composite showed greater potential for damage because of higher internal and marginal stress evolution during resin polymerization shrinkage. With a large class II MOD cavity an indirect composite or a lithium disilicate inlay restoration may provide a mechanical response close to that of a sound tooth.

Remineralizing amorphous calcium phosphate based composite resins: the influence of inert fillers on monomer conversion, polymerization shrinkage, and microhardness.

AimTo determine if the addition of inert fillers to a bioactive dental restorative composite material affects its degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage (PS), and microhardness (HV).MethodsThree amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-based composite resins: without added fillers (0-ACP), with 10% of barium-glass fillers (Ba-ACP), and with 10% of silica fillers (Si-ACP), as well as commercial control (Ceram•X, Dentsply DeTrey) were tested in laboratory conditions. The amount of ACP (40%) and the composition of the resin mixture (based on ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate) was the same for all ACP materials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the DC (n = 40), 20 min and 72 h after polymerization. Linear PS and Vickers microhardness (n = 40) were also evaluated. The results were analyzed by paired samples t test, ANOVA, and one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls or Tukey’s post-hoc test (P = 0.05).ResultsThe addition of barium fillers significantly increased the DC (20 min) (75.84 ± 0.62%) in comparison to 0-ACP (73.92 ± 3.08%), but the addition of silica fillers lowered the DC (71.00 ± 0.57%). Ceram•X had the lowest DC (54.93 ± 1.00%) and linear PS (1.01 ± 0.24%) but the highest HV (20.73 ± 2.09). PS was significantly reduced (P < 0.010) in both Ba-ACP (1.13 ± 0.25%) and Si-ACP (1.17 ± 0.19%) compared to 0-ACP (1.43 ± 0.21%). HV was significantly higher in Si-ACP (12.82 ± 1.30) than in 0-ACP (10.54 ± 0.86) and Ba-ACP (10.75 ± 0.62) (P < 0.010).ConclusionIncorporation of inert fillers to bioactive remineralizing composites enhanced their physical-mechanical performance in laboratory conditions. Both added fillers reduced the PS while maintaining high levels of the DC. Silica fillers additionally moderately improved the HV of ACP composites.

Evaluation of the physical properties of dental resin composites using optical fiber sensing technology

ObjectivesThe characterization of the physical properties of dental resin composites is fraught with difficulties relating to significant intra and inter test parameter variabilities and is relatively time consuming and expensive. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing system may become a viable tool to study dental material characteristics. Of particular focus was the potential for the system to demonstrate a multi parameter all-in-one feature. MethodsA miniature FBG was embedded in six different dental resin composites and employed as a sensor to evaluate linear polymerization shrinkage, thermal expansion and water sorption. Six commercially available dental composites with different filler types and volume are evaluated. The tests are repeated with three sets of samples. The curing characteristics and residual strain gradient exhibited by the cured dental composites were also observed and commented. ResultsAmong the studied samples, SDR shows lowest polymerization shrinkage, while Beautifil FO3 shows the highest. The results also show clear distinction between particle filler type and fiber reinforcement based composites in their polymerization shrinkage properties. The agreement of the results with existing literatures show that FBG based system provides accurate results. Polymerization shrinkage rate of the samples are also obtained. Thermal expansion of the composites are measured using the FBG sensing method for the first time and is correlated with resin type, volume, filler type and glass transition temperature. The water sorption characteristics of the dental composite are also successfully measured using the FBG sensing method. The high level of repeatability and the low standard deviations shown in the results indicate good reliability with the use of FBG sensors. SignificanceThis study demonstrates how optical fiber technology can provide simple and reliable methods of measuring the critical physical properties of dental composites. In addition due to the embedding and preservation of the sensor within the samples multiple parameters can be tested for with the same sample. These features are expected to greatly assist material science researchers in dentistry as well as other biomedical fields. Of some interest the phenomenon of stress relaxation of dental composite at higher temperature was observed.

Polymerization shrinkage and depth of cure of bulk-fill resin composites and highly filled flowable resin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymerization behavior and depth of cure (DOC) of recently introduced resin composites for posterior use: highly filled flowable composite and composites for bulk fill. A highly filled flowable (G-aenial Universal Flo [GUF]), two bulk-fill flowables (Surefil SDR Flow [SDR] and Venus Bulk fill [VBF]), and a bulk-fill nonflowable composite (Tetric N-Ceram Bulk fill [TBF]) were compared with two conventional composites (Tetric Flow [TF], Filtek Supreme Ultra [FS]). Linear polymerization shrinkage and polymerization shrinkage stress were each measured with custom-made devices. To evaluate DOC, the composite specimen was prepared using a mold with a hole of 4 mm depth and 4 mm internal diameter. The hole was bulk filled with each of the six composites and light cured for 20 seconds, followed by 24 hours of water storage. The surface hardness was measured on the top and the bottom using a Vickers microhardness (HV) indenter. The linear polymerization shrinkage of the composite specimens after photo-initiation decreased in the following order: TF and GUF > VBF > SDR > FS and TBF (p<0.05). The polymerization shrinkage stress of the six composite groups decreased in the following order: GUF > TF and VBF > SDR > FS and TBF (p<0.05). The mean bottom surface HV of SDR and VBF exceeded 80% of the top surface HV (HV-80%). However, the bottom of GUF and TBF failed to reach HV-80%. A highly filled flowable (GUF) revealed limitations in polymerization shrinkage and DOC. Bulk-fill flowables (SDR and VBF) were properly cured in 4-mm bulk, but they shrank more than the conventional nonflowable composite. A bulk-fill nonflowable (TBF) showed comparable shrinkage to the conventional nonflowable composite, but it was not sufficiently cured in the 4-mm bulk.

Effects of prepolymerized particle size and polymerization kinetics on volumetric shrinkage of dental modeling resins.

Dental modeling resins have been developed for use in areas where highly precise resin structures are needed. The manufacturers claim that these polymethyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate (PMMA/MMA) resins show little or no shrinkage after polymerization. This study examined the polymerization shrinkage of five dental modeling resins as well as one temporary PMMA/MMA resin (control). The morphology and the particle size of the prepolymerized PMMA powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and laser diffraction particle size analysis, respectively. Linear polymerization shrinkage strains of the resins were monitored for 20 minutes using a custom-made linometer, and the final values (at 20 minutes) were converted into volumetric shrinkages. The final volumetric shrinkage values for the modeling resins were statistically similar (P > 0.05) or significantly larger (P < 0.05) than that of the control resin and were related to the polymerization kinetics (P < 0.05) rather than the PMMA bead size (P = 0.335). Therefore, the optimal control of the polymerization kinetics seems to be more important for producing high-precision resin structures rather than the use of dental modeling resins.

A new method to measure the polymerization shrinkage kinetics of composites using a particle tracking method with computer vision

Objectives The aim of this study was to develop a new method to measure the polymerization shrinkage of light cured composites and to evaluate the overall utility and significance of the technique. Methods An optical instrument to measure the linear polymerization shrinkage of composites without directly contacting the specimen was developed using a particle tracking method with computer vision. The measurement system consisted of a CCD color video camera, a lens, an image storage device, and image processing and analysis software. The shrinkage kinetics of a commercial silorane-based composite (P90) and two conventional methacrylate-based composites (Z250 and a flowable Z350) were investigated and compared with the data measured using the “bonded disc method”. Results The linear shrinkage of the composites was 0.33–1.41%. The shrinkage value was lowest for the silorane-based (P90) composite and highest for the flowable Z350 composite. The estimated volume shrinkages of the materials were comparable to the axial shrinkages measured with the bonded disc method. Significance The new instrument was able to measure the true linear shrinkage of composites without sensitivity to the specimen geometry and the viscosity of the material. Therefore, this instrument can be used to characterize the shrinkage kinetics for a wide range of commercial and experimental visible-light-cure materials in relation to the composition and chemistry.

Polymerization Shrinkage and Flexural Modulus of Flowable Dental Composites

Linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS), flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (ME) of low-viscosity resin composites (Admira Flow™, Grandio Flow™/VOCO; Filtek Z350 Flow™/3M ESPE; Tetric Flow™/Ivoclar-Vivadent) was evaluated using a well-established conventional micro-hybrid composite as a standard (Filtek Z250™/3M ESPE). For the measurement of LPS, composites were applied to a cylindrical metallic mould and polymerized (n = 8). The gap formed at the resin/mould interface was observed using SEM (1500×). For FS and ME, specimens were prepared according to the ISO 4049 specifications (n = 10). Statistical analysis of the data was performed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. The conventional resin presented significantly lower LPS associated with high FS and ME, but only the ME values of the conventional resin differed significantly from the low-viscosity composites. The relationship between ME and LPS of low-viscosity resin composites when used as restorative material is a critical factor in contraction stress relief and marginal leakage.

Influence of light‐curing protocols on polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage force of a dual‐cured core build‐up resin composite

This study investigated the influence of time delay and duration of photo-activation on linear polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage force, and hardening of a dual-cured core build-up resin composite. The test material (Rebilda DC) was light-cured for 20 or 60 s either early (2 min) or late (7 min) after the start of mixing. Non-irradiated self-cured specimens served as controls. Linear shrinkage and shrinkage force were measured for 60 min using custom-made devices. Knoop hardness was determined at the end of the observation period. Self-cured controls, showing a linear shrinkage similar to that of specimens early light-cured for 20 s generated the lowest shrinkage force and hardness. A shorter light exposure time (20 s vs. 60 s) reduced linear shrinkage, shrinkage force, and hardness when early light-curing was performed, but did not affect the three properties in specimens light-cured late after the start of mixing. Late photo-activation increased linear shrinkage, irrespective of irradiation time, and resulted in a higher shrinkage force and hardness for short light exposure time. A moderate correlation was found between the two shrinkage properties studied (r(2) = 0.65). In conclusion, improvements in shrinkage behavior of the tested core build-up material were associated with inferior hardening, making it important to adapt curing protocols to the clinical situation.

Evaluation of linear polymerization shrinkage, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of dental composites

Linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS), flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (ME) of 7 dental composites (Filtek Z350™, Filtek Z250™/3M ESPE; Grandio™, Polofil Supra™/VOCO; TPH Spectrum™, TPH3™, Esthet-X™/Denstply) were measured. For the measurement of LPS, composites were applied to a cylindrical metallic mold and polymerized (n = 8). The gap formed at the resin/mold interface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (1500×). For FS and ME, specimens were prepared according to the ISO 4049 specifications (n = 10). Statistical analysis of the data was performed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. TPH Spectrum presented significantly higher LPS values (29.45 µm). Grandio had significantly higher mean values for FS (141.07 MPa) and ME (13.91 GPa). The relationship between modulus of elasticity and polymerization shrinkage is the main challenge for maintenance of the adhesive interface, thus composites presenting high shrinkage values, associated with a high modulus of elasticity tend to disrupt the adhesive interface under polymerization.