Diametral and compressive strength of dental core materials

Mechanical properties and radiopacity of experimental glass-silica-metal hybrid composites

OBJECTIVES

Experimental glass-silica-metal hybrid composites (polycomposites) were developed and tested mechanically and radiographically in this fundamental pilot study. To determine whether mechanical properties of a glass-silica filled two-paste dental composite based on a Bis-GMA/polyglycol dimethacrylate blend could be improved through the incorporation of titanium (Ti) particles (particle size ranging from 1 to 3 microm) or silver-tin-copper (Ag-Sn-Cu) particles (particle size ranging from 1 to 50 microm) we measured the diametral tensile strength, fracture toughness and radiopacity of five composites.

METHODS

The five materials were: I, the original unmodified composite (control group); II, as group I but containing 5% (wt/wt) of Ti particles; III, as group II but with Ti particles treated with 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) to promote Ti-resin bonding; IV, as group I but containing 5% (wt/wt) of Ag-Sn-Cu particles; and V, as group IV but with the metal particles treated with 4-META. Ten specimens of each group were tested in a standard diametral tensile strength test and a fracture toughness test using a single-edge notched sample design and five specimens of each group were tested using a radiopacity test.

RESULTS

The diametral tensile strength increased statistically significantly after incorporation of Ti treated with 4-META, as tested by ANOVA (P=0.004) and Fisher's LSD test. A statistically significant increase of fracture toughness was observed between the control group and groups II, III and V as tested by ANOVA (P=0.003) and Fisher's LSD test. All other groups showed no statistically significant increase in diametral tensile strength and fracture toughness respectively when compared to their control groups. No statistically significant increase in radiopacity was found between the control group and the Ti filled composite, whereas a statistically significant increase in radiopacity was found between the control group and the Ag-Sn-Cu filled composite as tested by ANOVA (P=0.000) and Fisher's LSD procedure.

SIGNIFICANCE

The introduction of titanium and silver-tin-copper fillers has potential as added components in composites to provide increased mechanical strength and radiopacity, for example for use in core materials.

Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: cores for teeth with vital pulps

Cores for teeth with vital pulps is the seventh in the series of crowns and other extra-coronal restorations. A core is defined as 'that part of a preparation for an indirect restoration consisting of restorative material'. This article questions the need for routine pin placement and addresses the following issues--removal of existing restorations, the need for a core, core materials, core retention, and problem solving.

Influence of core buildup material on the fatigue strength of an all-ceramic crown

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Clinically relevant variables and testing methods have not been used to investigate the effects of core buildup materials on the strength of all-ceramic restorations.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength of Optimal Pressable Ceramic (OPC) all-ceramic crowns supported by 1 of 3 different core materials and subjected to static or cyclic loading in air or water.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 135 human extracted third molar teeth were divided into 3 equal groups, and cores of amalgam, composite, and dentin (control) were fabricated. Complete crown preparations with a circumferential 90 degrees shoulder margin 1 mm deep were prepared to support complete crown restorations. Testing in compression was performed at a loading rate of 2.0 mm/min. Sixty teeth (20 with each type of core) were subjected to static loading, with equal numbers tested in air and water. The remaining 75 teeth (25 with each type of core) were subjected to cyclic loading in water. The compressive and diametral tensile strengths of 6 x 12-mm OPC cylinders also were tested in both air and water. The data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey multiple means comparison test (P<.05).

RESULTS

Analysis of the static fracture stress of OPC crowns indicated no significant differences among the core materials (values from testing in air and water, respectively: dentin core 22.7 +/- 4.5 MPa and 19.7 +/- 4.7 MPa; amalgam core 25.2 +/- 5.2 MPa and 21.6 +/- 6.3 MPa; and composite core 20.9 +/- 4.1 MPa and 18.7 +/- 4.9 MPa). Under wet conditions, static versus cyclic loading produced significantly different results for each of the core materials (dentin core 19.7 +/- 4.7 MPa vs. 9.5 +/- 1.5 MPa; amalgam core 21.6 +/- 6.3 MPa vs. 10.3 +/- 1.6 MPa; composite core 18.7 +/- 4.9 MPa vs. 13.3 +/- 3.2 MPa). A significant difference was observed for the solid compressive cylinders tested in water (793.8 +/- 280.1 MPa) versus in air (1473.6 +/- 527.4 MPa).

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, the mean compressive strength of OPC crowns tested in water was significantly different under cyclic versus static loading. No significant difference among the 3 core materials was found with respect to crown compressive strength.