Influence of temperature on the visco-elastic properties of direct and indirect dental composite resins

OBJECTIVES

The first aim of this study was to determine the visco-elastic properties of two direct (DiamondLite and Grandio) and two indirect (Artglass and Vita Zeta LC) dental composites over a wide range of temperatures, in order to avoid choosing a composite that would undergo sudden changes in its mechanical properties during service.

METHODS

Within this objective the composites were tested immediately after fabrication or after storage at 37 degrees C, either in air or distilled water for 1 day, 7 or 90 days. During dynamic testing, the elastic modulus (E'), viscous modulus (E'') and loss tangent (tandelta) were determined using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) over a temperature range from 0 to 200 degrees C, at an approximate masticatory frequency of 1 Hz.

RESULTS

Based on their high glass transition temperatures (Tg) and on the fact that materials are basically equilibrated at 37 degrees C in the mouth and are not thermal conductors, temperature changes from 37 degrees C are expected to be small and should lead to only modest changes in both moduli. However, composites might improve their initial degree of conversion when exposed to normal mouth temperature and higher temperatures due to the ingestion of hot food and beverages. This event can have positive and negative effects on the restoration, such as greater rigidity and additional micro-leakage, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE

According to these results it could be said that monitoring the visco-elastic properties of dental composites under conditions that simulate the oral environment seems to be a useful tool to predict their clinical performance as restorative materials.

Dendritic copolymers and particulate filler composites for dental applications: degree of conversion and thermal properties

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of double bond conversion and thermal properties of photopolymerized dendritic copolymers and particulate filler composites that may be used as dental restorative materials.

METHODS

The resins consisted of a multifunctional dendritic monomer, methyl methacrylate and varying proportions of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. In addition, one of the composites contained 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate. Camphorquinone and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate were used as the light-activated initiation system. The degree of conversion was determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the thermal properties with differential scanning calorimetry.

RESULTS

The degree of conversion of copolymers varied from 52 to 60% and increased with increasing concentration of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The values for the composites were 32-44%. Reaction exotherms of 0.2-9.6J/g were measured for the photopolymerized experimental materials indicating residual reactivity that increased with increasing concentration of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The residual reactivity trend seemed counter intuitive to the degree of conversion. The glass transition temperatures for the completely polymerized copolymers containing acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate were 112-116 degrees C and for the particulate filler composites 84-87 degrees C.

SIGNIFICANCE

The addition of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate increased the degree of conversion. The polymerization characteristics of the experimental materials were comparable to those of control materials.