Spatial Distribution of the Micro-Mechanical Properties in High-Translucent CAD/CAM Resin-Composite Blocks

Interblock and intrablock homogeneity of CAD-CAM composites mechanical properties

The purpose of this study was to characterize the homogeneity of the mechanical properties of commercial CAD-CAM composites between different blocks of the same material (interblock homogeneity) and within each block between the internal and external parts (intrablock homogeneity). Tetric CAD (TET); Katana Avencia (KAT); Cerasmart 270 (CER); Grandio (GRN) and Vita Enamic (ENA) were tested for flexural strength (σf), flexural modulus (Ef), flexural load energy (Ur) and hardness (HV). Results showed significant differences in interblock homogeneity of σf, Ef and Ur for TET, KAT, CER and ENA. In addition, significant differences in interblock homogeneity of HV for TET, CER and GRN were found. Moreover, significant differences in intrablock homogeneity of σf, Ef and Ur were found for KAT, CER, GRN and ENA, as well as for HV of all the tested materials except CER. Weibull modulus was highest for GRN, followed by ENA, KAT, TET then CER.

In vitro evaluation of CAD/CAM composite materials

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microstructural, elemental and mechanical properties of contemporary computer-aided-design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) resin based composite (RBC) materials.

METHODS

Six CAD/CAM RBC materials [Brilliant CRIOS (Coltene Whaledent AG), Cerasmart (GC), Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE), Tetric CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent), Shofu Block HC (Shofu), Grandio Blocs (VOCO GmbH)] were tested. Ten rectangular blocks (14 Χ 12 Χ 18 mm) for each material, after metallographic grinding and polishing, were subjected to Instrumented Indentation Testing (ΙIT). Martens Hardness (HM), Indentation Elastic Modulus (EIT), Elastic (ηIT) and Creep indices (CIT) were determined according to formulas provided by ISO 14577. The diagonal length of each indentation was measured and HV was determined. The results of HM, EIT, ηΙΤ, HV, and CIT were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test employing the material as a discriminating variable (a = 0.05), while the possible correlations were determined by Spearman's correlation test. One specimen from each group was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

RESULTS

Backscattered Electron images and EDX analysis demonstrated differences in size, shape and type of fillers along with elemental composition among materials tested. Statistical significant differences were identified for all mechanical properties tested. Grandio Blocs had the significantly higher HM (953±7 N/mm2), HV (136±1) and EIT (23±1 GPa) followed by Lava Ultimate (ΗM=674±25 N/mm2, HV=105±2, EIT=15±1 GPa). Elastic index ranged from 41% to 52%, with Shofu Block demonstrating the significantly highest ηIT (52 ± 1%) values. Cerasmart had significantly higher CIT value (8.4 ± 0.1%) than all other materials tested, while Grandio Blocs and Lava Ultimate had the lowest ones. Spearman's correlation revealed that all mechanical properties tested exhibited correlations with each other, apart from ηΙΤ.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the CAD/CAM materials tested have differences in their microstructure, elemental composition and mechanical properties.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The RBCs tested showed significant differences in mechanical properties and thus differences in clinical performance are anticipated. RBCs with increased filler loading had the most favorable combination of hardness, elastic modulus and creep index indicating that these materials may have better clinical performance under intraoral loading conditions.

Shade, Aging and Spatial-Dependent Variation of Elastoplastic and Viscoelastic Characteristics in a Dental, Submicron Hybrid CAD/CAM Composite

This article reports the elastoplastic and viscoelastic response of an industrially cured CAD/CAM resin-based composite (Brilliant Crios, Coltene) at different scales, spatial locations, aging conditions, and shading. Mechanical tests were performed at the macroscopic scale to investigate material strength, elastic modulus, fracture mechanisms and reliability. An instrumented indentation test (IIT) was performed at the microscopic level in a quasi-static mode to assess the elastic and plastic deformation upon indentation, either by mapping transverse areas of the CAD/CAM block or at randomly selected locations. A dynamic-mechanical analysis was then carried out, in which chewing-relevant frequencies were included (0.5 to 5 Hz). Characteristics measured at the nano- and micro-scale were more discriminative in identifying the impact of variables as those measured at macro scale. Anisotropy as a function of the spatial location was identified in all shades, with gradual variation in properties from the center of the block to peripheral locations. Depending on the scale of observation, differences in shade and translucency are very small or not statistically significant. The aging effect is classified as low, but measurable on all scales, with the same pattern of variation occurring in all shades. Aging affects plastic deformation more than elastic deformation and affects elastic deformation more than viscous deformation.

Effect of aging on color, gloss and surface roughness of CAD/CAM composite materials

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of aging procedures on color, gloss and surface roughness of CAD/CAM composite materials.

METHODS

6 CAD/CAM composite materials (Brilliant CRIOS, Cerasmart, Lava Ultimate, Tetric CAD, Shofu Block HC, Grandio Blocs) were tested. 10 CAD/CAM fabricated specimens of each material polished according to manufacturers' recommendations, were subjected to one of the following aging procedures; immersion in coffee (30 days, 37^οC), water thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5-55 °C) and photoaging (150,000 kJ/m²). Color, gloss and surface roughness measurements were performed before and after aging and the respective changes were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis tests, paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis (a = 0.05).

RESULTS

Color changes ranged from 3.03 to 4.13 after coffee immersion, from 1.33 to 2.55 after thermocycling and from 1.02 to 2.75 after photoaging. No statistically significant differences for ΔE*_ab were found among materials after coffee immersion and thermocycling (p>0.05). Gloss changes ranged from -5.7 to -1.6 GU after coffee immersion, from -2.3 to 0.1 GU after thermocycling and from -4.4 to 0.5 GU after photoaging. No significant differences in gloss changes were found among materials after aging (p>0.05). Tetric CAD demonstrated the significantly lower gloss and the higher surface roughness after polishing. Except for gloss after thermocycling, aging procedures caused significant alteration of gloss and surface roughness parameters from baseline levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Aging procedures caused perceptible but acceptable color changes and small but visible gloss changes, while surface roughness parameters of the tested CAD/CAM composite materials were significantly affected by aging.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Aging procedures affected CAD/CAM composite materials indicating that these materials may be prone to color and surface alterations in the oral environment that could compromise the esthetics and the performance of the restorations. Clinical studies are needed to investigate the long-term behavior of the newly introduced CAD/CAM materials.

Martens Hardness of CAD/CAM Resin-Based Composites

(1) Background: The properties of CAD/CAM resin-based composites differ due to differences in their composition. Instrumented indentation testing can help to analyze these differences with respect to hardness, as well as energy-converting capabilities due to viscoelastic behavior. (2) Methods: Eleven materials were investigated using instrumented indentation testing. Indentation depth (hr), Martens hardness (HM), indentation hardness (HIT), indentation modulus (EIT), the elastic part of indentation work (ηIT), and indentation creep (CIT) were investigated, and statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and Pearson correlation (α = 0.05). (3) Results: All of the investigated parameters revealed differences between the analyzed materials. Besides the differences in hardness-associated parameters (hr, HM, and HIT), instrumented indentation testing demonstrated differences in energy-converting properties. The subsequent one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.001). A significant (p < 0.01, Pearson correlation >0.576) correlation between the materials and HM, HIT, or EIT was identified. (4) Conclusions: Due to the differences found in the energy-converting properties of the investigated materials, certain CAD/CAM resin-based composites could show superior stress-breaking capabilities than others. The consequential reduction in stress build-up may prove to beneficial, especially for implant-retained restorations or patients suffering from parafunctions.

Comparison of modern light-curing hybrid resin-based composites to the tooth structure: Static and dynamic mechanical parameters

The study aims to compare the way modern resin-based composites (RBCs) respond to mechanical stress related to the tooth structure they are designed to replace. Eight representative light-cured RBCs, including ormocers, giomers, RBCs with nano and agglomerated nanoparticles, prepolymerized, or compact fillers, were selected. Flexural strength, FS and modulus/E, were measured in a three-point bending test. A fractographic analysis determined the origin of fracture. The quasi-static (indentation hardness/H_IT , indentation modulus/E_IT ) and viscoelastic (storage modulus/E', loss modulus/E″, loss factor/tan δ) behavior was assessed by a depth-sensing indentation test equipped with a dynamic-mechanical analysis module. One and multiple-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc tests (α = 0.05), and Weibull statistics were applied. Parameter material exhibited the highest effect on E (p < .001, η_P ²  = .857), followed by FS (η_P ²  = .729), and the strain (η_P ²  = .553). Highest material reliability was identified in the RBCs with nano and agglomerated nanoparticles. The most frequent type of failure originated from volume (81.3%), followed by edge (10.6%), and corner (8.1%) flaws. Enamel evidenced three times higher H_IT , E_IT , and E' values as RBCs and dentin, and the smallest deviation from ideal elasticity. Ormocers exhibited the highest damping capacity, followed by the RBCs with prepolymerized fillers. Damping capacity and static mechanical properties are mutually exclusive. Analyzed RBCs and the tooth structure are better adapted to the relevant frequency for chewing than for higher frequencies. RBCs are comparable to dentin in terms of their mechanical performance, but apart from the damping behavior, they are far inferior to enamel. Damping ability of analyzed material could be exploited for correlation with the clinical behavior.

Characterisation of the Filler Fraction in CAD/CAM Resin-Based Composites

The performance of dental resin-based composites (RBCs) heavily depends on the characteristic properties of the individual filler fraction. As specific information regarding the properties of the filler fraction is often missing, the current study aims to characterize the filler fractions of several contemporary computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) RBCs from a material science point of view. The filler fractions of seven commercially available CAD/CAM RBCs featuring different translucency variants were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Micro-X-ray Computed Tomography (µXCT), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD). All CAD/CAM RBCs investigated included midifill hybrid type filler fractions, and the size of the individual particles was clearly larger than the individual specifications of the manufacturer. The fillers in Shofu Block HC featured a sphericity of ≈0.8, while it was <0.7 in all other RBCs. All RBCs featured only X-ray amorphous phases. However, in Lava Ultimate, zircon crystals with low crystallinity were detected. In some CAD/CAM RBCs, inhomogeneities (X-ray opaque fillers or pores) with a size <80 µm were identified, but the effects were minor in relation to the total volume (<0.01 vol.%). The characteristic parameters of the filler fraction in RBCs are essential for the interpretation of the individual material's mechanical and optical properties.

Frequency-related viscoelastic properties in high translucent CAD-CAM resin-based composites

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to quantify the viscoelastic properties of representative dental CAD/CAM resin-based composites (RBC) and to determine the effects of loading frequencies on the viscoelastic material response in comparison to clinically established CAD/CAM glass ceramics.

METHODS

Eight RBCs, one leucite-reinforced, and one lithium disilicate glass-ceramics were selected. The quasi-static (indentation hardness H_IT, indentation modulus, E_IT) and viscoelastic (storage modulus E', loss modulus E″, loss factor tan δ) material behavior was monitored by a depth-sensing indentation test equipped with a DMA module. A low-magnitude oscillating force was therefore superimposed onto a quasi-static force (F_max = 1000 mN) at 20 different frequencies in the range 1-50 Hz. One and multiple-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc tests (α = 0.05), and a Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The quasi-static parameters increased with the crystalline phase in glass ceramics and with the amount of inorganic filler in RBCs. The tan δ, which is related to the damping capacity of a material, increased with the increasing amount of glass phase in glass ceramics or with the amount of organic phase in RBCs. A pronounced influence of the frequency on the measured parameters and their patterns of variation was observed. H_IT was up to ten time higher in glass ceramics compared to RBCs and highest at the lowest frequency (1 Hz). Parameters E_IT and E' differ less and were lowest at the lowest frequency. E″ distinguished three different patterns of variation with frequency. The tan δ decreased rapidly with frequency in glass ceramics, while the decrease in RBCs was gradually. Frequency influenced stronger tan δ (p < 0.001, η_P² = 0.85), followed by E' (p < 0.001, η_P² = 0.773), E_IT (p < 0.001, η_P² = 0.772), and E″ (p < 0.001, η_P² = 0.714), and less H_IT (p < 0.001, η_P² = 0.384).

CONCLUSIONS

All materials sowed viscoelastic behavior related to their microstructure and the internal friction created by grain or interphase boundary relaxation. RBCs have better damping capabilities over a wider frequency range. The deviations from the ideal elasticity were significantly lower in the glass ceramics than in the RBCs.

Tensile Strength and Failure Types of Direct and Indirect Resin Composite Copings for Perio-Overdentures Luted Using Different Adhesive Cementation Modalities

Perio-overdenture design helps to reduce periodontal diseases and secondary caries on abutment teeth. Composite copings can be cemented adhesively to the abutment teeth with different techniques. In this study, direct/indirect resin composite copings for perio-overdentures, luted using different adhesive cementation modalities were compared. Human teeth (N = 40) were prepared to receive spherical attachment copings and randomly divided into four groups: (1) resin-composite copings bonded directly (DC), (2) composite copings made indirectly, luted with dual-polymerized resin cement (ICV), (3) composite copings made indirectly, bonded with resin composite (ICT), (4) composite copings made indirectly, bonded with resin composite after the immediate dentin sealing method (IDS). Specimens were tested for tensile failure and one-way ANOVA (alpha = 0.05) was performed and the two-parameter Weibull modulus, scale (m) and shape (₀) were calculated. Mean tensile load (N) was significantly higher for Group IDS (238 ± 81) than for the other groups (144 ± 53–184 ± 46) (p < 0.05). Group IDS (0.54 ± 0.25 mm) showed significantly higher deformation (mm) than other groups (0.2 ± 0.1–0.32 ± 0.15) (p < 0.05). Weibull distribution presented lower shape (₀) for DC (3.33) compared to other groups (3.57–4.99). Cohesive coping failures were more frequent in Group IDS (60%) and mixed failures in other groups (40–60%). In conclusion, IDS copings could be preferred over other fabrication and adhesion modalities.