Dynamic and Static Flexural Appraisal of Resin-based Composites: Comparison of the ISO and Mini-flexural Tests.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of specimen dimension and conditioning medium on the dynamic and static flexural properties of resin-based composites (RBCs). One conventional (Filtek Z350) and two bulk-fill RBCs (Filtek Bulk-fill and Beautifil-Bulk Restorative) were evaluated. Bar-shaped specimens with dimensions 25 × 2 × 2 mm (ISO flexural [IFT]) or 12 × 2 × 2 mm (mini-flexural [MFT]) were fabricated using customized stainless-steel molds, finished, measured, randomly divided into two groups, and conditioned in air or artificial saliva (SAGF) for seven days at 37°C. The specimens (n=10) were then subjected to dynamic and static three-point flexural testing. Data for storage modulus, loss modulus, loss tangent, flexural strength, and modulus were computed and subjected to t-test, analysis of variance/Tukey test, and Pearson correlation at a significance level of α = 0.05. For both IFT and MFT, significant differences in dynamic and static flexural properties were more prevalent between materials after storage in saliva. For both conditioning mediums, the strongest correlation between IFT and MFT was observed for flexural strength. While significant positive correlations were observed for all flexural properties with saliva, no significant correlations were detected for loss tangent and flexural modulus with air. For both IFT and MFT, storage in saliva appeared to be more discriminative than storage in air. As moderate to strong positive relationships exist between IFT and MFT for dynamic and static flexural properties, the mini-flexural test holds promise as a replacement for the ISO 4049 in view of its clinical relevance and greater efficiency.

One-year clinical evaluation of composite restorations in posterior teeth: effect of adhesive systems.

This clinical study assessed the performance of posterior composite resins applied with the Adper™ Single Bond Plus (SB) and Adper™ Scotchbond SE (SE) adhesive systems and Filtek™ Supreme Plus composite resin, using modified US Public Health Service criteria. A total of 97 restorations were placed in posterior teeth by two calibrated operators. Application of the materials followed manufacturers' instructions. The restorations were evaluated by two examiners at baseline and after one year. Statistical analyses were conducted using the proportion test at a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). All the restorations evaluated (ie, 100%) received an alpha rating for the criteria of marginal discoloration and marginal integrity at baseline. At one year, for marginal discoloration, 64.6% of SB and 61.2% of SE received an alpha rating. For marginal integrity, 72.9% of SB and 77.6% of SE received an alpha rating. The other restorations received bravo ratings for both criteria. None of the teeth that received the restorative systems presented caries lesions around the restorations. A total of eight teeth presented postoperative sensitivity one week after baseline, five with SB and three with SE; the symptom had disappeared one year later. One year later, composite resin restorations using either adhesive system showed satisfactory clinical performance.

One-year retrospective clinical evaluation of hybrid composite restorations placed in United Kingdom general practices.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess Pertac II restorations placed in general dental practice. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 86 restorations (14 Class I, 10 Class II, 17 Class III, 5 Class IV, and 40 Class V) using a hybrid composite material (Pertac II) placed in 56 patients (mean age, 39 years) in 5 dental practices in the United Kingdom were assessed after 1 year by a trained evaluator and the dental practitioner who had placed the restoration. All the restorations were assessed for anatomic form, marginal adaptation, surface roughness, sensitivity or discomfort, gingival condition, and the presence or absence of secondary caries. RESULTS: Thirty-five (43%) restorations were placed in load-bearing situations, 9% of which were assessed as being in "heavy" occlusion. Five (6%) of the restorations were lost (all Class V restorations), 4 from premolars and 1 from a molar. Four were in wedge-shaped cavities and 1 small restoration was actually dislodged during examination. The remaining 81 (94%) restorations were found to be intact, with no secondary caries detected. A high percentage of optimal scores were recorded for both anatomic form and surface roughness. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the evaluation demonstrated satisfactory clinical performance of Pertac II restorations after 1 year of clinical service in the wide variety of clinical situations seen in general dental practice. However, the potential for failure of hybrid composite materials in Class V situations appears high. It may be argued that clinicians who wish to use a resin-based material in a Class V situation should use a compomer or microfilled composite.

Analysis of major components and bisphenol A in commercial Bis-GMA and Bis-GMA-based resins using high performance liquid chromatography.

The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of commercially available Bis-GMA because concerns about Bis-GMA and Bis-GMA-based resins have been recently expressed in dentistry. Four major components and bisphenol A, which is a compound of recent controversy, were quantitatively analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in three commercial Bis-GMA and six Bis-GMA-based composite resins. The contents of genuine Bis-GMA, Iso-bis-GMA, Bis-GMA-H, and Bis-GMA-M as well as the total content of the four monomers were 45.7-57.5%, 19.9-26.2%, 1.8-5.0%, 0.6-15.0% and 83.7-85.6% in the commercial Bis-GMAs, or 3.8-9.1%, 1.7-4.3%, 0.1-0.5%, 0.1-2.0% and 5.8-14.0% in composite resins, respectively. There were some differences in the composition of the major components between domestic and foreign materials. Bisphenol A contents in the unpolymerized composite resins were 1.5-10.2 micrograms/g resin.

Influence of filler parameters on the mechanical coherence of dental restorative resin composites.

Next to the presence of (chemical) coupling between filler and resin, filler particle size is important for the mechanical coherence of dental resin composites which are used for posterior restorations. In the range of the current composites a smaller particle size is desirable. The better mechanical coherence for composites with smaller particles found in an in vitro erosive wear test is probably related to the size of food fibres, which are part of the erosive medium. It appears that there is a critical value of the filler particle size (1.3-1.5 microns), under which the food fibres are not able to penetrate in the interparticle space, so the erosive capability of the erosive medium will be reduced.

Properties of posterior composite: results of round robin testing for a specification.

OBJECTIVES: Seven sites participated in the round robin testing of five dental composites in order to evaluate specific testing protocols for use in a specification for posterior composites. METHODS: The flexure strength, flexure modulus, solubility in water, and opacity after soaking in water and ethanol, were evaluated for five commercial dental composites at the seven different sites. Samples were either aged for one day or seven days before testing. RESULTS: Although they were not without problems, the results were supportive of including in a specification a test for solubility in water as well as one for flexural strength and flexural modulus. The specification would be similar to that described by ISO 4049, but based upon the results of this study, an increase in the acceptable values for two of these tests was suggested. The results of this study also demonstrated that despite following an identical protocol and using materials from identical batches, significant variations in absolute values were obtained among the Test sites. However, there was generally good agreement among the sites in the relative ranking of the materials. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide a strong rationale for the inclusion of one or two standard materials in a specification designed to evaluate composites suggested for use in posterior teeth.