Evaluation of contraction stress, conversion degree, and cross-link density in low-shrinkage composites.

OBJECTIVE: The contraction stress, degree of conversion, and cross-link density (CLD) of the Venus Diamond (low-shrinkage), Filtek P90 (low-shrinkage) and Filtek Z350 XT composites were evaluated after photopolymerization by quartz tungsten halogen or light-emitting diode light curing units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contraction stress measurements were performed on 60 samples fabricated in rings of photoelastic resin. The adhesive was applied and photoactivated, followed by insertion and photoactivation of the composites. The contraction stress (MPa) was measured using a polariscope. The measurements of degree of conversion (%DC) were determined from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the top and bottom surfaces on 60 specimens. Cross-link density was estimated from hardness measurements performed at the top and bottom surfaces on 60 specimens. The Knoop hardness number was measured, and the specimens were placed in absolute ethanol for 24 h. The hardness was again determined and the CLD was estimated from the percentage decrease in hardness (PD) occurring during ethanol exposure for each surface. The contraction stress and PD data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). The DC data were subjected to one way analysis of variance on ranks followed by pairwise multiple comparisons using Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: The Venus Diamond composite exhibited lower contraction stress than other composites, with degrees of conversion similar to those of Filtek Z350 XT at both surfaces, and independent of the light curing unit. The PD value of Venus Diamond was also lower than that for the other composites. CONCLUSIONS: The low-shrinkage Venus Diamond composite may potentially reduce stress at the restoration/tooth interface.

Evaluation of the coefficient of thermal expansion of human and bovine dentin by thermomechanical analysis

The mismatch of thermal expansion and contraction between restorative materials and tooth may cause stresses at their interface, which may lead to microleakage. The present work compared the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) with the thermomechanical behavior of human and bovine teeth and determined if the CTE is a suitable parameter to describe tooth behavior. Fifteen human third molar and 15 bovine incisor tooth slices (6×5×2 mm) were allocated to 3 groups according to the test environment: G1 - room condition, G2 - 100 percent humidity, G3 - desiccated and tested in dry condition. Each specimen was weighed, heated from 20 to 70ºC at 10ºC min−1 and reweighed. The CTE was measured between 20 and 50ºC. Fresh dentin (human -0.49 percent ± 0.27, bovine -0.22 percent ± 0.16) contracted on heating under dry condition. Under wet conditions, only human teeth (-0.05 percent ± 0.04) showed contraction (bovine 0.00 percent ± 0.03) accompanied by a significantly lower (p<0.05) weight loss than in dry specimens (human 0.35 percent ± 0.15, bovine 0.45 percent ± 0.20). The desiccated dentin expanded on heating without obvious weight changes (0.00 percent ± 0.00). The CTE found was, respectively, in dry, wet and dissected conditions in ºC-1: human (-66.03×10-6, -6.82×10-6, 5.52×10-6) and bovine (-33.71×10-6, 5.47×10-6, 4.31×10-6). According to its wet condition, the dentin showed different CTEs. The thermal expansion behavior of human and bovine dentin was similar. A simple evaluation of the thermal expansion behavior of tooth structure by its CTE value may not be appropriate as a meaningful consideration of the effects on the tooth-material interface.

A discrepância entre a expansão e a contração térmica dos materiais restauradores e o dente podem causar estresse na sua interface, podendo levar a uma microinfiltração. O presente trabalho determinou e comparou o coeficiente de expansão térmica (CET) com o comportamento termo mecânico dos dentes humanos e bovinos e determinou se o CET é um parâmetro adequado para descrever o comportamento dental. 15 fatias (6×5×2 mm) de terceiros molares humanos e 15 de incisivos bovinos foram divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o ambiente testado: G1 - condição ambiente, G2 - 100 por cento de umidade, G3 - dissecado e testado em condição seca. Cada espécime foi pesado, aquecido de 20 a 70C a 10ºC min-1 e pesados novamente. O CET foi mensurado entre 20 e 50ºC. Dentina fresca (humana -0,49 por cento ± 0,27, bovina -0,22 por cento ± 0,16) contrai no aquecimento sobre condição seca. Em condição úmida, somente dente humano (-0,05 por cento ± 0,04) mostrou contração (bovina 0,00 por cento ± 0,03) acompanhado por uma significante (p<0.05) perda de massa que os espécimes secos. A dentina dissecada expande no aquecimento sem mudanças óbvias de peso (0,00 por cento ± 0,00). O CET encontrado foi, respectivamente, em condições seca, úmida e dissecada em ºC-1: humana (-66,03×10-6, -6,82×10-6, 5,52×10-6) e bovina (-33,71×10-6, 5,47×10-6, 4,31×10-6). De acordo com sua condição de umidade, a dentina mostrou diferentes CETs. O comportamento de expansão térmica de dentes humanos e bovinos é similar. Uma simples avaliação do coeficiente de expansão térmica da estrutura dental pelo seu valor de CET pode não ser apropriada para uma consideração significativa dos efeitos na interface dente-material restaurador.