A comparison of fatigue crack growth in resin composite, dentin and the interface.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fatigue crack growth properties of the dentin/resin adhesive interface. METHODS: Compact tension (CT) specimens were prepared from coronal dentin, resin composite, and dentin bonded to resin composite using Optibond Solo Plus adhesive. All specimens were then subjected to cyclic Mode I loading while fully hydrated at a stress ratio of R=0.1 and frequency of 5 Hz. Steady state fatigue crack growth was modeled using the Paris Law in terms of the exponent (m) and coefficient (C). RESULTS: The average fatigue crack growth rates in the resin composite ranged from 1.6E-06 to 3.8E-05 mm/cycle with growth occurring over a stress intensity range from 0.40 to 0.77 MPa m(1/2); the average growth exponent was 6.9+/-3.1. Average fatigue crack growth rates for the dentin/resin interface specimens ranged from 5.5E-07 to 6.4E-03 mm/cycle with growth occurring over a stress intensity range from 0.37 to 0.64 MPa m(1/2). The Paris Law exponent for these specimens ranged from 16