Anne Peutzfeldt

Stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of newer types of endodontic posts.

OBJECTIVES To determine the stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of a selection of endodontic posts recently introduced onto the market. METHODS Endodontic posts of zirconia (Biopost, Cerapost), titanium (PCR), and carbon fiber (Composipost) were cemented in a brass block and loaded at an angle of 45 degrees in an Instron Testing Machine. From the recorded relationship between force and deflection the three mechanical properties were determined (n = 10 in each group). RESULTS The ceramic posts were very stiff and strong, with no plastic behavior. The PCR post was as strong as, but less stiff than, the ceramic posts. Composipost had the lowest values for stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of the posts investigated. CONCLUSION The posts under investigation differed significantly with respect to mechanical properties.

Influence of UEDMA, BisGMA and TEGDMA on selected mechanical properties of experimental resin composites

OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to determine the effect of UEDMA, BisGMA and TEGDMA on selected mechanical properties of experimental resin composites. METHODS Thirty monomer mixtures of TEGDMA and BisGMA and/or UEDMA were produced. Five base monomer mixtures had the following molar relationships between TEGDMA and BisGMA: 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30. Monomer mixtures were then produced in which BisGMA was successively substituted by UEDMA, 10 mol% at a time. The resins were made light-curing and loaded with filler. Diametral tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were determined on 1 week old specimens. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and by response surface methodology. RESULTS The diametral tensile strength of the resin composites varied between 52 and 59 MPa, the flexural strength between 137 and 167 MPa, and the modulus of elasticity between 8.0 and 11.1 GPa. The statistical analyses showed that substitution of BisGMA or TEGDMA by UEDMA resulted in an increase in tensile and flexural strength, and that substitution of BisGMA by TEGDMA increased tensile, but reduced flexural strength. Further, it was found that, for a given content of UEDMA, variations in the ratio BisGMA/TEGDMA gave rise to a maximum in modulus of elasticity. The size of this maximum in modulus decreased with increasing content of UEDMA. SIGNIFICANCE Varying the relative amounts of UEDMA, BisGMA and TEGDMA has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the resin composition. Thus, by selecting specific combinations of these components, it may be possible to design composites with properties that are tailor made to specific applications.

Characterization of resin composites polymerized with plasma arc curing units

OBJECTIVES Newly developed curing units (plasma arc curing units) operate at relatively high intensity and are claimed to result in optimum properties of resin composites in a short cure time. This study was conducted to determine a number of characteristics of resin composites polymerized by plasma arc curing units. METHODS The investigated polymerization characteristics were quantity of remaining double bonds, depth of polymerization, flexural strength and modulus, and wall-to-wall polymerization contraction. The investigated plasma arc curing units were Apollo 95E and 1000 PAC. The conventional curing unit XL 3000 was used as baseline. RESULTS Irradiation with Apollo 95E resulted in a higher quantity of remaining double bonds than did XL 3000, whereas the results obtained with 1000 PAC depended on the resin composite. The depth of cure with the plasma arc units was equal to or less than that obtained with the conventional unit, depending on the resin composite. The flexural strength did not depend on the curing unit. The flexural modulus resulting from curing with Apollo 95E was less than that resulting from curing with XL 3000 in 3 out of 4 comparisons. The wall-to-wall polymerization contraction was equal to or less with the plasma arc units than with the conventional unit. SIGNIFICANCE Plasma arc curing units make it possible to polymerize resin composite in much shorter times than conventional curing units. However, the polymerization characteristics associated with the units may be less than optimal.

Resin Composite Properties and Energy Density of Light Cure

According to the ‘total energy concept’, properties of light-cured resin composites are determined only by energy density because of reciprocity between power density and exposure duration. The kinetics of polymerization is complex, and it was hypothesized that degree of cure, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were influenced not only by energy density, but also by power density per se. A conventional resin composite was cured at 3 energy densities (4, 8, and 16 J/cm2) by 6 combinations of power density (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1000 mW/cm2) and exposure durations. Degree of cure, flexural strength, and flexural modulus increased with increasing energy density. For each energy density, degree of cure decreased with increasing power density. Flexural strength and modulus showed a maximum at intermediate power density. Within clinically relevant power densities, not only energy density but also power density per se had significant influence on resin composite properties.

The effect of postcuring on quantity of remaining double bonds, mechanical properties, and in vitro wear of two resin composites

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of different postcuring methods on degree of conversion, mechanical properties, and in vitro wear of two resin composites (Z100 and Charisma). The postcuring methods involved devices for inlay curing as well as devices present for other purposes in many dental laboratories or dental offices. METHODS Specimens of the resin composites were initially light cured and then postcured according to one of the following methods: Translux EC handheld curing unit (10min), Translux EC light box (10min), Triad II (10min), 40 degrees C (10min), 70 or 110 degrees C for 10min, 1, 6, or 24h. The properties were determined following storage of the specimens for 1week in water at 37 degrees C. The degree of conversion was determined using transmission IR. The mechanical properties tested were diametral tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. In vitro wear was induced by a three-body wear simulator. RESULTS Most postcuring methods increased degree of conversion of both materials. Postcuring increased the mechanical properties and in vitro wear resistance of Charisma, whereas no effect of postcuring was found on these properties of Z100. CONCLUSION Postcuring with the use of devices readily available in the dental laboratory and dental office increased the degree of conversion of Z100 and Charisma as well as the mechanical properties and in vitro wear resistance of Charisma. A heat treatment at 110 degrees C for 10-60min was found to be the most promising postcuring method.

Two-step curing: influence on conversion and softening of a dental polymer

OBJECTIVES The study investigates the influence of two-step curing of a BisGMA/TEGDMA based polymer on degree of conversion (DC) and on hardness before and after 1 day ethanol storage. METHODS The specimens were pre-cured at 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mW/cm(2) for 10, 20, or 40 s. The final cure as well as the cure of the control group was carried out at 750 mW/cm(2) for 20 s. DC was determined on thin films by FTIR. Hardness was determined on disks by the method of Wallace. RESULTS At intermediary energy densities of the pre-cure, the DC was reduced as compared to that of the control group. The hardness before ethanol storage was not influenced by the curing mode. Except for the lowest and the two highest energy densities of the pre-cure, the two-step curing mode resulted in polymers that after ethanol storage were softer than the control polymer. SIGNIFICANCE Two-step curing of resin composites may result in polymers with increased susceptibility to the action of softening substances in food and beverage.

Dual-cure resin cements: in vitro wear and effect of quantity of remaining double bonds, filler volume, and light curing.

The present study measured in vitro occlusal wear, quantity of remaining double bonds, and volumetric filler content of eight dual-cure resin cements. Furthermore, the effect of light curing on wear and quantity of remaining double bonds was evaluated. The filler content varied between 31 vol% and 66 vol%. In vitro wear varied between 30 microns and 65 microns, and quantity of remaining double bonds between 19% and 38% when resin cements had been both chemically cured and light cured. When light curing had been omitted, wear varied between 36 microns and 74 microns, and quantity of remaining double bonds between 25% and 56%. One resin cement did not harden when not cured by light. Light curing improved the wear resistance of three resin cements by up to 44% and reduced the quantity of remaining double bonds of six cements by up to 36%. A three-dimensional regression analysis found wear to decrease with decreasing quantity of remaining double bonds and increasing volumetric filler content. A negative correlation was shown between compressive strength and wear.

Influence of curing protocol on selected properties of light-curing polymers: Degree of conversion, volume contraction, elastic modulus, and glass transition temperature

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of light-curing protocol on degree of conversion (DC), volume contraction (C), elastic modulus (E), and glass transition temperature (T(g)) as measured on a model polymer. It was a further aim to correlate the measured values with each other. METHODS Different light-curing protocols were used in order to investigate the influence of energy density (ED), power density (PD), and mode of cure on the properties. The modes of cure were continuous, pulse-delay, and stepped irradiation. DC was measured by Raman micro-spectroscopy. C was determined by pycnometry and a density column. E was measured by a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and T(g) was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Data were submitted to two- and three-way ANOVA, and linear regression analyses. RESULTS ED, PD, and mode of cure influenced DC, C, E, and T(g) of the polymer. A significant positive correlation was found between ED and DC (r=0.58), ED and E (r=0.51), and ED and T(g) (r=0.44). Taken together, ED and PD were significantly related to DC and E. The regression coefficient was positive for ED and negative for PD. Significant positive correlations were detected between DC and C (r=0.54), DC and E (r=0.61), and DC and T(g) (r=0.53). Comparisons between continuous and pulse-delay modes of cure showed significant influence of mode of cure: pulse-delay curing resulted in decreased DC, decreased C, and decreased T(g). Influence of mode of cure, when comparing continuous and step modes of cure, was more ambiguous. SIGNIFICANCE A complex relationship exists between curing protocol, microstructure of the resin and the investigated properties. The overall performance of a composite is thus indirectly affected by the curing protocol adopted, and the desired reduction of C may be in fact a consequence of the decrease in DC.

Long-term fluoride release from a glass ionomer cement, a compomer, and from experimental resin composites

The aqueous phase of glass ionomer cements enables fluoride ions to diffuse and to be released from the material. The matrix of resin composites is much less hydrophilic, and fluoride incorporated in the material is only released in small amounts. It was the purpose of the present work to study the influence of resin matrix formulation on the fluoride release from experimental, fluoride-containing resin composites. The resin composites were based on methacrylate monomers and the adduct of maleic anhydride and HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The resin composites contained 1 w% or 5 w% of AlF3·3H2O. A glass ionomer cement and a compomer were used as controls. Five disks of each material were stored in distilled water at room temperature. By means of a fluoride sensitive electrode, the fluoride release from disk-shaped specimens was determined periodically over 3 years. The glass ionomer cement released the most fluoride (154 - 4 µg/cm2 after 1 year and 248 - 7 µg/cm2 after 3 years). The compomer released relatively little fluoride during the 1st year (30 - 1 µg/cm2), but after this time the rate of fluoride release became equal to that of the glass ionomer cement, resulting in a release of 122 - 8 µg/cm2 after 3 years. Regarding the resin composites, the fluoride release increased with the hydrophilicity and the acid character of the polymer matrix. The release, however, was significantly lower than that from the glass ionomer cement and the compomer and ranged from 1.2 - 0.07 to 42 - 3.9 µg/cm2 at 1 year and from 2.3 - 0.16 to 79 - 6 µg/cm2 at 3 years.

Influence of composition on rate of polymerization contraction of light-curing resin composites

A slow contraction may result in reduced gap formation when a restorative resin polymerizes in a dental cavity. It was the aim in the present work to investigate the rate of contraction in relation to composition of experimental light-curing resin composites. The monomer of the resin composites consisted of mixtures of BisGMA, TEGDMA, and in one series HEMA. The resins contained varying amounts of initiators, co-initiators, and inhibitor, and were made composite by adding a silanized glass filler to a content of 74% by weight of the composite paste. The polymerization contraction up to 120 sec was determined by means of the bonded-disk method. Within the ranges studied, the concentration of initiator and co-initiator in the monomer mixture had only an insignificant influence on rate of polymerization. In comparison to camphorquinone, the initiators 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione and benzil reduced the rate of polymerization without affecting the final contraction. In comparison to N,N-dimethyl- p -aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester, N,N-cyanoethyl methylaniline was as effective, while N,N-diethanol- p -toluidine was less effective as co-initiator. A relatively high content of the inhibitor methoxyhydroquinone reduced the initial rate but not the final polymerization contraction. The rate of polymerization increased with the level of HEMA and TEGDMA in the monomer mixture. It was concluded that intrinsic slow cure may be obtained with certain compositions of resin composites without impairing the final extent of polymerization.