Non-destructive characterization of resin-based filling materials using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a non-destructive test for characterizing the modulus of resin-based filling materials.


METHODS
Five different visible-light-cured composites (Filtek A110 [AO], Z100 [ZO], Filtek Z250 [ZT], F2000 [FT] and Filtek Flow [FF]; 3M-ESPE) were selected for this study. An ESPI (Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry) apparatus involving cantilever beam specimens (28 mm long, 8 mm wide and 2 mm thick) was developed for determining modulus. Out-of-plane displacement upon force application was measured using two focus region lengths (22 mm [EI1]; 11 mm [EI2]) and modulus (n = 7) was subsequently computed based on cantilever beam equations. Data was compared to those obtained from three-point-bend flexural testing (n = 7) based on ISO4049:2000 specifications [ISO]. Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 1 week prior to evaluation for all tests. Results were analyzed using ANOVA/Scheffe's post-hoc tests (p < 0.05) and Pearson's correlation (p < 0.01).


RESULTS
Modulus ranged from 5.53 to 13.99, 5.78 to 14.24 and 4.26 to 11.30 GPa for EI1, EI2 and ISO, respectively. For all three tests, the modulus of ZO and FT was significantly greater than ZT, which in turn was significantly greater than AO and FF. Correlation of EI1 and EI2 to ISO was significant, positive and very strong (r = 0.94 for EI1 and EI2).


CONCLUSIONS
ESPI may be a viable method of characterizing the modulus of resin-based filling materials. As it is a non-destructive test, time-dependent effects of composites can be determined using the same specimens leading to substantial time and material savings.
Yap
Adrian U J
AU
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, Singapore 119074. rsdyapuj@nus.edu.sg
Tan
Albert C S
AC
Quan
C
C
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D020770:Compomers / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004548:Elasticity; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D018583:Pliability; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
D020770:Compomers; D003188:Composite Resins; C118368:F2000 cement; C452225:Filtek A110 composite resin; C467913:Filtek Flow; C444701:Filtek Z250; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; C083568:Z100 composite resin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium