title: Developing a more complete understanding of stresses produced in dental composites during polymerization.
abstract: The polymerization of dental composites is accompanied by significant shrinkage and the production of internal stress. This stress has been implicated as a causative factor for marginal discrepancies seen in composite restorations. This paper provides an overview of the origins of these stresses in polymerizing dental composites, a brief description of the methods for measuring them, a discussion of what little is known of the relationship between contraction stress and outcomes, an identification of the materials and placement factors that affect contraction stress, and a description of several strategies proposed to reduce the stresses. The phenomenon of contraction stress development in dental composite restoratives is highly complex, and despite many investigations, remains as a significant clinical concern.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, 611 S.W. Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239, USA. ferracan@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ferracane
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004548:Elasticity; D006244:Hardness; D015394:Molecular Structure; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D011108:Polymers