Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of two light-cured dental composites.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical observations suggest that some composite resins are more often linked to post-operative sensitivity than others. These differences may relate to differences in modulus of elasticity and polymerization rates among materials. The aim of this study was to identify viscoelastic behavior of two light curable composites and determine whether significant differences in viscoelastic behavior exist between the two materials when light cured at each of three different irradiance values.


METHODS
Two composites (Z100 and Z250 by 3M ESPE) were evaluated. Six specimens per composite and irradiance value (250, 500 and 850 mW/cm2) were made. The curing times were chosen to produce a fixed energy value of 30 J/cm2 independent of irradiation value. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed in single cantilever clamped mode.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in transition temperatures between the two materials and the three frequencies at their glass transition temperatures, while significant differences did not exist at the lower transitions. The glass transition of Z250 was lower and narrower than that of Z100. Z250 exhibited lower storage modulus values. The irradiance values did not affect any of the transition temperatures significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
The lower and more distinct T(g) of Z250 suggests that Z250 cures more efficiently than Z100. The lower storage modulus of Z250 suggests that Z250 develops less stress in the tooth than Z100 during curing if shrinkage is the same for the two materials. The findings suggest that the material chosen, rather than irradiance, determines the stress level developed during light curing.
Emami
Nazanin
N
Division of Polymer Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, S-971 87 Luleå, Sweden. nazanin.emami@sirius.luth.se
Söderholm
Karl-Johan M
KJ
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004548:Elasticity; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C444701:Filtek Z250; D011108:Polymers; C083568:Z100 composite resin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium