title: Examination of composite resins with electron microscopy, microhardness tester and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer.
abstract: This study was conducted to examine the ultrastructures of eight recently improved light-cure restorative composite resins with scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). Additionally, Vickers hardness, volume/weight fraction of filler, and chemical composition were analyzed. Composite resins selected for evaluation were Beautifil II, Clearfil AP-X, Clearfil Majesty, Estelite sigma, Filtek Supreme, Filtek Z250, Solare, and Synergy. SEM and TEM images revealed a great diversity in ultrastructure, and Vickers hardness test showed significant differences amongst all the composite resins (except between Clearfil Majesty and Estelite sigma, and between Filtek Supreme and Filtek Z250). By means of EDX, similar elements such as C, O, and Si were detected, but the concentration was different in every composite resin. Results obtained in this study served to validate that the methods employed in this study SEM and TEM at high magnification--were useful in examining the ultrastructures of composite resins. It was also found that the ultrastructure, size of filler particles, volume/weight fraction of filler, and chemical composition of the composite resins had an effect on Vickers hardness. Given the great diversity of ultrastructures amongst the composite resins, which stemmed from the different revolutionary technologies used to manufacture them, further studies are warranted in the search of clinical applications that optimally match the differing properties of these materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Division of Oral Functional Science and Rehabilitation, School of Dentistry Asahi University 1851 Hozumi, Mizuho City, Gifu 501-0296, Japan. rogelio_scougall@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rogelio José
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Scougall-Vilchis
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hotta
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hotta
authors.forename: Taizo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Idono
authors.forename: Kohji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000295:instrumentation; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D012825:Silicon / Q000032:analysis; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: C470433:Beautifil composite resin; C112828:Clearfil AP-X; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C507124:Estelite sigma; C474035:Filtek Supreme; C444701:Filtek Z250; D008689:Methacrylates; C501838:Solare; C452441:Synergy composite resin; C541508:clearfil majesty; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D002244:Carbon; D010100:Oxygen; D012825:Silicon