Simple optical method for measuring free shrinkage.
OBJECTIVE
A simple optical method for measuring polymerization shrinkage of dental composites is compared with an established dilatometer.


METHODS
Five restorative composites were used to test the methods: Filtek Supreme Ultra (3M ESPE), Filtek LS (3M ESPE), Premise (Kerr), Gradia Direct (GC), and GC Kalore (GC). Uncured composites were attached to sandblasted silane-treated glass slides. The slides were placed sample side inside a mercury-filled dilatometer (ADAF). The mercury levels were recorded as the materials were light-cured through the glass-slides (40s). Mercury levels, which correlated with volumetric shrinkage, were recorded for 60min (N=6). For the optical method, uncured composite was placed on a smooth silicone platform. A pre-polymerization image was captured under a stereomicroscope, and the specimen was light-cured (40s). Post-polymerization images were captured at 2, 10, 60, and 90min (N=10). Composite outlines were traced to obtain projected surface areas (ImageJ) and volumetric shrinkage was calculated. Results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (α=0.05) and Pearson Correlation tests. Shrinkage deformation for both methods was modeled using finite element analysis.


RESULTS
Volumetric shrinkage at 60min ranged between 1.24% and 2.24% for dilatometer and 1.35-2.68% for optical methods. Optical method shrinkage was consistently higher than the dilatometer (P=.0001), but the ranking of the composites was the same (Pearson Correlation Coefficient 0.9997). Finite element analysis showed that lower shrinkage values of the dilatometer method could be attributed to bonding of its samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The optical method using a general-purpose stereomicroscope and public-domain software is a simple and accurate alternative to measure free shrinkage.
Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. Electronic address: dverslui@uthsc.edu.
Daranee
D
Tantbirojn
Biomaterials and Biomechanics, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: pfeiferc@ohsu.edu.
Carmem S
CS
Pfeifer
Sophomore at Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA. Electronic address: amian-17@rhodes.edu.
Arianna N
AN
Amini
Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 875 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. Electronic address: antheun@uthsc.edu.
Antheunis
A
Versluis
D003188:Composite Resins; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D008422:Materials Testing; D058105:Polymerization
D003188:Composite Resins
Dilatometer; Finite element analysis; Free shrinkage; Image analysis software; Polymerization shrinkage; Resin composite; Stereomicroscope