DENTAL COMPOSITES

Mahinay, Marivic Rosas, Jurina

 Dental composite is composed of a resin matrix and filler materials. Coupling agents are used to improve adherence of resin to filler surfaces. Activation systems including heat, chemical and photochemical initiate polymerization. Plasticizers are solvents that contain catalysts for mixture into resin. Monomer, a single molecule, is joined together to form a polymer, a long chain of monomers. Physical characteristics improve by combining more than one type of monomer and are referred to as a copolymer. Cross linking monomers join long chain polymers together along the chain and improve strength.

RESIN MATERIALS
BIS-GMA resin is the base for composite. In the late 1950's, Bowen mixed bisphenol A and glycidylmethacrylate thinned with TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) to form the first BIS-GMA resin. Diluents are added to increase flow and handling characteristics or provide cross linking for improved strength. Common examples are: RESIN:BIS-GMA bisphenol glycidylmethacrylate DILUENTS:- MMA BIS-DMA UDMA CROSS LINK DILUENTS TEGDMA EGDMA methylmethacrylate bisphenol dimethacrylate urethane dimethacrylate triethylene glycol dimethacrylate ethylene glycol dimethacrylate

 Coupling agents are used to improve adherence of resin to filler surfaces. Coupling agents chemically coat filler surfaces and increase strength. Silanes have been used to coat fillers for over fifty years in industrial plastics and later in dental fillers. Today, they are still state of the art. Silanes have disadvantages. They age quickly in a bottle and become ineffective. Silanes are sensitive to water so the silane filler bond breaks down with moisture.

COUPLING AGENTS

HEAT CATALYST
Polymerization of resin requires initiation by a free radical. Initiation starts propagation or continued joining of molecules at double bonds until termination is reached. Heat applied to initiators breaks down chemical structure to produce free radicals, however, monomers may polymerize when heat is applied even without initiators. Resins require stabilizers to avoid spontaneous polymerization. Stabilizers are also used to control the reaction of activators and resin mixtures. Hydroquinone is most commonly used as a stabilizer.

PHOTOCHEMICAL CATALYST
Early photochemical systems used were benzoin methyl ether which is sensitive to UV wavelengths at 365 nm. UV systems had limited use as depth of cure was limited. Visible light activation of diketones is the preferred photochemical systems. Diketones activate by visible, blue light to produce slow reactions. Amines are added to accelerate curing time. Presently, different composites use different photochemical systems. These systems are activated by different wavelengths of light. In addition, different curing lights produce various ranges of wavelengths that might not match composite activation wavelengths. This can result in no cure or partial cure. Composite materials must be matched to curing lights.

CHEMICAL CATALYST
Chemical activation of peroxides produces free radicals. Chemical accelerators are often not color stable and have been improved for this reason. The term self cure or dual cure (when combined with photo chemical initiation) describes chemical cure materials. Chemical composites mix a base paste and a catalyst paste for self cure.

 Bonding agents mix two liquids. Mixing two pastes incorporates air into the composite. Oxygen inhibits curing resulting in a weaker restoration.

Physical Characteristics
Following are the imp physical properties:1) Linear coefficient of thermal expansion (LCTE) 2) Water Absorption 3) Wear resistance 4) Surface texture 5) Radiopacity 6) Modulus of elasticity 7) Solubility

C- FACTOR
It is the ratio of the bonded surfaces to the unbonded or free surfaces in a tooth preparation. The higher the C-Factor, greater is the potential for bond disruption from polymerisation effects.

INTERNAL STRESSES
Internal stresses can be reduced by, 1) Self start Polymerisation 2) Incremental placement 3) Use of stress breaking liners such as:a)Filled Dentinal Adhesives b)RMGI.

The lifespan of an esthetic restoration depends on:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The nature and extent of the initial problem. The treatment procedure. The restorative material utilized. Operators skill. Patient factors such as oral hygiene, occlusion, and adverse habits.

Causes of failures:
1. 2. 3. 4. Trauma Improper teeth preparation Inferior materials Misuse of dental materials

INDICATIONS
1) Class-I, II, III, IV, V & VI restorations. 2) Foundations or core buildups. 3) Sealant & Preventive resin restorations. 4) Esthetic enhancement procedures. 5) Luting 6) Temporary restorations 7) Periodontal splinting.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
1) Inability to isolate the site. 2) Excessive masticatory forces. 3) Restorations extending to the root surfaces. 4) Other operator errors.

ADVANTAGES
1) Esthetics 2) Conservative tooth preparation. 3) Insulative. 4) Bonded to the tooth structure. 5) repairable.

DISADVANTAGES
1) May result in gap formation when restoration extends to the root surface. 2) Technique sensitive. 3) Expensive 4) May exhibit more occlusal wear in areas of higher stresses. 5) Higher linear coefficient of thermal expansion.

Types of tooth-colored restorative materials

Fused porcelain Silicate cement Acrylic resin

1. Fused Porcelain
An indirect restoration, fabricated in dental laboratories. Sophisticated computer aided design or computer assisted machining (CAD/CAM) are available to fabricate porcelain restorations chair side.

2. Silicate Cement
The first translucent material filling Has poor mechanical property Very soluble Prone to discoloration; large particle size Fluoride release

3. Acrylic Resin
Self-curing (chemically activated) acrylic resin for anterior restoration was develop. Deteriorates faster compared to other restorative materials. Inherent weaknesses such as poor activator systems, high polymerization shrinkage, high coefficient of thermal expansion.

Composite

 Introduced by Bowen NBS 1962. Most popular restorative material. Continuous polymeric or resin matrix in which an inorganic filler is dispensed.

Classification
1. Conventional (Macrofilled) 2. Microfilled 3. Hybrid Flowable Packable 4. Nanofilled

Composition
1. Organic Resin matrix dimetacrylate BIS GMA 2. Inorganic filler

inhibits deformation of matrix.

a. b. Typically consists of a resin-based oligomer matriz such as bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BIS GMA) Reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion of the resin matrix
Gives the composite wear resistance and translucency.

3.

Coupling Agent
- unite the resin with the filler.

- stress absorber of the filler and resin.

4. Initiator System
- activates the setting mechanism. - Camphorquinone (CQ) - Phenylpropanedione (PPD) or lucirin (TPO) - begins the polymerization reaction of external energy.

5. Stabilizers 6. Pigment

Macrofilled composites (Traditional or Conventional Composites)

Contains 75-80% inorganic filler by weight. Average particle size 8 m Large size particle Not very polishable

Macrofilled composites (Traditional or Conventional Composites)

Microleakage : prone to staining Relatively soft acrylic polymer tends to wear below the level of the glass particles, which constantly pip out of the surface leaving holes in their place.

Microfilled
1970 Polishable Smooth lustrous surface similar to tooth enamel. Particle size 0.01 0.04 m Contains 35 - 60% inorganic filler by weight

Microfilled
Some physical and mechanical properties are inferior Wear resistant; small particles Low modulus of elasticity (allows restoration to flex) High resin content results in an increased coefficient of thermal expansion and lower strength.

Uses of Microfilled
Used for low stress resin Buccal and lingual surfaces of Class III and Class V

Hybrid Composites
Predominant direct esthetic resin Combines the properties of conventional and microfilled Have universal clinical applicability 75 - 85% inorganic filler by weight Particle size .4 -1 m Physical properties is superior to conventional

Uses of Hybrid Composites

Used in moderate stress restoration where strength and wear wear resistance are more important than surface luster. Class I, II, and IV

Two types of Hybrid Composites

1. Flowable
flows into cavity due to longer viscosity. Have lower filler content. Inferior physical properties (lower wear resistance, lower strength).

1. Flowable
Small class I, pit & fissure sealant, marginal repair/liner. Easy to use. Good wettability. Favorable handling properties.

2. Packable (condensable)
More viscous, thicker, stiffer feel. Have filler particle feature that prevents sliding of the filler particle by one another. Easier restoration of proximal contact. Very similar to handling of amalgam.

Nanocomposite
Nanotechnology or Nanotech Deals with structures 100 nanometers, or smaller and involves materials or devices within that size.

Nanocomposite
Nanocomposites are materials that are created by introducing nanoparticulates (other referred to as FILLER) into a microscopic sample material (other referred to as MATRIX). Nanofilled composites are those that contain filler particle no larger than 0.1 micron.

Nanocomposite
May exhibit drastically enhanced properties compared to others. Electrical and thermal conductivity Other kinds of nanocomposite may result to enhanced optical properties, dielectric or mechanical properties such as stiffness and strength.

RECENT ADVANCES

Multifunctional Composites and Novel Microstructures

Hierarchical microstructures - Dr H-X Peng The properties of composite materials can be tailored through microstructural design at different lengthscales such as the microand nano-structural level. At the micro-structural level, our novel approach creates microstructures with controlled inhomogeneous reinforcement distributions. These microstructures effectively contain more than one structural hierarchy. This has the potential to create whole new classes of composite materials with superior single properties and property combinations. Research also involves tailoring the nano-structures of microwires/ribbons for macro-composites.

Shaped fibres
- Dr Ian Bond, Dr Paul Weaver Research has shown that shaped fibres can be an effective means of improving the through thickness properties. A set of guidelines for fibre shape and a preferred family of fibres have been generated from qualitative analysis for the role of reinforcing fibres in composites. Methods have also been developed to produce such shaped fibres from glass in order to form reinforced laminates in sufficient quantity for materials property testing using standard methods. Fibre shape has been shown to play a key role in contributing to the bonding force between fibre and matrix, with significant increases in fracture toughness possible. Results suggest that the shaped fibre specimens have a greater throughthickness strength than the circular fibre composites that are currently used.

Self healing
- Dr Ian Bond Impact damage to composite structures can result in a drastic reduction in mechanical properties. Bio-inspired approach is adopted to effect selfhealing which can be described as mechanical, thermal or chemically induced damage that is autonomically repaired by materials already contained within the structure. Efforts are undergoing to manufacture and incorporate multifunctional hollow fibres to generate healing and vascular networks within both composite laminates and sandwich structures. The release of repair agent from these embedded storage reservoirs mimics the bleeding mechanism in biological organisms. Once cured, the healing resin provides crack arrest and recovery of mechanical integrity. It is also possible to introduce UV fluorescent dye into the resin, which will illuminate any damage/healing events that the structure has undergone, thereby simplifying the inspection process for subsequent permanent repair.

Fibre Reinforced Dental Resins

- Dr Ian Bond and Professor Daryll Jagger The material most commonly used in the construction of dentures is poly (methyl methacrylate) and although few would dispute that satisfactory aesthetics can be achieved with this material, in terms of mechanical properties it is still far from ideal. Over the years there have been various attempts to improve the mechanical properties of the resin including the search for an alternative material, such as nylon, the chemical modification of the resin through the incorporation of butadiene styrene as in the "high impact resins" and the incorporation of fibres such as carbon, glass and polyethylene. The use of self-healing technology within dental resins is a novel and exciting approach to solve the problems of the failing dental resins. Methods are currently being developed to translate the self healing resin technology into dental and biomaterials science.

Nanofibres and Nanocomposites

- Dr Bo Su An electrospinning technique has been used to produce polymer, ceramic and nanocomposite nanofibres for wound addressing, tissue engineering and dental composites applications. The electrospun nanofibres have typical diameters of 100-500 nm. Natural biopolymers, such as alginate, chitosan, gelatin and collagen nanofibres, have been investigated. Novel nanocomposites, such as Ag nanoparticles doped alginate nanofibres and alginate/chitosan core-shell nanofibres, have also been investigated for antimicrobials and tissue engineering scaffolds. Zirconia and silica nanofibre/epoxy composites are currently under investigation for dental fillings and aesthetic orthodontic archwires.

Nanocomposites
- Dr H-X Peng Carbon fibre composite components are susceptible to sand and rain erosion as well as cutting by sharp objects. The use of nanomaterials in coating formulations can lead to wearresistant nanocomposite coatings. Work is developing novel fine-particle filled polymer coating systems with a potential step-change in erosion resistance and exploring their application to composite propellers and blades. These tailored materials also have potential applications in lightning strike protection and de-icing. The nano-structure of magnetic micro-ribbons/wires is being investigated and optimised to obtain the Giant MagnetoImpedance (GMI) effect for high sensitivity magnetic sensor applications.

Composites with Magnetic Function

- Dr Ian Bond, Prof. Phil Mellor and Dr H-X Peng The main aim of this work is to examine methods ofincluding magnetic materials within a composite whilst maintaining structural performance. This has been achieved by filling hollow fibres with a suspension of magnetic materials after manufacture of the composite component. Research is continuing to tailor the magnetic properties of the composite to other applications. In another approach, magnetic microribbons and microwires are being tailored and embedded into macrocomposite materials to provide magnetic sensing functions.

Auxetics
- Dr Fabrizio Scarpa Auxetic solids expand in all directions when pulled in only one, therefore exhibiting a negative Poissons ratio. New concepts are being develope for composite materials, foams and elastomers with auxetic characteristics for aerospace, maritime and ergonomics applications. The use of smart material technologies and negative Poissons ratio solids has also led to the development of smart auxetics for active sound management, vibroacoustics and structural health monitoring.

Diamond Fibre Composites

- Dr Paul May and Professor Mike Ashfold Researchers in the CVD Diamond Film Lab based in the School of Chemistry are investigating ways to make diamond fibre reinforced composites. The diamond fibres are made by coating thin (100 mm diameter) tungsten wires with a uniform coating of polycrystalline diamond using hot filament chemical vapour deposition. The diamond-coated wires are extremely stiff and rigid, and can be embedded into a matrix material (such as a metal or plastic) to make a stiff but lightweight composite material with anisotropic properties. Such materials may have applications in the aerospace industry.

Novel Multifunctional Fibre Composites

- Professor Steve Mann New types of composites with a combination of strength, toughness and functionality are being prepared by combining research in the synthesis of inorganic non-particles with that in the synthesis of organic polymers. This interdisciplinary approach has been used to produce flexible fibres of magnetic spider silk as shown in the photograph (left). Silk fibres are coated by a dipping procedure using dilute suspensions of inorganic nano-particles that are prepared with specific surface properties. Similar methods are being investigated with swellable polymer gels and bacterial supercellular fibres to produce novel hybrid composites.

Thank you!