Chemical and mechanical properties of dual-polymerizing core build-up materials

Mechanical properties and degree of conversion of resin-based core build-up materials and short fiber-reinforced flowable resin-based composite

To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), surface hardness (SH), and flexural strength (FS) of resin-based core build-up materials. Core build-up materials used were: MultiCore Flow (MCF); Activa (ACT); Core-X Flow (CXF); and everX flow (EVX), and DC, SH and FS were measured. An increase of DC was identified for all materials post-cure, except for EVX. The DC change percentage ranged from 5%-33%, and EVX was displayed the greatest DC rate. All materials displayed an SH increase after 30 days and the greatest increase was observed in ACT. At 1 h, the SH of EVX and CXF was different from the other materials. At 30 days, MCF displayed the greatest SH. All materials displayed an increase in their FS after 30 days except for EVX, and ranging 3%-36% were noticed. Differences observed between materials, thus clinician should be acquainted mechanical properties of these materials to ensure the success of the restorations.

Evaluation of the Fracture Resistance of Different Designs of All-Resin Post and Core Systems: An In Vitro Study

Introduction There is a growing demand for post and core systems that offer both ease of use and efficiency. Recently introduced dual-cure build-up and post cement materials exhibit properties similar to dentin. The objective of this laboratory experiment is to compare the fracture resistance among three distinct post and core systems and identify the locations of failures within each group. Material and methods This in vitro experimental study involved 30 epoxy resin-based blocks (Endo Training Bloc J, Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) divided into three groups: The first group was a post space preparation and restoration with a fiber post (RelyX™ Fiber Post, 3M ESPE, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States) 1.6 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length (Group A) where core build-up and cementation were performed using a dual-cure build-up and cement for endodontic post resin material (Core X Flow, Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). The second group was a post space preparation and restoration using a dual-cure build-up and cement for endodontic post resin material, 10 mm in length filled with resin but without fiber post placement (Group B). The third group was where post space and core were filled and restored with a dual-cure build-up and cement for endodontic post resin material, 5 mm in length and without fiber post placement (Group C). Subsequently, samples were mounted and tested using a universal testing machine (Instron, Canton, Massachusetts, United States), and the fracture site was located. Results Significant differences were identified among the three groups, indicating the impact of both post length and type on fracture resistance (p-value <0.05). Group B exhibited the highest mean compressive strength resistance and maximum load at 899.3330 (N), followed by Group C at 848.9690 (N) and Group A at 751.9620 (N). The predominant failures in the samples were core fractures or debonding of the core material. Conclusion All-resin posts demonstrated high fracture resistance, unlike fiber posts which displayed inferior fracture resistance.

Effect of polymerization mode on shrinkage kinetics and degree of conversion of dual-curing bulk-fill resin composites

OBJECTIVES

To assess the behavior of dual-cure and conventional bulk-fill composite materials on real-time linear shrinkage, shrinkage stress, and degree of conversion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two dual-cure bulk-fill materials (Cention, Ivoclar Vivadent (with ion-releasing properties) and Fill-Up!, Coltene) and two conventional bulk-fill composites (Tetric PowerFill, Ivoclar Vivadent; SDR flow + , Dentsply Sirona) were compared to conventional reference materials (Ceram.x Spectra ST (HV), Dentsply Sirona; X-flow; Dentsply Sirona). Light curing was performed for 20 s, or specimens were left to self-cure only. Linear shrinkage, shrinkage stress, and degree of conversion were measured in real time for 4 h (n = 8 per group), and kinetic parameters were determined for shrinkage stress and degree of conversion. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA followed by post hoc tests (α = 0.05). Pearson's analysis was used for correlating linear shrinkage and shrinkage force.

RESULTS

Significantly higher linear shrinkage and shrinkage stress were found for the low-viscosity materials compared to the high-viscosity materials. No significant difference in degree of conversion was revealed between the polymerization modes of the dual-cure bulk-fill composite Fill-Up!, but the time to achieve maximum polymerization rate was significantly longer for the self-cure mode. Significant differences in degree of conversion were however found between the polymerization modes of the ion-releasing bulk-fill material Cention, which also exhibited the significantly slowest polymerization rate of all materials when chemically cured.

CONCLUSIONS

While some of the parameters tested were found to be consistent across all materials studied, heterogeneity increased for others.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

With the introduction of new classes of composite materials, predicting the effects of individual parameters on final clinically relevant properties becomes more difficult.

Water sorption, water solubility, degree of conversion, elastic indentation modulus, edge chipping resistance and flexural strength of 3D-printed denture base resins

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the water sorption (w_sp), water solubility (w_sl), degree of conversion (DC), elastic indentation modulus (E_IT), edge chipping resistance (ECR) and flexural strength (FS) of 3D-printed, milled and conventionally polymerized denture base resin materials.

METHODS

Specimens (N = 540) were 3D-printed (NextDent Denture 3D+ (DEN), Fotodent Denture (FOT), Freeprint Denture (FRE), V-Print dentbase (VPR)), cut (Ivotion Base (IVO)) and molded (PalaXpress (PAL)) in three geometries. W_sp,w_sl,DC, E_IT, ECR and FS were tested initially (24 h, 37 °C, H20) and after additional aging (5000 thermal cycles, 5/55 °C). Data were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov, univariate ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation (p < 0.05) RESULTS: Most 3D-printed denture base resins showed higher w_sp (25.31-37.94 μg/mm³) and w_sl (0.08-8.27 μg/mm³), but also higher E_IT (3.11-4.09 GPa) and FS (60.81-99.57N/mm²) values than the control groups. DEN and VPR showed high DC (89.36-93.53%), E_IT (3.77-4.09 GPa) and FS (79.65-99.57N/mm²), while FOT showed low w_sp (25.31-27.35 μg/mm³) and w_sl (1.01-3.87 μg/mm³) values. In all materials, the examined parameters were affected by aging.

SIGNIFICANCE

Although 3D-printed denture base resins showed promising results with regard to the observed DC and FS, only FOT and FRE surpassed the threshold values defined by the ISO norms.

Effects of Sr/F-Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles and Calcium Phosphate on Monomer Conversion, Biaxial Flexural Strength, Surface Microhardness, Mass/Volume Changes, and Color Stability of Dual-Cured Dental Composites for Core Build-Up Materials

This study prepared composites for core build-up containing Sr/F bioactive glass nanoparticles (Sr/F-BGNPs) and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) to prevent dental caries. The effect of the additives on the physical/mechanical properties of the materials was examined. Dual-cured resin composites were prepared using dimethacrylate monomers with added Sr/F-BGNPs (5 or 10 wt%) and MCPM (3 or 6 wt%). The additives reduced the light-activated monomer conversion by ~10%, but their effect on the conversion upon self-curing was negligible. The conversions of light-curing or self-curing polymerization of the experimental materials were greater than that of the commercial material. The additives reduced biaxial flexural strength (191 to 155 MPa), modulus (4.4 to 3.3), and surface microhardness (53 to 45 VHN). These values were comparable to that of the commercial material or within the acceptable range of the standard. The changes in the experimental composites’ mass and volume (~1%) were similar to that of the commercial comparison. The color change of the commercial material (1.0) was lower than that of the experimental composites (1.5–5.8). The addition of Sr/F-BGNPs and MCPM negatively affected the physical/mechanical properties of the composites, but the results were satisfactory except for color stability.