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American Society for Testing and Materials

Composite dental restorations represent a unique class of biomaterials with severe restrictions on biocompatibility, curing behavior, esthetics, and ultimate material properties. These materials are presently limited by shrinkage and polymerization-induced shrinkage stress, limited toughness, the presence of unreacted monomer that remains following the polymerization, and several other factors. Fortunately, these materials have been the focus of a great deal of research in recent years with the goal of improving restoration performance by changing the initiation system, monomers, and fillers and their coupling agents, and by developing novel polymerization strategies. Here, we review the general characteristics of the polymerization reaction and recent approaches that have been taken to improve composite restorative performance.

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Recent Advances and Developments in Composite Dental Restorative Materials

The intent of this article is to review the numerous factors that affect the mechanical properties of particle- or fiber-filler-containing indirect dental resin composite materials. The focus will be on the effects of degradation due to aging in different media, mainly water and water and ethanol, cyclic loading, and mixed-mode loading on flexure strength and fracture toughness. Several selected papers will be examined in detail with respect to mixed and cyclic loading, and 3D tomography with multi-axial compression specimens. The main cause of failure, for most dental resin composites, is the breakdown of the resin matrix and/or the interface between the filler and the resin matrix. In clinical studies, it appears that failure in the first 5 years is a restoration issue (technique or material selection); after that time period, failure most often results from secondary decay.

Degradation, Fatigue, and Failure of Resin Dental Composite Materials

Aspects of silane coupling agents and surface conditioning in dentistry: An overview

Adhesion/cementation to zirconia and other non-silicate ceramics: where are we now?

Purpose: This overview presents a description of organofunctional trialkoxysilane coupling agents (silanes), their chemistry, properties, use, and some of the main clinical experiences in dentistry. Materials and Methods: The main emphasis was on major dental journals that have been reviewed from 1958 up to the latest research news from 2002. A MEDLINE search with the key words “dental silanes” was used. Special silane literature and journals outside dentistry were also cited. Results: The main emphasis is on the use of silanes in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. Clinical relevance was based mainly on either short- or long-term tests. The interpretation of various results is not given, mainly because of controversial observations that may be very difficult to explain. Nevertheless, the majority of the clinical results pointed to silanes playing a significant role in the adhesion process. Silane reaction mechanisms were not entirely understood, and there exist several theories for bonding mechanisms for silanes and substrates. Conclusion: Dental materials offer a continuously challenging forum for silanes, and silanes will play an essential role in material development. Publ. in: Int J Prosthodont 2004;17:155–164.

An Introduction to Silanes and Their Clinical Applications in Dentistry

http://www.fibrebond.biz/pdfs/mechanicalpropertiesofposts.pdf

Flexural properties of fiber reinforced root canal posts.

Effect of fiber position and orientation on fracture load of fiber-reinforced composite.

http://www.dentinaltubules.com/sites/default/files/upload/files/EverX%20study%20-%20Sept%2013_0.pdf

Lippo V.J. Lassila

Papers

An Introduction to Silanes and Their Clinical Applications in Dentistry

Flexural properties of fiber reinforced root canal posts.

Effect of fiber position and orientation on fracture load of fiber-reinforced composite.

Physical properties and depth of cure of a new short fiber reinforced composite

The influence of short-term water storage on the flexural properties of unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced composites.