Encyclopedia of Biomedical Polymers and Polymeric

Biomaterials

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Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based

Irini D. Sideridou , Evangelia C. Vouvoudi

To cite this entry: Irini D. Sideridou , Evangelia C. Vouvoudi . Dental Composites:

Dimethacrylate-Based. In Encyclopedia of Biomedical Polymers and Polymeric Biomaterials.
Taylor and Francis: New York, Published online: 04 Dec 2015; 2463-2470.

To link to this chapter: http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/E-EBPP-120051061

Published online: 04 Dec 2015

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 Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based

Irini D. Sideridou
Evangelia C. Vouvoudi
Laboratory of Organic Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract
Herein we report some details on the composition, the polymerization methods, and characterization
of dimethacrylate-based dental composites. Also, the results obtained by the authors in their laboratory
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during the synthesis and characterization of some experimental dimethacrylate-based dental composites

Dental—Dental Composites
are discussed. Composites were prepared consisting of a Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50 wt/wt) matrix
and silica nanoparticles (Aerosil OX50) as filler silanized with various silanes. The silanes used were
3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), 3-[(1,3(2)-dimethacryloyloxypropyl)-2(3)-oxycarbonyl-
amido]propyltriethoxysilane, which is a urethane dimethacrylate silane (UDMS), octyltrimethoxysilane
(OTMS), blends UDMS/OTMS (50/50 wt/wt), or blends MPTMS/OTMS (50/50 wt/wt). The silane structure
used for the silanization of nanosilica was found to affect the sorption behavior of water or ethanol/water
solution (37°C) by the composites and their dynamic mechanical properties. Also other works studied the
effect of the amount of silane (MPTMS or UDMS) and the effect of the nanosilica particle size on physical
properties of dental nanocomposites. In this entry the characterization of some contemporary commercial
dimethacrylate-based dental composites will be reported. The characterization involves the determination
of the degree of conversion of C=C bonds of dimethacrylate matrix to single C−C bonds using the Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy technique. Also the physical properties (sorption of
food/oral simulating liquids and solubility) and the mechanical properties (flexural strength and modulus
using a three-point bending set-up according to the ISO-4049 specification) were studied. The viscoelastic
properties of composites due to the polymer matrix were determined using dynamic thermal mechanical
analysis. Finally, thermal properties of composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis.

INTRODUCTION versus, respectively, 89.6% and 79.2% or even superior

For over 40 years, dental composites consisting of resin
matrices and inorganic fillers have been accessible in the
field of dentistry. This new age restorative material has
replaced the old silver amalgam that has been the material
of choice for over 150 years. While dental amalgams are
considered durable and convenient, they have a number of
problems associated with them. For example, the shiny
metallic look they present can be considered unattractive.
There is also speculation that this material can have medi-
cal concerns with toxic effects from the mercury content.
Dental amalgams also play a negative role in the environ-
ment with issues relating to waste disposal. New efforts
have been put forth to synthesize a polymer-based restor-
ative material such as dental composites that can possess
an “invisible” repair of teeth rather than the traditional
silver colour of the amalgams. The restoration longevity
reported in a long-term retrospective evaluation was
7.8 years for composites and 12.8 years for amalgam. More
recent studies showed similar survival rates for amalgam
and composite (91.7% at 5 years and 82.2% at 10 years
survival for large composite restorations after 12 years).
COMPOSITION OF DENTAL RESTORATIVE
COMPOSITES
Polymer Matrix
At present, the polymer matrix of dental composites is
mainly based on a mixture of dimethacrylates and has to
fulfill a number of basic requirements with regard to the
reactivity, stability, or toxicity of the monomers used
and the properties (strength, stiffness, and stability) of the
polymer network formed (Fig. 1).
In the currently used dental composites, the polymer
matrix is based on the following dimethacrylates, 2,2-bis[4-
2-hydroxy-3-(methacryloxy)propyl]phenyl]propane (Bis-
GMA), ethoxylated Bis-GMA (known as Bis-EMA), 1,6
bis-[2-methacryloyloxyethoxycarbonyl-amino]-2,4,4-
trimethylhexane (UDMA), or triethyleneglycol dimethac-
rylate (TEGDMA) (Fig. 2).

Encyclopedia of Biomedical Polymers and Polymeric Biomaterials DOI: 10.1081/E-EBPP-120051061

Copyright © 2015 by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved. 2463
 2464
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Dental—Dental Composites
Fig. 1 Basic requirements for monomers used in dental
composites.
Inorganic Filler
The inorganic filler is the second phase the dental compos-
ites bear. The fillers used directly influence the radiopacity,
mechanical properties such as hardness and flexural and
compressive strengths, and thermal coefficient of expan-
sion. The use of heavy metals such as barium and strontium
incorporated in the glass provide radiopacity. Dimethacry-
late monomers have a high coefficient of thermal expan-
sion. This coefficient is reduced by the addition of fillers,
and ideally, dental composites should have coefficients of
thermal expansion similar to the enamel and dentine of
tooth, which is 17 × 10−6/°C and about 11 × 10−6/°C, respec-
tively. The fillers provide the ideal means of controlling
various esthetic features such as color, translucency, and
fluorescence. Polymerization shrinkage largely correlates
with the volumetric amount of the filler in the composite.
By incorporating large amounts of fillers, the shrinkage is
much reduced because the amount of resin used reduced
and the filler does not take part in the polymerization pro-
cess. However, shrinkage is not totally eliminated and will
depend on the structure of monomers used and the amount
of filler incorporated. One of the most important consider-
ations in the selection of filler is the optical characteristics
of the composite. The monomers used in dental composites
have a refractive index of approximately 1.55. Fillers with
refractive indices which differ greatly from this value will
cause the composite to appear optically opaque, creating an
esthetic and curing problem. Because glasses can have
refractive indices ranging from 1.4 to 1.9, the selection of
the appropriate filler for dental composites must be guided
by a consideration of this important variable. The filler most
used until quite recently was fused or crystalline quartz and
various borosilicate or lithium aluminosilicate glasses.
The glass or quartz was ground or milled into particles
of various sizes ranging from approximately 0.1 µm to
Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
100 µm. The major advantage to using quartz was that it is
readily available and has an excellent optical match to the
polymer matrix. However, quartz has drawbacks in that it is
not radiopaque and can be very abrasive to enamel. These
characteristics ensured that as the surface of the composite
was abraded, the polymer would wear away more quickly
than the fillers, leaving them raised and exposed from the
surface. This made the surface of the restoration rough and
less enamel-like due to appreciable scattering of the inci-
dent light. Thus, polishability and esthetics were compro-
mised. Most current composites are filled with radiopaque
silicate particles based on oxides of barium, strontium, zinc,
aluminum, or zirconium. The average particle size and
particle size distribution of the filler is important as it
determines the amount of the filler that can be added to the
monomers, without the necessary handling characteristics
being lost. Particle size also has a pronounced effect on
the final finish of the dental composite in that the smaller the
filler particle size, the smoother the composite will be. The
composites have been classified according to the type of
filler employed into three main groups: the traditional or
macrofilled composites, the hybrid or blended composites,
and the microfilled composites. No one composite has been
able until now to meet both the functional needs of posterior
restorations and the superior esthetics required for anterior
restorations. Many attempts have been made to develop a
composite that could be used in all areas of the mouth with
high initial polish and superior polish retention (typical of
microfills) as well excellent mechanical properties suitable
for high stress-bearing restorations (typical of hybrid com-
posites). To this end, novel nanofillers and nanocomposites
were developed using advanced methacrylate resins and
curing technologies.
Silane Coupling Agent
During the initial development of dental composites, it was
shown that the acquisition of good properties in the
composite was dependent upon the formation of a strong
bond between the inorganic filler particles and the organic
polymer matrix. If there is a breakdown of this interface,
the stresses developed under load will not be effectively
distributed throughout the composite. The interface will
act as a primary source for fracture, leading to the subse-
quent disintegration of the composite. In most mineral-
reinforced dental composites, the primary interphasial
linkage between the polymer matrix and the filler phase is
by chemical bond formation mediated by a dual functional
organosilane, termed a silane coupling agent. In dental
composites based on dimethacrylate, adhesion between the
polymeric matrix and the reinforcing filler is usually
achieved by use of the silane coupling agent 3-methacry-
loxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), a bifunctional
molecule capable of reacting via its alkoxysilane groups
with the filler and itself and with the polymer matrix by
virtue of its methacrylate functional group.
 Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
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Fig. 2 Chemical structures of dental dimethacrylate monomers.
POLYMERIZATION METHODS
Dimethacrylate monomers have two double bonds in one
molecule, which is opened up to allow the monomer to
bond to neighboring monomers. This process is called
addition polymerization or curing and results in the forma-
tion of a cross-linked polymer network. The process of
2465
Dental—Dental Composites
addition polymerization involves three stages: initiation,
propagation, and termination. The initiation involves first
the formation of free radicals using a redox initiation
system or most often a photoinitiation system. In the first
case used in the so-called self-cured or chemically cured
composites, the redox initiation system is a combination of
benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and an aromatic tertiary amine.
 2466
Self-cured composites come in the market as two sepa-
rate putty-like pastes (a base and a catalyst) containing
correspondingly the BPO as initiator and the amine as the
activator. The dentist would take equal amounts of each of
these pastes and mix them together just prior to their use.
The combination of the two pastes would activate the
curing reaction of the organic matrix. In the second case of
the light-cured composites, the most common photoinitia-
tion system is a combination of camphorquinone (CQ) and
an amine. During photoinitiation, CQ is promoted to an
excited state by absorbing radiation energy from the visible
blue light. Once in the excited state, CQ reacts with the
amine to form an intermediate complex that degrades to
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create free radicals, initiating polymerization.
Dental—Dental Composites
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF
SOME EXPERIMENTAL DIMETHACRYLATE-
BASED DENTAL COMPOSITES
Nanocomposites were prepared in our laboratory consist-
ing of a Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50 wt/wt) matrix and
silica nanoparticles (Aerosil OX50) as filler silanized
with various silanes. The silanes used were MPTMS,
3-[(1,3(2)-dimethacryloyloxypropyl)-2(3)-oxycarbonyl-
amido] propyltriethoxysilane, which is a urethane dimeth-
acrylate silane (UDMS), octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS)
(Fig. 3), blends UDMS/OTMS (50/50 wt/wt), or blends
MPTMS/OTMS (50/50 wt/wt). The structure of the silane
Fig. 3 Chemical structure of silane coupling agents.
Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
used was found to affect the sorption characteristics of
water or ethanol/water solution (75/25 v/v; 37°C) by com-
posites.[1] In an aqueous oral environment, polymer com-
posites absorb water and release unreacted monomers. The
release of unpolymerized monomers from polymer com-
posites may stimulate the growth of bacteria around the
restoration and promote allergic reactions in some patients.
Also the water ingress into dental composites in the oral
cavity can, over time, lead to deterioration of the physical-
mechanical properties due to hydrolytic breakdown of the
bond between the silane–filler particles, filler matrix
debonding, or even hydrolytic degradation of the fillers.
However, some water ingress may have a positive side
effect, such as expansion of the composite compensating
for polymerization shrinkage leading to improved marginal
sealing. Thus, the solvent uptake by dental composites is
generally a very important property, which must be inves-
tigated. The composites studied containing the UDMS
with the hydrophilic urethane group showed the highest
amount of sorbed water. The composite with the OTMS
which does not contain a methacrylate moiety and cannot
react with the dimethacrylate monomers showed the high-
est solubility both in water and ethanol/water. In all com-
posites, the amount of sorbed ethanol/water solution is
much higher than that of water. OTMS-composite sorbed
the highest amount of ethanol/water and the MPTMS-com-
posite the lowest. The composites were also tested by
dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMTA) for the
determination of storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″),
and tangent delta (tan δ = E″/E′). Measurements were per-
formed in samples immediately after curing and samples
stored in water at 37°C for 1, 7, 30, or 120 days.[2] DMTA
is a valuable tool for characterization of viscoelasticity of
dental composites giving a greater insight into their
mechanical behavior. OTMS-composite in which OTMS
does not form covalent bond with the dimethacrylate
matrix showed lower elastic modulus both in dry and wet
conditions. The ability of bifunctional UDMS for cross-
linking was found not to increase the elastic behavior of the
composite, as it was expected, compared with that of
MPTMS-composite, because of the high amount of the
silane used. After immersion in water, the elastic modulus
of OTMS-composite remained constant, while that of the
other composites increased after 1 day and then remained
constant up to 120 days.
The effect of the amount of silane MPTMS coupling
agent on some physical-mechanical properties of an exper-
imental resin composite was studied.[3] Aerosil OX50 used
as filler were silanized with five different amounts of
MPTMS, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt% relative to silica.
The silanized silica nanoparticles were identified by FT-IR
spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Then the silanized nanoparticles (60 wt%) were mixed
with a Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50 wt/wt) matrix. Degree
of conversion of light-cured composites was determined by
FT-IR analysis. The static flexural strength and flexural
 Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
modulus were measured using a three-point bending set-
up. The dynamic thermomechanical properties were deter-
mined by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Sorption,
solubility, and volumetric change were determined after
storage of composites in water or ethanol/water solution.
TGA was performed in air and in nitrogen atmosphere
from 50 to 800°C. If lower silane amounts were used (1.0,
2.5 wt%), the silane molecules must have a parallel orien-
tation relative to the silica surface. At higher silane
amounts (>2.5 wt%), silane molecules form a layer around
the filler particles which now have to occupy a random,
parallel, and perpendicular orientation relative to the silica
surface. No significant statistic difference was found to
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exist between the flexural strength and flexural modulus
values of composites with different silane contents.
Dynamic elastic modulus (E′) showed a maximum value
for the composite prepared with the use of 5 wt% silane.
The composites with the higher amounts of silane showed
the lower values for the tan δ at the Tg, revealing that these
composites have better interfacial adhesion between filler
and matrix. An analogous study was performed using
silane as the UDMS in amounts 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and
10 wt% relative to silica. Almost all the silane used remained
chemically bounded on the surface of silica particles, form-
ing a layer around them, which have dense accumulation
of methacrylate groups. No significant statistic difference
was found to exist between the degree of conversion of
composites with different silane contents. The composite
with the lowest amount of UDMS (1.0 wt%) showed a
lower flexural strength value, higher static and dynamic
elastic modulus values, and higher sorbed liquid value and
solubility.[4]
In another work, various types of silica nanoparticles
(Aerosil) with an average particle size of 40, 20, 16, 14,
and 7 nm used as fillers were silanized with the silane
MPTMS.[5] The total amount of silane used was kept
constant at 10 wt% relative to the filler weight to ensure
the complete silanization of nanoparticles. The silanized
silica nanoparticles were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy
and TGA. Then the silanized nanoparticles (55 wt%)
were mixed with a photoactivated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA
(50/50 wt/wt) matrix. Degree of conversion of composites
was determined by FT-IR analysis. The static flexural
strength and flexural modulus were measured using a
three-point bending set-up. The dynamic thermomechani-
cal properties were determined by DMA. Sorption, solubil-
ity, and volumetric change were determined after storage
of composites in water or ethanol/water solution 75 vol%
for 30 days. The TGA for composites was performed in
nitrogen atmosphere from 30 to 700°C. As the average
silica particle size decreases, the percentage amount of
MPTMS attached on the silica surface increases. However,
the number of MPTMS molecules attached on the silica
surface area of 1 nm2 is independent of filler particle size.
As the average filler particle size decreases, a progressive
2467
increase in the degree of conversion of composites and an
increase in amount of sorbed water are observed.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME
CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL
DIMETHACRYLATE-BASED DENTAL
COMPOSITES
During recent years, new classes of dental composites
called nanocomposites have been developed and marketed.
Nanocomposites are claimed to combine the good mechan-
ical strength of the hybrids and the superior polish of the
microfills. Other positive features reported are high wear
Dental—Dental Composites
resistance, improved optical characteristics, and reduced
polymerization shrinkage. Nanocomposites are available
as nanohybrid types containing milled glass fillers and
discrete nanoparticles (40–50 nm) and as nanofill types,
containing nano-sized filler particles, called nanomers,
and agglomerations of these particles described as “nano-
clusters.”[6] The nanoclusters provide a distinct reinforcing
mechanism compared with the microfill or nanohybrid
systems, resulting in significant improvements to the
strength and reliability.[7] The physical properties of three
commercial light-cured nanohybrid dental composites
[Tetric EvoCeram, (TEC), Grandio, and Protofill-nano]
and two nanofill composites [Filtek Supreme Body (FSB)
and the Filtek Supreme Translucent] were studied in the
authors’ laboratory.[8] The volumetric shrinkage due to
polymerization was first determined. Also the sorption,
solubility, and volumetric increase were measured after
storage of composites in water or artificial saliva for
30 days. The flexural strength and flexural modulus were
measured using a three-point bending set-up according to
the ISO-4049 specification, after immersion of samples in
water or artificial saliva for 1 day or 30 days. Thermal
analysis technique TGA method was used to investigate
the thermal stability of composites. In another work, the
physical properties of two commercial dental composites,
the Rok (light-cured hybrid) and Ice (light-cured nanohy-
brid), were studied.[9]
Sculp-It is a current, commercial, light-cured microhy-
brid composite and Alert is a condensable composite
(both produced by Jeneric/Pentron Inc). The resin matrix
of these composites is based on a mixture of Bis-EMA
and of a polycarbonate dimethacrylate. The water uptake
characteristics of these composites were studied in detail.
Water sorption/desorption was examined both in equilib-
rium and dynamic conditions in two sorption–desorption
cycles. The composites exhibited very low water uptake
values in comparison to other composites reported in
the literature. Concerning the sorption rate data, it was
observed that composites followed Fickian diffusion until
only Mt/M∞ ≈ 0.5. The diffusion coefficients of compos-
ites were calculated.[10]
 2468
Ethanol/water solution of 75 vol% is recommended
by the guidelines provided by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (1976, 1988) as a food simulator and might
be considered clinically relevant. It simulates certain bev-
erages (including alcoholic), vegetables, fruits, and syrup.
The sorption kinetics of ethanol/water solution (75 vol%)
by Z100 MP and Filtek Z250, both of which are radiopaque
microhybrid composites, was studied. Sorption–desorption
cycles were examined in both equilibrium and dynamic
conditions in two adjacent sorption–desorption cycles. It
was observed that the sorption–desorption process is
not influenced much by the presence of fillers. The rate of
ethanol/water sorption followed Fickian diffusion kinetics
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during almost the whole sorption curve.[11]
Dental—Dental Composites
The mechanical properties of dental composites
traditionally have been investigated using static methods.
However, these focus only on the elastic component of the
composite. Dental composites exhibit viscoelastic behav-
iour due to the presence of polymer matrix, which is a
viscoelastic material. Dynamic tests such as DMTA on the
other hand are particularly well suited for viscoelastic
materials since they determine both the elastic and viscous
response of material. Also, dynamic tests mimic better the
cyclic masticatory loading to which dental composites are
clinically subjected. This might be extremely valuable to
predict the clinical performance of biomaterials when
working under the cyclic solicitations generated by the
human body’s physiological movements. The viscoelastic
properties of various contemporary dental composites have
been studied in our laboratory using DMTA. First, the vis-
coelastic properties of Rok and Ice were examined under
the influence of variable temperatures and frequencies 1 h
after curing or after storage at 37°C either in air or distilled
water for 1, 7, or 30 days. Storage of composites in air or
water 37°C caused additional curing reaction.[12] The visco-
elastic properties of TEC (light-cured nanohybrid) and
Heliomolar (light-cured microfilled) in dry conditions and
in water for up 30 days were also studied.[13] TEC with a
similar of amount resin matrix with Heliomolar showed
better dynamic thermomechanical properties. Finally, two
other current commercial light-cured composites, FSB and
Filtek Supreme Translucent characterized as nanofilled
were studied by DMTA. DMTA tests were performed on
samples that had been stored in air, distilled water, artificial
saliva, or ethanol/water solution (75% v/v) at 37°C for 1, 7,
30, or 90 days. Water and artificial saliva showed the same
effect on composites. They caused both postcuring and
plasticization. Ethanol/water solution 75% v/v had a more
strong effect than water and artificial saliva due to its
organophilic nature. It caused postcuring, plasticization,
and most probably degradation of the bond filler–silane
coupling agent.[14]
When a composite material is immersed in water, some
of the components, such as unreacted monomer filler
particles and other components are leached out of the
Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
material. This can be assessed as solubility or leaching.
These products can be released into salivary fluids, contact
the mucosa tissues, and even reach the pulp via dentinal
tubules. Thus, studies on the elution of the unbonded com-
ponents would be important, since they have demonstrated
that residual monomers and additives eluted from compos-
ites have a wide range of toxic potencies. The quality and
quantity of the residual monomers eluted from dental
composites are usually determined using high-performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC). We have studied the
elution of residual monomers from two commercial light-
cured dental composites into a 75% ethanol/water solution
using HPLC.[15] The composites studied were Z100 MP and
Filtek Z250. These are both microhybrid composites. The
resin matrix of Z100 MP is based on Bis-GMA/TEGDMA
copolymer, while Filtek Z-250 consists mainly of Bis-
GMA, UDMA, and Bis-EMA. The amount of monomers
eluted from composite Z-100MP light cured for 40 sec or
60 sec after immersion in 75% ethanol/water (37°C) for a
certain time is shown in Fig. 4. An increase in the irradia-
tion time from 40 to 60 seconds resulted in lower amounts
of eluted monomers, meaning that the polymerization pro-
ceeds to a greater extent.
The elution of both Bis-GMA and TEGDMA is com-
pleted after about 3 days of immersion in the solvent. The
amount determined after immersion for 30 days was not
significantly different than that determined after 3 days
(Table 1). An interesting result shown in Fig. 4 and Table 1
is that the amount of Bis-GMA eluted is always less than
the corresponding amount of TEGDMA.[15]
Thermal expansion is a crucial factor that challenges
the adhesive bond between restoration and tooth struc-
ture. A great difference in the coefficient of linear
Fig. 4 Amount of residual monomers (Bis-GMA and TEGDMA)
eluted from the light-cured composite Z-100MP versus immersion
period (irradiation times 40 sec and 60 sec).
 Dental Composites: Dimethacrylate-Based
Table 1 Amount of different monomers eluted (wt/wt%) from the dental composites as a function of irradiation time after 30 days
immersion in a 75% ethanol/water solution at 37°C
Irradiation
Material time (sec) Bis-GMA
Z-100MP 40 0.044 ± 0.010 (0.23)
60 0.038 ± 0.006 (0.20)
Filtek Z-250 20 0.153 ± 0.010a (0.66)
a a
60 0.098 ± 0.011 (0.43)
The values in parentheses express the wt/wt% on the organic matrix content. Mean values ± standard deviation of three replicates.
a
Statistically different (p < 0.05) from the value obtained at 6 days immersion period of the same monomer from the same material at the same irradiation
time. Values with no superscript are not statistically different.
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expansion (CLTE) between tooth and the restorative mate-
rial leads to different dimensional changes, occurring when
there is a temperature change in the restored tooth. Such
expansions and contractions develop stresses at the tooth-
restorative interface, which may lead to the formation of
microleakages at the margins of the restoration. These
microleakages can have potentially serious effects. The
penetration of acid and microorganisms can result in the
patients’ experience of sensitivity and ultimately the occur-
rence of secondary caries. Pulpal damage can result from
toxic products liberated by microorganisms. Staining can
occur at the margin of the restoration resulting from accu-
mulation of debris. The failure of an adhesive bond is com-
plex and is affected by a number of factors; however, the
driving force was found to be the difference in the CLTE
between tooth structure and restoration. It is for this reason
that ideally restorative materials should have similar coef-
ficients of thermal expansion to enamel and dentine of
tooth. In our laboratory, the thermal expansion characteris-
tics of commercial light-cured dental composites Z-100
MP, Filtek Z-250, Sculp-It, and Alert were studied by TMA.
This study showed the existence of a Tg at around 40–45°C;
then the CLTE was calculated at the temperature intervals
0–60°C, 0-Tg and Tg-60°C. The CLTE values of the com-
posites indicated that the major factor that affects the CLTE
of a composite is the filler content, but it also seems to be
affected by the chemical structure of the matrix.[16]
Finally, some physicochemical properties of two cur-
rent commercial dental self-curing composites were stud-
ied. The composites were Concise™ and Alfacomp. Based
on their filler type, Concise is characterized as a “conven-
tional” or “macrofilled” composite and Alfacomp as
“hybrid.” The resin matrix of Concise is a copolymer of
Bis-GMA/TEGDMA and that of Alfacomp a homopoly-
mer of Bis-GMA. The degree of conversion of double
bonds of dimethacrylate matrix was determined in thin
films of composites using FT-IR spectroscopy. Sorption,
solubility, and volumetric change were determined after
storage of composites in water or ethanol/water solution
75 vol% at 37°C for 30 days. Thermal stability of compos-
ites was studied by TGA.[17]
2469
TEGDMA UDMA Bis-EMA
0.093 ± 0.013 (0.49)
0.073 ± 0.012 (0.38)
0.066 ± 0.004 (0.28) 2.480 ± 0.078a (10.8) 0.236 ± 0.020a (1.02)
0.061 ± 0.005 (0.26) 1.484 ± 0.094 (6.5) 0.135 ± 0.008a (0.59)
Dental—Dental Composites
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Dental—Dental Composites
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