Abstract:
Introduction: Dental filling materials have mostly been investigated in vitro by macroscopically working wear simulators. In part the materials were temporarily exposed to different ambient conditions simulating mouthlike milieu. In contrast, only few examinations focused on micromechanical wear and thus gave more information on viscoelastic properties of materials surfaces.
Aim: This study focused on surface wear differences of different dental composites due to storage conditions. Furthermore, this work aims on the evaluation of the Universal Surface Tester (UST®, Innowep, Würzburg), scarcely used in dental studies so far.
Materials and methods: This in vitro study analyzed conical specimens of three composites (Arabesk Top, Voco; Artglass, Heraeus Kulzer; Sinfony, 3M ESPE). The specimens were light-cured as suggested for each material. The polymerized samples were grinded from 320 to 1200 grit SiC wet paper. Of each composite four specimens were stored in one of four media (air, water, ethanol, pseudocholineesterase) for three months, repectively, to simulate artificial ageing. Then the samples were studied on their surface wear behavior using the UST®. Compared to conventional chewing simulators the sophisticated UST® gives the opportunity to differentiate between elastic, permanent and complete deformation (principle of MISTAN).
Results: Regarding standard-, abrasion-, static- and hardness measurement, Sinfony showed least abrasion, hardness and permanent deformation after being strained. Sinfony's elastic recovery was the biggest and fastest compared to the two other composites under research. Artglass and Arabesk Top had similar values, however, Artglass had bigger and faster elastic recovery than Arabesk Top. After being stored in Ethanol the permanent deformation of Arabesk Top was 1,41 (±0,45) µm, of Artglass 1,31 (± 0,24) µm and of Sinfony 1,05 (±0,13) µm. Regarding abrasion measurement, Arabesk Top showed lower abrasion than Artglass after being stored in ethanol or air.
Dependent on the type of storage, the biggest elastic and permanent deformation, the fastest elastic recovery and the lowest hardness was observed after storage in ethanol.
Conclusion: This study confirms that the Universal Surface Tester (UST®) yields significant data concerning surface wear of dental composites. The results show correlations with data detected alternatively, for example by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
This innovative method yields advanced information and can help to better understand wear behavior of dental composites in vivo and in vitro.