Abstract:
Introduction: Flexure of a dental composite can be detrimental
to the success of a restoration. Flexibility considerations are thus
important when comparing dental materials to optimize the success
of resin restorations.
Aims and objectives: Flexibility of 5.6 x 18.0 x 2.0 mm3 experimental
alumina/feldspar and SR ADORO® dental composites
specimens were compared. It was hypothesized that alumina/
feldspar composites would be less flexible under a load than SR
ADORO® composites and that the flexibility would decrease significantly
as the feldspar content was increased.
Methods: Alumina was chemically sintered or bonded with 40%,
50% and 60% feldspar mass, silanized and infiltrated with urethane
dimethacrylate (UDMA) to prepare the alumina/feldspar
dental restorative composite specimens. Three point bending
tests were performed in the Instron 44® machine for flexural
comparison to SR ADORO®.
Results and conclusions: The alumina/feldspar specimens showed
lower flexibility (mm displacement) than SR ADORO® (p<0.05).
Accurate flexibility comparisons were performed with 5.6 x 18.0
x 2.0 mm3 specimens. Flexibility comparisons performed with 5.6
x 18.0 x 2.0 mm3 specimens indicated that experimental alumina/
feldspar dental composites may provide added marginal seal
benefit. However confirmation via in vivo function of alumina/
feldspar dental composites is recommended.
Description:
Originally published in: South African dental journal, Vol. 65, No. 2, 2010.
