Mechanical properties of compomer restorative materials

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Compomers are widely used dental restorative materials.
• Evaluating their mechanical properties is crucial for clinical application.
• Comparison with other dental materials like resin composites and resin-modified glass-ionomers provides valuable insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and compare the compressive strength, flexural strength, microhardness, and surface roughness of three compomers (Compoglass, Dyract, Hytac).
• To compare these properties against a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Vitremer) and a resin composite (Z100).

Main Methods:

• Mechanical testing including compressive strength, flexural strength, microhardness, and surface roughness measurements.
• Materials tested: Compoglass, Dyract, Hytac, Vitremer, and Z100.
• Standardized handling and testing procedures were followed as per manufacturers' instructions.

Main Results:

• Z100 (resin composite) demonstrated significantly higher yield strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength compared to all other materials.
• Compoglass and Dyract (compomers) showed significantly higher strain at yield and strain at break than Vitremer (resin-modified glass-ionomer) and Z100.
• Hytac (compomer) exhibited higher microhardness than Vitremer, Compoglass, and Dyract, but lower than Z100. Surface roughness varied, with Vitremer showing higher values than Dyract, Hytac, and Z100.

Conclusions:

• Resin composite Z100 offers superior strength properties.
• Compomers provide better flexibility and fracture resistance compared to resin-modified glass-ionomers and resin composites.
• Material selection should consider the balance between strength, flexibility, and other mechanical properties for optimal dental restorations.