Related Experiment Videos
Thermoplastic composites for veneering posterior teeth-a feasibility study
Anthony G Gegauff1, Jose L Garcia, Kurt W Koelling
1Section of Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Endodontics, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. gegauff.1@osu.edu
Summary
New thermoplastic composites show promise for dental crowns, offering improved wear resistance and strength over current materials. Further research is needed to enhance compressive strength for optimal performance in dental restorations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Dental Materials
Background:
- Current dental materials for esthetic posterior crowns face limitations in physical properties.
- Development of advanced restorative materials is crucial for improved clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate commercially available thermoplastic composites for potential use in dental restorations.
- To compare the physical properties of selected composites against existing dental systems.
Main Methods:
- Injection molding of polyurethane, polycarbonate, and poly(ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) composites.
- Standardized mechanical testing including abrasive wear rate, yield strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength.
Main Results:
- All tested composites exhibited lower abrasive wear rates compared to commercial dental composites.
- Filled polycarbonates and polyurethanes showed increased yield strength.
- Filled ETFE demonstrated significantly greater flexural strength, while compressive strength was generally lower across tested materials.
Conclusions:
- Thermoplastic composites, particularly polyurethane, show potential for superior dental crown materials.
- Improvements in compressive strength are necessary for these materials to surpass current esthetic dental systems.