Light-polymerized compomers: coefficient of thermal expansion and microhardness

The relationship between the filler content, coefficient of thermal expansion, and microhardness of commercial light-polymerized compomers has not been fully investigated.

This study evaluated the effect of filler content on the coefficient of thermal expansion and microhardness of 3 commercially available light-polymerized compomers.

Five specimens each from 3 commercially available compomers (Compoglass F, Elan and F2000) were evaluated. Linear thermal expansion (microm/ degrees C) was measured with a thermomechanical analyzer in the temperature range 20 degrees to 80 degrees C with increments of 10 degrees C. Standardized specimens were prepared in a metal die (1.5 x 2 x 12 mm) and polymerized for 40 seconds at 700 mW/cm(2) light intensity. The microhardness of 5 specimens from each of 3 compomers were measured with a Vickers hardness tester under a 15-second dwell time and 200-g load conditions. The specimens were polymerized at 700 mW/cm(2) intensity for 40 seconds after placing the compomers into a round aluminum mold. Differences in thermal expansion and microhardness among the compomers evaluated were statistically analyzed by use of one-way analysis of variance at P<.01 significance level, with differences assessed by use of Duncan's multiple range post hoc test.

The coefficients of thermal expansion of Compoglass F (54.17 +/- 0.54 microm/ degrees C), Elan (40.94 +/- 0.78 microm/ degrees C) and F2000 (24.43 +/- 89 microm/ degrees C) were almost linear in the temperature range 25 degrees to 80 degrees C for all 3 compomers (r >.99). Inverse correlations between the %wt of filler and the coefficient of thermal expansion (r = -0.98, P<.0001), as well as between the microhardness and the coefficient of thermal expansion (r = -0.98, P<.0001) were observed. On the other hand, a linear correlation between the %wt of filler and microhardness of compomers was exhibited (r = -0.96, P<.0001). The microhardness values for Compoglass F, Elan, and F2000 were 43.82 +/- 1.62, 58.16 +/- 1.90, and 72.94 +/- 3.29, respectively.

Within the limitations of this study, an inverse correlation between percent weight of filler and coefficient of thermal expansion, and a linear correlation between percent weight of filler and microhardness was observed for the evaluated compomers.