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Diffusion coefficient of water through dental composite resin
1Department of Dental Engineering, School of Dentistry, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan. asaoka@dent.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Biomaterials
|December 31, 2002
Summary
This study determined the water diffusion coefficient in polymer filling materials, crucial for understanding their long-term performance and preventing micro-leakage. The findings aid in predicting the service life of dental resins.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Water sorption significantly impacts the dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and bonding of polymer filling materials to tooth structures.
- Understanding water diffusion is essential for predicting the degradation, service life, and micro-leakage of dental resins.
- Accurate identification of the diffusion coefficient is necessary for material characterization and performance evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compute the diffusion coefficient of water through composite resin materials.
- To investigate the relationship between material thickness, water diffusion, and water sorption ratio.
- To validate experimental water sorption measurements against theoretical models based on Fick's second law.
Main Methods:
- Computed time-dependent water concentration distributions within resin materials.
- Measured water sorption in composite resin discs of varying thicknesses.
- Compared experimental data with solutions of Fick's second law to determine the diffusion coefficient.
- Discussed the International Standard ISO 4049 testing method for resin-based filling materials.
Main Results:
- The diffusion coefficient of water through the resin discs was calculated to be D=3.9-5.0 x 10(-13)m(2)/s.
- Experimental water sorption measurements closely aligned with theoretical predictions for specimens of different thicknesses.
- A clear relationship was established between disc thickness, diffusion coefficient, and water sorption ratio.
Conclusions:
- The determined diffusion coefficients provide critical data for assessing the long-term stability and performance of polymer dental filling materials.
- The study validates a methodology for characterizing water diffusion in resins, supporting material development and quality control.
- Findings contribute to a better understanding of how water ingress affects dental composites, informing clinical applications and material standards.