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Published on: November 9, 2014
Pre-warming of dental composites
Sanjukta Deb1, Lucy Di Silvio, Harrison E Mackler
1Department of Biomaterials, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 17, Guy's Tower, London Bridge, London SE1 9RT, UK. sanjukta.deb@kcl.ac.uk
Summary
Pre-warming dental composites improves flow and initial adaptation without negatively impacting other properties like shrinkage or strength. This technique enhances material handling for better dental restorations.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Flowable composites are used for cavity lining to improve marginal adaptation and reduce shrinkage stress.
- Prewarming composites is a technique explored to potentially enhance their handling and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of prewarming dental composites on their flow properties, marginal adaptation, and other critical characteristics.
- To determine if prewarming influences polymerization shrinkage, flexural strength, microleakage, and cytocompatibility.
Main Methods:
- Six different composites, including flowable and polyacid-modified types, were tested.
- Flow was assessed by measuring film thickness, polymerization shrinkage using a transducer, and flexural strength via a three-point bend test.
- Microleakage in human molars and cytocompatibility using Alamar Blue assay were evaluated at 22°C and 60°C.
Main Results:
- Prewarming composites to 60°C significantly reduced film thickness (increased flow) and increased linear shrinkage due to higher polymerization.
- Flexural strength increased significantly for Spectrum TPH and Wave composites upon prewarming; others showed no significant difference.
- Prewarming did not significantly impact microleakage or cytocompatibility, though cytotoxicity varied between composite types.
Conclusions:
- Prewarming dental composites enhances their flow properties, indicated by reduced film thickness.
- Prewarming did not significantly compromise other evaluated properties, including polymerization shrinkage, flexural strength, microleakage, and cytocompatibility.
