[Basic studies on cutting of composite resin cores]

Filler contents, Knoop hardness, characteristics of cutting and surface texture of eight commercial composite resin cores were investigated. Two posterior composite resins and two silver alloys were used as controls. No differences were found in filler contents and Knoop hardness between the composite resin cores and posterior composite resins. In the composite resins, Knoop hardness was correlated to the filler content. The characteristics of cutting with a diamond point varied largely among materials. The composite resin cores were divided by deterioration of the characteristics of cutting into two groups. The degree of surface roughness of composite resins polished with a finishing diamond point was larger than that of the silver alloys. SEM examination revealed little differences in the composite resin surfaces cut with a diamond point but large differences in surfaces polished with a finishing diamond.