Mechanical and hydrolytic degradation of an Ormocer®-based Bis-GMA-free resin composite

The aim of the study was to evaluate the mechanical stability of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and Ormocer-based resin composites before and after water absorption and to examine water saturation.

Disc-shaped specimens of the Bis-GMA (Grandio SO, Voco) and the Ormocer-based (Admira Fusion, Voco) dental resin composites were produced, stored in water, and weighed after pre-determined times to measure the absorbed water. Bend bars were produced and stored for 24 h in dry conditions as well as in distilled water for 14 days or 60 days at 37 °C. The initial flexural strength (FS) under quasi-static loading and flexural fatigue strength (FFS) under cyclic loading were determined under 4-point bending. Fracture toughness (K_Ic) of both composites was measured using the single-edge-V-notch-beam (SEVNB) technique after the same storage conditions under 3-point bending.

Within the first 14 days, storage conditions did not affect the initial FS of Grandio SO, while a significant drop in initial FS was observed for Admira Fusion after 2 weeks in water and most of the water was absorbed within this time. FFS for the Bis-GMA composite was not reduced before 2 months in water, whereas for the Ormocer®-based composite, there has been a significant decrease in strength after cyclic fatigue already at 2 weeks of water storage. K_Ic of Admira Fusion decreased significantly after both storage periods, while K_Ic of Grandio SO decreased only significantly after 2 weeks of water storage.

All mechanical properties of the Bis-GMA composite were superior to those of the Ormocer®-based material, except water sorption.

Water storage seems to have a much more pronounced effect on the mechanical properties of Ormocer®-based dental composites in comparison to Bis-GMA-based composites.