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The Effect of Simulated Field Storage Conditions on Dental Restorative Materials for Military Field Use
David J Lemon1, Wen Chen1, Trevor Smith1
1Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, 3650 Chambers Pass, Bldg 3610, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234.
Military Medicine
|December 27, 2019
Summary
Dental restorative materials stored in harsh conditions showed varied degradation. Resin composites were more robust than glass ionomers, indicating their suitability for demanding environments.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Material degradation studies
- Environmental effects on polymers
Background:
- Dental readiness is crucial for military personnel, often impacted by dental emergencies.
- Standard dental restorative materials are stored under challenging conditions during deployments.
- Limited data exists on the performance of dental materials after exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of aggravated storage conditions (high temperature and humidity) on five common dental restorative materials.
- To identify which dental restorative materials exhibit greater robustness under harsh environmental exposure.
- To inform the optimization of the Authorized Dental Allowance List (ADAL) and Authorized Medical Allowance List (AMAL) for operational environments.
Main Methods:
- Five types of dental restorative materials were subjected to storage at 30-60°C with 95% relative humidity for 0, 5, or 10 days.
- Key physical properties including compressive strength, hardness, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, sorption, and solubility were tested post-storage.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of changes in material properties.
Main Results:
- All tested materials showed alterations in physical properties after aggravated storage; degradation varied among materials.
- Glass ionomers (Fuji Triage, Fuji IX GP) and one composite (Herculite XRV) lost compressive strength.
- Hardness was affected in all materials, while flexural strength and modulus remained unchanged. Water sorption and solubility were significantly altered in glass ionomers.
Conclusions:
- Dental restorative materials exhibit differential responses to high temperature and humidity.
- Resin composite materials demonstrated superior resistance to aggravated conditions compared to glass ionomers.
- Findings necessitate consideration of material stability in extreme environments when updating military dental supply lists.
