Comparison of polymerization stresses of dental resin composites evaluated by two indentation fracture methods

Polymerization stress is a major problem in dental resin composite restorations. Two indentation fracture methods can be applied to evaluate the stress, however, they often calculate different values.

To compare polymerization stresses of dental composites determined by the two methods.

Glass disks with a central hole were used. Two indentation fracture methods (Methods 1 and 2) were employed to determine the polymerization stresses of low-shrinkage and bulk-fill composites. Method 1: Cracks were made in the glass surface at 300 μm from the hole. The hole was filled with the composite. Polymerization stresses at 30 min after filling were calculated from the lengths of crack extension. Method 2: The hole was filled with the composite. Cracks were introduced in the glass at 1,000 μm from the hole at 30 min after the polymerization and the stresses were calculated from the crack lengths. Stresses at composite-glass bonded interface were calculated from the stress values obtained by the two methods.

The bulk-fill composite generated the smallest interfacial stress, and Method 1 revealed lower values than Method 2.

The composites yielded relatively small stresses. Method 1 calculated smaller stress values, possibly affected by the lower threshold stress intensity factor.