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Shrinkage of Dental Composite in Simulated Cavity Measured with Digital Image Correlation
Published on: July 21, 2014
Compression Behavior of Dental Flowable Composites-Digital Image Correlation and Numerical Analysis
Agnieszka Chojnacka-Brożek1, Aneta Liber-Kneć1, Sylwia Łagan1
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics, Tadeusz Kosciuszko Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Cracow, Poland.
This study evaluated the compression behavior of dental flowable materials using experimental and numerical methods. EverX Flow exhibited superior elastic properties compared to Flow-Art, validating digital image correlation (DIC) and finite element method (FEM) for material analysis.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Evaluating elastic properties is crucial for developing effective restorative dental materials.
- Understanding material behavior under compression ensures optimal clinical performance.
- Flowable composites are widely used in dental restorations, necessitating thorough characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the compression behavior of EverX Flow and Flow-Art dental materials.
- To compare experimental measurements with numerical simulations for elastic property evaluation.
- To validate the use of digital image correlation (DIC) and finite element method (FEM) in analyzing composite materials.
Main Methods:
- Compression testing of two dental flowable materials: EverX Flow and Flow-Art.
- Determination of Poisson's ratio using electrical strain gauge (ESG) and digital image correlation (DIC) methods.
- Finite element method (FEM) analysis incorporating experimentally determined material constants.
Main Results:
- EverX Flow demonstrated higher compressive strength and modulus of elasticity than Flow-Art.
- Poisson's ratio values were consistent between ESG and DIC methods (0.27–0.28 for EverX Flow, 0.30–0.32 for Flow-Art).
- FEM analysis showed good agreement with DIC displacement measurements, validating the simulation model.
Conclusions:
- Digital image correlation (DIC) is a feasible method for determining Poisson's ratio in dental composites.
- The combined experimental and numerical approach effectively validates material behavior and simulation models.
- EverX Flow shows promising elastic properties for dental restorative applications compared to Flow-Art.

