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Size-Dependent Strength and Reliability of Resin Composite Blocks and Nanoceramics for Computer-Aided
Fernando Ledesma-Renedo1, Eva Paz2, Francisco Martínez-Rus1
1Analysis of Techniques, Material and Instruments Applied to Digital Dentistry and CAD/CAM Procedures Research Group, Department of Conservative and Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Resin-based CAD/CAM materials show less size-dependent strength than nanoceramics, with Weibull predictions being material-specific. Mechanical reliability is key for dental restorations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Dental Materials
Background:
- Mechanical reliability and size-dependent strength are critical for CAD/CAM restorative materials.
- Evaluating resin-based CAD/CAM materials, including resin composite blocks (RCBs) and nanoceramics, is essential.
- Understanding size effects on flexural strength and Weibull predictions is crucial for material selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of specimen size on the flexural strength of resin-based CAD/CAM materials.
- To assess the applicability of Weibull-based strength predictions for these materials.
- To compare the mechanical reliability and size-dependent behavior of resin composite blocks and nanoceramics.
Main Methods:
- Investigated twelve CAD/CAM materials, including ten resin-based and two control ceramics.
- Tested rectangular specimens of two sizes (1x4x14 mm and 1x12x14 mm) using a three-point bending test.
- Calculated flexural strength, modulus, and resilience; assessed reliability and size dependence using Weibull statistics and effective-volume predictions.
Main Results:
- Resin composite blocks (RCBs) exhibited higher flexural strength, modulus, and resilience than nanoceramics.
- Weibull analysis indicated greater reliability and limited size dependence for RCBs, while nanoceramics showed more variability.
- Agreement between experimental and Weibull-predicted values was material-dependent, suggesting limitations of classical Weibull assumptions.
Conclusions:
- Resin-based CAD/CAM materials display less size-dependent behavior compared to brittle ceramics.
- Effective-volume scaling may have limited applicability for contemporary resin-based CAD/CAM materials.
- Material-specific interpretation of Weibull predictions is recommended for dental restorative applications.
