University of Kentucky
Improved Materials for Dental Restoratives
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
John Nychka
Abstract
Dental restorative materials are varied and include mercury amalgams, gold, porcelain, and polymeric resins. The latter has quickly become the most common type of dental restorative. While polymeric resins have been considerably improved during their short lifetime, there is significant need to further improve their performance. The main problem associated with polymeric materials is that curing shrinkage results in separation of the filling from the tooth, additional cavities, or severe pain. By eliminating curing shrinkage, these common problems can be corrected. Attempts have been made to reduce shrinkage yet acceptable solutions to eliminate shrinkage do not exist. This work describes a series of experiments designed to measure the shrinkage of polymeric resins. Difficulties arise, however, because no existing tests can measure the shrinkage, as it would occur in a tooth. Thus, the primary goal of this work has been to develop a new experimental method to measure shrinkage in a model situation. Interactions with the surroundings, such as the tooth, affect the manner in which shrinkage occurs; physical properties of the resin are not the sole determinant in assessing feasible solutions. Thus, these new tests must incorporate appropriate conditions so that the response of the material will be representative of its behavior in the tooth. Once shrinkage behavior of these materials is characterized, one can begin to make alterations to reduce or eliminate the shrinkage. We propose the concept of smart dental materials as a strategy to eliminate shrinkage.
Improved Materials for Dental Restoratives
Dental restorative materials are varied and include mercury amalgams, gold, porcelain, and polymeric resins. The latter has quickly become the most common type of dental restorative. While polymeric resins have been considerably improved during their short lifetime, there is significant need to further improve their performance. The main problem associated with polymeric materials is that curing shrinkage results in separation of the filling from the tooth, additional cavities, or severe pain. By eliminating curing shrinkage, these common problems can be corrected. Attempts have been made to reduce shrinkage yet acceptable solutions to eliminate shrinkage do not exist. This work describes a series of experiments designed to measure the shrinkage of polymeric resins. Difficulties arise, however, because no existing tests can measure the shrinkage, as it would occur in a tooth. Thus, the primary goal of this work has been to develop a new experimental method to measure shrinkage in a model situation. Interactions with the surroundings, such as the tooth, affect the manner in which shrinkage occurs; physical properties of the resin are not the sole determinant in assessing feasible solutions. Thus, these new tests must incorporate appropriate conditions so that the response of the material will be representative of its behavior in the tooth. Once shrinkage behavior of these materials is characterized, one can begin to make alterations to reduce or eliminate the shrinkage. We propose the concept of smart dental materials as a strategy to eliminate shrinkage.