Viscoelastic stability of resin-composites aged in food-simulating solvents.

OBJECTIVE

To study time-dependent viscoelastic deformation (creep and recovery) of resin-composites, after conditioning in food-simulating solvents, under a compressive stress at 37°C.

METHODS

Five dimethacrylate-based composites: (Spectrum TPH, Premise Body, Tetric Ceram HB, Filtek P60, X-tra fil), and two Ormocers (Experimental Ormocer V 28407, Admira) were studied. Three groups of cylindrical specimens (4mm×6mm) were prepared and then conditioned in 3 solvents: methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), ethanol, and water for 1 month at 37°C. The compressive creep-strain under 35MPa in 37°C water was recorded continuously for 2h and then the unloaded recovery-strain was monitored for another 2h. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's test.

RESULTS

The materials all exhibited classic creep and recovery curves, with most parameters being significantly different (p<0.0001) for each solvent condition. All materials showed lower creep-strain in water than in ethanol or MEK solvents. Maximum creep-strain and permanent-set gave negative linear-regression (r(2)>0.98) with logarithm of the solvent solubility-parameter. The % mean (SD) creep-strain ranged from a minimum of 0.82 (0.01) for the Exp. Ormocer in water to the maximum of 4.19 (0.30) for Admira in MEK. Similar trends were found for permanent-set. The dimethacrylate-based composites behaved as an intermediate group, apart from X-tra fil that had similar stability to the Exp. Ormocer.

SIGNIFICANCE

The viscoelastic stability (low creep and permanent-set) of the Exp. Ormocer, compared to many dimethacrylate-based composites, in food-simulating solvents may be due to its diluent-free formulation. This was closely matched by a highly-filled dimethacrylate material (X-tra fil).