Light Transmittance and Polymerization of Bulk-Fill Composite Materials Doped with Bioactive Micro-Fillers

This study investigated the effect of bioactive micro-fillers on the light transmittance and polymerization of three commercially available bulk-fill resin composites. These were mixed with 20 wt% bioactive glass 45S5, Portland cement, inert dental barium glass, or nothing (controls). Composites were photo-activated and light transmittance through 4 mm thick specimens was measured in real time. Moreover, degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop hardness (KHN) were assessed. Light transmittance of all bulk-fill composites significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with addition of 20 wt% bioactive glass 45S5 but not when inert barium glass was added. For bulk-fill composites modified with Portland cement, light irradiance dropped below the detection limit at 4 mm depth. The DC at the top surface of the specimens was not affected by addition of bioactive or inert micro-fillers. The bottom-to-top ratio of both DC and KHN surpassed 80% for bulk-fill composites modified with 20 wt% bioactive or inert glass fillers but fell below 20% when the composites were modified with Portland cement. In contrast to Portland cement, the addition of 20 wt% bioactive glass maintains adequate polymerization of bulk-fill composites placed at 4 mm thickness, despite a decrease in light transmittance compared to the unmodified materials.

Evaluation of flexural modulus, flexural strength and degree of conversion in BISGMA/TEGDMA resin filled with montmorillonite nanoparticles

This study had as its main objective to evaluate the flexural properties (strength and modulus) and degree of conversion of a dimethacrylate resin containing different amounts of nanoparticulated clay Montomorillonite (MMT) as filler. A series of composites containing similar amounts (in volume) of barium glass particles was also tested as control data. Eight formulations with polymeric matrix-based BisGMA/TEGDMA (Bisphenol A Bis(2-hydroxy-3 methacryloxypropyl)Ether/Triethyleneglycol Dimethacrylate), four added with MMT and four added with barium glass in the volume concentration of 20, 30, 40 and 50 vol% were studied. The degree of conversion was determined using near-IR spectroscopy. Elastic modulus and flexural strength were determined by the three-point bending test. The dispersion of MMT nanoparticles was determined by means of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The fillers montomorillonite and barium glass interacted with polymer matrix-based BisGMA/TEGDMA in a distinct manner. Although the addition of montomorillonite nanoparticles resulted in similar degree of conversion and higher elastic modulus values at all concentrations tested, only at the 20 vol% the flexural strength was statistically higher, compared to the control groups filled with barium glass. This could be related to the need of concentration optimization of montomorillonite for each type of polymer matrix in order to adjust or improve mechanical properties. The addition of low concentrations (<l 20% vol) of montomorillonite nanoparticles in dental composites resins – such as additive or hybrid filler – should be studied, aiming to the reduction of polymerization shrinkage, better mechanical properties and improvement of a new technology for future applications.