The fracture toughness of dental composites

Abstract

Summary A fracture mechanics approach has been adopted to quantify the failure of dental composites under stress. The parameter K IC has been determined by the use of SEN specimens subject to the variables of composite product type, storage environment, test environment and temperature, and polymerization time. The results show that K Ic varies from product to product, increasing significantly if there is sufficient time for the absorption of storage water. The effect of test environment and temperature (over the range expected in vivo ) is minor.