The effect of thermal stresses on the functional properties of various dental composites

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of thermal stresses on the functional properties of model polymer-ceramic nanohybrid dental composites. Worldwide-known fillings were selected, Filtek Ultimate (F), G-aenial (G) and Kalore (K). Experiments were conducted under thermal cycle conditions that simulated the temperature changes that naturally occur in the oral cavity, e.g. while eating. Microhardness, frictional tests, and wear measurements were done for a large group of specimens. A comparison was done between various methods of polymerization. According to the results provided, not only do chemical composition and structure have a great impact on the wear resistance of the reference dental composite materials but so do thermal stresses and the polymerization method.