Evaluation of Second Generation Indirect Composite Resins

Abstract

Indirect composites were introduced so that the composites can be cured extraorally to improve the degree of conversion and other material properties. These materials are indicated as long term full coverage dental restorative materials. However the mechanical and physical properties of new Second Generation Indirect Composites for this particular application have not been fully evaluated. The purpose of the study was to compare the appropriateness of the four commercially available laboratory composite resins for application as long term full coverage restorative materials. Water solubility and sorption levels, staining resistance, gloss, surface roughness, wear due to tooth brush abrasion, two-body and three-body wear, fracture toughness and radiopacity of four indirect composite restorative materials; Radica (Dentsply), Sculpture Plus (Pentron), Belleglass-NG (Kerr) and Gradia Indirect (GC America) were determined. The results showed that the four composites differed significantly from each other. Bell eglass-NG and Gradia Indirect showed negative water solubility. All the four groups demonstrated less color stability when exposed to coffee slurry for 3 weeks. Significant decrease in gloss and volume occurred when the omposites were exposed to simulated tooth-brush abrasion. Sculpture Plus v demonstrated lowest abrasion and attrition wear resistance among the four indirect composites. Radica had the highest fracture toughness and radiopacity of all the composites with values close to or less then dentin. In conclusion, different indirect composite systems possessed different mechanical and physical advantages when compared to each other. In general, Belleglass-NG demonstrated superior advantages due to its higher abrasion and attrition wear resistance and stain resistance. This was followed by Radica,Gradia Indirect and Sculpture Plus.