Structure of Composites Flashcards
What is a composite
Two or more materials put together, with each contributing to the overall properties
Name some of the uses of composites
- Filling materials
- Luting agents
- Indirect restorations
- endodontic post and cores
- Fissure sealants
What are the advantages of Direct Filling Acrylics and give an example
- Tooth like appearance
- Insoluble in oral fluids
- Ease of manipulation
- Low cost
e.g. PMMA - polymethyl-methacrylate
What are some disadvantages of Direct Filling Acrylics
- Secondary caries due to high setting shrinkage
- Poor wear resistance
- Coefficient of thermal expansion (contraction) different to the tooth
What can be used to reduce problems with direct filling acrylic
Inclusion of quartz powder as a filler that renders the filling as a composite structure
Why is the direct filling acrylics having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the tooth a problem
Causes stresses at the cavity margins
What is the shrinkage of methyl methacrylate monomers
about 21% volume
What is the shrinkage of PMMA/MM, powder/liquid shrinkage
about 7% volume
What is bowen’s resin made based on and how it this made
Based on Bis-GMA (a dimethacrylate) made from the reaction between Bis-phenol A and glycidyl methacrylate
When is bowen’s resin primarily used
Direct aesthetic anterior restorations.
What is a Direct composite filling material
This is a material that must be placed in the unset state and cured (set) in the oral cavity)
What are the 3 phases/components of Dental Composites
- Organic Matrix
- Inorganic Filler
- Coupling Agent
Describe the structure and function of the organic matrix (monomer phase) of dental composites
A plastic monomer/resin material that polymerises (sets, cures) to form a continuous phase, binding the filler particles (via a coupling agent)
Describe the function of the inorganic filler of dental composites
reinforcing the particles and/or fibres dispersed in the matrix
Describe the function of the coupling agent of dental composites
Bonding agent promotes adhesion between the filler and resin matrix
What are monomers and what is their role in dental composites
chemically active components of the composite that are viscous fluids (resins) that set into a rigid polymeric material via a free radical, addition polymerisation reaction
What is the organic matrix (monomer phase) of dental composites made of
- Aromatic dimethacrylate-bis-GMA and/or UDMA
- Bis-GMA = Bowens’ monomer
Why might UDMA be used as opposed to BisGMA
As BisGMA is very viscous and UDMA has a lower viscosity
What does UDMA stand for
Urethane Dimethacrylate
Name another dimethacrylate monomer that can be used as an alternative to BisGMA and UDMA
Ethoxylated Bisphenol A derivative
What is a dimethacrylate
contains 2 methacrylate groups at each end of the molecule that can both undergo polymerisation
How does the inclusion of fillers affect the viscosity of organic matrix monomers
increases viscosity
What are Diluent Monomers
Also known as viscosity controllers that help to keep the viscosity of the monomers down
Name what kind of molecule diluent monomers are and give examples
Glycol Dimethacrylates
- Triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)
- Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDGMA)
- Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA)