The aim of this study was to develop a method for measuring the slumping resistance of resin composites and to relate it to the rheological characteristics.
Five commercial hybrid composites (Z100, Z250, DenFil, Tetric Ceram, ClearFil) and a nanofill composite (Z350) were used to make disc-shaped specimens of 2 mm thickness. An aluminum mold with square shaped cutting surface was pressed onto the composite discs to make standardized imprints. The imprints were light-cured either immediately (non-slumped) or after waiting for 3 minutes at 25℃ (slumped). White stone replicas were made and then scanned for topography using a laser 3-D profilometer. Slumping resistance index (SRI) was defined as the ratio of the groove depth of the slumped specimen to that of the non-slumped specimen. The pre-cure viscoelasticity of each composite was evaluated by an oscillatory shear test and normal stress was measured by a squeeze test using a rheometer. Flow test was also performed using a flow tester. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and the SRI.
SRI varied between the six materials (Z100 < DenFil < Z250 < ClearFil < Tetric Ceram < Z350). The SRI was strongly correlated with the viscous (loss) shear modulus
Slumping tendency could be quantified using the imprint method and SRI. The index may be applicable to evaluate the clinical handling characteristics of composites.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the viscoelastic properties related to handling characteristics of composite resins.
A custom designed vertical oscillation rheometer (VOR) was used for rheological measurements of composites. The VOR consists of three parts: (1) a measuring unit, (2) a deformation induction unit and (3) a force detecting unit. Two medium viscous composites, Z100 and Z250 and two packable composites, P60 and SureFil were tested. The viscoelastic material function, including complex modulus
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The viscoelasticity of composites that influences handling characteristics is significant different between brands. The VOR is a relatively simple device for dynamic, mechanical analysis of high viscous dental composites. The locus of frequency domain phasor plots in a complex plane is a valuable method of representing the viscoelastic properties of composites.