Properties and interactions of oral structures and restorative materials

Abstract

The research program described herein is designed to achieve a number of objectives leading to improved dental restorative materials, techniques and applications of dental materials science for improved dental health care in general.Some of the research in dental composites is directed toward developing generic polymer science potentially useful for composite applications, e.g., durable resin matrices and stronger more durable coupling between fillers and resins.Improved reinforcement is sought by defining the type, and percentages of fillers which will result in improved performance of composites. Methods for reducing polymerization shrinkage and attendant stress and marginal leakage are also explored. Cements are investigated and basic formulations developed for lower solubility, higher biocompatibility, higher strength, greater toughness and adhesion to various substrates including enamel and dentin.Analysis techniques include IR spectroscopy, chromatography, x-ray analysis, mechanical testing, and dilatometry.Another major effort is directed at elucidating the fundamentals involved in wear and degradation of dental composites and restoratives. Wear and hardness measurement techniques are pursued as well as by identification of the origins and sources of flaws leading to failure.Weibull statistical analysis is expected to provide useful information for this task.In this regard an objective is to investigate improved correlations between clinical results of wear and failure of composites with laboratory test data via time-to-f allure analysis. Metrology and analysis constitutes the underlying theme of investigations into porcelainmetal systems, casting of dental alloys and the expansion of dental casting investments .'.