Use of Resin Solvent as a Facilitator for Removal of Resin Composite Restoratives by Influencing their Mechanical Properties: Is this Possible?

Abstract

Aim:The aim is to evaluate the influence of resin solvent on Vickers microhardness, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of a resin composite in order to test the ability of resin solvent to soften or weaken resin composite during replacement of failed restoration. Materials and methods: Fifty specimens were prepared from Tetric N-Ceram; forty used for flexural strength and elastic modulus tests and ten used for microhardness test. For flexural strength; they were divided into four groups of ten specimens each; in first group; specimens were not subjected to resin solvent (control), in second, third and fourth groups; specimens were subjected to resin solvent for 1, 3, and 5 minutes respectively. For microhardness, specimens were examined before after application of resin solvent for 1, 3, and 5 minutes with a total of forty readings. Collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: Resin solvent was found to reduce significantly the flexure strength of Tetric N-Ceram compared to the control group. Differences in flexure strength between 1, 3, and 5 minutes applications were statistically nonsignificant. For elastic modulus and microhardness, the influence of resin solvent on resin composite was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion:Resin solvent weakens the flexural strength of resin composite but did not affect its microhardness or elastic modulus. Increasing the time of application from 1, 3, and 5 minutes did not further reduce the flexural strength. Clinical significance: Resin solvent had shown promising potentials to reduce the strength and hence facilitate removal of failed composite restoration during replacement.

Influence of resin remover on micro-tensile bond strength of resin composite to coronal dentin

“…In addition, trials to use resin solvents to aid in the removal of failed resin composite restoration have been attempted. It was found that resin solvents have the potential to reduce the flexure strength of resin composite 5 . In another study, it was found that resin solvent stained resin composite which might help in its identification from tooth structure 6 .…”