Properties-improve with filler content

Physical

Radiopacity depends on ions in silicate glass or the addition of barium sulfate (many systems radiolucent)
Coefficient of thermal expansion is 35 to 45 ppm/C and decreases with increasing filler content
Thermal and electrical insulators

Chemical

Water absorption is 0.5 % to 2.5% and increases with polymer level)
Acidulated topical fluorides (e.g., APF) tend to dissolve glass particles, and thus composites should be protected with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) during those procedures
Color changes occur in resin matrix with time because of oxidation, which produces colored by-products

Mechanical

Compressive strength is 45,000 to 60,000 lb/ in2, which is adequate
Wear resistance-improves with higher filler content, higher percentage of conversion in curing, and use of microfiller, but it is not adequate for some posterior applications
Surfaces rough from wear retain plaque and stain more readily

Biologic

Components may be cytotoxic, but cured composite is biocompatible as restorative filling material

COMPOSITE RESINS

Types

• Amount of filler-25% to 65% volume, 45% to 85% weight
• Filler particle size (diameter in microns)
  • Macrofill 10 to 100 µm (traditional composites)
  • Midi fill- 1 to 10 µm(small particle composites)
  • Minifill— 0.l to 1 µm
  • Microfill-: 0.01 to  0.1 µm (fine particle composites)
  • Hybrid--blend (usually or  microfill and midifill or minifill and microfill)
• Polymerization method
  • Auto-cured (self-cured)
  • Visible light cured
  • Dual cured
  • Staged cure
• Matrix chemistry
  • BIS-GMA type
  • Urethane dimethacrylate (UDM or UDMA) type
  • TEGDMA-diluent monomer to reduce  viscosity

Properties of Amalgam.

The most important physical properties of amalgam are

• Coefficient of thermal expansion = 25-1 >ppm/ C (thus amalgams allow percolation during temperature changes)

• Thermal conductivity-high (therefore, amalgams need insulating liner or base in deep restorations)
• Flow and creep. Flow and creep are characteristics that deal with an amalgam undergoing deformation when stressed. The lower the creep value of an amalgam, the better the marginal integrity of the restoration. Alloys with high copper content usually have lower creep values than the conventional silver-tin alloys.

 Dimensional change. An amalgam can expand or contract depending upon its usage. Dimensional change can be minimized by proper usage of alloy and mercury. Dimensional change on setting, less than ± 20 (excessive expansion can produce post operative pain)

•  Compression strength. Sufficient strength to resist fracture is an important requirement for any restorative material. At a 50 percent mercury content, the compression strength is approximately 52,000 psi. In comparison, the compressive strength of dentin and enamel is 30,000 psi and 100,000 psi, respectively. The strength of an amalgam is determined primarily by the composition of the alloy, the amount of residual mercury remaining after condensation, and the degree of porosity in the amalgam restoration.
• Electrochemical corrosion produces penetrating corrosion of low-copper amalgams but only produces superficial corrosion of high copper amalgams, so they last longer

• Because of low tensile strength, enamel support is needed at margins

• Spherical high-copper alloys develop high tensile strength faster and can be polished sooner
• Excessive creep is associated with silver mercury phase of low-copper amalgams and contributes to early marginal fracture
• Marginal fracture correlated with creep and electrochemical corrosion in low-copper amalgams
• Bulk fracture (isthmus fracture) occurs across thinnest portions of amalgam restorations because  of high stresses during traumatic occlusion and/or the accumulated effects of fatigue
• Dental amalgam is very resistant to abrasion

Casting Alloys

Applications-inlay, onlay,  crowns, and bridges

Terms

a. Precious-based on valuable elements
b. Noble or immune-corrosion-resistant element or alloy
c. Base or active-corrosion-prone alloy
d. Passive -corrosion resistant because of surface oxide film
e. Karat (24 karat is 100% gold; 18 karat is 75% gold)
f. Fineness (1000 fineness is I00% gold; 500 fineness is 50% gold)

Classification

High-gold alloys are > 75% gold or other noble metals

Type 1-    83% noble metals (e.g., in simple inlays)
Type II-≥78% noble metals (e.g.,in inlays and onlays)
Type IlI-≥75% noble metals (e.g., in crowns and bridges)
Type IV-≥75% noble metals (e.g., in partial dentures)

Medium-gold alloys are 25% to 75% gold or other noble metals

Low-gold alloys are <25% gold or other noble metals

Gold-substitute alloys arc alloys not containing gold

(1) Palladium-silver alloys-passive .because of mixed oxide film
(2) Cobalt-chromium alloys-passive because of Cr203 oxide film
(3) Iron-chromium alloys-passive because of Cr203 oxide film

Titanium alloys are based on 90% to 100% titanium ; passive because of TiO2 oxide film

Components of gold alloys

-    Gold contributes to corrosion resistance
-    Copper contributes to hardness and strength
-    Silver counteracts orange color of copper
-   Palladium increases melting point and hardness
-    Platinum increases melting point
-    Zinc acts as oxygen scavenger during casting

Manipulation

-    Heated to just beyond melting temperature for casting
o    Cooling shrinkage causes substantial contraction

Properties

Physical

-    Electrical and thermal conductors
-   Relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion

Chemical

-    Silver  content affects susceptibility to tarnish
-   Corrosion resistance  is attributable to nobility or passivation

Mechanical

-   High tensile and compressive strengths but relatively weak in thin sections, such as margins, and can be deformed relatively easily
-    Good wear resistance except in contact with Porcelain