PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

Definite and precise terms are used to describe the physical properties of dental materials.

a. Hardness. Hardness is the measure of the resistance of a metal to indentation or scratching. It is an indication of the strength and wearability of an alloy or metal.

b. Ductility. Ductility is the measure of the capacity of a metal to be stretched or drawn by a pulling or tensile force without fracturing. This property permits a metal to be drawn into a thin wire.

c. Malleability. Malleability is the measure of the capacity of a metal to be extended in all directions by a compressive force, such as rolling or hammering. This property permits a metal to be shaped into a thin sheet or plate.

d. Flexibility and Elasticity. These terms differ in their technical definition but they are very closely related. Flexibility is the characteristic of a metal, which allows it to deform temporarily. The elasticity of a metal is used when it returns to its original shape when the load or force is removed.

e. Fatigue. Fatigue is the property of a metal to tire and to fracture after repeated stressing at loads below its proportional limit.

f. Structure (Crystalline or Grain Structure). Metals are crystalline and many of their physical properties depend largely upon the size and arrangement of their minute crystals called grains.

(1) Grain size. The size of the grains in a solidified metal depends upon the number of nuclei of crystallization present and the rate of crystal growth. In the practical sense, the faster a molten is cooled to solidification, the greater will be the number of nuclei and the smaller will be the grain size. Generally speaking, small grains arranged in an orderly fashion give the most desirable properties.

(2) Grain shape. The shape of the grains is also formed at the time of crystallization. If the metal is poured or forced into a mold before cooling, the grains will be in a flattened state. Metal formed by this method is known as cast metal. If the metal is shaped by rolling, bending, or twisting, the grains are elongated and the metal becomes a wrought wire.

g. Crushing Strength. Crushing strength is the amount of resistance of a material to fracture under compression.

h. Thermal Conductivity. Thermal conductivity is defined as the ability of a material to transmit heat or cold. A low thermal conductivity is desired in restorative materials used on the tooth whereas a high thermal conductivity is desirable where the material covers soft tissue.

Principles of cutting, polishing, and surface cleaning

• Surface mechanics for materials

Cutting-requires highest possible hardness materials to produce cutting

Finishing-requires highest possible hardness materials to produce finishing, except at margins of restorations where tooth structure may be inadvertently affected

Polishing- requires materials with Mohs ./ hardness that is 1 to 2 units above that of substrate

 Debriding-requires materials with Mohs hardness that is less than or equal to that of substrate to prevent scratching

•    Factors affecting cutting, polishing. and surface cleaning
  • Applied pressure
  • Particle size of abrasive
  •  Hardness of abrasive
  •  Hardness of substrate
•      Precautions
  • During cutting heat will build up and change the mechanical behavior of the substrate from brittle to ductile and encourage smearing
  • Instruments may transfer debris onto the cut surface from their own surfaces during cutting, polishing, or cleaning operations (this is important for cleaning implant surfaces)

Acrylic Appliances

Use - space maintenance  or tooth movement for orthodontics and pediatric dentistry

1. Components

a. Powder-PMMA powder. peroxide initiator, and pigments

b. Liquid-MMA monomer, hydroquinone inhibitor, cross-linking agents, and chemical accelerators (N, N-dimethyl-p-toluidine)

2. Reaction

 PMMA powder makes mixture viscous for manipulation before curing . Chemical accelerators cause decomposition of benzoyl peroxide into free radicals that initiate polymerization of monomer .  New PMMA is formed into a matrix that surrounds PMMA powder. Linear shrinkage of 5% to 7% during setting. but dimensions of appliances are not critical

CLEANING AND PICKLING ALLOYS

The surface oxidation or other contamination of dental alloys is a troublesome occurrence. The oxidation of base metals in most alloys can be kept to a minimum or avoided by using a properly adjusted method of heating the alloy and a suitable amount of flux when melting the alloy . Despite these precautions, as the hot metal enters the mold, certain alloys tend to become contaminated on the surface by combining with the hot mold gases, reacting with investment ingredients, or physically including mold particles in the metal surface. The surface of most cast, soldered, or otherwise heated metal dental appliances is cleaned by warming the structure in suitable solutions, mechanical polishing, or other treatment of the alloy to restore the normal surface condition.

Surface tarnish or oxidation can be removed by the process of pickling. Castings of noble or high-noble metal may be cleaned in this manner by warming them in a 50% sulfuric acid and water solution . . After casting, the alloy (with sprue attached) is placed into the warmed pickling solution for a few seconds. The pickling solution will reduce oxides that have formed during casting. However, pickling will not eliminate a dark color caused by carbon deposition 

The effect of the solution can be seen by comparing the submerged surfaces to those that have still not contacted the solution. the ordinary inorganic acid solutions and do not release poisonous gases on boiling (as sulfuric acid does). In either case, the casting to be cleaned is placed in a suitable porcelain beaker with the pickling solution and warmed gently, but short of the boiling point. After a few moments of heating, the alloy surface normally becomes bright as the oxides are reduced. When the heating is completed, the acid may be poured from the beaker into the original storage container and the casting is thoroughly rinsed with water. Periodically, the pickling solution should be replaced with fresh solution to avoid excessive contamination.

Precautions to be taken while pickling

With the diversity of compositions of casting alloys available today, it is prudent to follow the manufacturer's instructions for pickling precisely, as all pickling solutions may not be compatible with all alloys. Furthermore, the practice of dropping a red-hot casting into the pickling solution should beavoided. This practice may alter the phase structure of the alloy or warp thin castings, and splashing acid may be dangerous to the operator. Finally, steel or stainless steel tweezers should not be used to remove castings from the pickling solutions. The pickling solution may dissolve the tweezers and plate the component metals onto the casting. Rubber-coated or Teflon tweezers are recommended for this purpose.

Temporary Filling Materials

Applications / Use

While waiting for lab fabrication of cast restoration
While observing reaction of pulp tissues

Objectives

Provide pulpal protection
Provide medication to reduce pulpal inflammation
Maintain the tooth position with an aesthetic restoration

Classification

Temporary filling cements
Temporary filling resins

Components

Temporary filling cements

1. Zinc oxide-eugenol cement with cotton fibers added
2. Polyme r powder-reinforced zinc oxide eugenol cement

Temporary filling resins

•    MMA / PMMA filling materials
•    Polyamide filling materials
•    BIS-GMA filling materials
 

Manipulation

Selection

o    Microfilled composites or hybrids for anterior class III, IV, V
o    Hybrids or midifills for posterior class I, II, III, V

Conditioning of enamel and / or dentin

Do not apply fluorides before etching.-->Acid-etch --> Rinse for 20 seconds with water --> Air-dry etched area for 20 seconds but do not desiccate or dehydrate --> Apply bonding agent and polymerize

Mixing (if required)--> mix two pastes for 20 to 30 seconds

o    Self-cured composite-working time is 60 to 120 seconds after mixing
o    Light-cured composite-working time is unlimited (used for most anterior and some posterior composite restorations)
o    Dual-cured composite-working time is > 10 minutes
o    Two-stage cured composite-working time is >5 minutes

Placement

use plastic instrument or syringe --> Light curing --> Cure incrementally in <2 mm thick layers. Use matrix strip where possible to produce smooth surface and contour composite .Postcure to improve hardness