Polymerization Shrinkage and Flexural Modulus of Flowable Dental Composites

Abstract

Linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS), flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (ME) of low-viscosity resin composites (Admira Flow™, Grandio Flow™/VOCO; Filtek Z350 Flow™/3M ESPE; Tetric Flow™/Ivoclar-Vivadent) was evaluated using a well-established conventional micro-hybrid composite as a standard (Filtek Z250™/3M ESPE). For the measurement of LPS, composites were applied to a cylindrical metallic mould and polymerized (n = 8). The gap formed at the resin/mould interface was observed using SEM (1500×). For FS and ME, specimens were prepared according to the ISO 4049 specifications (n = 10). Statistical analysis of the data was performed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. The conventional resin presented significantly lower LPS associated with high FS and ME, but only the ME values of the conventional resin differed significantly from the low-viscosity composites. The relationship between ME and LPS of low-viscosity resin composites when used as restorative material is a critical factor in contraction stress relief and marginal leakage.

Keywords

• composite resins
• flexural strength
• flowable composites
• modulus of elasticity
• polymerization shrinkage