Investigating the properties of dental composites

The purpose of this work was a characterisation of the microstructure, certain mechanical properties (compressive strength, hardness) and thermal characteristics of a restorative dental composite. Three composite testing samples were made in the shape of a cylinder. Regarding the composite polymerisation, two routes were performed: 1) applying multiple layers from which the final sample was composed and curing each of the layers separately, and 2) applying the whole volume of the composite sample and then curing the surface across the whole sample. The surfaces of both samples and the microstructure analysis of the composite material were performed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an attached EDXS detector. Then the compressive strength, hardness and thermal conductivity were also measured. Based on the performed tests, it was found that the analysed dental restorative composite had applicable studied properties, and the composite meets the clinical requirements for use as a dental restorative material.