Review article

Polymerization Contraction of Composite Resin Filling

Zrinka Šutalo ; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Andrej Meniga ; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Polymerization shrinkage is a negative consequence o f the setting o f composite materials. It usually leads to the formation o f gaps around cavity margins, which is resulting in microleakage, marginal discoloration, reccurent caries and possible tooth sensitivity. To overcome the polymerization contraction, it is necessary to treat the cavity walls before the composite material application. The removal or modification o f the dentin smear layer appears to play a significant part in the mechanism by which the dentin and resin become linked. In shallow cavities, it is sufficient to use dentin adhesives, but in deeper cavities use o f light-hardened glass-ionomer cements is required to improve the adhesive capacity and bonding strength o f the resin to the tooth structure. It enables penetration, impregnation and entanglement o f the methacrylate-based monomers into dentinal substrates, where they polymerize in situ and create zones o f resin-reinforced dentin or »hybrid layers«. Other ways o f prevailing the volumetric contraction are the application o f hybrid composite materials with high filler weight percentage and use o f light-curing device with minimal heat-generation and maximal polymerization effect. It is known that temperature elevation in a composite material directly leads to dimension changes. Thus, the marginal gap formation, the major problem in composite resin tooth restoration, can be prevented by overcoming the polymerization contraction.

Keywords

composite materials; polymerization contraction

Hrčak ID:

99268

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/99268

Publication date:

15.3.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.419 *