Response of composite resins to preheating and the resulting strengthening of luted feldspar ceramic.

Objective: This study evaluated the influence of preheating different composite resins on their viscosity and strengthening yielded to ceramic.

Methods: Modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, and degree of CC conversion were measured for three restorative composite resins (Z100-microhybrid; Empress Direct-nanohybrid; Estelite Omega-supranano) and one photoactivated resin cement (RelyX Veneer). Viscosity was measured during a heating-cooling curve (25°C-69°C-25°C) and also using isothermal analyses at 25°C and 69°C. Feldspar ceramic disks simulating veneers were bonded with the luting materials. Biaxial flexural strength, characteristic strength, and Weibull modulus were calculated at axial positions (z=0 and z=-t) of the bilayers. Film thickness was measured and morphology at the bonded interfaces was observed. Data were statistically analyzed (α=0.05).

Results: A gradual decrease in viscosity was noticed as the rheometer temperature gradually increased. Viscosity differences between the composite resins were large at the beginning of the analysis, but minor at 69°C. At 25°C, the composites were up to 38 times more viscous than the resin cement; at 69°C the difference was 5-fold. CC conversion was similar between all resin-based agents. The resin cement yielded lower film thickness than the composites. All resin-based agents were able to infiltrate the ceramic porosities at the interface and strengthen the ceramic. However, the magnitude of the strengthening effect was higher for the preheated composite resins, particularly at z=-t.

Significance: Selection of composite resin impacts its response to preheating and the resulting viscosity, film thickness, and magnitude of ceramic strengthening.