Effect of the Interfacial Bond Quality on the Direction of the Polymerization Shrinkage Flow in Resin Composite Restorations

Published

June 1, 2002

Author(s)

B H. Cho, Sabine H. Dickens, J H. Bae, C G. Chang, H H. Son, C M. Um

Abstract

Shrinkage in light-curing composite resin composites is assumed to be directed toward the light source. However, the strong bond at the dentin-resin interface achieved by newer generation dentin bonding systems may affect the direction of the polymerization shrinkage. In this study, various curing modes of adhesive resin simulating different bond qualities were applied to determine the extent of the interfacial gap formation with a scanning electron microscope. We also measured the free surface depression with a profilometer. The direction of polymerization shrinkage was inferred from the ratio of the interfacial gap measurement at the floor to the free surface depression. Various curing modes used in this study include Group 1: light-curing of the resin composite without the bonding agent as the negative control, Group 2: simultaneous light-curing of the bonding agent and resin composite; Group 3: start of the chemical cure of the dual-cured bonding agent before light curing the resin composite; Group 4: the light-initiated bonding agent before insertion and light curing of the resin composite. When the bonding agent was light cured prior to inserting the resin composite (Group 4), the free surface depression was the greatest and the interfacial gap smallest among those in all groups. Therefore, if a good bond between dentin and resin composite can be established, the shrinkage flow will be directed toward a center located near the bonded interface, rather than toward the incident light, thus reducing detrimental shrinkage stress.

Citation

Operative Dentistry

Volume

27

Issue

No. 3

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

composite resin, direction of polymerization shrinkage, interfacial bond quality, interfacial gap formation, Dentistry

Citation

Cho, B. , Dickens, S. , Bae, J. , Chang, C. , Son, H. and Um, C. (2002), Effect of the Interfacial Bond Quality on the Direction of the Polymerization Shrinkage Flow in Resin Composite Restorations, Operative Dentistry (Accessed October 14, 2025)