Effects of filler composition and surface treatment on the characteristics of opaque resin composites.
The effects of filler composition and surface treatment of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the shear bond strength to noble metal and mechanical properties of opaque dental resin composites were assessed. A series of fillers for resin composites were prepared with untreated TiO2 or treated silica/alumina-coated TiO2 with silane coupling agent; these fillers were replaced with silanized SiO2 in increasing amounts. Each of various powder compositions were mixed with the liquid and applied to the surface of a silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu-Au) alloy and light cured. A light-activated resin-veneering composite material was placed on top with the use of a brass ring mold and light cured. Specimens were stored at 37 degrees C in water for a period of 24 h. Additionally some specimens were thermocycled at 4 degrees C and 60 degrees C in water baths for 1 min each for 5000 cycles before shear mode testing was performed. Light-activated opaque resin composites containing filler with specific filler compositions of 50 wt% of untreated TiO2-50 wt% of silanized SiO2 (untreated TiO2(50)) and 40 wt% of untreated TiO2-60 wt% of silanized SiO2 (untreated TiO2(40)) showed higher shear bond strengths to the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy than any other specific compositions when no thermocycling was involved. Surface treatment of TiO2 filler and TiO2(50)- and TiO2(40)-opaque resin composites prepared thereof showed significantly higher shear bond strengths than untreated TiO2(50)- and TiO2(40)-opaque resin composites when subjected to thermocycling. Surface-treated opaque resin composite had significantly higher compressive and flexural strength than untreated opaque resin composite after immersion in water for 1 month. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured opaque resin composite surface showed an interface failure between TiO2 and the matrix resin for untreated composite, and cohesive failure within the resin for surface-treated composite. Surface-treated TiO2(50) and TiO2(40) may be clinically useful as the filler for light-activated opaque dental resin composites.