Abstract:
In the present paper, an ex vivo nanoindentation study of the mechanical properties of fillings made of composite resin and glass ionomer cement, as well as infiltrated enamel and tissues in their vicinity, was carried out, followed by a comparison of the results with the properties of the sound tissues. For a more in-depth interpretation of the obtained experimental data, optical images of the sample surface structure were obtained. Composite fillings have been shown to be superior to glass ionomer ones due to greater similarity in mechanical properties to the sound enamel and fewer internal structure artifacts. The possibility of the polymerization stress appearing in dentine adjacent to the filling was demonstrated. Pathologically altered demineralized enamel treated with polymer infiltrant, despite a slight decrease in the values of properties compared to sound tissue, turned out to be generally close to it both in terms of the mechanical characteristics, which indicates the high potential for the use of polymer infiltration in dental practice for the treatment of early caries.
Fulltext:
PDF file (5500 kB)