Strategies to Overcome Polymerization Shrinkage − Materials and Techniques. A Review

From Volume 37, Issue 2, March 2010 | Pages 115-125

Authors

Neeraj Malhotra

Assistant Professor, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India

Articles by Neeraj Malhotra

Kundabala M

MDS

Professor and Head of Department Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore

Articles by Kundabala M

Shashirashmi Acharya

MDS

Professor and Head of Department, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, India

Articles by Shashirashmi Acharya

Abstract

Stress generation at tissue/resin composite interfaces is one of the important reasons for failure of resin-based composite (RBC) restorations owing to the inherent property of polymerization shrinkage. Unrelieved stresses can weaken the bond between the tooth structure and the restoration, eventually producing a gap at the restoration margins. This can lead to postoperative sensitivity, secondary caries, fracture of the restorations, marginal deterioration and discoloration. As polymerization shrinkage cannot be eliminated completely, various techniques and protocols have been suggested in the manipulation of, and restorative procedures for, RBCs to minimize the shrinkage and associated stresses. Introduction of various newer monomer systems (siloranes) may also overcome this problem of shrinkage stress. This review emphasizes the various material science advances and techniques advocated that are currently available or under trial/testing phase to deal with polymerization shrinkage in a clinical environment.

Article