Dental Materials Chapter 1 & 7 Quiz

Goals of Studying Dental Materials

• Familiarity with materials used in dentistry and their properties is essential for effective practice.
• Ability to manipulate dental materials is key for successful restorations.
• Understanding causes of restoration failures is crucial for improvement of dental materials.

Importance of Material Properties

• Dental materials are subjected to the oral environment's unique conditions, including moisture, temperature fluctuations, pH changes, and masticatory forces.
• Key physical, chemical, and mechanical properties must be understood due to the materials’ exposure to these conditions.

Ideal Dental Materials

• Must be biocompatible: nontoxic, non-irritating, and non-allergic.
• Should exhibit mechanical stability and durability: strong and fracture-resistant.
• Requirement for dimensional stability: minimally affected by temperature or solvents.
• Aesthetically pleasing: should mimic oral tissues.
• Should be easy to manipulate and cost-effective.
• Resistant to corrosion and chemical deterioration over time.

Classification of Dental Materials by Composition

• Metals: Gold, Ni-Cr, Co-Cr, Ti, and dental amalgam are common.
• Ceramics: Includes zirconia and lithium disilicate.
• Polymers: Primarily acrylic resins.
• Composites: Used in various restorative applications.

Dental Metal Usage

• Pure titanium is used in dental implants, while cast gold is preferred for restorations.
• Co-Cr and Ni-Cr alloys are utilized for denture bases and indirect restorations.

Use of Ceramics and Polymers

• Ceramics are commonly used for crowns, inlays, onlays, and fixed prostheses; yttria-stabilized zirconia is also applied in implants.
• Polymers play roles in cements, impression materials, and orthodontic appliances.

Classification of Dental Materials by Use

• Preventive Materials: Seal pits, fissures, and release therapeutic agents like fluoride.
• Restorative Materials: Repair or enhance teeth; can be temporary (e.g., temporary cements) or long-term (e.g., inlays, crowns).
• Auxiliary Materials: Aid in prosthesis construction but don't become part of the structure (e.g., impression materials, dental waxes).

Biocompatibility

• Biocompatibility refers to performing desired functions without harmful effects, eliciting beneficial cellular responses.
• Requirements vary based on material contact with tissues, influencing their design and application.

Factors Affecting Biocompatibility

• Nature and type of contact (direct or indirect).
• Frequency and duration of material contact with tissues.
• Materials' chemical and physical properties, including their surface characteristics.
• Byproducts released by materials during use.

Adverse Effects and Reactions

• Adverse effects can be mild or severe, local or systemic; routes include ingestion, inhalation, apical foramen, and oral mucosa.
• Types of adverse reactions include:
  • Inflammatory Reactions: Triggered by rough or poorly fitting restorations.
  • Allergic Reactions: Overreaction of the immune system, often involving metals like nickel, cobalt, and latex.
  • Toxic Reactions: E.g., high fluoride levels can lead to fluorosis.
  • Mutagenic Reactions: Potentially harmful genetic effects.

Inflammatory Reactions

• Inflammation results from immune system activation due to mechanical factors like rough restorations and high occlusal forces.

Allergic Reactions

• Recognized as foreign material by the body, leading to severe responses, including potential anaphylaxis.
• Allergens may include specific metals and dental materials like acrylics and resins.

Toxicity of Materials

• Fluoride ingestion in large amounts can cause detrimental effects such as fluorosis during the development phase of teeth.

Test your knowledge on the biocompatibility and classification of dental materials as discussed in Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials. This quiz covers essential properties, manipulation techniques, and understanding restoration failures. Expand your expertise in dental material science and enhance your practical skills.