Dental Materials Overview

The science that studies dental materials, their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and how these properties influence their selection and use by dentists.

A measurement of how much a material expands or contracts in length per degree Celsius change in temperature.

The ability of a material to resist scratching or indentation.

The ability of a material to withstand forces without breaking.

The ability of a material to deform under stress and return to its original shape.

The ability of a material to resist permanent deformation under stress.

The ability of a material to absorb energy before fracturing.

The ability of a material to withstand repeated stress without breaking.

The change in size of a material when subjected to a change in temperature. It's measured as the change in length per unit length per degree Celsius.

The difference in CTE between the tooth and restorative material can lead to gaps at the margins, allowing bacteria to enter and cause problems like recurrent caries.

This occurs when the filling material expands and contracts differently than the tooth, creating gaps at the margins.

When a filling material expands and contracts differently than the tooth, it can put pressure on the pulp causing pain or sensitivity.

Restorative materials should have low water absorption to prevent dimensional changes and maintain hygiene.

The tendency of a material to dissolve in a liquid, like saliva. Restorative materials should have low solubility to avoid dissolving in the mouth and potentially releasing toxic substances.

The ability of a material to maintain its shape after it sets or hardens. Dental materials should have good dimensional stability to ensure accurate restorations.

The change in shape of a material over time. Dental materials with good dimensional stability should minimize changes in shape after setting.

The force that causes two different substances to bond when they touch, essential for dental fillings, luting materials, and fissure sealants. It creates a strong seal between the tooth and the material, minimizing damage to the tooth tissue.

The force that holds molecules of the same substance together. Think of water droplets sticking to each other.

The property of a material that allows light to pass through but scatters it, preventing clear vision through the material. Dental ceramics, composite resin, and acrylics are examples that demonstrate this property.

The property of a material that allows light to pass through with minimal distortion, enabling clear vision through the material. Think of a window pane.

The property of a material that prevents light from passing through. Opaque materials absorb all light. Think of a brick wall.

The visible aspect of an object, excluding form and size, determined by hue, chroma, and value.

The dominant wavelength of light, determining the specific color of the material (e.g., yellow, green, red, blue).

The intensity or saturation of a color. A pure color is high in chroma, while a faded color is low in chroma.

The amount of a substance that dissolves in a given amount of solvent. For composites, it's measured in mg/mm². A low solubility means it resists dissolving and lasts longer in the mouth.

The ability of a material to conduct heat. Measured in calories per second per square centimeter (cal/sec/cm²). High conductivity means heat transfers quickly, while low conductivity means it transfers slowly.

The tendency of two dissimilar metals in contact to create an electric current, which can cause pain and discomfort.

A material used to fill cavities. Composite is a tooth-colored filling material made of resin and ceramic.

A material used to cement crowns, bridges, or fillings to the tooth. It's also made of resin.

Mass per unit volume. A lighter material is often preferred in dentistry, but weight can be used to control denture movement.

A type of filling material made from mercury and metal alloys. It's strong but has a metallic color.

A cement used to create a temporary filling. It's made from zinc oxide and eugenol.