Measurements for restorative dentistry: shrinkage and conversion degree of bulk-fill composites

The paper deals with a measuring approach based on Raman Spectroscopy and micro-CT imaging for correlating the degree of conversion of bulk-fill composites to the contraction shrinkage and consequently to the internal gap formation in high c-factor dental cavities. The developed study was performed on extracted molars in which a first-class cavity was prepared. A micro-CT scan was performed before and after composite lightcuring to tridimensionally measure the interfacial gap between the composite material and the cavity walls. After the complete polymerization of the composite, each sample was sectioned vertically to expose the lateral surface of the restorative material. Raman Spectroscopy measurements were performed along the cross-section of the cavity filled with the restorative material, every 0.5 mm from the occlusal surface. The obtained results showed a minimal gap opening after light-curing and a degree of conversion which was not affected by the bulk-fill composite thickness. Thanks to the 3D rendering, it should be observed that gaps were mostly concentrated at the cavity floor and despite the reduction in the degree of conversion detected in the deeper portions of the restoration, a three-dimensional opening of an interfacial gap was not observed. Therefore, it is possible to assume the presence of a correlation between the degree of conversion and the volumetric interfacial gap could. Further studies are actually in progress to compare these preliminary results with those obtained on other dental composite materials.