The journey of dental material science is a never-

ending phenomenon. Detailed research and constant

evolution have been inherent characteristics in this
journey.
Introduction of new materials and different
techniques to over come the draw backs of the
previous restorative modalities has led to dramatic
changes in the way we practice dentistry today
Traditionally metallic restorations such as gold,
amalgam have been the foundation of restorative
dentistry. Their strength and proven clinical
performance has been the benchmark for
comparison with newer materials.
However, the advent of the esthetic era and
advances in adhesive technology along with the
deemed for life like tooth colored materials saw
the emergence of resin composite materials 1962
According to Skinners
A compound of two or more distinctly different
materials with properties that are superior or
intermediate to those of individual constituents.
According to DCNA 1981

A three dimensional combination of at least two
chemically different materials with distinct
interface separating the components.
I Skinner's
a) Traditional / Conventional 8-12m
b) Small particle filled 1- 5 m
c) Micro filled particles 0.04-0.9m
d) Hybrid composites 0.6 1m
II Based on method of curing
1. Chemical cure
2. Light cure
3. Heat cure
III Based on Area
a) Anterior
b) Posterior
Composition:
a) Resin matrix
b) Fillers
c) Coupling agents
d) Coloring agents
e) Activator-initiator system
f) Inhibitors
RESIN MATRIX:
BisGMA: Bisphenol A - Glycidyl methacrylate
developed by R.L BOWEN in 1960
had certain disadvantages
- High viscosity
- Blending of filler particles was difficult
so diluent monomers were added, such as
UDMA urethane dimethacrylate
TEGDMA- Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate
Fillers:
Are added to provide
- Increased strength, rigidity and hardness
- Increase in modulus of elasticity
- Decrease in coefficient of thermal expansion
- Reduction in polymerization shrinkage
- Improved workability
- Reduction in water sorption, softening and staining
1. QUARTZ:
difficult to grind into finer
particles
difficult to polish
Abraded the opposing
tooth structure
Ground Quartz particles (20-30m)
II SILICA:
Pure silica
fused silica
colloidal silica

Silica Particles (0.04m
Glasses aluminosilicates
borosilicate
Others, Tricalcium phosphate
zirconium dioxide
Recently, Fluoride containing like
Yttrium trifluoride
Ytterbium trifluoride
Coupling agents
- To bind filler particles to the resin matrix
- Allow the more flexible polymer matrix to transfer
stresses to stiffer filler particles.
- Provide hydrolytic stability by preventing the water
from penetrating along the filler resin interface
METHACRYLOXY PROPYL TRIMETHOXY SILANCE
COLORING AGENTS:
Aluminium oxide
Titanium dioxide
0.001 0.007% wt.

Activator initiator system.
Chemically activated resins

Benzoyl Peroxide
Initiator
Tertiary Amine
Activator
Light Activated Resins
UV Light
Visible Light
Range of 468nm
Photo initiator - CAMPHOROQUINONE

INIBITORS. BUTYLATED HYDROXY TOLVENE
Polymerization Mechanisms:
1.Chemically activated resins
2. Light- activated resins.
Chemically activated resins:
Chemically activated materials are supplied as two pastes.
One of which contains the benzoyl peroxide initiator and the
other a tertiary amine activator (I.e N-N dimethyl P-
toluidine).
When the two pastes are spatulated, the amine reacts
with the benzoyl peroxide to form free radicals and
polymerization is initiated
Light curable composite resin
restoratives are supplied as single paste
which contains

a.Photo initiator : Camphoroquinone
0.25 wt%
b.Amine accelerator : Diethyl-amino-
ethyl- methacrylate
Light Devices:
A number of curing lights are manufactured. The
light source is usually a tungsten halogen bulb. The white
light generated passes through a filter that removes the
infrared and visible spectrum for wavelengths greater than
500 nm.
Degree of conversion:
A significant difference exists between light activated
and chemically activated resins. Chemically activated
resins cure throughout their bulk, whereas light
activated resins cure only where a sufficient intensity
received.
The degree of conversion depends on several factors:
1. Transmission of light through the material
2. Amount of photo initiator and inhibitor present
3. Time of Exposure
Polymerization shrinkage:
Polymerization in composite resins is accompanied by a
shrinkage of 1% to 1.7%

The polymerization shrinkage is highest in case of the
micro filled composites because of the higher resin
content.
The polymerization shrinkage can be reduced by:
i. Inserting and polymerizing the composite resin in
layers
ii. Preparing a composite inlay and then cementing
into the tooth
Traditional Composites
a. First to be developed in 1970
b. Also called conventional or macro filled because of
larger filler particle size
c. Filler used is quartz
d. Filler loading is 70-80% wt or 60-65% rol
Advantages:
1. Favorable optical properties
2. Favorable physical properties
3. Radiopaque
Disadvantages:
Lack of polishability
Surface roughness
Plaque accumulation
Staining of surfaces
Sub optimal esthetics
Small particle filled composites:
- Developed so as to achieve the physical properties
of the traditional composites and at the same time
the surface smoothness of micro filled composites.
- Particle size range from 1-5um
- Filler commonly used is quartz
- Glasses with heavy metals
- Colloidal silica is added in 5 wt% to adjust
the viscosity of the paste
Advantages:
- Surface smoothness of these resins are improved by
the use of small and highly packed filler.
- Wear resistance is improved.
- Polymerization shrinkage is less.
Clinical considerations
- Because of high strength and higher filler loading they
are indicated in regions having large stresses.
- Because of small particle size, it is easier to achieve
smooth surface for anterior restorations.
Micro filled composites.
In order to over come the problems of surface roughness
associated with traditional composite, micro filled was
developed
- Particle size 0.04 0.4 um (200-300 times smaller
than traditional
- Filler colloidal silica
To increase the filler loading
polymerized composite that is highly loaded with colloidal
silica is used.
Advantages:
1. Decrease polymerization shrinkage good polishability
permanent surface smoothness excellent esthetics Good
wear resistance
Disadvantages:
1. Technical sensitive
Radiolucent
Short clinical usage
Alteration in physical properties
Clinical Considerations:
The bond between the composite particles and the usable
matrix is weak resulting in chipping of such restoration
- Unsuitable for stress bearing areas
HYBRID COMPOSITES
These composites were developed so as to maintain better
surface smoothness than small particle composites while
maintaining the superior properties of the same.
As the name implied, there are two kinds of filler
particles It is a combination of colloidal silica (0.04um)
about 10-20wt% +Glasses with heavy metals 70-80%
wt (0.6- 1um)
Advantages:
1. Favorable optical properties
2. Favorable Physical properties
3. Improved wear resistance
4. Superior surface morphology
5. Radiopaque
6. Acceptable esthetics
Disadvantages:

Increase surface roughness with time

Clinical considerations:

Because of their surface smoothness are widely used
in anterior and posterior restoration

Indications:
- Used in Cl I IV except high stress bearing areas
like extensive Cl III
- Enamel hypoplasia
- Non carious lesions like abrasion and erosion
- Veneering
- Restoration of fractured incisal edges
- Core build up
- Veneering of metallic restoration
- Splinting of fractured and luxated teeth
- Diastema closure
- Composite inlays
- Repair of old defective composite restoration.
Contra indications:
- In high stress bearing areas like cusp tips, ridges and
extensive class II
- Pts with abnormal habits like bruxism
- With high caries incidence
- Caries extending into sub gingival areas
- Repeated fracture of old composite restoration where
most of tooth str is involved
Advantages:
- Good esthetics
- Less tooth structure reduction
- Low thermal conductivity
- Sufficient working time
- Less time consuming (Single visit) Easy repair
- No health hazards like hg poisoning no varnish
2 corrosion
- No varnish 2 corrosion
- Micro mechanical bonding to enamel
CHEMICAL CURED LIGHT CURED

Polymerization is central Peripheral
Curing is in one phase is in increments
Sets within 45 seconds sets only after light
activation
No time for manipulation plenty of time for
manipulation
Shrinkage is towards Shrinkage is towards
light source center of bulk
Less chance of air entrapment Air may get
incorporated during manipulation incorporated
more homogeneous mix
More wastage Less wastage
Not properly finished better finish
UV LIGHT VISIBLE LIGHT
360-400 nm 400-480nm
Intensity falls with time remains the same
Injurious to operator and Not Injurious
patient eyes
Greater depth cannot Greater depth can be cured
be cured
Indications
1. Classes I,II,III,IV and VI restorations
2. Foundations or core buildups
3. Sealants and conservative composite restorations
(preventive resin restorations)
4. Esthetic enhancement procedures

- Partial veneers
- Full veneers
- Tooth contour modifications
- Diastema closures
5. Cements (for indirect restorations)
6. Temporary restorations
7. Periodontal splinting
Advantages:
1. Esthetic
2. Conservative of tooth structure removal (less
extension; uniform depth not necessary;
mechanical retention usually not necessary)
3. Less complex when preparing the tooth
4. Insulative, having low thermal conductivity
5. Used almost universally
6. Bonded to tooth structure, resulting in good retention,
low microleakage, minimal interfacial staining and
increased strength of remaining tooth structure
7. Repairable
Disadvantages:
1. May have a gap formation, usually occurring on root
surfaces as a result of the forces of polymerization
shrinkage of the composite material being greater than
the initial early bond strength of the material to dentin
2. Are more difficult, time consuming, and costly
(compared to amalgam restorations) because:
- Tooth treatment usually requires multiple steps.
- Insertion is more difficult
- Establishing proximal contacts may be more difficult
- Finishing and polishing procedures are more difficult
3. Are more technique sensitive because the operating site
must be appropriately isolated and the place structure
(enamel dentin) is very demanding of proper technique
4. May exhibit greater occlusal wear in areas of high
occlusal contacts stress or when all of the tooths occlusal
contacts are on the composite material.
5. Have a higher linear coefficient of thermal expansion,
resulting in potential marginal percolation if an
inadequate bonding technique is utilized.
Class I Restorations: All pit- and fissure restorations
are class I,
Restorations on Occlusal Surface of Premolars and
Molars.

Restorations on Occlusal Two Thirds of the Facial
and Lingual Surface of Molars.

Restorations on Lingual Surface of Maxillary
Incisors.
Class II Restorations: Restorations on the proximal
surface of posterior teeth are class II
Class III Restorations: Restorations on the proximal
surfaces of Anterior teeth that do not involve the
incisal angle are class III.
Class IV Restorations: Restorations on the proximal
surfaces of Anterior teeth that do not involve the
incisal edge are class IV.
Class V Restorations: Restorations on the gingival
third of the facial or lingual surfaces of all teeth
(except pit and fissure lesions) are class V.
Class VI Restorations: Restorations on the incisal edge of
anterior teeth or the occlusal cusp heights of posterior teeth
are class VI