Submitted in fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Dental Material Science in the Department of Dental Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2008. / Introduction: Incorporating a feldspar chemical bond between alumina filler particles is expected to increase the wear resistant and flexural strength properties, while reducing flexibility of dental composites. Aims and Objectives: An investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of the feldspar chemical bonding between alumina filler particles on wear, flexural strength and flexibility of experimental alumina/feldspar dental composites. It was hypothesized that wear resistance and flexural strength would be significantly increased with increased feldspar mass, while flexibility was expected to decrease. Methods: Alumina was chemically sintered and bonded with 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% feldspar mass, silanized and infiltrated with UDMA resin to prepare the dental restorative composite material specimens. Results and conclusions: Significantly higher wear resistant characteristics resulted with increased feldspar mass (p<0.5). Improvements in flexural strength characteristics as the feldspar mass was increased was not statistically different (p>0.5). Flexibility characteristics as the feldspar mass was increased was not statistically different (p>0.5). The alumina/feldspar specimens showed lower flexibility (mm displacement) than SR ADORO (p<0.05). Feldspar chemical bonding between the alumina particles may improve on the wear resistance and Flexibility of alumina/feldspar composites when compared to SR ADORO. This study evaluated the influence of a chemical feldspar bond between alumina filler particles.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Dental Surgery / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The demand for posterior aesthetic restorations has dramatically increased in recent years. Several new materials have been developed with improved aesthetic, adhesive and mechanical properties. However, microleakage elimination, especially if the margins are on dentine or cementum, and attainment of optimum mechanical properties for posterior use, are still questionable. The aim of this study was to investigate microleakage and surface microhardness of a nanofilled, a nanohybrid and an ormocer based nano-ceramic composite restorative material.

<p>Amalgam bonding agents have been shown to enhance retention of amalgam restorations by mechanical means. However, recent studies showed that the use o glass ionomer cements and resin cements as lining and bonding materials to amalgam restorations will increase the retentive strength of the amalgam restorations, hence reducing the micro leakage and secondary caries. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative retentive strength of conventional amalgam restorations and bonded amalgam restorations using resin adhesive, glass ionomer cements and resin cements.</p>

<p>The use of provisional acrylic crowns is common practice with prosthodontic treatment. Provisional crowns are prone to marginal leakage and poor retention due to weak interim cements. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the application of two different dentine-bonding agents on the microleakage of provisional crowns.</p>

Includes bibliographical references. Pt. 1. Clinical evaluation -- Pt. 2. A SEM and 'In-vitro' study.

Thesis (Ph.D)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / A journal entitled Three-dimensional reconstruction of microleakage pattern using a sequential grinding technique by M.S. Gale, B.W. Darvell and G.S.P. Cheung bound at back of the thesis. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 495-520) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.