Relationship Between Microstructure and Wear of Dental Ceramics and Composite Resins

V. S. Nagarajan, S. Jahanmir, B. H. Hockey, V. P. Thompson, “Relationship Between Microstructure and Wear of Dental Ceramics and Composite Resins,” Proceedings of the 9th CIMTEC World Congress and Forum on New Materials, P. Vincenzini (Ed.) Florence, Italy, June 1998.

The effect of microstructure on the wear mechanisms of glass-ceramics and resin composites was studied. Wear tests on both types of materials were conducted using a pin-on-disk apparatus. Wear of glass-ceramics increased with increasing mica platelet diameter and was controlled by microfracture and damage accumulation. Wear of composites was controlled by tribochemical mechanisms. Our study emphasizes the importance of optimizing the microstructure to improve the wear performance of dental restorations prepared from these ceramics and composites.