Research on the Properties of Dental Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Dental composites is currently the most frequently used class of materials for the aesthetic restoration of tooth structures, having a large range of indications: as direct fillings, inlays/onlays, veneers or crowns, for the restoration of the lost tooth substance due to decays, fractures or dental wear or correction of the dental shape or position; they are also used as sealants, adhesive cements, root canal posts, composite teeth for dentures.

They can be processed directly in the dental office, with the advantage of the reduced timing and costs and their minimal invasiveness; there are also variants classically processed in the dental laboratory; however, the tendency to use a computerized technique for the fabrication of the restorations has been largely implemented, due to the evolution of technology and materials with increased aesthetic and mechanical properties.

The composition is in continuous development to answer clinical needs; it includes four major components: an organic polymer, inorganic fillers, a coupling agent and an initiator–accelerator system.

In general, the clinical choice of a restorative composite is based on the priority that should be given to mechanical or aesthetic characteristics: if the mechanical parameters are mostly important, the material showing the highest percentage of filler is selected; in the case of special aesthetic needs, the particle size is the factor that influences the selection.

This Special Issue aims to highlight and discuss the most innovative and representative dental composites, including their composition, properties of the components, technologies of processing, as well as the mechanical, optical, chemical, biological characteristics of the directly and indirectly processed materials belonging to this group.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Diana Dudea
Guest Editor

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