Fillers In Composite Resins
Write a short note on the filers.
Answer:
Fillers are the inert materials that strengthen or improve the physical properties of many materials. Fillers are most commonly used in the composites.
Type of Fillers:
Following are the types of filers used in composite:
- Quart filers: Grinding and milling of quart is done to obtain this. These fillers are mainly indicated in conventional composites. These filers are very hard. Due to these filers restoration are difficult to polish.
- Glasses or ceramics consisting of heavy metals: Such filers provide radiopacity to resin restoration. Due to the increase in the radiopacity composites can be seen on the radiographs and this provides some aid in diagnosis. Examples of these filers are barium, zirconium, zinc, ytterbium fluoride, and strontium glass.
- Fluoride-releasing fillers: Fillers such as ytterbium trifluoride and barium aluminium florosilicate glass provide radiopacity to resin restoration.
- Colloidal Silica: Its composition and refractive index is similar to quart but it is not hard as quartz These are also known as microfilers. In microfiled composites, it is the main filer used.
Functions of Fillers:
- Fillers reinforce the resin and improves the mechanical properties of resin such as strength, hardness, etc.
- Since the resin content is less curing, shrinkage decreases and this leads to a decrease in marginal leakage.
- Fillers decrease the wear of composite resins.
- Fillers enhance the surface smoothness and subsequent esthetics of the composite.
- Fillers reduce the water sorption by resin and reduce the content of resin.
- Fillers have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion so it reduces thermal expansion and contraction.
- Fillers improve the clinical handling of resin.
- Fillers provide radiopacity and aids in diagnosis.
Leave a Reply