Evaluation of cure, properties and wear resistance of Artglass dental composite

Purposes: (1) To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) and the physical properties of a new dental composite, Artglass (Kulzer), designed primarily as a replacement material for porcelain in PFMs; and (2) to compare the efficacy of two different curing units for two dissimilar composites (Artglass and Charisma, Kulzer). Materials and Methods: Specimens (n=10) were prepared by curing either in a continuous light exposure unit (Triad II, Dentsply) or in a high intensity strobe unit (Uni XS, Kulzer) for 180 s. Specimens were aged 24 hrs in water at 37°C and tested for fracture toughness (FT-MPa m¹²; x-head=0.13 mm/min), flexural modulus (E, GPa), flexural strength (FS, MPa; x-head=0.5 mm/min), hardness (KHN, kg/mm²), and in vitro wear resistance (OHSU oral wear simulator). DC (%) was determined by transmission micro-FTIR. Results were compared by ANOVA/Tukey's test (P≤ 0.05). Results: DC, FT, E and FS were improved for Artglass and DC and E were improved for Charisma when the strobe curing unit was used, probably due to its increased intensity. Artglass showed a greater DC and FT but a lower E, KHN and wear resistance compared to Charisma when similar curing methods were used.