Objective: To asses the contraction rate and shrinkage-strain of a new experimental compomer in comparison with four commercial compomers and a flowable composite resin.
Method: Shrinkage-strain and contraction rate were calculated by measuring the deflection of a disc in a developed instrument using "bonded disk" method.
Results: Both shrinkage-strain and contraction rate are reported. Total shrinkage-strain for compomer systems varies from 2.59 to 3.34%, whereas the flowable composite resin showed a value of 3.50%. The contraction rate for compomers varies from 81.60 to 109.80 microm/min, whereas the flowable composite resin obtained 141.6 microm/min. Commercial compomers show a lower contraction rate than the control group, whereas the experimental group only shows statistical differences with a commercial compomer (Dyract AP).
Significance: The shrinkage-strain and contraction rate results for the experimental compomer are as good as those obtained for a commercial flowable compomer and a flowable composite resin. The contraction rates of all compomers could be directly related to polymerization rates. The method used to measure shrinkage-strain and contraction rate is adequate because it simulates conditions in situ. It can be inferred that the contraction rate is directly related to shrinkage-strain.