Mechanical Properties of Orthodontic Cements and Their Behavior in Acidic Environments

Cristina Iosif; Stanca Cuc; Doina Prodan; Marioara Moldovan; Ioan Petean; Anca Labunet; Lucian Barbu Tudoran; Iulia Clara Badea; Sorin Claudiu Man; Mîndra Eugenia Badea; Radu Chifor

doi:10.3390/ma15227904

Mechanical Properties of Orthodontic Cements and Their Behavior in Acidic Environments

Materials (Basel). 2022 Nov 9;15(22):7904. doi: 10.3390/ma15227904.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
² Department of Polymer Composites, Institute of Chemistry "Raluca Ripan", University Babes-Bolyai, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
³ Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University Babes-Bolyai, 11 Arany János Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁴ Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Biology and Geology Faculty, Babes-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Str., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁵ Electron Microscopy Integrated Laboratory, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 65-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁶ Dental Prevention Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Avram Iancu 31, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁷ Mother and Child Department, 3Rd Department of Paediatrics, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2-4 Campeni Street, 400217 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Abstract

The present research is focused on three different classes of orthodontic cements: resin composites (e.g., BracePaste); resin-modified glass ionomer RMGIC (e.g., Fuji Ortho) and resin cement (e.g., Transbond). Their mechanical properties such as compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and flexural strength were correlated with the samples' microstructures, liquid absorption, and solubility in liquid. The results show that the best compressive (100 MPa) and flexural strength (75 Mpa) was obtained by BracePaste and the best diametral tensile strength was obtained by Transbond (230 MPa). The lowestvalues were obtained by Fuji Ortho RMGIC. The elastic modulus is relatively high around 14 GPa for BracePaste, and Fuji Ortho and Transbond have only 7 GPa. The samples were also subjected to artificial saliva and tested in different acidic environments such as Coca-Cola and Red Bull. Their absorption and solubility were investigated at different times ranging from 1 day to 21 days. Fuji Ortho presents the highest liquid absorption followed by Transbond, the artificial saliva has the best absorption and Red Bull has the lowest absorption. The best resistance to the liquids was obtained by BracePaste in all environments. Coca-Cola presents values four times greater than the ones observed for artificial saliva. Solubility tests show that BracePaste is more soluble in artificial saliva, and Fuji Ortho and Transbond are more soluble in Red Bull and Coca-Cola. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images evidenced a compact structure for BracePaste in all environments sustaining the lower liquid absorption values. Fuji Ortho and Transbond present a fissure network allowing the liquid to carry out in-depth penetration of materials. SEM observations are in good agreement with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) results. The surface roughness decreases with the acidity increasing for BracePaste meanwhile it increases with the acidity for Fuji Ortho and Transbond. In conclusion: BracePaste is recommended for long-term orthodontic treatment for patients who regularly consume acidic beverages, Fuji Ortho is recommended for short-term orthodontic treatment for patients who regularly consume acidic beverages and Transbond is recommended for orthodontic treatment over an average time period for patients who do not regularly consume acidic beverages.

Keywords: acidic environment; mechanical properties; orthodontic cements; surface roughness.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.