A simple method for the measurement of polymerization shrinkage in dental composites

摘要

Objective: In this study a simple non-contact method was developed to measure the polymerization shrinkage of dental composites. Methods: A gas pycnometer was used to determine the volumes of specimens prior to and after photopolymerization and from which the Total volumetric shrinkage could be determined. Results: four commercial composites were studied and were found to have polymerization shrinkage varying from 1.6 to 2.5/100. The Method was found to be labour efficient and produced reproducible results with a standard deviation of approximately 10/100.