Suresh Nayar (PhD student 2005-2011)
To determine the validity of c-factor in composites
Composite dental materials have been in clinical use since the late 1950s. One of the characteristics of dental composites is shrinkage during free radical polymerization as monomer molecules are converted into a polymer network, reducing intermolecular spaces. Dental composite polymerization shrinkage ranges between 2 - 6% by volume. Several properties affect the performance of this dental material. Configuration factor (C-factor) is a theoretical concept, which attempts to explain the nature of polymerisation shrinkage of composites. Literature is replete with mention of this factor, however evidence of the validity of this factor is lacking. Volume of the cavity is also a factor that affects the properties of composite.
My study attempts to determine whether there is validity in the c-factor concept. Microleakage is a consequence of polymerisation shrinkage of composites and this has clinical repercussions. This study attempts to determine if the c-factor or volume is more of a predictor of microleakage in composites.
Supervisor(s): Prof. Richard van Noort