Dendritic copolymers and particulate filler composites for dental applications: Degree of conversion and thermal properties

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the degree of double bond conversion and thermal properties of photopolymerized dendritic copolymers and particulate filler composites that may be used as dental restorative materials. Methods The resins consisted of a multifunctional dendritic monomer, methyl methacrylate and varying proportions of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. In addition, one of the composites contained 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate. Camphorquinone and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate were used as the light-activated initiation system. The degree of conversion was determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the thermal properties with differential scanning calorimetry. Results The degree of conversion of copolymers varied from 52 to 60% and increased with increasing concentration of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The values for the composites were 32–44%. Reaction exotherms of 0.2–9.6 J/g were measured for the photopolymerized experimental materials indicating residual reactivity that increased with increasing concentration of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The residual reactivity trend seemed counter intuitive to the degree of conversion. The glass transition temperatures for the completely polymerized copolymers containing acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate were 112–116 °C and for the particulate filler composites 84–87 °C. Significance The addition of acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate increased the degree of conversion. The polymerization characteristics of the experimental materials were comparable to those of control materials.