Mechanical properties of heat treated restorative resins for use in the inlay/onlay technique.

Inlay/onlay materials based on composite resins have recently been introduced. It was the aim of the present study to investigate the effect of post-curing temperature on selected mechanical properties. Four different composite resins were produced. The composite resins had identical filler content, but varied with respect to the content of the monomers BISGMA, TEGDMA, UEDMA, and HEMA. After initial curing by light, the materials were post-cured at 37, 100, 125, 150, 175, or 200 degrees C for 1 h. We then measured diametral tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. These properties were found to vary with the composition of the material. Composites containing UEDMA or UEDMA/HEMA were stronger and stiffer than BISGMA/TEGDMA formulations. The optimum post-curing temperature was 150 degrees C, but the increase in strength and stiffness was moderate, only about 9%.