Correlation between strength of bonding to enamel and mechanical properties of dental composites.

The strength of bonding of dental composites to enamel was measured in shear. The compressive strength, proportional limit, elastic modulus, and tensile strength of the composites were measured for correlation with the bond strength. Conventional and microfilled composites with a range of filler concentrations were studied. The densities of the composites and their fillers and the concentrations of the fillers were determined. The mechanical properties that were most highly correlated with bond strength to enamel were proportional limit and elastic modulus. Tensile strength and filler concentration had lower correlation coefficients, and compressive strength was not correlated with bond strength. Using unfilled resins as bonding agents between the composites and enamel resulted in increased bond strength with half of the composites.