Biodegradation Mechanisms of Restorative Dental Resin Composites

Bacground : Sometime difficult question related with the survival time of dental resin composite restoration arises from our patient  after their teeth has been restored with dental resin composites. Of course, precise time of the dental resin composite restoration  maintained in their original shape cannot exactly be estimated. Although there are a number of different reasons as to why we cannot  precisely estimate the survival time of dental resin composite restoration, the summarizing answer is brief: “The biodegradation  process of dental resin composite is complex and includes several various factors.” Purpose: to review the relationship of mechanical,  physical and mechanical factors in the role of the biodegradation of restorative dental resin composites. Literature review :  Combinations of mechanical, chemical, and biological factors in oral environment have been identified as the important factors associated with decreasing surface properties and lost of their original shape. Initially during the biodegradation process of dental  resin composite, small fraction of material component are detached from the surface, leaving various rough in the surface of the  restoration. Surface roughness above the critical threshold value leads the adhesion of bacterial and biofilm formation on the dental  resin composite surface. Once again, the question associated with the precise mechanism of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formations  on the dental resin composite surface have not yet been identified. Since the knowledge currently available about the biodegradation  mechanism of dental resin composite still limited, more research is needed in this field. Conclusion: Oral environmental changes  within a restorative dental resin composites may affect the longevity of the composite restoration. The combination of mechanical and chemical factors is an important key to the role of the biodegradation material in oral environment.