A study by the Dental Care and Periodontology Clinic at Erlangen University has shown that 3M Universal Composite Z100 MP has a resistance to wear in the 3 body abrasion test which is almost comparable with amalgam. 3M’s white plastic fillings and inlays are a genuine alternative to amalgam in medical, aesthetic and price terms.
Ten specimens of each material were tested, including eight hybrid composites, one composite polymer [?] and amalgam as the reference. Amalgam showed the least abrasion. What made 3M’s Z100 MP stand out from the other materials was its much reduced abrasion, which approached the results achieved by amalgam.
At 66% vol., Z100 MP has the highest proportion of fillers, consisting of zirconium and silicon oxide, when compared with other composites. As well as the hard zirconium fillers, the patented round shape of all the fillers is what determines its resistance to wear and fractures. The absence of splinter-shaped quartz fillers results in a greater density of filler and a considerable improvement in wear characteristics.
|
