Composite resin (Figure 7.1)

Composites consist of a resin, normally an aromatic dimethacrylate such as BisGMA, and filler particles such as quartz, silica and other types of glass. The type, particle size and content of the filler particles control the properties of the material. Barium- or strontium-containing glasses are also added to make the material radio-opaque. Many composites have a variation in particle size. So-called hybrid composites contain large filler particles (15–20 µm) and smaller colloidal silica (0.01–0.05 µm) particles. Microfilled composites (average filler particle size = 0.02 µm) can be highly polished, but this is a property obviously not necessary for a core material. The most effective core materials are hybrid composites and more recently the newly developed low-shrink composites (e.g. Filtek LS Low Shrink Composite (3M ESPE) based on silorane chemistry) might prove to be effective. Composites have a compressive strength similar to dentine and higher tensile and flexural strengths. They can be bonded to tooth structure when used with a dentine-bonding agent; however, placement is technique sensitive.

Figure 7.1 Composite resin cores placed in root-filled teeth in the upper right sextant in preparation for all ceramic dentine-bonded crowns. See Chapter 11 for preparations and cemented restorations.

When using composites it is important to prevent moisture contamination with saliva or blood and, therefore, where possible, rubber dam isolation is recommended. Visible light cured composites should be placed in increments to reduce problems with shrinkage on setting. Polymerization contraction may increase the risk of marginal leakage and post-treatment sensitivity. The lower shrink composites that are being introduced may overcome this problem in the future but will need assessing as the materials develop. Water sorption occurs with composites and can lead to expansion of the material. This, however, takes some time to occur and is unlikely to have an impact on the provision of indirect restorations. Any dimensionalchange that does occur will be easily compensated for by the placement of die relief on the master die in the laboratory. Composite is the material of choice for a core when an all-ceramic crown is planned (Figure 7.1).

Newer hybrid composite core materials are available with various additives such as fibres, ceramic fillers, titanium and lanthanide, that claim to improve the mechanical properties of the material. Examples of these are Paracore (Coltène Whaledent), Ti-core (Essential Dental Systems, Inc.), Light-Core (Bisco, Inc.), Coradent (Vivadent) and Core Paste XP (Den-Mat). Composite core materials are available with a blue pigment to allow the clinician to distinguish between tooth structure and material during preparation (e.g. MultiCore Flow Blue, Ivoclar). Some composites are also packable, facilitating contact point formation and reducing the risk of voids.

Glass ionomer cement (GIC)

The original cements contain a fluoroaluminosilicate glass, which reacts with a polyalkenoic acid to form a cement. Many studies have shown that glass ionomer is not sufficiently strong to be used as a core build-up material unless there are two intact walls remaining. There should also be at least 1–2 mm of remaining sound tooth structure coronally that can be prepared as a ferrule. This is an important distinction when compared to composite materials that have greater strength and are more suitable for extensive restorations. Glass ionomer can also be useful as a filler to block out undercuts (e.g. when preparing a tooth for an inlay) and to make good any defects or irregularities in a tooth preparation for an indirect restoration (e.g. when a filling or piece of tooth is lost during tooth preparation; see Chapter 12). Variations of glass ionomer cements have been developed in the past in an attempt to improve the physical properties of the material and these have included the addition of metal particles by a fusion process resulting in a cermet, or addition of amalgam alloy particles resulting in an admix.

Resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGIs)

In the early 1990s a water-soluble resin (hydroxyethyl methacrylate, HEMA) was added to conventional GIC to improve the physical properties, as such the material cures by an acid–base reaction (the glass ionomer component) and a resin polymerization, which is either chemical or light activated or both (dual cured). Some RMGIs are specifically advocated as core materials such as Vitremer core build-up material (3M ESPE). Whilst most of these materials are tooth coloured, their use beneath all-ceramic restorations should be avoided as they undergo hygroscopic expansion which could lead to ceramic fracture. Resin-modified glass ionomer is an ideal core material for metal or metal–ceramic crowns, inlays, onlays or bridges, or reinforced core ceramics; however, like chemically cured glass ionomers, it needs significant remaining tooth structure to be effective.

Amalgam (Figure 7.2)

Dental amalgam consists of mercury combined with a powdered silver–tin alloy with the addition of copper, palladium and other elements. High copper amalgam alloys have a copper content of 30% and on setting have a smaller concentration of the gamma-2 phase, which means they are less easily deformed, stronger in compression, and have reduced potential for corrosion. The alloy particles can be spherical, lathe cut or admixed. Amalgam can be the material of choice for core build-ups on posterior teeth and is still used by some practitioners. Its use is, however, on the decline and is only likely to decline further in the future. Unfortunately, as the material takes 24 hours to reach maximum compressive strength, crown preparation has to be carried out at a second appointment. The spherical, high copper alloys reach their maximum strength faster and can be prepared 10–15 minutes following placement rather than the normal 24 hours; however, even this is a long time to wait in a busy practice. As amalgam does not adhere to tooth structure it has to be mechanically retained or chemically bonded. It performs well if properly condensed and is not contaminated by large amounts of blood or saliva during placement.

Figure 7.2 Failed metal–ceramic crowns in the upper right sextant being removed (top) and the amalgam cores beneath (bottom).

Preoperative assessment (see also Chapter 3 on endodontology)

It is important prior to planning an indirect restoration that the tooth and any existing restoration are carefully assessed to ensure long-term success. The tooth should be symptom free, ideally provide a positive sensitivity test and a periapical radiographic examination made to ensure an absence of periradicular pathology. If needed, endodontic treatment should be carried out. The existing restoration needs careful examination and if doubt exists it should be removed to ensure that the core is placed on sound tooth structure and that no previous carious exposure exists.

Methods of core retention for vital teeth

There are no absolute guidelines, but if more than 50% of tooth structure has been lost or removed, additional methods of retention are usually required. Retention can be either mechanical, when using amalgam, or adhesive. The latter is the most common as composite is the preferred material for a core.