Research Focus Introduction

Dental composites are widely used in restorative dentistry due to their aesthetic properties and ability to bond to tooth structure. However, one important aspect to consider in their use is polymerization shrinkage stress. This is the stress that is generated within a composite material as it undergoes polymerization, or curing, which can lead to microleakage, marginal discoloration, and even debonding of the restoration. Studying polymerization shrinkage stress is crucial in understanding the behavior of dental composites and developing ways to minimize its negative effects in clinical use. The aim of this study is to evaluate the shrinkage stress of newly developed dental composites.