Inverse gas chromatography in the examination of surface properties of experimental dental composites

Abstract Properties of the surface layer of materials determine their suitability for some special applications, affecting the value of adhesion between bonding materials. In the case of dental fillings, the high value of adhesion to tooth tissue is important and determines their durability and tightness. The surface properties of dental methacrylic resin with the addition of various zeolite fillers were examined using inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The dispersive and specific component of the surface energy, acceptor – donor properties were determined from IGC experiments. The effect of the addition of zeolite filler on the surface energy values of the examined dental composites was investigated. It has been shown that using IGC it is possible to determine parameters describing the adhesion between materials, expressed by the value of the work of adhesion. Different values of the work of adhesion were observed according to the type of tooth tissue (dentin or enamel).