Characterization of morphology and composition of inorganic fillers in dental alginates

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:178064. doi: 10.1155/2014/178064. Epub 2014 Jul 24.

Abstract

Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy microanalysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Archimedes' Principle were used to determine the characteristics of inorganic filler particles in five dental alginates, including Cavex ColorChange (C), Hydrogum 5 (H5), Hydrogum (H), Orthoprint (O), and Jeltrate Plus (JP). The different alginate powders (0.5 mg) were fixed on plastic stubs (n = 5) and sputter coated with carbon for EDX analysis, then coated with gold, and observed using SEM. Volume fractions were determined by weighing a sample of each material in water before and after calcining at 450(°)C for 3 h. The alginate materials were mainly composed of silicon (Si) by weight (C-81.59%, H-79.89%, O-78.87%, H5-77.95%, JP-66.88%, wt). The filler fractions in volume (vt) were as follows: H5-84.85%, JP-74.76%, H-70.03%, O-68.31%, and C-56.10%. The tested materials demonstrated important differences in the inorganic elemental composition, filler fraction, and particle morphology.

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry
  • Alginates / ultrastructure*
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent
  • Humans
  • Inorganic Chemicals / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Particle Size
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Hydrogum
  • Inorganic Chemicals
  • cavex
  • Carbon
  • Silicon