Flow and Dental Composites

We are able to visualize how molecules move during polymerization thanks to the work of Carel L Davidson in the 1980s. Being able to visualize and then measure this movement, also known as flow, helps create more predictable bonds when working with different substrates in enamel, but Dr. David Alleman took years to systematize this concept into his practice as he was developing his concept of Decoupling with Time.

Articles referenced in this episode:

• Alleman DS. Decoupling with time. A solution to the problem of the hierarchy of bondability. Inside Dent. 2021;August: 35-41
• Fusayama T. A Simple Pain-Free Adhesive Restorative System by Minimal Reduction and Total Etching. 2nd Edition. Ishiyaku EuroAmerica, Inc.; 1993
• Davidson CL, de Gee AJ. Relaxation of polymerization contraction stresses by flow in dental composites. J Dent Res. 1984: 146-148
• Davidson CL, de Gee AJ, Feilzer A. The competition between the composite-dentin bond strength and the polymerization contraction stress. J Dent Res. 1984;63(12): 1396-1399
• Feilzer A, de Gee AJ, Davidson CL. Setting stress in composite resin in relation to configuration of the restoration. J Dent Res. 1987;66(11): 1636-1639
• Kemp-Sholte CM, Davidson, CL. Complete marginal seal of Class V resin composite restorations effected by increased flexibility. J Dent Res. 1990 Jun;69(6):1240-3.
• Lu H, Stansbury JW, Bowman CN. Towards the elucidation of shrinkage stress development and relaxation in dental composites. Dent. Mater. 2004;20: 979-986
• Nikolaenko SA, Et al. Influence of c-factor and layering technique on microtensile bond strength to dentin. Dent. Mater. 2004;20-579-585

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Study with Dr. David Alleman in 2025:
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