Description

Composite or Interim Prosthetic Composite (IPC) materials in dentistry are tooth-colored restorative substances primarily used for repairing or rebuilding teeth. Composition: They mainly consist of an organic resin matrix such as bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), and other dimethacrylate monomers (TEGDMA, HDDMA). This resin matrix is reinforced with inorganic filler particles like silica, quartz, or glass to enhance mechanical strength, wear resistance, and aesthetics. A coupling agent, typically a silane compound such as 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS), chemically bonds the filler particles to the resin matrix. Other components include photoinitiators for light curing (e.g., camphorquinone), chemical initiators, stabilizers, and pigments to achieve desired shades. Polymerization occurs via light activation or chemical cure, converting the resin matrix from a pliable state to a hard, durable restoration. Clinical Use: Composites are favored for their excellent esthetics, conservative tooth preparation, and reparability. They are used in direct restorations, veneers, and as interim prosthetic materials (IPC) before definitive treatment. IPC composites offer good strength and aesthetics for temporary restorations protecting tooth structure during prosthetic procedures. In summary, composite/IPC dental materials are resin-based restoratives reinforced with filler particles and coupled chemically for enhanced properties, widely used for esthetic and functional tooth restorations and temporary prostheses.​