2007 Volume 50 Issue 3 Pages 321-324
The purpose of this study was to examine the microstructure and elemental analysis of surface reaction type pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler. Composite resins filled with S-PRG filler particles, multifunctional (MF) glass filler and raw material multifunctional (RMF) glass filler were used. Each specimen was observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analyzed with an energy dispersive X-ray micro analyzer. In addition, the microstructure of each specimen was observed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). In all specimens, the TEM images showed low electron density spherules inside the fillers. However, a low electron density layer was observed only in S-PRG fillers. These findings suggested that the filler surface had been altered by the reaction of S-PRG. The SEM images illustrated no difference among the specimens. According to elemental analysis, there was no difference among the fillers;elements such as Al, Si, Sr were found to be the main constituents of S-PRG filler and B, O, C, F, Na were also found in low concentrations. The evolution of S-PRG filler could be identified with the examination carried out in this study.
