• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.261-270
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate wear characteristics of light-cured composites when opposed by human enamel. Seven light-cured restorative composites were selected and enamel cusps sectioned from premolars. All samples were stored in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. 68.6 N of weight was loaded during the test. The measurements of vertical loss of enamel cusps, weight loss and volume loss of composites, and SEM observations of the polished and abraded surfaces were made after 30,000 cycles. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The highest hardness value of 70.4 was observed in the Spectrum group and the lowest value of 19.8 was observed in the Heliomolar group. Results of Tukey test showed that an overall significant difference was indicated except the Spectrum, Z100 and Clearfil AP-X groups(p<0.05). 2. Enamel showed the good abrasion resistance against the Heliomolar group of microfilled composite and the Palpique Toughwell group containing the submicron hybrid type spherical fillers. 3. The abrasive wear resistance of hybrid composites was improved with the decrease of mean particle size and hybrid of submicron particle fillers. 4. SEM observation of worn surfaces revealed the protrusion, attrition and missing of fillers, cracks developing and delamination in the matrix.