MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTIES OF DENTAL MATERIALS

Other Properties
WATER SORPTION
Water sorption of a material represents the amount of water adsorbed on the surface and absorbed onto the body of material during fabrication and usage. Usually warpage and dimensional change are associated with high percentage of water sorption.

SETTING TIME
It is the time required for the reaction to be completed. If the rate of the reaction is too fast, the material has a short setting time.
The setting time does not indicate the completion of the reaction which may continue for much longer time.
SHELF LIFE
It is the term applied to the general deterioration and change in quality of materials depending on particular application.
GALVANISM
The presence of metallic restorations in the mouth may cause a phenomenon called galvanic action, or galvanism. This results from a difference in potential between dissimilar fillings in opposing or adjacent teeth. These fillings, in conjunction with saliva or bone fluids such as electrolytes, make up an electric cell. This cell short-circuited, and if the flow of current occurs through the pulp, the patient experiences pain and the more anodic restoration may corrode, like gold with amalgam.