Characterization/analysis of the addition of diatomite to dental resin

The aim was to establish the influence of diatomite, a rock rich in silica, on a dental resin. The precursors were characterized: 1) commercial resin: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray fluorescence, and; 2) diatomite: X-ray diffraction (XRD), DSC, TG, IR, differential thermal analysis (DTA), chemical analysis, surface area analysis by the BET method, particle size analysis. Control samples and test samples (starting material plus diatomite) were made. Mechanical tests were carried out (compressive strength, diametrical tensile strength, wear resistance, microhardness and surface roughness) and a new characterization of the control and test samples (TG, DTA, XRD, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). The result is an unprecedented restorative material that can be used universally, with mechanical properties superior to those of the starting material, at an affordable cost, synthesized and characterized through the interrelation of knowledge from Dentistry and Materials Engineering.