Principal component analysis and cluster analysis for the characterization of dental composites.

Various experimental dental materials were characterized using chemometric methods. The main aim of the study was to ascertain which composite materials present the best properties for use in restorative dentistry. Bisphenol-alpha-glycidyl methacrylate-based composites containing hydroxyapatite as a filler and a coupling agent were prepared using a photocuring polymerization procedure. Several chemical and mechanical properties of experimental composites were measured and the corresponding data were further studied using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Results from the characterization allowed the most appropriate materials to be selected. Various composites presented acceptable general properties suggesting their suitability as substitutes for commercial materials in dentistry.