The effect of density and shrinkage properties on choosing the best dental filling on dental restoration using hybrid Analytic Hierarchy Process and Gray Relational Analysis techniques

This study investigates the selection of optimal dental composites through a Multi-Criteria Decision Making approach utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Gray Relational Analysis (GRA) techniques. Six dental composite materials (A) SiO₂-ZrO₂, (B) BIS-GMA, UDMA and Bis-EMA blend, (C) Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA and Bis-EMA resins, (D) silorane and filler, (E) Bis-GMA, Bis-EMA and UDMA, and (F) SiO₂-Al₂O₃-K₂O were evaluated based on a set of Performance Defining Criteria (PDCs). The AHP method determines the following priority order for PDCs: shrinkage (PDC-2) > density (PDC-3) = compressive strength (PDC-6) > flexural strength (PDC-4) = flexural modulus (PDC-5) > fracture toughness (PDC-1). The GRA ranking of the dental composites is B > D > C > A > E > F. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of the hybrid AHP-GRA approach, particularly considering the successful application of the hybrid AHP-GRA for the first time, in achieving logical and robust results based on the inherent properties and performance of the investigated composites.