Mechanical and Optical Characterization of Single-shade Resin Composites Used in Posterior Teeth.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the optical and mechanical performance of two single-shade resin-based composites (RBCs) compared to those of a conventional RBC for restoring posterior teeth. METHODS: Two single-shade RBCs, Omnichroma (Tukoyama) and Vittra Unique APS (FGM), and a conventional RBC, Filtek Z350XT shade A2 (3M Oral Care), were evaluated in this study. The optical shade-matching performance was measured using a spectrophotometer. The light emitted by VALO Grand (Ultradent) and transmitted through the 2.0-mm RBC specimens was evaluated using beam profiling. Knoop hardness (KH, N/mm2), degree of conversion (DC, %) at the top and bottom, flexural strength (FS, MPa), elastic modulus (E, GPa), postgel shrinkage (Shr, %), and shrinkage stress (MPa) were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the filler. Data for FS, E, and Shr were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and KH and DC by repeated one-way ANOVA measurement followed by Tukey test (α=0.05). The modified von Mises stress values, light transmission, and SEM images were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: All single-shade RBCs exhibited higher chromatic adaptation than the Filtek Z350XT (p<0.001). Omnichroma exhibited less color difference than Vittra Unique APS, irrespective of the shade. The light transmitted through Omnichroma and Vittra Unique APS increased during polymerization. KH and DC values were significantly reduced from the top to the bottom of the specimens for all RBCs (p<0.001); however, the ratio values were always higher than 80%. In general, all RBCs demonstrated similar mechanical properties. All RBCs exhibited a similar FS (p=0.083) and Shr value (p=0.144). Filtek Z350XT exhibited significantly higher E (p<0.001) than both single-shade RBCs. All RBCs exhibited similar shrinkage stress during restoration and similar residual stress during occlusal loading. CONCLUSIONS: Single-shade Omnichroma and Vittra Unique APS increased light transmission during light-activation, demonstrating better chromatic adaptation than conventional Filtek Z350XT. In general, Omnichroma and Vittra Unique APS exhibited similar mechanical properties and shrinkage stress distributions as Filtek Z350XT during light-activation and occlusal loading.

Effect of Radiant Exposure on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of 10 Flowable and High-viscosity Bulk-fill Resin Composites.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of the different radiant exposures from a multipeak light curing unit on the physical and mechanical properties of flowable and high-viscosity bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBC). METHODS: Five flowable bulk-fill RBCs (Tetric N-Flow Bulk-fill, Ivoclar Vivadent; Filtek Bulk Fill Flow, 3M Oral Care; Opus Bulk Fill Flow APS, FGM; Admira Fusion x-base, Voco and; and SDR Plus Bulk Fill Flowable, Dentsply Sirona) and five high-viscosity bulk-fill RBCs (Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-fill, Ivoclar Vivadent; Filtek One Bulk Fill, 3M Oral Care; Opus Bulk Fill APS, FGM; Admira Fusion x-tra, Voco; and SonicFill 2, Kerr) were photo-cured using a VALO Cordless light (Ultradent) for 10, 20, and 40 seconds at an irradiance of 1200, 800, or 400 mW/cm2, resulting in the delivery of 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 48 J/cm2. Post-gel shrinkage (Shr) was calculated using strain-gauge test. The degree of conversion (DC, %) was calculated using FTIR. Knoop hardness (KH, N/mm2) and elastic modulus (E, MPa) were measured at the top and bottom surfaces. Logarithmic regressions between the radiant exposures and mechanical properties were calculated. Radiodensity was calculated using digital radiographs. Data of Shr and radiodensity were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the DC, KH, and E data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA using split-plot repeated measurement tests followed by the Tukey test (a = 0.05). RESULTS: Delivering higher radiant exposures produced higher Shr values (p<0.001) and higher DC values (R2=0.808-0.922; R2=0.648-0.914, p<0.001), KH (R2=0.707-0.952; R2=0.738-0.919; p<0.001), and E (R2=0.501-0.925; R2=0.823-0.919; p<0.001) values for the flowable and high-viscosity RBCs respectively. Lower KH, E and Shr were observed for the flowable bulk-fill RBCs. All bulk-fill RBCs had a radiopacity level greater than the 4-mm thick aluminum step wedge. The radiant exposure did not affect the radiopacity. CONCLUSION: The Shr, DC, KH, and E values were highly correlated to the radiant exposure delivered to the RBCs. The combination of the higher irradiance for longer exposure time that resulted in radiant exposure between 24 J/cm2 to 48 J/cm2 produced better results than delivering 400 mW/cm2 for 40 s (16 J/cm2), and 800 mW/cm2 for 20 seconds (16 J/cm2) or 1200 mW/cm2 for 10 seconds (12 J/cm2). All the bulk-fill RBCs were sufficiently radiopaque compared to 4 mm of aluminum.

Influence of Mono- and Multiwave Light-curing Units on the Microhardness and Degree of Conversion of Light-cured Resin Cements.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the Knoop hardness (KH, N/mm2) and degree of conversion (DC, %) on the margins of light-cured resin cements with different photoinitiators using a single light-curing unit (LCU) with two heads (mono- and multiwave). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three types of resin cements were used with different photoinitiators: Megalink Esthetic (Odontomega, São Paulo, Brazil) with a camphorquinone photoinitiator; Allcem Veneer (FGM, Joinville, Brazil) with the Advanced Polymerization system (APS), and Variolink Esthetic LC (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein). Thirty samples were collected and divided into six groups (n=5 each). The resin cement samples were made into the shape of a maxillary right central incisor and photoactivated under a 0.5-mm-thick ceramic sheet. A single LCU (Radii Xpert, SDI) with two heads (mono- and multiwave) was used. The tip of the LCU was positioned at the center of the sample in a standardized manner. Raman spectroscopy was performed to evaluate the DC, and KH was evaluated through the Knoop microhardness test. Five regions were evaluated: cervical, mesial, buccal (center), distal, and incisal. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the DC only for the type of cement (p<0.001), indicating that the cement with the APS photoinitiator presented excellent results. There were significant differences in the type of cement (p<0.001), type of light (p<0.001), region (p<0.001), and the interaction between the type of cement and type of light (p<0.001). The resin cement with the APS photoinitiator cured with monowave light showed the highest KH values. The beam profiles of all groups, with and without the interposition of ceramic and resin cement, were examined by light transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The cement with the APS photoinitiator presented the best results with respect to the DC and KH. In comparison with mono- and multiwaves, the LCU may not be a determining factor for the properties of light-cured resin cements. The buccal region showed the best results for DC and KH, indicating the need for a greater amount of light-curing at the cementation margins.

Effect of Simulated Pulpal Microcirculation on Temperature When Light Curing Bulk Fill Composites.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of light curing bulk fill resin composite restorations on the increase in the temperature of the pulp chamber both with and without a simulated pulpal fluid flow. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty extracted human molars received a flat occlusal cavity, leaving approximately 2 mm of dentin over the pulp. The teeth were restored using a self-etch adhesive system (Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray) and two different bulk fill resin composites: a flowable (SDR, Dentsply) and a regular paste (AURA, SDI) bulk fill. The adhesive was light cured for 20 seconds, SDR was light cured for 20 seconds, and AURA was light cured for 40 seconds using the Bluephase G2 (Ivoclar Vivadent) or the VALO Cordless (Ultradent) in the standard output power mode. The degree of conversion (DC) at the top and bottom of the bulk fill resin composite was assessed using Fourier-Transform Infra Red spectroscopy. The temperature in the pulp chamber when light curing the adhesive system and resin composite was measured using a J-type thermocouple both with and without the presence of a simulated microcirculation of 1.0-1.4 mL/min. Data were analyzed using Student t-tests and two-way and three-way analyses of variance (α=0.05 significance level). RESULTS: The irradiance delivered by the light-curing units (LCUs) was greatest close to the top sensor of the MARC resin calibrator (BlueLight Analytics) and lowest after passing through the 4.0 mm of resin composite plus 2.0 mm of dentin. In general, the Bluephase G2 delivered a higher irradiance than did the VALO Cordless. The resin composite, LCU, and region all influenced the degree of cure. The simulated pulpal microcirculation significantly reduced the temperature increase. The greatest temperature rise occurred when the adhesive system was light cured. The Bluephase G2 produced a rise of 6°C, and the VALO Cordless produced a lower temperature change (4°C) when light curing the adhesive system for 20 seconds without pulpal microcirculation. Light curing SDR produced the greatest exothermic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Using simulated pulpal microcirculation resulted in lower temperature increases. The flowable composite (SDR) allowed more light transmission and had a higher degree of conversion than did the regular paste (AURA). The greatest temperature rise occurred when light curing the adhesive system alone.