Smoothness provided by a one-step finishing and polishing system and its maintenance after 12-month aging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the smoothness provided by a one-step finishing and polishing system and its maintenance after hydrothermal aging and brushing of a nanofilled resin composite. METHODS: 96 samples of the nanofilled composite Filtek Z350 XT were fabricated, which, after initial average roughness (Ra) analysis, were randomly distributed into three groups, according to the selected finishing and polishing system. The multi-step systems Sof-Lex (aluminum oxide discs) and Jiffy (bullet-shaped abrasive rubbers), and the one-step system OneGloss (bullet-shaped abrasive rubber) were used. After finishing and polishing, a new Ra measurement was performed, and then half of the samples from each group were stored in artificial saliva for 12 months, while the other half underwent aging processes associating hydrothermal cycles (10,000 cycles at 5-55°C) followed by brushing (5,500 strokes), with a mid-abrasive (Crest Cavity Protection) dentifrice slurry, simulating a 12-month period in the oral cavity. Final Ra measurements were performed, and data were analyzed by generalized linear model and Tukey's test (α= 5%). RESULTS: There was interaction between finishing and polishing system and aging (P< 0.001). The one-step abrasive rubber point provided significantly higher Ra values compared to the multi-step systems, and with the discs there was higher smoothness than with the rubber point sequence. This result was maintained after 12 months in artificial saliva, but after hydrothermal cycles followed by brushing, one-step and multi-step abrasive rubber points no longer significantly differed from each other. Only for the one-step system, hydrothermal cycles followed by brushing significantly reduced Ra. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although hydrothermal cycles followed by brushing may have increased the smoothness of nanofilled composite finished and polished with the one-step system, only the multi-step system provided a surface within the roughness threshold to avoid biofilm retention.

Long-term bond strength of ormocer-based resin composites using a universal adhesive used in different adhesive strategies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate over time the bond strength to dentin of different resin composites (RBCs) associated with the universal adhesive system applied with self-etching or total-etching strategies. METHODS: 60 human third molars were obtained, randomly divided into experimental groups (n= 10) according to RBCs: methacrylate-based nanofilled (Z350 XT); low-viscosity Ormocer-based bulk-fill (Admira Fusion X-base Universal); or high-viscosity Ormocer-based bulk-fill composite (Admira Fusion X-tra). The adhesion procedure was performed using a universal adhesive (Futurabond U) applied in self-etching or total-etching mode. Occlusal preparations (Class I) were made, measuring 4 mm in mesiodistal length, 4 mm in depth, and 3 mm in buccolingual height. The cavities were restored considering the RBCs and adhesive strategies, and the light curing was performed using a LED unit (BluePhase) as recommended by the manufacturers. For this, the nanofilled RBCs were inserted by the oblique incremental technique while the bulk-fill RBCs were inserted in single increments. The samples were stored in water for 24 hours in an oven; to be sectioned, the sticks were randomly separated, stored in distilled water for 24 hours (immediate) or 12 months (long-term), and taken to the universal machine for a microtensile test (MPa). The fractured sticks were examined to classify the type of fracture. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05). RESULTS: The MPa values of methacrylate-based nanofilled or high-viscosity Ormocer-based RBC were not affected by the strategy used to apply the universal adhesive system (P> 0.05). However, for the low-viscosity Ormocer-based RBC, higher values were obtained when the total-etching strategy was used compared to the self-etching mode (P< 0.05). After 12 months, when using the total-etching strategy low-viscosity Ormocer-based RBC, higher MPa values were obtained compared to the other materials (P< 0.05). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Regardless of the adhesive strategy used, the high-viscosity RBCs, whether based on methacrylate or Ormocer, showed similar adhesive behavior. Low-viscosity Ormocer-based RBC showed greater long-term bond strength associated with the universal adhesive applied in the total-etching strategy.