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This in vitro study evaluated the effect of the beam homogeneity of a multiple-peak light-curing unit on the surface microhardness and the effect of toothbrushing wear on the microhardness, surface roughness, roughness profile, volume loss, and gloss retention of incremental and bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBCs). A LED light-curing unit (VALO) with four LEDs at the tip end (405, 445, 465A, and 465B nm emission peak) was used according to each manufacturer-recommended time to obtain disks (n=10) of six RBCs: Estelite Sigma Quick, Charisma Classic, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, Filtek Z250, Filtek Supreme Ultra, and Filtek Bulk Fill. Microhardness values were obtained according to each LED positioning of the light-curing unit on the top surface of the RBCs and were analyzed before and after toothbrushing regarding microhardness, surface roughness, roughness profile, volume loss, and gloss retention. Microhardness was considered homogeneous on the top surface regardless of the type of RBC or wavelength tested (p>0.05). Overall, toothbrushing did not reduce the microhardness of the RBCs but influenced the gloss values for most RBCs (p0.05). In conclusion, different wavelengths of the LED did not affect the top surface microhardness, regardless of the RBCs tested; and bulk-fill composites presented similar surface changes (microhardness, surface roughness, roughness profile, volume loss, and gloss retention) when compared to conventional composites after toothbrushing. Resumo Este estudo in vitro avaliou a homogeneidade do feixe de um fotopolimerizador de múltiplos picos na microdureza superficial e o efeito da escovação na microdureza, rugosidade superficial, perfil de rugosidade, perda de volume e retenção do brilho de compósitos a base de resina (RBCs) incrementais ou bulk-fill. Um fotopolimerizador LED (VALO) com quatro LEDs na ponteira (405, 445, 465A e 465B nm de pico de emissão) foi usado de acordo com o tempo recomendado por cada fabricante para obtenção de discos (n=10) de seis RBCs: Estelite Sigma Quick, Charisma Classic, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, Filtek Z250, Filtek Supreme Ultra e Filtek Bulk Fill. Os valores de microdureza foram obtidos seguindo o posicionamento de cada LED na superfície superior das amostras e foram analisados antes e após a escovação quanto a microdureza, rugosidade superficial, perfil de rugosidade, perda de volume e retenção do brilho. A microdureza foi considerada homogênea no topo da superfície, independentemente do tipo de RBCs ou comprimento de onda testados (p>0.05). No geral, a escovação não reduziu a microdureza das RBCs, mas influenciou o brilho para a maioria das RBCs (p0.05). Em conclusão, os diferentes comprimentos de onda do LED não alteraram a microdureza do topo da superfície, independentemente das RBCs testadas; e as resinas bulk-fill apresentaram alterações superficiais similares (microdureza, rugosidade superficial, perfil de rugosidade, perda de volume e manutenção do brilho) quando comparadas às resinas convencionais após a escovação.

Most studies dealing with the caries preventive action of Nd:YAG laser have been done in permanent teeth and studies on primary teeth are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of Nd:YAG laser combined or not with fluoride sources on the acid resistance of primary tooth enamel after artificial caries induction by assessing longitudinal microhardness and demineralization depth. Sixty enamel blocks obtained from the buccal/lingual surface of exfoliated human primary molars were coated with nail polish/wax, leaving only a 9 mm² area exposed on the outer enamel surface, and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=10) according to the type of treatment: C-control (no treatment); APF: 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel; FV: 5% fluoride varnish; L: Nd:YAG laser 0.5 W/10 Hz in contact mode; APFL: fluoride gel + laser; FVL: fluoride varnish + laser. After treatment, the specimens were subjected to a des-remineralization cycle for induction of artificial caries lesions. Longitudinal microhardness data (%LMC) were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and demineralization depth data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD test (á=0.05). APFL and APF groups presented the lowest percentage of microhardness change (p