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Objectives: This study measured the degree of conversion (DC), sorption, solubility and microhardness of methacrylate (Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z350XT) and silorane-based composites (Filtek P90)., Methods: DC was measured using near infrared spectroscopy immediately and 24h after the photoactivation. Sorption and solubility measurements were performed after 24h, 4 weeks and 12 weeks of storage in water. Knoop microhardness was measured after 24h and after thermal cycling. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's, Tamhane or paired t-tests (α=0.05)., Results: The DC for P90 (37.22±1.46) was significantly lower than the Z250 (71.44±1.66) and Z350 (71.76±2.84). Water sorption was highest in the Z250 and lowest in the P90. All the tested composites exhibited similar values after 24h of immersion, and no significant differences were observed. No significant differences were observed between the solubilities of the P90 composite (12 weeks) and the Z250 or Z350 composites (4 weeks). KHN values were less elevated for the P90 composite and similar for the Z250 and Z350 composites. An effect of thermal cycling on KHN values was observed for all the composites (p<0.001)., Conclusions: Silorane produced the lowest DC and KHN values and exhibited lower water sorption and solubility compared to methacrylate-based composites. These differences suggest that silorane composites exhibit better hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion compared to conventional methacrylate-based composites., Clinical Significance: Silorane had higher hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion than the methacrylate-based resins, despite the lower values of DC and KHN recorded., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate hybrid layer thickness of primary molars sectioned with diamond, carbide and ultrasonic CVD burs., Study Design: The occlusal enamel surfaces often molars were removed and superficial dentin was exposed. Three standardized cavities were prepared at mesial, central and distal exposed dentin with diamond, carbide and ultrasonic CVD burs, respectively. A self-etching adhesive system (Adhese, Ivoclar/Vivadent) was applied to prepared cavities and composite resin Z100 (3M/ESPE) was inserted according to manufacturers'instructions to hybridized dentin. Samples were light-cured and the crown was sectioned mesio-distally dividing the restored cavities in two halves which were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to quantitatively evaluate hybrid layer thickness (microm). Three repeated measures were performed at mesial, central and distal sites and mean values obtained were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)., Results: Data (mean +/- sd) obtained were (microm): 2.69 (0.44), 3.38 (1.23) and 2.72 (1.18)for diamond, carbide and CVD burs, respectively. No differences were observed among groups (p > 0.05). The adhesive systems promoted mechanical retention, uniform and continuous hybrid layer and resin tags formation at all dentin sites for all instruments tested., Conclusion: The results suggest that the minimally invasive cavities prepared with diamond, carbide and CVD for ultrasound, promoted hybrid layer formation with a similar thickness regardless the bur used.

This study evaluated Streptococcus mutans biofilm adhesion on the surface of three composite resins (nanofilled, Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; nanohybrid, Vit-1-escence, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, UT, USA; and microhybrid, Esthet X, Dentsply, Milford, DE, USA) following different finishing and polishing techniques. Sixty standardized samples (6 × 3 mm) of each composite were produced and randomly divided into three finishing and polishing treatments (n=20): 1) control group: composite resin surface in contact with Mylar matrix strips with no finishing or polishing performed, 2) Sof-Lex aluminum oxide disc technique (3M ESPE, and 3) carbide bur finishing and Astrobrush polishing technique (Ultradent). Half the samples of each group were incubated in human saliva for 1 hour, and all the samples were subjected to S mutans (ATCC 35688) biofilm development. The mean log of CFU/mL present in the S mutans biofilm was calculated, and data were statistically analyzed by three-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p<0.05). Human saliva incubation promoted a significant increase of bacterial adherence on all three of the composites' surfaces, regardless of the polishing treatment performed (p<0.05). Of the three, the nanofilled composite (Filtek Z350) had the lowest bacterial adherence with each of the finishing and polishing techniques despite the presence or absence of human saliva (p<0.05). Mylar matrix strips (control group) promoted the lowest bacterial adhesion on the surface of the microhybrid and nanofilled composites in the absence of human saliva.

Aim: This study evaluated the surface roughness patterns of two resin-based composite restorative materials, a microhybrid (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) and a nanofilled (Filtek Supreme, 3M ESPE), subjected to a regimen that simulated dynamic pH-cycling and toothbrushing., Methods and Materials: Twelve standardized cylindrical specimens of each resin-based composite material were prepared, finished, and mechanically polished. The experimental units were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen followed by 50,000 toothbrushing cycles, after which the surface roughness was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM surface roughness was evaluated at three intervals: (1) immediately after specimen preparation (baseline), (2) after pH-cycling, and (3) after simulated toothbrushing. The results were then analyzed using a split-plot design and followed by linear regression and a Tukey's test at a significance level of p<0.05., Results: The results obtained indicated that simulated toothbrushing provoked a remarkable increase in surface roughness for both types of composite resins tested (p=0.0031). However, pH-cycling did not alter the surface of the composite under the conditions of this experiment., Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that simulated toothbrushing was capable of increasing the surface roughness of the microhybrid (Filtek Z250) and the nanofilled (Filtek Supreme) composites tested., Clinical Significance: Surface roughness of nanofilled and microhybrid composites is significantly increased after toothbrushing, although pH-cycling, as tested in this study, does not appear to affect the morphology of either composite material.

The aim of this study was to observe the influence of two light polymerization units (LED or halogen light) on the degree of conversion (DC) of three dental composites with lighter shades and a different photoinitiator system. The top (T) and bottom (B) surfaces of 60 discs of composite resin (Filtek™ Supreme, Filtek™ Z250, Tetric™ Ceram Bleach) cured either by LED or by halogen lamp (HL) were studied using an FT-Raman spectrometer. The degree of conversion (DC) was evaluated by following the changes in the intensity of the methacrylate C=C stretching mode at 1640 cm⁻¹. The calculated DC ranged from 54.2% (B) to 73.4% (T) and from 60.2% (B) to 76.6% (T) for the LED and HL, respectively. LED and halogen devices were able to produce an adequate DC for all the resins tested.

Purpose: To assess the influence of the light-curing unit type and whether or not it was worth using surface sealant protection on resin composite restorative materials stained by coffee. Another objective was to propose the monitoring of coffee staining by FT-Raman spectroscopy using carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds as reference to the composite matrix degradation., Methods: Sixty cylindrical specimens of resin composite were prepared and divided into six groups: HC (control)--cured with a halogen light; LC (control) cured with a LED; HF--cured with a halogen light + Fortify Plus; LF--cured with a LED + Fortify Plus; HP--cured with a halogen light + PermaSeal; LP--cured with a LED + PermaSeal. After storage for 24 hours at 37% and 100% of relative humidity, the top surface was protected, and the other surfaces isolated. Polishing with paper discs was performed after 24 hours of curing and prior to FT-Raman spectroscopy and reflectance measurements. All specimens were submitted to coffee staining for 14 days and evaluated by both systems. Results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests., Results: FT-Raman spectrum only showed significant changes in groups LC and LP (P< 0.05). Reflectance demonstrated that staining was present in all specimens protected by sealants. Sealant staining was larger in the HF (P < 0.001) group.

Fourier-Transform (FT)--Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate in vitro the degree of conversion (DC) of Charisma dental composite cured by three different light curing units (LCUs) using soft-start and normal protocols. Eighty circular blocks of resin (7 mm in diameter x 2.5 mm thick) were prepared and cured using the following sources: halogen light (Degulux soft-start, n = 20, G1-G2), low power light emitting diode (LED) with transparent polymer tip (LD13, n = 20, G3-G4) and fiber optic tip (LD13, n = 20, G5-G6) and, finally, high power LED (Radii, n = 20, G7-G8). The top and bottom surfaces of the blocks were analyzed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The respective DCs were estimated calculating the peak height ratio of the aliphatic C=C (1640 cm(-1)) and aromatic C=C (1610 cm(-1)) Raman modes. The DC at the surfaces ranged between 50% and 60% for the top and 46% and 58% for the bottom. The halogen light and high power LED LCUs with the soft-start and normal protocols produced the highest DC values of dental composite at both surfaces (p < 0.001). Curing by low power LED in the soft-start protocol did not produce adequate DC at the depth of 2.5 mm. The type of LCU light guide tip did not present a significant statistical difference in the final DC of the dental composite (p > 0.05).

Jéssica Dias Theobaldo,1 Flávio Henrique Baggio Aguiar,1 Núbia Inocencya Pavesi Pini,2 Débora Alves Nunes Leite Lima,1 Priscila Christiane Suzy Liporoni,3 Anderson Catelan3 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, 2Ingá University Center, Maringá, 3Departament of Dentistry, University of Taubaté, Taubaté, Brazil Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of composite preheating and polymerization mode on degree of conversion (DC), microhardness (KHN), plasticization (P), and depth of polymerization (DP) of a bulk fill composite.Methods: Forty disc-shaped samples (n = 5) of a bulk fill composite were prepared (5 × 4 mm thick) and randomly divided into 4 groups according to light-curing unit (quartz–tungsten–halogen [QTH] or light-emitting diode [LED]) and preheating temperature (23 or 54 °C). A control group was prepared with a flowable composite at room temperature. DC was determined using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, KHN was measured with a Knoop indenter, P was evaluated by percentage reduction of hardness after 24 h of ethanol storage, and DP was obtained by bottom/top ratio. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05).Results: Regardless of light-curing, the highest preheating temperature increased DC compared to room temperature on bottom surface. LED showed a higher DC compared to QTH. Overall, DC was higher on top surface than bottom. KHN, P, and DP were not affected by curing mode and temperature, and flowable composite showed similar KHN, and lower DC and P, compared to bulk fill.Conclusion: Composite preheating increased the polymerization degree of 4-mm-increment bulk fill, but it led to a higher plasticization compared to the conventional flowable composite evaluated. Keywords: composite resins, physicochemical phenomena, polymerization, hardness, heating

Bruna Scarcello Strini,1 Joyce Figueiredo de Lima Marques,1 Renata Pereira,1 Danielle Ferreira Sobral-Souza,2 Vanessa Gallego Arias Pecorari,3 Priscila Christiane Suzy Liporoni,4 Flávio Henrique Baggio Aguiar1 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; 2Dental School, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; 3Department of Biostatistics, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; 4Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Taubate, Taubaté, SP, BrazilCorrespondence: Joyce Figueiredo de Lima Marques, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Av. Limeira, 901, Piracicaba, SP, 13414-903, Brazil, Tel +55 19 2106-5337 ; +55 84 99966-8539, Fax +55 19 3421-0144, Email jcinhafml@hotmail.comPurpose: Bulk-fill composite resins were developed to reduce time and facilitate the restorative procedure. However, considering their recent introduction on the market and the new formulations, their performance still requires evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate Knoop microhardness (KHN), diametral tensile strength (DTS) and degree of conversion (DC) of three Bulk-Fill composite resins and a conventional one.Materials and Methods: Sixty samples (n = 15; 8 mm ø x 4 mm height) were confectioned using a mold. Filtek Bulk-Fill (FBF), Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-Fill (TNC) and SonicFill 2 (SF2) were placed in 4 mm increments, and Filtek Z350 (FZ350) was placed in 2 mm increments. The KHN of top and bottom surfaces were tested using Knoop Hardness tester at 10 gf/10s. The DTS was tested under compressive load at 1.0 mm/min. The DC was measured by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Differences in DTS and DC were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. For KHN, Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were performed at α = 0.05.Results: Top surfaces of all composite resins had higher KHN than bottom surfaces. At top and bottom surfaces, FZ350 showed higher KHN than TNC and SF2. The highest DTS was obtained by FBF, followed by FZ350 and SF2. The highest DC was obtained by SF2, the lowest one was obtained by FBF.Conclusion: From Bulk-Fill composite resins, FBF presented the best KHN and DTS results. The SF2 showed the best DC. Further studies are required to ensure whether these differences can negatively influence the behavior of in vivo restorations.Keywords: composite resins, Bulk-Fill, FTIR, hardness, tensile strength