Evaluation of two resin composites having different matrix compositions

Abstract

This study compared two resin composites with similar filler systems and different matrix compositions. The depth of cure (DoC), polymerization shrinkage, and marginal leakage were evaluated. A Filtek Bulk Fill resin composite (FB) and a Filtek Supreme resin composite (FS) were used. For the DoC and polymerization shrinkage, cylindrical specimens with different thicknesses were prepared. The DoC was attributed to the bottom/top ratios of Vickers microhardness numbers. For polymerization shrinkage, each specimen was firstly scanned using micro-computed tomography (μCT) then cured for 20 s, then for 10 s, and then for 10 s, and they were rescanned between each curing time. Data were processed using the Mimics software. For marginal leakage, standardized 5 mm cavities were prepared in 90 molars. After etching and bonding, materials were packed according to groups: FB-bulk, FB-incremental, and FS-incremental, which were cured for 20, 30, and 40 s, respectively. After thermo-cycling, teeth were stored in 1% methylene blue dye for 24 h and then sectioned and observed for dye penetration. The results showed insignificant differences in the shrinkage and leakage between the different packing techniques and curing times of both materials. In conclusion, the introduction of a novel matrix into resin composite composition enabled bulk-filling in one layer up to 5 mm deep while keeping a tolerable polymerization shrinkage.