Restor Dent Endod.  2021 Aug;46(3):e39. 10.5395/rde.2021.46.e39.

Physicochemical characterization of two bulk fill composites at different depths

• Grazioli G
• Cuevas-Suárez CE
• Nakanishi L
• Francia A
• Moraes RRd

• KMID: 2548083
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2021.46.e39

Abstract

Objectives
This study analyzed the physical-chemical behavior of 2 bulk fill resin composites (BFCs; Filtek Bulk Fill [FBF], and Tetric-N-Ceram Bulk Fill [TBF]) used in 2- and 4-mm increments and compared them with a conventional resin composite (Filtek Z250).
Materials and Methods
Flexural strength and elastic modulus were evaluated by using a 3-point bending test. Knoop hardness was measured at depth areas 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4 mm. The translucency parameter was measured using an optical spectrophotometer. Realtime polymerization kinetics was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Results
Flexural strength was similar among the materials, while TBF showed lower elastic modulus (Z250: 6.6 ± 1.3, FBF: 6.4 ± 0.9, TBF: 4.3 ± 1.3). The hardness of Z250 was similar only between 0–1 mm and 1–2 mm. Both BFCs had similar hardness until 2–3 mm, and showed significant decreases at 3–4 mm (FBF: 33.45 ± 1.95 at 0–1 mm to 23.19 ± 4.32 at 3–4 mm, TBF: 23.17 ± 2.51 at 0–1 mm to 15.11 ± 1.94 at 3–4 mm). The BFCs showed higher translucency than Z250. The polymerization kinetics of all the materials were similar at 2-mm increments. At 4-mm, only TBF had a similar degree of conversion compared with 2 mm.
Conclusions
The BFCs tested had similar performance compared to the conventional composite when used in up to 2-mm increments. When the increment was thicker, the BFCs were properly polymerized only up to 3 mm.

Keyword

Resin composite; Flexural strength; Hardness; Polymerization

Figure

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  Figure 1 Illustration for hardness measurements at different depths of the specimen. (A) Upper view of the inferior part of the mold. (B) Lateral view of mold and photoactivation direction. (C) Division of the specimen in 4-mm layers for the hardness test. (D) Indentation performed at the 0–1 mm area.

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  Figure 2 Means and standard deviations for flexural strength (A) and elastic modulus (B). Columns under the same horizontal line indicate no statistical difference (p > 0.05).

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  Figure 3 Means and standard deviations for Knoop hardness number (kgf/mm2). For each material, columns under the same horizontal line indicate no statistical difference (p > 0.05). Hardness loss (%HL) for each material is shown within the rectangles (%HL2/%HL3/%HL4).

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  Figure 4 Means and standard deviations for translucency parameter. Columns under the same horizontal line indicate no statistical difference (p > 0.05).

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  Figure 5 Data-fitted plots of polymerization kinetics of the resin composites evaluated. Degree of C=C conversion as a function of time shows the maximum conversion achieved at 2- and 4-mm depth (A). Polymerization rate (RP) profiles (B) as a function of time for 2- and 4-mm increments.

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