Evaluation of physicomechanical and optical properties of bioactive glass (BAG)-filled resin composites: an in vitro study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/biid.v13.46233Keywords:
Resin composite, nanotechnology, solubility, hardness, colorAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the behavior of bioactive glass (BAG)-filled resin composites (Beautifil II / Shofu—BR and Beautifil Flow Plus / Shofu—BF) compared with conventional resin composites (Filtek Z350 XT / Solventum—ZR and Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative / Solventum—FS) by means of microhardness, sorption, solubility, and color stability tests.
Materials and methods: For these analyses, ten specimens were fabricated per group using a split metal mold (15 mm in diameter × 1 mm thickness). Microhardness (n = 10) was measured using a digital microhardness tester, based on the mean of three indentations per specimen under a 2.94 N load for 15 s. For the sorption and solubility tests, five out of the 10 specimens used in the microhardness assays were randomly selected (n = 5), and ISO 4049/2019 recommendations were followed. Color stability was assessed using a digital spectrophotometer by comparing specimens immersed in coffee (using the five specimens not selected for the sorption and solubility tests / n = 5) and distilled water (control, using the same specimens from the sorption and solubility tests), with measurements obtained at baseline, after 1 day, and after 1 week of immersion. Color change (ΔE) was calculated using CIELAB parameters.
Results: For microhardness, the high-viscosity resin composites (ZR and BR) showed significantly higher mean values than their low-viscosity versions (p < 0.001). Although sorption differed significantly among groups (p = 0.001), all resin composites exhibited values within the limits established by ISO 4049/2019. No statistically significant differences were observed for solubility. Regarding color stability, after 7 days in coffee, BR and ZR exhibited the greatest color changes (ΔE). Despite the observed statistical differences, the changes remained within acceptable clinical limits.
Conclusion: BAG-filled resin composites exhibit properties comparable to those of conventional resin composites. The ZR resin composite showed higher microhardness; however, for the other evaluated parameters (sorption, solubility, and color stability in coffee), the tested resin composites exhibited values within the limits recommended by ISO 4049:2019 and were comparable to those of the reference conventional high- or low-viscosity resin composite.
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