Physicochemical and mechanical performance of a bioactive resin compared with conventional restorative materials under erosive challenge

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical and mechanical properties of a bioactive resin compared with a conventional resin and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement after an erosive challenge. Material and Methods: Thirty specimens (n=10 per material) were prepared and subjected to five daily cycles consisting of immersion in Sprite® (pH 3.6) for 6 hours, followed by storage in artificial saliva for 18 hours. Fluoride release was quantified. Surface hardness and roughness were measured before and after the challenge, whereas sorption and solubility were determined according to ISO 4049. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test, paired t-tests, or the Kruskal–Wallis test (α=0.05). Results: Cumulative fluoride release was 11.60, 12.31, and 0.23 µg F/mL for the bioactive resin, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and conventional resin, respectively. Release was similar between the bioactive resin and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (p=0.7008), and both released more fluoride than conventional resin (p<0.0001). Hardness decreased from 92.36 to 78.65 HV for the bioactive resin, from 96.03 to 70.46 HV for the conventional resin, and from 178.09 to 90.88 HV for the resin-modified glass ionomer cement (p≤0.0425). Hardness loss was similar between the resins (p=0.7091) and lower than that of the ionomer cement (p≤0.0061). Roughness increased in all groups (p≤0.0338), whereas sorption and solubility did not differ among materials (p≥0.2802). Conclusion: Under these in vitro conditions, the bioactive resin showed mechanical behavior comparable to the conventional resin and fluoride release similar to the resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Further in situ and clinical studies are required.

KEYWORDS

Composite resins; Dental materials; Fluorides; Glass ionomer cements; Tooth erosion.