Physico-mechanical properties of aesthetic resin composites

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the physico-mechanical properties, including water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL), flexural strength (σ_f) and modulus of elasticity (E_mod), as well as Vickers hardness (VHN) value of most currently available aesthetic resin composites by comparing them with conventional resin composite. Materials and methods Universal-shde resin composite OMNICHROMA (OMNI; Tokuyama), Beautifil Unishade (BU; Shofu), Essentia (EN; GC), and A3 shade of aesthetic resin composites Harmonize (HM; Kerr), conventional resin composite Tetric N Cream (TNC; Ivoclar Vivadent) were evaluated in this study. Volume and weight were recorded every 24 h of water immersion of resin composites (n = 5) for the calculation of WS and SL. Bar shaped specimens were sectioned from each material (n = 5), E_mod and σ_f were evaluated using a three-point bending test. Bottom and top of the specimens (n = 3) of VHN were obtained for three spots using Vickers micro-hardness tester. Afterwards, bottom-top hardness ratio was calculated. One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson’s correlation test, and Paired-samples t-test were computed (p < 0.05). Results HM showed significant the highest WS and SL (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in σ_f regarding the materials (p > 0.05). BU showed significant the highest E_mod (p < 0.05). HM recorded the highest VHN value (p < 0.05), and significantly the lowest bottom-top hardness ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions The aesthetic resin composites showed comparable physico-mechanical properties compared to conventional resin composite TNC. Clinical relevance The physico-mechanical properties of resin composite material influence the long-term clinical performance of the restoration.