Affiliation:
1. Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Abstract
Background:
Several approaches were introduced in placing the composite resin into the prepared cavity. Some researchers recommend using an incremental technique. The material is gradually placed in 2 mm or less thick layers, resulting in better curing by adequate light penetration and better composite resin polymerization. However, disadvantages like voids and the time taken to complete the procedure are lengthier due to the time consumption in placement and polymerization of each increment. Time-saving restorative materials are an ongoing demand for posterior restorations. A newer resin-based composite, bulk-fill composites, have been introduced to speed up the restoration process by enabling up to 4–5 mm thick increments to be cured in one step, thus skipping the time-consuming layering process.
Materials and Methods:
The randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients with 80 restorations. Randomization was followed by using a random number table. Patients with at least two class I or class II restorations were selected. One tooth is restored with bulk-fill followed by capping with ceram x, and the other with bulk-fill followed by Filtek Z250. All the patients were recalled after 6 months and 12 months. Two examiners evaluated restorations using Federation Dentaire International (FDI) criteria at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results:
The collected data from the participants were analyzed using SPSS software. There was no statistically significant difference observed between the two restorations placed with two nanohybrid composites (ceram x and Filtek Z250).
Conclusion:
The study concludes that bulk-fill resin composites capped with nanohybrid composites show excellent clinical performance equal to conventional composites and are beneficial to the clinician in reducing the time. Smart dentin replacement has a self-leveling capacity, showing better marginal adaptation and thus helping reduce secondary caries.