Repair of Bulk-Fill and Nanohybrid Resin Composites: Effect of Surface Conditioning, Adhesive Promoters, and Long-Term Aging

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different repair procedures on the repair bond strength of bulk-fill and nanohybrid resin composites after different aging periods. The resin composite blocks (8 × 8 × 4 mm3) were prepared from a bulk-fill (reliaFIL Bulk) and a nanohybrid (reliaFIL LC) resin composite and grouped according to aging duration (6 months, 1 year, and 2 years). Following aging, the blocks were assigned to different surface treatments; air-abrasion with aluminum oxide powder, roughening with a diamond bur, and no treatment. After cleansing with phosphoric acid, a silane layer (Porcelain Primer) was applied on the surface of half of the specimens in each group. The specimens were subdivided into two groups (n = 5): Scotchbond Universal (3M Oral Care) and All-Bond Universal (Bisco). The blocks were repaired with the nanohybrid composite (8 × 8 × 8 mm 3). The repaired specimens were stored in distilled water (37 °C/24 h) and segmented into beams. Half of the beams were immediately subjected to microtensile μTBS testing (1 mm/min), while the other half was stored in distilled water (37 °C) for 6 months before testing. Failure modes were analyzed using stereomicroscope and SEM. Statistical analyses were performed with ANOVA and least significant difference tests (LSD) tests (p = 0.05). The extension of aging periods (6 months, 1 year, and 2 years) reduced the repair bond strength in some groups for both resin composites (p < 0.05). The air-abrasion and bur roughening improved the repair bond strength (p < 0.05). The silane application did not influence the repair bond strength and durability (p > 0.05). There was no difference among the universal adhesives in the same surface treatment groups (p > 0.05). The mechanical roughening treatments are necessary for the repair of resin composite. The universal adhesives might be used for the repair of resin composites regardless of silane content without prior silane application.