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Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the restorative time required and the internal adaptation after thermomechanical aging of class I restorations using either the conventional incremental technique or bulk-fill technique., Materials and Methods: Cavities (Class I) were prepared on the occlusal surface of human third molars. 40 teeth were divided into four experimental groups according to the restorative technique (n = 10): G1 = 3 mm increment of Surefill SDR Flow + 1 mm Filtek P60; G2 = 3 mm increment of Filtek Bulk-Fill + 1 mm Filtek P60; G3 = Filtek P60 inserted with incremental technique; G4 = 3 mm increment of Filtek Z350 Flow XT + 1 mm increment of Filtek P60. The required restorative clinical time for each technique was marked. Specimens were submitted to thermomechanical loading (20,000 mechanical cycles-80 N/thermal cycling-5/55°C for 30 seconds). After, samples were sectioned, ratio of internal gaps to interface length (%) was recorded using dye-staining-gap technique. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (95% significance)., Results: There was no significant difference in gap formation and none of the groups was completely gap-free. However, a significant reduction on required restorative clinical time was observed for G1 (167 ± 7 seconds), G2 (169 ± 4 seconds), and G4 (169 ± 8 seconds) when compared with G3 (204 ± 8 seconds)., Conclusion: No significant difference in gap formation was found among bulk-fill and conventional incremental restorative technique tested; however, the use of a bulk-fill composite reduced 20% of the required restorative clinical time., Clinical Significance: None of the restorative techniques applied were able to prevent internal gap formation. The use of bulk-fill composite reduced the required clinical time to perform class I restorations.

Unlabelled: This study evaluated the surface texture and optical properties of two self-adhering composites and a nanofilled composite before and after toothbrush abrasion. Vertise Flow (Kerr), Fusio Liquid (Pentron Clinical) and Filtek Z350 XT (3M ESPE) composites were divided into 3 groups (n = 6). Disks of 12 mm diameter and 2 mm thick were made. All materials were light-cured with a LED light source for 40 seconds. Analyses of surface roughness, gloss retention and color stability were performed 24 hours after light curing and after 20,000 brushing cycles. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = 5%)., Results: Tukey's test ascertained that toothbrush abrasion resulted in rougher and matte surfaces for all composites tested. Filtek Z350 presented better gloss retention after abrasion. On surface roughness evaluation, there was no statistical difference between Fusio Liquid Dentin and Filtek Z350 resins (p > 0.05). Vertise Flow resin showed better color stability (ΔE), than the other two materials., Conclusion: Nanofilled material presented better gloss retention but it did not produce the best results in aspects related to surface roughness and color stability compared to self-adhering composites., Clinical Significance: A simulation of degradation process by using toothbrush abrasion produced a rougher and matte surface in all composites tested. The surface texture was not only related to filler's amount present in materials, but also with the organic matrix composition of them. The results suggested that the constant development of new materials, seeking for a technical simplification, seems an innovative attraction for dentist's clinical routine, even though larger studies are necessary to promote to everyone a better understanding and improvement of action and effectiveness of this new class of materials.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different incremental insertion techniques, photoactivation, and restorative phases on thermal variations occurring during the polymerization of Filtek Z250 composite resin., Methods and Materials: The experiment was conducted using 90 bovine incisor teeth. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups according to the technique used for photoactivation with a halogen light (continuous, soft-start, or intermittent). The groups were further separated into three subgroups according to method of increment placement (bulk, oblique, or horizontal/vertical) for a total of nine groups (n=10). Restorations were placed in a controlled environment (37 masculineC and 50+/-10% RU) and the temperature recorded using a digital thermometer coupled to a Type-K thermocouple inserted in the pulp chamber through the root canal in contact with the dentin. Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey's test., Results: Higher temperature values were found for continuous light photoactivation in combination with the placement of horizontal/vertical composite increments and photoactivation of the adhesive using a continuous light exposure., Conclusion: The light source is the most important factor producing temperature changes during photoactivation of resin composite., Clinical Significance: Temperature increases in the pulp chamber due to light curing should be considered to avoid harming the delicate pulp tissue when large restorations or inlays/onlays require several consecutive light curing exposures for a complete cure.