The impact of artificial aging using chewing simulator on micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage of alkasite and bioactive resin based composites: an in-vitro comparative study

Abstract

Objective The current study was conducted to assess and compare the impact of artificial aging using chewing simulator on the novel bulk fill restorative materials (Cention N) and Bioactive Resin Based Composites (ACTIVA) regarding, micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage. Tetric N ceram bulk fill composite was used as control. Patients and methods For micro-shear bond strength testing, thirty recently extracted molars were collected, then their occlusal surfaces were cut horizontally using low-speed diamond saw under coolant exposing flat dentin surfaces. Tetric N-Bond adhesive was applied to the dentin surface, then Tygon tubes (three for each tooth) with height 1 mm and internal diameter 1 mm were placed on the flat surfaces, followed by light curing, then the restorative material (10 specimens for each material) was condensed inside the tubes. Half of the specimens is subjected to artificial aging (thermal and dynamic loading using Chewing Simulator). The specimens were mounted in blocks of stones, then placed horizontally in the universal testing machine. The load was applied using a knife-edge chisel till debonding of the composite cylinders from dentin surface. Fifteen extracted human molars were utilized for the purpose of evaluating micro-leakage. A total of thirty class II cavities were meticulously constructed on the mesial and distal surfaces of the teeth. The evaluation of micro-leakage was conducted using a dye penetration test, employing a scoring system ranging from 0 to 4. Results The nonaged specimens of the tested materials did not show significant differences regarding micro-shear bond strength, and micro-leakage. Aging had no significant effect on all of the tested properties in the three tested materials. Conclusion Short-term thermomechaical aging used in this study did not deteriorate micro-shear bond strength and micro-leakage of the tested materials. Alkasite (Cention N) and ACTIVA Bioactive Resin Based Composites are promising materials with physico-mechanical properties comparable to conventional bulk-fill composites. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to assess the properties of these recently introduced materials.