Performance of low-viscosity resin composites containing S-PRG fillers under erosive challenge.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize restorative materials, including low-viscosity resin composites containing or not S-PRG fillers, under erosive challenge.

METHODS

Specimens of glass-ionomer (GC Gold Label 2-GL), resin composites without (Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative-FSF; Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative-FBF) and with S-PRG fillers (Beautifil Flow Plus F00-F00 and Beautifil Bulk Flowable-BBF) were prepared. Materials were assessed for color stability (CIELab/CIEDE 2000), Knoop microhardness (KHN), flexural strength (FS), elastic modulus (E) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) before and after cycling in orange juice (3 cycles/5min/5 days). Shrinkage stress (SS) was assessed to complement their characterization.

RESULTS

Material, storage condition and their interaction were significant for most tests (p < 0.05). Under acidic conditions, GL was more vulnerable, with color change, reduced KHN, and elemental loss. Resin composites maintained both color stability and microhardness after erosive challenge. Among them, BBF and F00 exhibited higher KHN values than FBF. GL and BBF showed stable FS, while the elastic modulus increased for all materials except BBF. BBF also showed the lowest SS compared to FBF and GL.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-viscosity resin composites, in particular containing S-PRG fillers were able to resist under erosive challenge. BBF presented the best balance of color stability, resistance and low SS among the tested materials.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The bulk-fill resin composite containing S-PRG fillers represents a promising restorative strategy for cervical erosive lesions, combining resistance to surface degradation with reduced shrinkage stress that may help preserve the adhesive interface.