ABSTRACT
Objective: the objective of the present study was to analyzethe polymerization shrinkage gap of different compositeresins. Methods: four commercial brands (n=5)were tested: Z350 (3M/ESPE); Filtek Bulk Fill (3M/ESPE);Surefill (Dentsply); Xtra Base (Voco). Increments of compositeresins were inserted into a circular metal matrixof 7 mm internal diameter and 4 mm high and pressedby two glass plates supported on polyester strips. Afterphotoactivation with a Optilight Plus device (Gnatus),with light intensity of 1000 ± 10mW/cm2, the test sampleswere polished and 24h later, taken to the scanningelectron microscope for analysis of the polymerizationshrinkage gap, measured at 4 points in the sample (3, 6,9, and 12 o'clock). The data were analyzed by analysisof variance (Anova one-way). Results: the highest meanof polymerization shrinkage gap was observed for FiltekZ350 (3M/ESPE), while the lowest mean of gap wasfound for Xtra Base (Voco) brand, with significant differencesbetween the groups. Conclusion: the inorganicfiller content and different associations in the organicmatrices interfered expressively in the polymerizationshrinkage gap.