RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the effect of environment on post-gel shrinkage (Shr), cuspal strains (CS), microtensile bond strength (µTBS), elastic modulus (E) and shrinkage stress in molars with large class II restorations. METHODS: Sixty human molars received standardized Class II mesio-oclusal-distal cavity preparations. Restorations were made with two composites (CHA, Charisma Diamond, Heraus Kulzer and IPS Empress Direct, Ivoclar-Vivadent) using three environment conditions (22°C/50% humidity, 37°C/50% humidity and 37°C/90% humidity) simulated in custom developed chamber. Shr was measured using the strain gauge technique (n=10). CS was measured using strain gauges. Half of the teeth (n=5) were used to assess the elastic modulus (E) and Knoop hardness (KHN) at different depths using microhardness indentation. The other half (n=5) was used to measure the µTBS. The composites and environment conditions were simulated in a two-dimensional finite element analysis of a tooth restoration. Polymerization shrinkage was modeled using Shr data. The Shr, CS, µTBS, KHN and E data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (significance level: 0.05). RESULTS: Both composites had similar Shr, CS, µTBS and shrinkage stress. CHA had higher elastic modulus than IPS. Increasing temperature and humidity significantly increased Shr, CS and shrinkage stress. µTBS were similar for groups with lower humidity, irrespective of temperature, and higher with higher humidity. E and KHN were constant through the depth for CHA. E and KHN values were affected by environment only for IPS, mainly deeper in the cavity. Shrinkage stress at dentin/composite interface had high inverse correlation with µTBS. Shrinkage stress in enamel had high correlation with CS. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing temperature and humidity caused higher post-gel shrinkage and cusp deformation with higher shrinkage stresses in the tooth structure and tooth/restoration interface for both composites tested. The chamber developed for simulating the oral environment conditions will improve the realism of in vitro studies. Clinical significance Simulating oral temperature and humidity is important to better determine the biomechanical behavior of composite resin restoration. Avoiding high humidity during restorative procedures using rubber dam isolation may reduce cuspal deformation and shrinkage stress and improve the bonding strength of posterior composite restorations.