Effect of light-, chemical-, and dual-cured universal adhesives on the internal adaptation of resin composites to pulpal and gingival internal walls.

PURPOSE: To compare the internal adaptation of restorative systems bonded to mid-coronal and gingival dentin using light-cured, chemical-cured, and dual-cured adhesives, both immediately and after aging. METHODS: 60 molars were selected and received occluso-mesial preparations with dentin gingival margins. Restorations were performed using different restorative systems with light-cured, chemical-cured, and dual-cured adhesives. Internal adaptation was assessed by examining the percentage of continuous margin (%CM) at the pulpal and gingival dentin under a scanning electron microscope at x200 magnification. Half of the teeth were stored in sterile water for 24 hours, while the other half underwent 10,000 thermal cycles. Micro-morphological analysis was conducted on representative samples at x1,000 magnification. RESULTS: The restorative system with light-cured adhesive exhibited significantly lower %CM values at the gingival dentin, particularly after aging. Aging had a negative impact on the %CM values of the pulpal and gingival dentin in restorative systems with light-cured and dual-cured adhesives. Regional dentin variations influenced the %CM values, especially after aging, regardless of the restorative system used. The tested restorative system with chemical-cured adhesive is preferable for achieving improved internal adaptation when bonding to both mid-coronal and gingival dentin, compared to the other tested systems. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study highlights the variations in adhesive performance between different regional dentin areas using the tested restorative systems.

Depth of cure of dual- and light-cure bulk-fill resin composites.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), Vickers microhardness (VMH), and depth of cure of dual-cure and light-cure bulk-fill resin composites (BFRCs). METHODS: One dual-cure (Fill-Up) and two light-cure (QuiXfil and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill) BFRCs were investigated. For each tested BFRC, 11 cylindrical specimens (5 mm diameter, 4 mm height) were prepared, and light cured for 10 seconds (n= 11). DC was obtained by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and VMH was obtained using a VMH tester. The specimens were measured for DC and VMH at top and bottom surfaces. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey's post-hoc, and Pearson correlation tests (P< 0.05). RESULTS: Fill-Up and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill revealed significantly higher DC and VMH values on the top surfaces than that on the bottom surfaces, whereas QuiXfil revealed no significant difference between top and bottom surfaces for DC and VMH. All tested BFRCs showed bottom/top ratios >80% for both DC and VMH. Each tested BFRC showed a significant positive correlation between DC and VMH. All tested BFRCs had adequate depth of cure, but only QuiXfil had a uniform depth of cure. Both DC and VMH bottom/top ratios were effective for depth of cure evaluation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: QuiXfil, Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill, and Fill-Up BFRCs were well cured up to a 4 mm depth. Although Fill-Up (dual-cure) can be used with its chemical-curing mode, light curing improved DC and VMH values of the top layer. Distinct variance in DC and VMH among the three tested BFRCs may affect their clinical performance.