The Impact of Modeling Liquids on Surface Roughness and Color Properties of Bulkfill Resin Composites After Simulated Tooth Brushing: An in Vitro Study. Part I

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different modeling agents on color changes, surface roughness, and translucency parameters over time in Bulkfill resin composites. Material and Methods: Sixty specimens were prepared using three Bulkfill resin composites (Tetric N-Ceram Bulkfill, Filtek One Bulkfill and Opus Bulkfill) and three modeling agents (Wetting Resin, Optibond FL and Ambar APS). All specimens were subjected to a simulated tooth-brushing (Baseline, 50.000 cycles, 100.000 cycles), and surface roughness was measured at each interval. Surface topography was evaluated. The translucency parameter and color changes were assessed after 24-h, 7-, 14- and 30-day immersion in water, wine, and coffee. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni test. Results: All specimens increased roughness after simulated tooth-brushing (p < 0.05). Wetting Resin decreased roughness on Tetric N-Ceram Bulkfill (p < 0.05). The translucency parameter remained unaltered for all groups. All groups changed color after 30-days of immersion in wine and coffee (p < 0.05). Ambar APS and Wetting Resin on Tetric N-Ceram Bulkfill showed higher color changes when immersed in coffee (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of modeling agents does not jeopardize translucency properties but may affect surface roughness and color properties of Bulkfill resin composites depending on their composition. Clinical Significance: The findings of this study suggest that surface roughness and color properties are affected by the differences in the composition between modeling agents and Bulkfill resins composites.