A pilot study investigating the presence of voids in bulk fill flowable composites

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the presence of voids in bulk fill flowable composites. Methods: This study investigated two well-known bulk-fill flowable composites, Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR) (Dentsply/Caulk, Milford, Germany) and Filtek bulk fill flowable (FBF) (3M ESPE, Minnesota, USA). Three ampules of each material were randomly selected. The ampules were subjected to 3D Micro-CT (General Electric Phoenix V|Tome|X L240) reconstruction in order to assess the presence of any voids within the ampules. results: Voids were present in all the ampules. The total void percentage for each group of three ampules was found to be SDR : 1.147 % and FBF : 0.0424 %. There was a significant difference between the volume of voids for SDR and FBF, p-value=0.003924. conclusion: Voids were found in the randomly selected samples of bulk-fill flowable composites. This is undesirable and manufacturers should be urged to ensure that no voids are present, or at least are minimized in the ampules of material.

One-Year Clinical Aging of Low Stress Bulk-Fill Flowable Composite in Class II Restorations: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…However, porosities can be minimized through vacuum loading of syringes and the use of light-cured materials that can be applied in one layer, i.e., bulk-fill materials. The latter provides better adaptation to the surrounding tissue and is less prone to operator-dependent failures [78]. Unfortunately, in such a protocol polymerization, shrinkage of the bulk-fill composite remains a problem [79,80].…”

Evaluation of Efficiency of Polymerization, Surface Roughness, Porosity and Adaptation of Flowable and Sculptable Bulk Fill Composite Resins

“…An in vitro study showed that bacteria accumulate in voids [ 30 ], and the SEM analysis of three-year-old resin restorations indicated a bacterial collection in the exposed surface pores of the restorations [ 15 ]. In addition to the intrinsic properties of the restorative material, surface roughness may also arise from the inadvertent incorporation of voids (porosities) during manufacture or by the clinician during restoration placement [ 31 , 32 ] due to the technique of condensing and smearing the material into the cavity [ 22 ].…”

“…The presence of porosities (voids) in CRs may arise from the manufacturing process or the application technique (i.e., condensing of the material into the cavity) [ 11 , 12 ] and could result in fractures of the restoration [ 13 ], microleakage and increased surface roughness [ 14 ]. Voids are commonly found along the junction between the CR layers when the incremental technique is applied [ 15 , 16 ]. Additionally, spherical and well-defined voids are also regularly found in materials extruded from the original syringes [ 15 ].…”

“…Voids are commonly found along the junction between the CR layers when the incremental technique is applied [ 15 , 16 ]. Additionally, spherical and well-defined voids are also regularly found in materials extruded from the original syringes [ 15 ]. It is acknowledged that the higher the viscosity of the composites, the more difficult it becomes to condense them into the prepared cavity.…”

Effect of Ultrasonic Vibration on Structural and Physical Properties of Resin-Based Dental Composites

“…Previously, it has been reported that the voids have been observed in bulk-fill and flowable composites ampules. The presence of voids in restoration can cause problems in the physical and mechanical properties of the restoration [ 58 ]. In the present study, an ultrasonic scaler was applied to evaluate the change in the void volume.…”