Evaluation of surface characteristics of dental composites using profilometry, scanning electron, atomic force microscopy and gloss-meter

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro investigation was to compare various roughness and topography measurement methods to characterize the surface quality in several types of resin composites. The initial surface quality of several resin composites was compared. The materials evaluated were of three categories: i) hybrid: TPH Spectrum; ii) reinforced microfill: Micronew and iii) microhybrid: Synergy Duo, Esthet-X, Point.4 and Palfique Estelite. Three Groups of identical disk-shaped specimens (10 x 1.5 mm) were prepared from each material (n = 6) and polished with Soflex discs. Macro-roughness (Ra) was measured with Group 1 by 2-D profilometry. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) gave 3-D images and micro-roughness (Ra) of Group 2. Surface optical gloss at 60 degrees was determined for Group 3. Specimens of each material were also studied by scanning electron microscopy. Macro-Ra values (microm) ranged from 0.30 to 0.56. Micro-Ra values ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 and they differed from macro-Ra values in ranking order. Percentage Gloss values ranged from 30.6 to 70.1%. The results revealed that micro-roughness showed a high correlation with gloss values (r = 0.93), whilst macro-roughness did not (r = 0.62). Moreover, the AFM method showed higher capability to distinguish surface roughness compared with the 2-D profilometry and to reveal more detailed definition of surface texture than the examination under SEM.

Effect of alcoholic beverages on surface roughness and microhardness of dental composites

“…Furthermore, chemical softening may have a negative effect on wear and abrasion decreasing the life span of these restorations 8) . The surface roughness analysis was performed by AFM that has been suggested as a accurate method to determine the quality of surface composites 11,15) . The surface roughness of composite resins evaluated (Durafill, Z250 and Z350 XT) increased significantly in 30 days of samples immersion in beer and whisky, except for Durafill and Z250 immersed in vodka.…”

“…The increased consumption of alcoholic beverages has raised questions about these drinks' erosive potential on the dental hard tissues and clinical performance of restorative materials. The alcoholic beverages can promote erosion on surface of the composite resin 11) . The alcohol present in these beverage diffuses into the resin plasticizing the polymer matrix reducing the mechanical properties such as hardness, wear strength, and roughness, directly acting on the filler-resin matrix interface 6) .…”

Surface roughness and morphology of resin composites polished with two-step polishing systems

“…Therefore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has recently been employed in dental-materials research to provide three-dimensional detailed topographical images of surface roughness at a nanomer resolution 25) . This study aimed to investigate the surface roughness and morphology of supra-nanofilled, nano-hybrid and microhybrid resin composites polished with two different types of two-step polishing systems (aluminum-oxide/ diamond-abrasive impregnated and diamond-abrasive impregnated) using both quantitative (profilometer) and qualitative (SEM, AFM) methods.…”

Evaluation of Bioactive Nano Composite Fillers Effect on Wear Resistance of Composite and Enamel Surfaces

“…Calibration was made by comparing an object of known size (a ruler in this study) with a scale generated by the software. WSxM software was used to calculate average of heights (Ra) expressed in μm, which can be assumed as a reliable indices of surface roughness (Kakaboura, 2007).…”