Evaluation of Surface Properties of Four Tooth-Colored Restorative Materials

The aim of this study is to compare microhardness, roughness and micromorphology of the examined materials of a newly developed glass carbomer dental filling material to two different resin modified glass ionomers and a glass ionomer dental filling material. Specimens tested were prepared from a glass carbomer without gloss (Glass Carbomer, GCP), a glass carbomer (Glass Carbomer, GCP) with gloss, two different resin modified glass ionomers (Fuji II LC, GC and Riva LC, SDI) and a glass ionomer (Equia, GC). Seven specimens of each material were prepared according to manufacturer's recommendations. After setting, samples were polished and stored in 37 degrees C distilled water for 24 h. Indentation microhardness of examined restorative materials was measured using the Vickers indenters. In addition surface roughness of the materials was measured using surface profilemeter. Surface morphology was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. There was a significant difference in microhardness and roughness between the restorative materials (p < 0.05). The highest microhardness was measured for Equia and lowest for glass carbomer with gloss. The roughness was fully definite for the glass carbomer with gloss and indefinite for the glass carbomer without gloss. Small cracks and voids were observed in all groups. High viscosity glass ionomer cement Equia exhibits the high physical strength than RMGIC. Gloss application does not influence the hardness behavior of GCP.