Comparative evaluation of sorption and solubility of Amalgomer CR and Cention N restorative material- An in vitro study

Abstract

Introduction: The potential of direct restorative dental materials to resist masticatory force, without getting damaged and to remain unaffected after getting exposed to various media (chemical stability) in the mouth for a considerable period of time are important for their good clinical performance. Amalgomer CR is a ceramic reinforced posterior GIC having compressive, flexural and tensile strength close to that of amalgam. Cention N is a new material based on “alkasite” technology which is a subgroup of the composite resin. It is a novel bulk fill direct posterior restorative material. Every restorative material should meet the required ideal physical properties standards, among which water sorption and solubility are two important properties that influences the clinical durability of a restorative material. Chemical agents found in soft drinks and other beverages like coffee and tea can be exposed to restorative materials, continuously or intermittently. The modern dietary habit of frequent consumption of low pH carbonated drinks can alter the oral environment to an acidic range. Keeping all the above discussed factors in mind, this, in-vitro study was conducted to compare and evaluate the sorption and solubility of Cention N and Amalgomer CR in four direct solutions; Sprite, Pepsi, Coca Cola and artificial saliva. Aim: The aim and objective of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the sorption and solubility of Cention N and Amalgomer CR in four direct solutions; Sprite, Pepsi, Coca Cola and artificial saliva. Materials and methods: The materials that was used for this study are Cention N and Amalgomer CR. A total of forty samples of restorative material were prepared using a metallic mould and divided into two groups of twenty samples each (n=20); Group I: Cention N and Group II: Amalgomer CR. The weight before immersion in the test media (m1) was measured using digital analytical scale. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups (n=5) based on the test media they were immersed in; Subgroup 1: artificial saliva, Subgroup 2: Coco Cola, Subgroup 3: Pepsi, Subgroup 4: Sprite. Five specimens each of the test material were kept immersed in the test media for seven days. The weight of the samples after immersion (m2) in the test media after seven days and the final dry weight of the samples (m3) were measured. Sorption and solubility of Cention N and Amalgomer CR cement were calculated using ISO guidelines. Data was analyzed statistically using appropriate statistical tools. Results: In our study, both Amalgomer CR & Cention N showed values for sorption and solubility well under the values of ISO recommendations, however, Amalgomer CR had significantly more sorption and solubility when compared to Cention N. Among the test solutions used Sprite and Pepsi had the most degrading effect on Cention N and Amalgomer CR. Conclusion: The composition of material along with their setting / curing method and low pH carbonated drinks can influence the properties of direct esthetic restorative materials. In this present study, Cention N was marginally better when compared to Amalgomer CR.