Effect of Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride Gel on the Surface of Dental Nanocomposite Restorative Materials

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the changes in surface roughness of different nanocomposite restoratives and enamel after application of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel. Twelve specimens were prepared for each composite material and human enamel. The APF gel was applied to the surface of the six specimens of each experimental group for 60 sec every 24 h for 4 days. The other six specimens did not receive APF treatment (control). The surface roughness was measured using a VSI microscope. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used to compare surface roughness between materials for each experimental group at a level of significance of a=0.05. There were no statistically significant differences in Ra values among the composites which did not receive APF treatment (p>0.05). After APF treatment the lowest surface roughness exhibited enamel (0.18±0.04 Ra) and the highest Dyract Extra (0.62±0.07 Ra) followed by Tetric EvoCeram (0.59±0.06 Ra) and Beautifil II (0.51±0.06 Ra). Filtek Z350 XT presented the lowest Ra values (0.23±0.03). All the experimental groups exhibited higher Ra values after APF treatment (p<0.05), except for Filtek Z350 XT (p>0.05). Application of APF gel on the specimen surfaces influenced the surface roughness of enamel and the tested dental composite restoratives depending on their composition.