Effect of prepolymerized composite megafiller on the marginal adaptation of composite restorations in cavities with different C-factors: An SEM study

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of prepolymerized custom-made composite megafiller and configuration factors (C-factor) on marginal adaptation of resin composite restorations. Forty extracted human mandibular molars were divided into four experimental groups consisting of 10 samples each. In groups I and III, class V (configuration factor 5) and in groups II and IV, class II box-shaped cavities (configuration factor 2) were prepared. Groups I and II were restored with a nanofilled composite (Filtek™ Z350 3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) placed in horizontal increments. In groups III and IV, preformed composite megafiller was placed and cavities were restored with nanofilled composite Z-350. After curing, the samples were finished and prepared for examination under low vacuum scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance. The significance between the individual groups was calculated by Post hoc test using the Holm-Sidak method ( P≤0.05). The marginal gap values in groups III and IV were significantly lower than in groups I and II, respectively ( P≤0.05). Minimum gap values were seen in group IV. Use of prepolymerized composite megafiller and a lower C-factor decreased the marginal gaps between the tooth and composite restorations.