Effect of the use of dental loupe on cavity size after removal of the aged composite resin restorations

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of removal of artificially aged and non-aged resin composite restorations in-vitro with or without aid of dental loupe on cavity size change. Methods: A low-speed hand piece was used to prepare occlusal cavities in 32 acrylic molar teeth. The size of cavities after cavity preparation were calculated using ImageJ software. The teeth were restored with composite resin and divided into four groups according to the use of dental loupe (2.5x magnification) (with and without magnification) and ageing effect (non-aged and aged). In order to simulate the ageing effect, samples were kept in boiling water for 8 hours. The effects of artificial ageing on the color and translucency of the resin composites used were also analyzed using spectrophotometer. Cavity sizes after the removal of restorations were re-calculated by using the ImageJ software and differences in cavity sizes were also calculated. Paired t-tests were applied to data (p < 0.05). Results: There were significant increases in cavity size using both techniques and both type of restorations although the size increase in percentage was less only when magnification was used during removal of non-aged restorations. Conclusion: Cavity size changes significantly during replacement of restorations and the use of magnification may be not of benefit in reducing the size of the change of removal of aged resin composite restorations.