Effect of storage media upon the surface micromorphology of resin-based restorative materials

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different storage media upon the surface micromorphology of resin-based restoratives. One resin-modified glass-ionomer (Fuji II LC Improved), one polyacid-modified composite resin (Dyract AP), one microfilled composite resin (Durafill VS), and one hybrid composite resin (Filtek Z250) were tested. For each material, 45 standardized cylindrical specimens were randomly made. After 24 h, samples were finished and polished, and their surface roughness measured to obtain Ra (micro m) baseline values (Bv). Fifteen specimens of each material were then stored at 37 +/- 1 degrees C, for 24 h, either in distilled deionized water or in artificial saliva, or else subjected to a pH-cycling regimen. At the end of 10 days of storage, final readings (Fv) of surface roughness were obtained. The Analysis of Covariance (alpha=0.05), considering the covariate Bv showed a significant interaction between restorative materials and storage media (P value=0.0000). Multiple comparison Tukey's test revealed that the surface roughness of resin-based restoratives subjected to a pH-cycling model was significantly higher compared with both distilled deionized water and artificial saliva. Micromorphological changes were noticed in a situation of acid challenge.