Effects of aging on mechanical properties of composite restoratives: a depth-sensing microindentation approach

This study investigated the effects of aging on the hardness and modulus of two composites (Tetric Ceram [TC], Vivadent; Esthet X [EX], Dentsply), a conventional (Compoglass [CG], Vivadent) and a posterior compomer (Dyract Posterior [DP], Dentsply) using a depth-sensing microindentation approach. Seven specimens (3-mm wide x 3-mm long x 2-mm deep) of each material were made and conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C. Hardness and modulus of the materials were determined at seven and 30 days using depth-sensing microindentation testing with the Instron MicroTester. Hardness was determined by dividing the peak load over the maximum projected contact area while effective modulus was calculated by analysis of the loading/unloading P-h curves and the analytical model according to Oliver and Pharr (1992). Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA/Scheffe's post-hoc test and Independent Samples t-test at significance level 0.05. Mean Vickers Hardness (HV) ranged from 46.60 to 58.67 and 44.44 to 59.41 at seven and 30 days, respectively. Mean indentation modulus ranged from 9.57 to 9.95 and 9.19 to 10.03 for the same time periods. At both time periods, EX was significantly harder than all the other materials and HV values for TC were significantly greater than CG. No significant difference in hardness and modulus was observed between seven and 30 days for all materials with the exception of CG. For the latter, a significant decrease in mechanical properties was detected over time.