In vitro wear evaluation of dental materials in primary teeth

To evaluate the effect of dental materials on primary enamel wear.

Four composites (Filtek Z250, Heliomolar, Point 4, SureFil), two compomers (Dyract AP, F2000) and a resin-modified glass-ionomer (Vitremer) were placed into box-shaped preparations in buccal surfaces of primary molars and stored for 24 hours in water at 37 degrees C. The specimens (n = 6) were subjected to abrasive three-body wear against a primary enamel cusp. Material wear, enamel wear (adjacent to the material), and wear on enamel cusps were estimated by profilometry and video-analysis software. Results were compared with ANOVA and Tukey's tests (P < 0.05).

Vitremer showed the highest wear (P < 0.05), followed by Dyract AP and F2000, which were not statistically different (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between Filtek Z250 and Dyract AP (P > 0.05). Filtek Z250, Heliomolar, Point 4 and SureFil, showed the lowest wear values and there was no difference among them (P > 0.05). The highest wear values on the enamel adjacent to the material were found with Dyract AP (P < 0.05) and the lowest next to Point 4 and SureFil (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the wear of the enamel next to Vitremer, F2000, Heliomolar and Filtek Z250 (P > 0.05). Vitremer and F2000 caused the highest wear on enamel cusps (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between them; SureFil caused the lowest wear (P < 0.05) on the opposing enamel. There was a correlation (r = 0.85) between wear of materials and wear on the enamel cusps, but not (r = 0.53) for the wear on enamel besides the restoration and wear on enamel cusps. SEM micrographs showed different surface characteristics of the materials after the wear test.