Effects of storage media on physical properties of selected tooth coloured restorative materials

It is known that storage media can affect the physical properties of some restorative dental materials. The purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate the possible effects of storage media on physical properties of a conventional glass-ionomer, a resin modified glass ionomer and a compomer. Specimens of the restorative materials in the study (FujiII LC, FujiIX and Dyract EXTRA) were prepared. The specimens were stored in either water or artificial saliva with or without exposure to Listerine. The compressive and diametral tensile strength and Vickers hardness of these materials were tested at 24 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks. Compressive and diametral tensile strength for FujiII LC and Fuji IX had increased at 12 weeks. A decrease was observed for Dyract EXTRA in the same period. No significant differences were observed between the storage media (P > 0.01). Vickers hardness values fluctuated during the testing period, with a pattern being consistent for each material. Storage of materials investigated for the period in this study resulted in superior compressive and diametral tensile strength for Fuji II LC and FujiIX. The opposite was true for Dyract EXTRA. Effects of time were found to be more pronounced than the media (P < 0.01).