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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
Cuspal flexure, depth-of-cure, and bond integrity of bulk-fill composites
Thuydung Do1, Brent Church1, Crisnicaw Veríssimo2
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tenn., USA.
Purpose:
Evaluate cuspal flexure caused by polymerization shrinkage stress, bond integrity, and depth-of-cure of bulk-fill composites.
Methods:
Twenty-eight extracted permanent molars were mounted in stainless steel rings. Slot-shaped Class II mesio-occlusal-distal preparations (four mm deep) were restored with Filtek Supreme Ultra (control; two two-mm increments) and bulk-fill composites (Tetric EvoCeram, Venus, Filtek Bulk Fill). The teeth were digitized using a 3D scanner before and after restoration. Before- and after-restoration scans were aligned, and cuspal flexure was calculated. Bond integrity along occlusal interfaces was assessed by dye penetration and measured after overnight immersion in basic fuchsin dye and cross-sectioning. Depth-of-cure was determined on the cross-sections using Vickers hardness. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way analysis of variance.
Results:
All composites caused inward cuspal flexure (10.4 to 13.6 μm). No statistical difference in flexure was found among the composites (P=.07). No significant difference in microhardness at any restoration depths was found for any composite (.35
Conclusions:
Bulk-fill composites cured all the way through four-mm restoration depths. Cuspal flexure, caused by polymerization shrinkage, and bond integrity were not different between teeth restored with the bulk-fill and conventional incrementally placed restorative composites.
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