Effect of amylase activity on mechanical properties of dental composite resin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of amylase activity on the mechanical properties of three dental composite resin (Filtek Z350; Filtek Z250 and Polofil Supra). The specimens were immersed in amylase solution at four different activities (25, 50, 100 and 200 KIU/L) with an artificial saliva solution (AS) as a control. The flexural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (EM) were determined in a three-point bending test after immersion for periods up to 12 months. In addition, surface roughness and surface morphology also determined. The FS of Filtek Z350 reaching the lowest level of 67.86 MPa after AS immersion for one year. There was a general trend for FS to decrease following immersion in AS for all the tested materials. However, the amylase groups did not undergo a significant decrease in FS and EM, and there was a slight increase in FS and EM for Polofil Supra.