Effect of Rapid Polymerization on Water Sorption and Solubility of Bulk-fill Composites

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of rapid high-intensity polymerization on water sorption and solubility of a new generation of bulk-fill composite materials.

Five materials were tested: a conventional composite Filtek Z250 (3M, St. Paul, USA) and four bulk-fill composites, Filtek One Bulk Fill (3M), Tetric PowerFill (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Tetric PowerFlow (Ivoclar Vivadent), SDR Plus (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany). Composite specimens with a 9-mm diameter and a 2-mm height (n = 6) were polymerized with a high-intensity curing unit (Bluephase® PowerCure, Ivoclar Vivadent). The control group was polymerized for a total of 40 s on both sides (1193 mW / cm²) and 3s group for 3 s on one side (3053 mW/cm²). Water sorption and solubility were measured by ISO 4049 method up to 30 days of immersion. The results were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc correction. Different polymerization protocols for the same material were compared by t-test (p <0.05).

The 3s polymerization protocol increased the solubility of all materials. Filtek One Bulk Fill showed the highest water sorption and solubility values, and Tetric PowerFlow proved to be a stable material with low values of tested parameters. During immersion, a saturation of specimens was achieved in low-viscosity bulk-fill composites within two weeks, while in other materials it was not achieved within 30 days, or more, following the immersion.

Rapid polymerization caused an increase in solubility, which could affect the biocompatibility of the investigated materials not intended for the 3s curing. SDR Plus and Filtek One Bulk Fill should not be polymerized with rapid high-intensity curing due to increased solubility that exceeds ISO 4049:2009 limits.