Updated: May 14, 2026

Roughness Impact of Piezoelectric Dental Scaler on Two Distinct Flowable Composite Filling Materials
Published on: January 10, 2025
Adriana Martínez-Llop1, Jose Luis Sanz1, María Melo1
1Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
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This in vitro study compared how two dental composites, Stela and SDR Flow+, affect the remineralization of demineralized dentin. Using dentin slices from extracted wisdom teeth, the researchers applied each composite and tracked mineral changes over 28 days. They used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) to measure apatite formation and calcium/phosphate ratios. Stela showed apatite formation within 24 hours and significant mineral increases by day 7. SDR Flow+ reached its peak at 14 days. By 28 days, both materials achieved similar levels of remineralization. The findings suggest that strontium-containing composites like Stela may promote faster dentin repair.
Area of Science:
Background:
Understanding how dental materials interact with demineralized tissues is a key focus in restorative dentistry. Prior research has shown that some composites can influence mineral formation, but the exact timeline and effectiveness remain unclear. This uncertainty drives the need for comparative studies on newer materials. No prior work had resolved how quickly strontium-containing composites might induce remineralization. Existing methods rely on spectroscopy to track mineral changes. However, the specific role of strontium in apatite formation is still debated. This gap motivated the current in vitro investigation. The study addresses how different composites might affect dentin remineralization. It also explores the timeline of mineralization and the role of calcium and phosphate ratios. The findings could refine material selection for dental restoration.
Purpose Of The Study:
This in vitro study aimed to compare the remineralization potential of a new strontium-containing composite with a conventional flowable composite. The specific problem is the lack of evidence on how quickly strontium composites can induce apatite formation. The motivation comes from the need to improve restorative materials for demineralized dentin. The study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of Stela versus SDR Flow+. It also seeks to track the timeline of mineralization using spectroscopy. The goal is to determine which material promotes faster and more effective remineralization. The study addresses a gap in understanding strontium’s role in dentin repair. It uses a controlled in vitro model to isolate material effects.
The study found that both composites promoted remineralization, but Stela showed faster apatite formation at 24 hours.
Apatite formation was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
17% EDTA was used to demineralize dentin slices for two hours, creating a controlled model of demineralized dentin.
EDX was used to evaluate changes in the calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio over time.
Stela showed significant increases in calcium and phosphate from day 7.
Main Methods:
The study used dentin slices obtained from extracted wisdom teeth. Each slice was demineralized with 17% EDTA for two hours. A layer of either Stela or SDR Flow+ was applied to the slices. The samples were allowed to set and stored in 0.1% thymol solution. Analysis occurred at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measured apatite formation. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) tracked calcium and phosphate changes. The Wilcoxon test compared results across time points. This approach allowed tracking of mineralization over time. The controlled in vitro setup minimized external variables. The use of spectroscopy provided precise mineral data.
Main Results:
Both composites promoted carbonated hydroxyapatite formation and increased calcium and phosphate levels. Stela showed an apatite peak at 1420 cm⁻¹ as early as 24 hours. It also showed significant increases in calcium and phosphate by day 7. SDR Flow+ reached its peak apatite formation at 14 days. It showed significant increases in the calcium/phosphate ratio. By 28 days, both materials achieved comparable remineralization. The results suggest that strontium-containing composites can accelerate mineralization. The timing of apatite formation differed between the two materials. These findings highlight the potential of strontium in restorative dentistry.
Conclusions:
The authors propose that both composites can effectively induce remineralization of demineralized dentin. Stela showed faster apatite formation compared to SDR Flow+. The results suggest that strontium may enhance early mineralization. Both materials achieved similar levels of remineralization by 28 days. The study confirms the potential of strontium-containing composites in dental restoration. The findings support the use of spectroscopy to track mineral changes. The authors suggest that material composition influences the timeline of remineralization. These conclusions are based on the observed spectroscopic and elemental changes.
The authors concluded that both composites achieved comparable remineralization by 28 days, but Stela acted faster.