Evaluation of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of a New Composite Resin: An In Vitro Study

Introduction As a versatile treatment alternative, dental resins require a thorough understanding of their physical and mechanical properties to ensure proper selection and clinical efficacy. Objective To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of a novel dental resin in comparison with commercially available resins. Methods This in vitro study evaluated Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, and depth of cure. Five specimens per test were prepared for each of the following commercial brands: Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative (3M), Empress Direct (Ivoclar), and New Stetic resin, yielding a total of 45 specimens. All specimens were fabricated by a single, standardized operator. Testing was performed using an Indenta Met microhardness tester (Model 1104; Buehler Ltd., Lake Bluff, IL), a universal testing machine (Model 3366; Instron Corp., Norwood, MA), and an analog micrometer (Ubermann), respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test to contrast the evaluated properties across brands. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative (3M) exhibited the highest Vickers hardness (128.98 VHN) and depth of cure (2.87 mm), followed by New Stetic (110.93 VHN; 2.64 mm) and Empress Direct (Ivoclar; 64.61 VHN; 2.03 mm), demonstrating statistically significant differences in both tests (p < 0.000). Regarding the elastic modulus, New Stetic exhibited the highest stiffness (3,377.50 MPa), Filtek Z250 (2,401.33 MPa), and Empress Direct (2,277.31 MPa). Although overall differences were found among the groups (p < 0.000), no statistically significant difference was observed between Filtek Z250 and Empress Direct (p = 0.743). Conclusions The three composite resins evaluated in this study exhibited distinct variations in their physical and mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the performance of the New Stetic resin fell within established standards for clinical quality and normality, demonstrating that this biomaterial represents a viable alternative for restorative treatments.