The porosity and roughness of four direct filling resins

Four direct filling resins were examined in order to compare the roughness and porosity of different materials, mixed by different methods. From each material six specimens were prepared. Each specimen was formed against a Mylar sheet and the Mylar-formed surface was examined. Subsequently it was trimmed and polished and re-examined. Each specimen was examined with a microscope using incident light and employing an automatic point-counting attachment in order to assess the percentage surface (apparent) porosity. Each specimen was also examined with a stylus-type profile meter. Rt (total roughness height) was recorded for all specimens and Ra (roughness average) was recorded for all polished specimens. The findings support the conclusion that a capsulated resin without an inorganic filler yields a better surface than other resins.