The demineralization resistance and mechanical assessments of different bioactive restorative materials for primary and permanent teeth: an in vitro study

Objectives

This article examines the efficacy of two bioactive dental composites in preventing demineralization while preserving their mechanical and physical properties.

Materials and methods

The study compares Beautifil Kids and Predicta® Bioactive Bulk-Fill (Predicta) composites with conventional dental composite. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were evaluated using a universal testing machine. A pH-cycling model assessed the composites’ ability to prevent dentin demineralization. Color stability and surface roughness were measured using a spectrophotometer and non-contact profilometer, respectively, before and after pH-cycling, brushing simulation, and thermocycling aging.

Results

Beautifil Kids exhibited the highest flexural strength and elastic modulus among the materials (p < 0.05). Predicta demonstrated the highest increase in dentin surface microhardness following the pH-cycling model (p < 0.05). All groups showed clinically significant color changes after pH-cycling, with no significant differences between them (p > 0.05). Predicta exhibited greater color change after brushing and increased surface roughness after thermocycling aging (p < 0.05). While Beautifil Kids had higher surface roughness after pH-cycling (p < 0.05).

Discussion/Conclusion

Bioactive restorative materials with ion-releasing properties demonstrate excellent resistance to demineralization while maintaining mechanical and physical properties comparable to the control group.