Ion Release, Microhardness and Enamel Demineralization Resistance of New Bioactive Restorative Materials.

Background: The objective of the study was to assess fluoride and calcium release from new bioactive materials and to correlate the results with surface hardness and enamel demineralization resistance.

Material and methods: Three ion releasing restorative materials were considered: Surefil one (SO), Equia forte fil HT (EF), and Activa bioactive resorative (AB). Baseline microhardness (MH) of the restorative materials was recorded. The amount of released fluoride and calcium ions and microhardness of the materials were estimated at different intervals of 7,14 and 21 days storage in distallid water. Ion release values were recorded using Ionchromatography. Finally, enamel demineralization resistance was evaluated using a microhardness tester. Enamel surface morphology, calcium and phosphorous wt. % were evaluated utilizing the scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM\EDX).

Results: SO released more fluoride and lower calcium ions than the other groups (p< 0.05). EF recorded more fluoride and calcium ion release compared to AB. The highest MH values at all intervals were for SO followed by EF, both materials exhibited significant MH increase upon storage. AB exhibited the lowest MH which decreased upon storage. In the acid resistance test, EF showed effective resistance to demineralization followed by AB.

Conclusions: EF is an effective restorative material when applied in cariogenic media with adequate surface hardness qualities upon storage. Key words:Bioactive material, Ion release, Enamel demineralization resistance, Microhardness.