Effect of acid challenge and photoactivation distance on microhardness and roughness of flow bulk-fill composite resins

Abstract Introduction composite resins are indicated to the reconstruction of proximal walls and the evaluation of properties of flow bulk-fill composite resins exposed to acid challenge is necessary. Objective to evaluate the microhardness and roughness at different depths of photoactivation of bulk-fill flow composites (Filtek Bulk Fill Flow; SureFil SDR Flow; Tetric N Ceram Bulk fill) and conventional composite resin (control, Filtek Z350 XT) subjected to acid challenge. Material and method forty composites brick shaped specimens (3x3x4 mm) were made using a polyacetal matrix. To simulate pH challenges, the samples were immersed in a demineralizing solution. Each sample had Knoop microhardness (KHN) and roughness (Ra) evaluated at three depths (superficial, medium, and cervical), considering the lateral surface of the sample. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman's and Dunn's tests with a significance level of 5%. Result comparing the composites among themselves, in superficial (p=0.693), medium (p=0.053) and cervical (p=0.176) regions, there was no difference in the KHN values. There were also no differences in roughness between the composites in superficial (p=0.356), medium (p=0.734) and cervical (p=0.207) regions. Only the Filtek Z350 XT (p=0.027) showed less difference in KHN in the middle region caused by acid challenge. Changes in roughness showed that the greatest difference was at the cervical region for Bulk Fill Flow SDR (p=0.014) and Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (p = 0.003) with an increase after acid challenge. Conclusion after acid challenge, bulk-fill flow composites showed alterations similar to those presented by the conventional nanoparticulate resin composite.