Objective: This study aims to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) and hydrolytic degradation through the Vickers hardness test (HV) of a nanoflled (Filtek(TM) Z-250, 3M) and a microhybrid (Filtek(TM)Supreme-XT, 3M) composite resin.
Materials and methods: Eight disk-shaped specimens (4 mm diameter × 2 mm thick, ISO 4049) of each material were prepared for each test. Composites were inserted into single increment in a metallic matrix and light-cured for 40 seconds. VH readings were performed for each specimen at predetermined intervals: immediately after polymerization (control), 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 180 days. After curing, initial hardness measurements were performed and the specimens were immersed in artifcial saliva at 37°C. For DC (%), specimens were ground, pressed with KBr and analyzed by FT-IR spectrophotometer.
Results: Student t-test showed that there was no difference between the resins for DC (p = 0.252). ANOVA analysis revealed that Z-250 VH means were all greater than S-XT, for both top and bottom surfaces, whatever the storage-period in artifcial saliva (p < 0.001). After 180 days of storage, the hardness obtained for S-XT was similar with that at the baseline, for both top and bottom surfaces. While for Z-250 hardness was not signifcantly different from baseline only for top surface, but there was a signifcant decrease observed in hardness for bottom surface.
Conclusion: The materials tested showed no evidence of hydrolytic degradation in a signifcant way, in a 6-month storage-time in artifcial saliva. Nanoflled resin presents a monomer conversion comparable to the conventional microhybrid.