Cuspal Deflection in Premolar Teeth Restored with Bulk-Fill Resin-Based Composite Materials

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Objectives: To investigate the effect of bulk-fill resin based composite materials on cuspal deflection in large slot mesio-occlusal-distal cavities (MOD) in premolar teeth. Methodology: Thirty-two sound maxillary premolar teeth with large slot MOD cavities were distributed to four groups (n=8). Three groups were restored with bulk-fill resin composite materials (Tetric EvoCeram, x-tra fil, and Sonic Fill, respectively) in a single increment. The conventional composite group, Filtek Z100, was used to restore the cavities in 2mm increments. Cusp deflection was recorded post irradiation using a Nikon measurescope UM-2 (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), by measuring the changes in the bucco-palatal width of the premolar teeth at 5 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours after completion of the restoration. The cuspal deflection was obtained by recording the difference between the baseline measurements and the other measurements for each tooth. Results: Cuspal deflection was significantly higher in Conventional Composite than in Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (p=0.0031), x-tra Fil Bulk (p=0.0029), and SonicFill Bulk (p=0.0002). There was no significant difference in cuspal deflection for Tetric EvoCeram Bulk, X-tra Fil Bulk, and SonicFill Bulk Composites. Conclusions: All the investigated bulk-fill resin composites exhibited cuspal deflection lower than conventional resin composite. One of the aims of research and studies on the resin composite materials is improving their clinical longevity, and simplifying their use. For that purpose bulk-fill materials are considered promising materials and further clinical studies should be conducted