Evaluation of the physical properties of different colored composite and compomer materials used in deciduous teeth

Aim: The aim of this study was to test and compare the surface roughness, surface microhardness, compressive strength and the amount of abrasion after tooth brushing simulation of colored composite and compomer materials used in pediatric dentistry under in vitro conditions. Materials and Methods: Blue, pink and yellow colors of MaxFill+Kids (FSM Dental, Ankara, Turkey) composite and Twinky Star (Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany) compomer materials used in pediatric dentistry were used in the study. For the surface roughness and surface microhardness tests, a total of 150 specimens, 25 specimens in each group with a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 2 mm, were prepared in silicone molds. Surface roughness was measured using a profilometer (Perthometer M2, Mahr, Göttingen, Germany) and surface microhardness was measured using an HVS-1000 Digital Micro Vickers (Bursan NDT, Bursa, Turkey) hardness tester. For the compressive strength test, a total of 30 specimens were prepared in silicone molds with a diameter of 4 mm and a height of 6 mm, 5 specimens in each group, and Lloyd Lrx Universal tester (Ametek Ltd, USA) was used to measure the compressive strength. A total of 96 specimens, 16 specimens in each group with a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 2 mm, were prepared to measure the amount of wear after tooth brushing simulation. Each of the prepared specimens was subjected to 10 000 cycles of back-and-forth brushing motion, which is equivalent to 1 year of brushing. The initial and final weights of the samples were measured using a precision balance with a sensitivity of 0.0001 g and the results were recorded. Kruskal Wallis test and One-Way Anova test were used for group comparisons and Paired Sample t test was used for follow-up measurements. Results: When the groups were compared by brand and color, the lowest surface roughness value was observed in the yellow color of MaxFill+Kids composite, while the highest surface roughness value was observed in the yellow color of Twinky Star composite. The highest microhardness value was found in the pink color of Twinky Star composite, while the lowest microhardness value was found in the yellow color of MaxFill+Kids composite. The highest compressive strength value was found in the blue color of the Twinky Star composite, while the lowest compressive strength value was found in the blue color of the MaxFill+Kids composite. When the weight loss averages of different color groups of MaxFill+Kids and Twinky Star materials were compared after the tooth brushing simulation, the yellow color of Twinky Star composite showed the highest weight loss, while the blue color of MaxFill+Kids composite showed the lowest weight loss. Conclusions: As a result of this in vitro study, it was determined that the surface roughness, surface microhardness, compressive strength values and wear amount of composite and compomer materials varied in different colors and brands. Key words: Wear, compressive strength, colored composite resin, colored compomer, surface roughness, surface microhardness