Comparison of surface hardness of alternative posterior restorative materials

The aim of this study is to examine the surface microhardness (Vickers) of Fuji II LC capsule (Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement), Equia Forte HT (High Viscosity Glass Ionomer Cement) and Cention N (Alkasite) materials used as restoration materials for posterior teeth. 40 samples (5 mm diameter, 2 mm height) were prepared as 4 groups (n=10) (Fuji II LC capsule, Equia Forte HT, Cention N light-curing and Cention N self-curing groups). Vickers microhardness measurements were made before and after 10,000 cycles of thermal aging of the samples and SEM images were obtained. Dependent Sample T (Paired T) test was used in the analysis of dependent paired groups of variables with normal distribution. ANOVA was used to examine the variables with more than two independent groups and normally distributed, Kruskal Wallis test was applied in cases where the assumption of normal distribution was not met, and Post Hoc Bonferroni analysis was performed. It was considered statistically significant when p<0.05. In microhardness values before thermal aging, Fuji II LC capsule and Equia Forte HT groups were found to be higher than Cention N light-curing and Cention N self-curing groups (p<0.05). Equia Forte HT exhibited the highest microhardness value after thermal aging. After thermal aging, a decrease was observed in the microhardness values of all groups, while the highest decrease was observed in the Fuji II LC capsule group.KEYWORDS: Resin Modified Glass Ionomer, High Viscosity Glass Ionomer, Alkasite, Surface Microhardness.