Influence of sonic application on surface roughness of bulk-fill resin composites.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of sonic application on the surface roughness of bulk-fill resin composite restorations.

Methods: 80 intact bovine incisors had their incisal thirds removed, their buccal surfaces flattened, and standard preparations mimicking Class II preparations performed on their buccal surfaces. Specimens were then randomly assigned for restoration with the bulk-fill resin composites Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill, SureFil SDR flow+, and SonicFill 2, with sonic application for 15 seconds and 30 seconds as well as no sonic application. Filtek Supreme Ultra applied without sonic application served as control. Sonic application was accomplished with the KAVO SONICflex handpiece. Surface roughness was measured using a 3D scanner and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: No statistical differences were found between groups treated with and without sonic application. When materials were compared, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill showed the lowest surface roughness in the 15-second sonic application subgroup; and SureFil SDR flow+ showed the highest surface roughness when applied without sonic application and in the 30-second sonic application subgroups.

Clinical Significance: Clinicians should expect a similar performance of bulk-fill resin composites in terms of surface roughness when applied with or without sonic activation. Precaution should be taken during the finishing/ polishing procedures of SureFil SDR flow+ resin composite.