Comparison of the effect of storage media on hardness and shear punch strength of tooth-colored restorative materials

Abstract

Purpose: To measure the surface hardness and shear punch strength of six tooth-colored restorative materials before and after immersion in acidic and alkaline solutions. Methods: Specimens were prepared from three resin composites; Ceram X, Filtek Supreme, Point 4, two polyacid-modified resin composites; Dyract, F2000, and one resin-modified glass-ionomer cement; Fuji II LC, immersed in distilled water for 24 hours at 60°C, polished with silicon carbide papers up to 2000-grit and subjected to baseline measurement for Vickers hardness or shear punch strength. Further specimens were transferred to one of four aqueous media at 60°C for a further 2 weeks; distilled water, 0.01 mol/L lactic acid,..