title: Surface morphology and mechanical properties of new-generation flowable resin composites for dental restoration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to characterize the surface morphology and the elastic properties of four dental restorative flowable composites currently on the market (Venus Diamond Flow, Vertise Flow, Filtex Supreme XT Flow, Surefil SDR Flow). Additionally, one adhesive system (Adhese One F) and one non-flowable composite (Venus Diamond) have also been characterized as the control materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surface morphology was studied by both scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, and the elastic modulus and the hardness measured by instrumented indentation. Grain analysis was performed on the microscopic images, and statistical analysis was carried out on the results of the nanoindentation measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed that Vertise, Filtek XT and Surefil SDR exhibit stiffness similar to the non-flowable Venus Diamond, whereas Venus Diamond Flow presents itself as the more compliant flowable composite, with Adhese showing intermediate stiffness. Grain analysis of the images confirmed the general rule that the mechanical properties improve with increasing filler loading, with the notable exception of Vertise Flow that shows modulus and hardness as high as 9.1±0.6 and 0.43±0.03GPa, respectively, for an estimated loading of only ∼40% by volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas generally flowable composites are confirmed not to possess sufficiently strong mechanical properties for bulk restorations, exceptions can eventually be found upon appropriate laboratory screening, as presently seems to be the case for Vertise Flow. However, real practice in actual restorations and respective clinical evaluation are required for final assessment of the suggested results.
authors: Italian Institute of Technology, Nanophysics Department, via Morego 30, Genova, Italy. marco.salerno@iit.it
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Salerno
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Derchi
authors: Sanjay
authors: S
authors: Thorat
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Ceseracciu
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Ruffilli
authors: Alberto C
authors: AC
authors: Barone
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D018583:Pliability; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C489662:AdheSE cement; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C474035:Filtek Supreme; D019279:Resin Cements; C553871:Surefil SDR Flow; C542517:Venus flow composite resin; C111840:flowable hybrid composite