Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate marginal adaptation, compressive strength, water sorption, solubility, fluoride and calcium release of a claimed bioactive restorative material (ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative) compared to glass ionomer (Fuji IX) and resin composite (SphereTEC).
Materials and methods: ACTIVA was evaluated relative to Fuji IX and SphereTEC one. Marginal gap width was detected via scanning electron microscope before and after thermo-cycling. Compressive strength was tested using universal testing machine. For measuring water sorption and solubility, specimens were immersed in distilled water, subjected to drying cycles and weighed. Fluoride ion release was measured using ion-selective electrode while released calcium ions were detected using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after 1, 14 and 28 days. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA, paired t-test and independent sample t-test. Results: Marginal gap was reduced in both ACTIVA and Fuji IX after thermocycling while it increased in SphereTEC one. After thermo-cycling, the marginal gap was larger in dentin compared to enamel. SphereTEC one showed the highest compressive strength mean value. Fuji IX represented the highest water sorption values, followed by ACTIVA which also exhibited the highest solubility. Fuji IX showed higher fluoride release than ACTIVA whose calcium release did not reach 1ppm.
Conclusion: ACTIVA restoration can provide a potential marginal seal. Compressive strength was limited compared to resin composite. ACTIVA's water sorption and solubility are within the acceptable range. However, its fluoride and calcium release was limited.