Introduction: Recent advances in resin based technology, as regard to new monomers, translucency, initiator system and filler technology, overcome the disadvantages of conventional resin based materials and have led to the introduction of bulk-fill RBCs.
Objectives: To determine the VHN and DC% of bulk fill composites by different techniques compared to conventional composite material.
Material and Methods: Bulk fill composite materials Sonicfill, Tetric N Ceram Bulk fill and Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR) were compared to conventional layering Tetric NCeram composite in terms of VHN and DC% using Vickers Hardness Test and FTIR. Total of 40 discs were prepared in teflon mold with dimensions 6 mm in diameter 2mm or 4mm thickness and divided into four groups (10 each). The VHN was measured as the mean value from top as well as from bottom of the specimen was obtained and statistically analyzed. For each specimen of each material FTIR spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance method was performed. Data was statistically analyzed.
Results: SonicFill showed the highest VHN (p < 0.001) while TetricNCeram showed the lowest (p ≤ 0.001). SonicFill and Tetric NCeram Bulk Fill exhibited the greatest DC% (5.03 and 4.47 mm) respectively which was significant different from SDR and TetricNCeram (p ≤ 0.016).
Conclusion: As claimed by the manufactuer, Bulk fill resin composites can be cured to an acceptable depth of cure. Sonicfill and Tetric N Ceram bulk fill showed the greatest VHN and depth of cure when compared to SDR bulk flow and conventional Tetric NCeram composite resin material.