Effect of acetic NaF solutions on fluoride-containing dental restorative materials

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acetic NaF solutions on fluoride-containing restorative materials. As the pH value of solution decreased, the degree of microhardness change in restorative materials increased - regardless of product. Dyract AP (DA) and F2000 (F2) (polyacid-modified resin composites) showed the greatest decrease in microhardness after immersion for three days. Similarly, as the pH value decreased, volumetric weight change (loss) increased in all products. DA and F2 showed the greatest - but similar - weight change in pH 3.5 solution among the products. In terms of color change, most specimens showed a slight color change after immersion for one and three days - regardless of pH value. However, F2 in pH 3.5 solution showed a noticeable color change (ΔE*=2.1). In terms of surface morphology, specimens in distilled water showed only minor surface modification. However, in pH 3.5 solution, DA and F2 showed randomly propagating cracks, while Solitaire 2 and Tetric Ceram (resin composites) lost many fillers less than 2 μm in size.