Bonding of bulk fill versus contemporary resin composites: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: A systematic review was conducted to compare bulk fill resin composites with other contemporary composites when bonded to deep dentin cavities. Methodology: The systematic search was attained in seven electronic databases and the study's selection process was performed to meet the pre-set eligibility criteria. Five studies evaluating the microtensile bond strength (μTBSt) of bulk fill versus contemporary resin composites to cavity dentin were eligible to be included in the review, only four of them were assigned for the quantitative analysis. Data were extracted, tabulated, quality assessed and statistically analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2.2.048 software. Findings: The Meta-analysis forest plot revealed that, the effect size was preferential towards bulk fill composites with a statistical significance P-value < 0.001. Applications/Improvements: Bulk fill resin composites could substantially solve the polymerization shrinkage and the degree of conversion inherent problems common in other contemporary resin composites specially when used in deep posterior cavities without harming its bond strength to dentin substrate. Clinical Significance: Bulk fill resin composites offers an easy, quick, convenient as well as promising clinical performance in restoration of deep posterior dental cavities.