Advances in Research

Aim: This study measures the weight gain of three esthetic restorative materials after immersion in water, Coke and Fanta for 120 hours.

Materials and Methods: Three restorative materials (Visible Light Cure Composite; Prime Dental INC USA, GC Fuji IX_GP; GC Corporation Japan, Amalgomer^TM CR; Advanced HealthCare LTD, UK) and three immersion media (Distilled water, Cocacola; Nigeria Bottling Company LTD, Fanta; Nigeria Bottling company LTD) were used. A mold of 10 mm in diameter and 4 mm depth was constructed to form blocks. At different times, the materials were manipulated and placed into the mold using a plastic instrument. Fuji IX and Amalgomer CR were chemical cure materials, therefore they were left to polymerize in the mold. Composite was photopolymerized for 1 minute, and the specimens were removed after 24 hours. Three blocks of each test material were weighed thrice using calibrated electronic microbalance. The materials were immersed in either of the three solutions for 120 hrs; retrieved, dried and weighed thrice using the same digital weighing balance. Data was recorded in study-specific charts.

Results: All the materials gained weight after immersion for 120 hours in the three media. In water and Coke, Fuji IX gained the least weight of 24.7% and 19.5% respectively. Composite gained the least weight of 20.7% in Fanta. Amalgomer gained the largest weight of 27.2%, 26.2% and 29.2% in water, Coke and Fanta respectively. Cumulatively, Amalgomer gained the most weight (34.2%) in the three media and Fuji IX the least (32.5%). Water caused the greatest weight gain of 33.9% in the three materials while Fanta caused the least increase of 33%. 

Conclusion: All the materials gained weight after 120 hours. This revealed a tendency for all of them to absorb fluid from their environment. There is need for caution in their application in less than optimum conditions. Continuous improvement in the properties of these materials is warranted.