Does Radiopacity of Restorative Materials Change with Aging?

Abstract

Background: Dental materials should be radiopaque enough to be identified from enamel and dentin and enable the detection of secondary caries, marginal defects. The aim was to evaluate the radiopacity of restorative materials after 6 months of aging in distilled water.

Material and Methods: Twenty-two restorative materials were used and the radiopacity them were first evaluated after setting and after 6-months of storage in distilled water. Human primary and permanent tooth slices were also used in the study. Restorative material specimens were prepared by using Teflon molds. Twelve specimens were prepared for each material group. All specimens were exposed together with an aluminum stepwedge using a phosphor plate. The analysis was made with Digora system.

Results: Filtek-Silorane, Aelite-LSPosterior, Theracal-LC, Biodentine, Ionofil-U, Vitrebond and GCP-Glass-Seal exhibited lower radiopacity values at the initial setting and after 6-months of aging with respect to permanent enamel. When compared with deciduous enamel, Filtek-Z550, Charisma, Riva-Light Cure and Equia-Fil exhibited lower radiopacity values at both readings. Spectrum-TPH, Filtek-Ultimate, Clearfil-Majesty Flow, Sultan-Versa, IRM and Adhesor exhibited statistically significant higher values of radiopacity at the 6-month evaluation.

Conclusion: The radiopacity of restorative materials is dependent on the material type exerting different radiopacity values after 6-months.