Novel Bulk-fill Flowable with Excellent Mechanical and Wear Properties

           

Objective: To compare the curing stress, compressive strength (CS), diametral tensile strength (DTS), and wear properties of a 3M experimental Bulk-fill low-stress flowable with some other commercially available Bulk-fill flowable materials.  

Methods: Materials used were an experimental Bulk-fill flowable material from 3M ESPE, Filtek™ Supreme Ultra Flowable (3M ESPE), Grandio^® SO Heavy Flow (Voco), SureFil

The properties measured are summarized in the following table, with p values vs. the experimental flowable included.

Materials	Compressive Strength  (MPa)		Diametral tensile Strength (MPa)		Wear (µm)
Experimental 3M flowable	349.9(8.8)		70.3(10.3)		14.7(0.55)
SureFil SDR flow	222.9(5.3)	P = 0.00	48.7(5.7)	p = 0.01	24.6(0.66)	p = 0.00
Venus Bulk Fill	317.7(16.1)	p = 0.00	59.3(7.5)	p = 0.09	21.7(1.00)	p = 0.00

Conclusion:   The new 3M experimental bulk-fill flowable material had similar stress level during cure when compared with current low stress flowables on the market.  It showed statistically higher compressive strength and better wear properties compared with SureFil SDR flow and Venus Bulk Fill.  Its diametral tensile strength was also statistically higher than SDR flow.