Effect of different artificial aging protocolson fluorescence of resin composites

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of different artificial aging on fluorescence of resin composites. Forty-five cylindrical specimens (6mm in diameter and 1mm thick) were made of each resin composite: IPS Empress Direct, Filtek™ Z350 XT, and Durafill. A baseline measurement of fluorescence by the direct method using the fluorescence spectrophotometer RF-5301 PC was performed. After, resin specimens were divided into 3 groups according to artificial aging protocol to be submitted: (1) aging by mechanical brushing: 30,000 cycles were performed, with fluorescence measurements after 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 cycles; (2) chemical aging by ethanol: the samples were immersed in ethanol for 15 days, with measurements after 5, 10 and 15 days of immersion; (3) light aging: resin specimens were subjected to UV radiation for 216h with fluorescence readings after 72, 144, 216h. Data were submitted to one-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Baseline fluorescence of the tested resins was ranked in this ascending order: Durafill