The effect of a bleaching agent on the pigment removal and the bond strength of bulk-fill resin composites: an in vitro study

Abstract Introduction In order to simplify the technique, reduce the time required for direct adhesive restorations, bulk-fill resin composites have been developed be applied in bulk placement up to 4 mm increments. Objective Evaluating the color change (ΔE) and the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of bulk fill resin composites (BFRC) to dentin after the immersion in regular beverages and the application of bleaching systems. Method Forty-five human molar teeth were randomly distributed in three groups according to the filling material (n=15): Filtek Bulk Fill, Tetric N Ceram Bulk Fill and Filtek Z100. The restored teeth were immersed in coffee, wine and distilled water (n=5) for 72 hours. The color parameters were measured using a spectrophotometer, having as basis the CIE L*a*b*, before and after tooth staining and application of bleaching processes. Subsequently, the teeth were sectioned to obtain the specimens for the microtensile testing. The ΔE values were analyzed applying the Kruskal-Wallis and the Wilcoxon tests, and the μTBS values were analyzed applying the ANOVA and the Bonferroni tests (p<0.05). Result There were no significant differences in the ∆E values when comparing the BFRCs to the conventional resin composite (CRC) in most of the experimental groups. The ∆E values did not present significant differences before and after the application of bleaching processes for all the tested resin composites. The BFRCs presented higher μTBS values than the CRC after exposure to distilled water, wine and bleaching agent. Conclusion The studied BFRCs presented similar color stability to the CRC. The BFRCs presented higher bond strength to the dentin than the CTC in most of the evaluated conditions. The bleaching agent was not effective in whitening the stained restored teeth.