Effects of polishing systems and storage media on color stability and surface roughness of bulk-fill restorative composites.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of polishing systems and storage media on surface roughness and color change of four bulk-fill restorative composites. METHODS: Four bulk-fill restorative composites and one micro-hybrid resin composite were used in this study. 72 cylindrical specimens were prepared for each resin composite. The specimens were divided into three polishing groups and further solution subgroups (n= 8). Surface roughness (Ra) and color were measured before and after the immersion periods. Statistical analyses were performed using three-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni tests (P< 0.05). RESULTS: Baseline Ra values were lower in the unpolished groups. Immersion in solutions increased the Ra of all resin composites tested. The lowest DeltaE*ab was observed in Filtek One Bulk-Fill groups immersed in artificial saliva. Filtek One Bulk-Fill polished with Twist Dia showed lower DeltaE*ab values than polished with Sof-Lex and the unpolished groups (P< 0.05). A weak positive correlation was observed between the baseline Ra and DeltaE*ab. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Color stability and surface roughness of bulk-fill restorative composites seems to be dependent on the composition of the material and polishing system used. Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer filler containing bulk-fill restorative composite was the most stain-susceptible resin composite.