Degree of conversion and depth of polymerization of a bulk fill flowable resin composite incorporated with xylitol
Xylitol; Antimicrobial Agents; Dental Caries; Composite Resin.
Introduction: Due to the need for restorative treatments to have greater longevity, the development of resins with antimicrobial substances is becoming increasingly necessary. Objective: To evaluate the degree of conversion and depth of polymerization of a flowable Bulk Fill composite resin (Opus Bulk Fill flow, FGM, Brazil) modified by the addition of xylitol. Methodology: 20 groups will be composed of samples of a flowable Bulk Fill composite according to the addition of xylitol (0% or control; 2.5%; 5%; 7.5% or 10%) and restoration thickness (1mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm). The prepared discs and unpolymerized resin samples will be subjected to micro-Raman spectroscopy to analyze the degree of conversion. The values relative to the top and base of the polymerized samples will be used to evaluate the depth of polymerization by calculating the ratio. Statistical analyses will be carried out using ANOVA variance and Tukey's test for the means of degree of conversion and depth of polymerization among the groups.