A Comparative In Vitro Physicochemical Analysis of Resin Infiltrants Doped With Bioactive Glasses.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the longevity and effectiveness of bioactive glass (BAG)-based dental resin infiltrants. Materials and methods The three types of BAG - 45S5 bioglass (RIS), boron-substituted (RIB), and fluoride-substituted (RIF) - were incorporated with photoinitiated dimethacrylate monomers to create experimental resin infiltrants. ICON (CN; DMG-America, Ridgefield Park, NJ) and pure resin (PR) were used as control groups in this study. Disc-shaped samples were prepared for the experimental and control groups. The samples were challenged with the pH cycle and immersed in the artificial saliva for 30 days. On Day 0 and Day 30, the pH cycle and artificial saliva immersion, Vicker's microhardness, surface roughness, and surface morphology were investigated. Results The RIF group's disc samples showed the highest Vicker's microhardness values (78.20 ±0.06) on Day 30 of artificial saliva immersion, whereas the CN group's values were the lowest (55.99 ±0.24). Following the pH cycling, the RIF displayed the highest hardness (64.15 ±1.89) whereas the CN group's values were the lowest (33.47 ±1.28). Regarding surface roughness, on Day 30, the RIB resin group exhibited the highest (1.14 ±0.001 µm). In contrast, the CN resin showed the lowest (1.07 ±0.06 µm) values, while immersed in the artificial saliva solution. In the same duration of time, in the pH cycling solution, PR showed the least (0.85 ±0.89 µm), while RIF showed the highest roughness value (0.94 ±0.54 µm). Morphological analysis revealed that following the artificial saliva immersion, the RIB, CN, and PR exhibited smoother surfaces compared to the RIS and RIF groups. However, when immersed in the pH cycling solution, RIB and RIF showed more resistance against acid attack. Conclusions Our results revealed that the experimental resin groups performed much better than the commercial resin infiltrants following artificial saliva and pH cycling challenges.