An in vitro assessment of the surface hardness of various esthetic restorative materials

Abstract

This study was done to estimate the surface hardness of a Nanohybrid Ormocer-based composite
with microfilled hybrid and Nanofilled composites. In this in vitro study 30 cylindrical
specimens (4 mm × 4 mm) were made from each material in metal template; Nanohybrid
Ormocer-based composite (Admira Fusion), microfilled hybrid composite (Gradia Direct,),
Nanofilled composite- Filtek supreme XTE. Molds were filled in one increment with respective
composites and cured using Ivoclar blue phase light-curing unit. Specimens were stored in dark
container and kept dry at room temperature for 24 h before testing. Vickers hardness number
(VHN) on the bottom and top areas of each sample was assessed with a microhardness tester. The obtained data was statistically evaluated. There was no significant difference found in
Vickers hardness test. The mean value of VHN on the top and bottom surfaces indicated
significant variance from each other. It was concluded that Nanohybrid Ormocer-based
composite has the maximum VHN as related to other materials representing maximum degree of
conversion and improved clinical presentation.