Study of surface alterations of composite and ionomeric materials submitted to simulation of a high cariogenic challenge

We evaluated the surface of composite resins and glass-ionomer cements in a situation of high cariogenic challenge. Based on seventy-five standard test specimens of one glass-ionomer cement (Chelon Fil - ESPE), one resin-modified glass-ionomer (Vitremer - 3M), two polyacid-modified composite (VariGlass and Dyract - Dentsply) and one composite resin (Heliomolar - Vivadent), submitted to fourteen days of demineralization and remineralization cycling to simulate a high cariogenic challenge, the erosive aspects of the surface of the materials were assessed. All of the samples were evaluated by scanning electronic microscope and compared with another five test specimens of each material, prepared in the same way and serving as control. All of the materials studied suffered erosive action by the media, with different characteristics due to the different compositions, after being submitted to in vitro simulation of a high cariogenic challenge.