Condensable composite resins: comparison of optical density using digital radiographs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the optical density offour condensable composite resins of 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm ofthickness, using a direct digital radiographic system (DIGORA®)and to compare each other. Twenty acrylic plates were used, each of them, containing a sample of each resin. Each acrylic plate was radiographed three times under standard technique, using an optical plate (small size) beneath each resin sample, totalizing 60 expositions. After each exposition, the optical plates were scanned, their images were identified and . three consecutive readingswere done of each image, making a total of 720 readings. The results, submitted to statistical analysis, allowed to conclude that, when analyzed one by one, all resins presented the lowest optical density mean with 1 mm of thickness, followed by 2 mm and 3 mm, which did not differ from each other and, at last, by 4 mm. When the four resins were compared, in 1 mm and 3 mm of thickness, Sol it a ir e" showed the lowest mean, followed by Alert TM and Prodigy?" condensable, which did not differ from each other and, at last, Surefill'P' showed the highest value, but not differing from Prodigy'?' condensable, Alert" and Solitaire'", Finally, with 4 mm of thickness, Solitaire" kept on showing the lowest mean, followed, in increasing order, by Alert TM, Prodigy'" condensableand SurefillP', these last two onesnot differingfrom each other, concerning the optical density medium value. Key words: optical density, digitalimage, digitalizedradiographies, condensablecompositeresins, dental materials.