Effect of Bleaching with 15% Carbamide Peroxide on Flexural Strength of Three Resin-Based Restorative Materials

OBJECTIVES: Considering the increasing use of vital bleaching procedures and the increased application of newly introduced resin-based materials for tooth restoration, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of 15% carbamide peroxide gel on the flexural strength of three resin-based restorative materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different types of restorative materials namely Beautifil II giomer, Cention N, and Z250 micro-hybrid composite resin were evaluated in this in vitro, experimental study. Twenty-four bar-shaped specimens were prepared from each restorative material, totaling 72 specimens, and were randomly assigned to two subgroups with and without bleaching procedure (n=12). In the bleaching subgroups, 15% carbamide peroxide gel was applied on the specimen surface 8 h a day for 14 days. The flexural strength of the specimens was then measured. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the flexural strength of the specimens. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the flexural strength of materials following exposure to the bleaching agent (P<0.05). The flexural strength was significantly higher in the groups that did not undergo bleaching. However, the mean flexural strength of the restorative materials was not significantly different (P=0.12). CONCLUSION: The flexural strength of Beautifil II giomer, Cention N, and Z250 micro-hybrid composite resin could be compromised subsequent to bleaching with 15% carbamide peroxide gel. The three resin-based restorative materials exhibited similar flexural strength values irrespective of the use or no use of 15% carbamide peroxide gel.