Effect of fluoride gels on micromorphology of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and polyacid-modified resin composites

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface micromorphology of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and polyacid-modified resin composites subjected to a neutral sodium fluoride (NNaF) and an acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel application. Method and materials: Thirty standardized cylindric specimens were randomly obtained from each of two resin-modified glass-ionomer cements-Fuji II LC Improved and Photac-Fil Aplicap-and two polyacid-modified resin composites-Dyract and F2000-amounting to 120 samples. After 1 week, the specimens were finished and polished with aluminum oxide disks. Surface treatments with fluoride gels, or distilled water as a control, were performed four times, interspersed with eight pH cycles, simulating high cariogenic challenges. Five calibrated evaluators assessed the surface micromorphology through photomicrographs. Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups for Fuji II LC Improved and Dyract. Photac-Fil Aplicap showed less micromorphologic change as a result of distilled water application, unlike the NNaF and APF treatments, which revealed no significant difference from each other. For F2000, there was no significant difference between the surfaces treated by NNaF and distilled water; the highest degradation occurred with the APF. Conclusion: Both the resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and the polyacid-modified resin composites showed erratic behaviors concerning their micromorphology when subjected to fluoride gel application.