ARISTON pHc RESTORATIVE MATERIAL. CLINICAL AND MORHPOLOGICAL STUDY

Ariston is a new composite material of white colour indicated for posterior restorations and providing active caries protection. The aim of the present study was to assess the surface appearance of Ariston fillings, marginal adaptation to cavity walls, homogeneity of the filling and the quality of the surface of restorations both clinically and by scanning electron microscopy. A total of 106 restorations were placed in permanent teeth and two restorations were placed in primary teeth. Clinical evaluation was performed after 6 to 25 months according to modified USPHS (United States Public Health Service) standards. Twenty extracted teeth were used for cavity preparation and for investigation of Ariston pHc fillings by scanning electron microscopy. A syringe delivery form of the material was used in ten teeth, ten fillings were prepared from a cartridge delivery form of Ariston. Surfaces of ten Ariston fillings were assessed at 12 and 24 months after restoration both clinically and by means of the replica technique. Clinically, no change in surface quality was found but marginal discoloration appeared in ten cases. The loss of anatomical shape was observed in two fillings and thoos of marginal adaptation was detected in two cases without any caries in the defect. No secondary caries was observed. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the surface of Ariston, if carefully polished, was very smooth without marginal gaps. Occasional bubbles were found in the material when the syringe delivery form was used. Adaptation to the cavity wall was found to be very good, however, narrow gaps between the filling and the cavity floor were observed in six cases. The replica technique did not reveal any changes along cavosurface margins of the fillings. In the clinically assessed defects, no caries was confirmed by the replica technique. Our results demonstrated that Ariston pHc is a promising material suitable for posterior restoration.