The demineralization resistance and mechanical assessments of different bioactive restorative materials for primary and permanent teeth: an in vitro study

Objectives: This article examines the efficacy of two bioactive dental composites in preventing demineralization while preserving their mechanical and physical properties. Materials and methods: The study compares Beautifil Kids and Predicta (R) Bioactive Bulk-Fill (Predicta) composites with conventional dental composite. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were evaluated using a universal testing machine. A pH-cycling model assessed the composites' ability to prevent dentin demineralization. Color stability and surface roughness were measured using a spectrophotometer and non-contact profilometer, respectively, before and after pH-cycling, brushing simulation, and thermocycling aging. Results: Beautifil Kids exhibited the highest flexural strength and elastic modulus among the materials (p < 0.05). Predicta demonstrated the highest increase in dentin surface microhardness following the pH-cycling model (p < 0.05). All groups showed clinically significant color changes after pH-cycling, with no significant differences between them (p > 0.05). Predicta exhibited greater color change after brushing and increased surface roughness after thermocycling aging (p < 0.05). While Beautifil Kids had higher surface roughness after pH-cycling (p < 0.05). Discussion/Conclusion: Bioactive restorative materials with ion-releasing properties demonstrate excellent resistance to demineralization while maintaining mechanical and physical properties comparable to the control group.