Comparative study between the radiopacity levels of high viscosity and of flowable composite resins, using digital imaging.

INTRODUCTION: The development of countless types and trends of high viscosite and flowable composite resins, with different physical and chemical properties applicable to their broad use in dental clinics calls for further studies regarding their radiopacity level.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity levels of high viscosity and the flowable composite resins, using digital imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 96 composite resin discs 5 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick were radiographed and analyzed. The image acquisition system used was the Digora® Phosphor Storage System and the images were analyzed with the Digora software for Windows. The exposure conditions were: 70 kVp, 8 mA, and 0.2 s. The focal distance was 40 cm. The image densities were obtained with the pixel values of the materials in the digital image.

RESULTS: Most of the high viscosity composite resins presented higher radiopacity levels than the flowable composite resins, with statistically significant differences between the trends and groups analyzed (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Among the high viscosity composite resins, Tetric®Ceram presented the highest radiopacity levels and Glacier® presented the lowest. Among the flowable composite resins, Tetric®Flow presented the highest radiopacity levels and Wave® presented the lowest.