Clinical Assessment of Bioactive Bulk Fill Composite Versus High Viscosity Glass Ionomer Restorations for Restoring Occlusal Carious Lesions of Posterior Teeth in Patients Scheduled for Head and Neck Radiotherapy

Inspite of recent developments in the materials' science, some novel materials require direct association with components of the oral cavity for renewal or recharging of the constituents of the restoration to enhance marginal integrity and thus decrease bacterial microleakage, marginal discoloration and postoperative hypersensitivity . There is a constant increase in aesthetic demand for a material that ensures near to perfect adhesion to the tooth surface in order to minimize microleakage and improve marginal integrity. Microleakage forms the basis for predicting the performance of any restorative material Bioactive restorative materials have been introduced for numerous utilizations in dentistry. Among these are fluorides for remineralization; antibacterial resins and restoratives that release and recharge fluorides, phosphate and hydroxyle ions and thus can enhance marginal integrity . Bioactive restorative materials are reported to release more fluoride than glass ionomers. Additionally, they react to pH changes in the mouth by uptaking calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions to maintain the chemical integrity of the tooth structure.

It is proposed that contemporary bioactive esthetic materials, which associate with oral fluids and show recharge and renewal of restorative material constituents, have the potential to reduce bacterial microleakage and enhance marginal integrity, One possible approach to increase the resistance of restorations to secondary caries formation is to use bioactive materials ( Like predicta bilk fil composite) that contain agents which negatively influence the micro-organisms and/or promote remineralization of tooth structure.

High viscosity glass ionomer (EQUIA Fil) has new technology that contains ultrafine and highly reactive glass diffused within the glass-ionomer fillers to increase and enhance matrix formation. This system allows ion availability and builds a stronger matrix structure with greater physical properties, wear resistance and fluoride release.