Abstract
The wear level of restorative materials in class V cavities was evaluated by a new in vitro method using a tooth brushing apparatus. The result corresponded well with clinical findings. The conventional composite resin showed a higher abrasive resistance than the enamel surface, while the glass ionomer cement and light cure composite (BF) showed an abrasive resistance equal to the enamel surface. Though the wear resistance of 4-META/MMA (S) was low, the PMMA-acrylic resin containing dimethacrylate showed an improved wear resistance. The wear resistance of S and PA samples after 30min brushing which equal to two years of intraoral tooth brushing showed comparable wear resistance to C, PC and I samples'. From the SEM photographs, all the composite resin surface showed obviously rough surfaces compared to unfilled resins after 30min of brushing. Unfilled resin may be worth being reconsidered in class V restorations from an esthetic point of view.
