TESTING OF NEW EXPERIMENTAL GIOMERS: WATER SORPTION, CONVERSION DEGREE, RADIOPACITY, MICROSTRUCTURE AND BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR

Two experimental giomers (G1 and G2) were obtained and then evaluated for water sorption-by weighing the specimens before and after water immersion, for conversion degree (DC)-by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, for radiopacity-by using the intraoral sensor system Ez Sensor 1.5 Vatech E-Woo (Korea), in relation to their microstructural characteristics assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). They were compared to a commercial giomer: Beautifil II. Both experimental and commercial giomers were also tested by subcutaneous and intramuscular implantation tests, to establish and compare their biological behavior. Intensity of the inflammatory reaction, tissue repair status and the presence of the capsule were the main criteria assessed. After 7 days, the mean values of DC were: 65.8% (Beautifil II), 62.2% (G2) and 60.5 (G1). DC increased after the initial polymerization. Giomers showed mean values of water sorption, below 40 mu g/mm3. A certain swelling of the polymer matrix without dislocations of particles could be seen on SEM images. The mean values of radiopacity were between 2.15-2.99 [mmAl]. Giomers were slight to moderate irritants for soft tissues, with no significant difference between the samples. Promising results make G1 and G2 possible alternative to Beautifil II, that can be further improved.