Evaluation of Degree of Conversion and Microhardness of Activa Pronto and Beautifil flow plus - An Invitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: The development of dental restorative materials has focused on improving mechanical and aesthetic qualities, with resin-based composites becoming widely used due to their ability to mimic natural teeth. These composites consist of a resin matrix, inorganic fillers, and a silane coupling agent, and their success depends on a high degree of polymerization. The degree of conversion (DC) affects the material's wear resistance, hardness, and longevity. To evaluate and compare the degree of conversion (DC) and microhardness of Activa Pronto and Beautifil Flow Plus composite resins.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, specimens of Activa Pronto (Pulpdent, USA) and Beautifil Flow Plus (Shofu, Japan) were prepared according to ISO 4049 standards. The degree of conversion was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and microhardness was measured using the Vickers hardness test. A total of 30 discs per material were subjected to both tests, and the results were statistically analysed.
Results: The degree of conversion was significantly higher for Activa Pronto (16.09%) compared to Beautifil Flow Plus (13.81%). Similarly, Activa Pronto demonstrated a significantly greater mean microhardness (34.98 VHN) than Beautifil Flow Plus (23.53 VHN), with p < 0.001 for both comparisons.
Conclusion: Activa Pronto exhibits superior polymerization and microhardness compared to Beautifil Flow Plus, suggesting that it is a more durable material suitable for stress-bearing restorations.