Abstract
The dimensional stability and structural integrity of composite luting cement are key factors of clinical performance and intraoral durability. The solubility both in water and saliva of a composite luting cement is influenced by the absorption of liquid by that cement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the solubility and water sorption of three different adhesive cements (Variolink, Nexus, Dualcim) in two different environments: artificial saliva (Artisial/Biocodex, France) and distilled water at different timed intervals. Water sorption is dependent on the chemical composition of the material, the time and the immersion medium.Water sorption was different for the three cements tested, at all three time periods, both in distilled water and in artificial saliva. ANOVA test results show that for all three materials used there are statistically significant differences (p < 0.002) between the mean values for the three tested periods, both in terms of solubility and absorption. Between 7 and 14 days the water sorption continued to increase significantly for all materials tested, showing a stabilizing trend in most cases only between 14 to 21 days.
Keywords: water sorption; absorption; solubility; artificial saliva; composite luting cements; adhesive cements