Clinical Observation of Improved Esthetics of a New Bulk-fill Composite

Objectives: Previously, through in vitro testing, it has been observed that Filtek™ One Bulk Fill Restorative (FOBFR) has improved esthetics over other bulk fill (BF) resin-based composites (RBCs) while maintaining an ISO 4049:2009 depth of cure (DOC)≥4.0mm. The current evaluation was undertaken to determine if these improved esthetics are apparent to the clinician in posterior restorations in vivo.
Methods: Clinicians (n=158) who are general practitioners were supplied with five shades of FOBFR and asked to place restorations over a five-week period in 2016. 3709 posterior restorations were made. At the end of the evaluation, clinicians filled out a survey, recording their observations on the material. Regarding posterior esthetics, the survey participants ranked them as: much better, better, the same, worse or much worse than their current bulk fill material.
Results: Within the evaluation, not all clinicians were BF users. Results are therefore broken down in a series of sub-populations to provide for comparisons between FOBFR and other BF RBCs. Results are summarized in the following table.
Because the 95% lower bound is always > 50%, a statistical majority observed that FOBFR’s esthetics are improved over the BF they are using, regardless of the sub-population in the evaluation. As the population of clinicians narrows to those who only use FBFPR, a greater percentage of clinicians recognized FOBFR’s improved esthetics over the BF they were using.
Conclusions: This in vivo evaluation demonstrates that the in vitro measurements of improved esthetics are apparent to a majority of the clinicians who placed FOBFR in posterior restorations.