Morphochemical characterization, microhardness, water sorption, and solubility of regular viscosity bulk fill and traditional composite resins

Objective To evaluate the morphology of filler particles, chemical composition, microhardness (MH), water sorption (WSp), and solubility (WSl) of a regular viscosity bulk fill and traditional composite resins. Methods Eighty samples (Ø:5 mm; height: 4 mm) were prepared according to the factors “composite” (Aura/SDI, FiltekZ250 XT/3M, Aura Bulk Fill/SDI, and Filtek Bulk Fill/3M) and “filling technique” (incremental and bulk) (n = 10). Vickers MH was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of each samples, and then WSp and WSl were obtained by means of mass gain and loss. Morphology of filler particles and chemical characteristics of composites were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersity spectroscopy (EDS) in additional samples (n = 1/group). Data were analyzed using two‐ and three‐way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p