Evaluation of surface roughness of microhybrid and nanofilled composites after pH-cycling and simulated toothbrushing

This study evaluated the surface roughness patterns of two resin-based composite restorative materials, a microhybrid (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) and a nanofilled (Filtek Supreme, 3M ESPE), subjected to a regimen that simulated dynamic pH-cycling and toothbrushing. Twelve standardized cylindrical specimens of each resin-based composite material were prepared, finished, and mechanically polished. The experimental units were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen followed by 50,000 toothbrushing cycles, after which the surface roughness was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM surface roughness was evaluated at three intervals: (1) immediately after specimen preparation (baseline), (2) after pH-cycling, and (3) after simulated toothbrushing. The results were then analyzed using a split-plot design and followed by linear regression and a Tukey's test at a significance level of p