Evaluation of flexural strength and color of ceromer vs. zirconium nanohybrid resin subjected to thermocycling

The present study evaluated the influence of thermocycling on the color and flexural strength of two dental resins: Ceramage ceromer and Forma resin. The results showed that the Ceramage ceromer maintained its initial B2 color after thermocycling, while the Forma resin changed color, with 33.3% of the samples going from D2 to C1 and 66.7% to B1. Regarding flexural strength, the Forma resin presented an average of 190.925 MPa and less variability than the Ceramage ceromer, which had an average of 179.655 MPa and a variation coefficient of 22.1%. The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in flexural resistance between the materials. The Shapiro-Wilk test suggested that the Ceramage ceromer data followed a normal distribution, while the Forma resin data were on the edge of this normality. Although both materials showed similar values in flexural resistance, Ceramage ceromer stands out as the preferred option for indirect restorations due to its color stability against thermocycling. The ability of the ceromer to maintain its original color is crucial to ensuring that the restoration preserves a natural and aesthetically satisfying appearance throughout its useful life. It is recommended to include an additional control group in future research to improve precision in the interpretation of the effects of the applied treatment.