Abstract :
This study aimed to compare the flexural strength of two bulk-filled and one incrementally filled composite resins over different storage times. Forty-five beam-shaped specimens were fabricated using mini flexural molds and randomly divided into three equal groups (15 each) based on the composite resin type: Group 1 - Filtek One Bulk-Fill (3M), Group 2- Tetric N-Ceram Bulkfill (Ivoclar), and Group 3- Charisma Diamond One (Kulzer). Each group was further divided into three subgroups (5 specimens each) according to storage duration (one day, one month, and three months), maintained at 37 0C in artificial saliva. Flexural strength was assessed using a three-point bending test. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post –hoc tests. Specimens stored for one month exhibited the highest flexural strength (139.3 ± 23.4 MPa), significantly higher than those stored for three months (131.9 ± 11.8 MPa, p < 0.05). Specimens stored for three months showed the lowest flexural strength, with significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to one-month and one-day groups. The one-day group showed intermediate values (134.4 ± 30.3 MPa), with no significant differences between the one-day and one-month groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference in flexural strength was observed between the bulk-fill groups and the incrementally filled composite groups at any storage time (p > 0.05). A one-month storage period led to an increase in flexural strength, whereas a three-month period causes a significant reduction in the flexural strength of the composite resins. Both bulk-fill composite and the incremental layers composite exhibited similar flexural performance over time.