Evaluation of the radiopacity of restorative materials with different structures and thicknesses using a digital radiography system

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacities of various types of restorative materials with different thicknesses compared with enamel, dentin, and aluminum.Materials and Methods: Four bulk-fill resins, 2 hybrid ceramics, 2 micro-hybrid resin composites, 6 glass ionomerbased materials, 2 zinc phosphate cements, and an amalgam were used in the study.Twelve disk-shaped specimens were prepared from each of 17 restorative materials with thicknesses of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm (n = 4).All the restorative material specimens with the same thickness, an aluminum (Al) step wedge, and enamel and dentin specimens were positioned on a phosphor storage plate and exposed using a dental X-ray unit.The mean gray values were measured on digital images and converted to equivalent Al thicknesses.Statistical analyses were performed using 2-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test (P<0.05).Results: Radiopacity was significantly affected by both the thickness and the material type (P<0.05).GCP Glass Fill had the lowest radiopacity value for samples of 1 mm thickness, while Vita Enamic had the lowest radiopacity value for 2-mm-thick and 4-mm-thick samples.The materials with the highest radiopacity values after the amalgam were zinc phosphate cements.Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in the radiopacities of restorative materials with different thicknesses.Radiopacity was affected by both the material type and thickness.(