Siavash Savadi Oskoee 
1, Mahmoud Bahari 
1,2*, Elmira Jafari  Navimipour 
1, Amir Ahmad Ajami 
1, Negar Ghiasvand 
3, Ayda Savadi Oskoee 
11 Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Dental and Periodontal Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
        
 
        
	
        
        
Abstract
            Background. Bulk-fill composite resins are a new type of  resin-based composite resins, claimed to have the capacity to be placed in  thick layers, up to 4 mm. This study was carried out to evaluate factors  affecting gap formation in Cl II cavities restored using the bulk-fill  technique.  Methods. A total of 60 third  molars were used in this study. Two Cl II cavities were prepared in each  tooth, one on the mesial aspect 1 mm coronal to the CEJ and one on the distal  aspect 1 mm apical to the CEJ. The teeth were divided into 4 groups:  A: The cavities were restored using the  bulk-fill technique with Filtek P90 composite resin and its adhesive system  and light-cured with quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light-curing unit. B: The  cavities were restored similar to that in group A but light-cured with an LED  light-curing unit. C: The cavities were restored using the bulk-fill  technique with X-tra Fil composite resin and Clearfil SE Bond adhesive system  and light-cured with a QTH curing unit. D: The cavities were restored similar  to that in group C but light-cured with an LED light-curing unit. The gaps  were examined under a stereomicroscope at ×60. Data were analyzed with  General Linear Model test. In cases of statistical significance (P<0.05),  post hoc Bonferroni test was used for further analyses.  Results. The light-curing unit  type had no effect on gap formation. However, the results were significant in  relation to the composite resin type and margin location (P<0.001). The  cumulative effects of light-curing unit*gingival margin and light-curing  unit*composite resin type were not significant; however, the cumulative  effect of composite rein type*gingival margin was significant (P=0.04)  Conclusion. X-tra Fil composite exhibited smaller gaps compared with Filtek P90  composite with both light-curing units. Both composite resins exhibited  smaller gaps at enamel margins.