COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HARDNESS OF DIFFERENT RESTORATIVE MATERIALS (RESTORATIVE GIC, CENTION N, NANOHYBRID COMPOSITE RESIN AND SILVER AMALGAM) AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim: To evaluate the hardness of four restorative materials, nanohybrid composite resin, Cention N, silver amalgam and type II GIC Materials and method: With the help of a 5mm diameter straw, already cut to 3 mm in length, cylindrical plastic moulds were prepared. Restorative materials were inserted in different moulds Composite resin and cention N were polymerized with LED. Moulds filled with materials were covered with a glass slab to provide a flat surface. All the samples were stored in distilled water for 24 hrs. The samples so prepared were divided into groups as follows and subjected to experimentation. The samples were randomly tested with microardness indentor. Result: Among all the restorative materials, Cention N showed highest microhardness value followed by silver amalgam, nanohybrid composite resin and type II glass ionomer cement Conclusion: According to our results, the microhardness of restorative materials could withstand the mas?ticatory forces in the clinical context. Cention N showed better microhardness properties becoming a more clinically sui-table option for minimal invasive treatments.