RESUMO
AIM: It is very important to perform studies to evaluate micro-hardness and curation level at different depths to refine the clinical indications and orientations that the odontologist gives to the patients, helping to achieve more durable treatments when using resin-modified glass ionomers. This in vitro study evaluated knoop micro-hardness in 2 different brands of resin-modified glass ionomers: Ketac ™ N100 (M1) and Fuji II LC (M2). METHODS: Tests were performed at three depths: surface (P1), 2 mm (P2) and 3 mm (P3). A total of 40 samples where made (20 of each type of resin), half of these measuring 5 x 2 mm and the other half with 5 x3 mm. To evaluate micro-hardness at different depths, 24 hours after the manufacture of samples, tests where made on both top and bottom surfaces. These tests were performed using an HMV-200 Micro Hardness Tester (Shimadzu brand). For statistical analysis data were collected and used first for ANOVA variance analysis (P≤0.01) followed then by Turkey's test. RESULTS: It also shows that the effect is not significant for the interaction between material and depth. Micro-hardness on P1 (34.7) is statistically greater than with P2 (29.2) and P3 (29.0) and these last two are statistically equal between them. M1 (27.8) presented less micro-hardness than M2 (34.2). CONCLUSION: Surface micro-hardness is greater than micro-hardness at other depths and M2 presented better results than M1.