Restorative dentistry is based on restorative materials, mainly resin-based polymers built of a matrix, composed of a blend of organic monomers, and an inorganic fillers, which sizes and percentage shares decide upon the material’s classification and clinical usage. Diversity and universality of the resin-based materials undoubtedly decide on their usage in both the anterior and posterior areas (1). Vast indications for their use in restorative treatment also result from a technological development, which is striving to eliminate their drawbacks, such as polymerization shrinkage, bacterial microgap, porosity, cytotoxicity and allergic action (1, 2). Microhybrid polymer resins, which are built of inorganic filler sized 0.4-1 μm (3), are universal restoratives for all lesion types (4). Nanocomposites, which were introduced to a clinical usage in the early XXI^st century, contain pre-polymerized nanosized filler particles and their aggregates sized 25-75 nm, whose small dimensions enable an increase of their load in the material up to 79.5% (5). A decrease of the matrix containing hydrophilic monomers and an increase in the inorganic filler content, are the factors influencing the decrease of the water sorption by the material and, in effect, an increase of its physical endurance (6, 7). Nanocomposites are hence less prone to occlusal wear (3, 8), which makes them specifically dedicated for reconstruction of stress-bearing lesions. Apart from good mechanical features, they are also very esthetic (9). The cross-infection control materials based on a polymer resin are a new group of the restorative materials, whose aim is to provide sterile conditions during treatment and follow both the dentist and the patients requirements. A packaging, which concept is similar to the blisters in which pills are separately kept, decides on their protective action. Different blisters’ sizes make it possibile for the clinician to use an adequate portion of the material during single reconstruction. During treatment the material must be used shortly, as the opened packaging does not provide a good isolation from the outer environment. A representative of a cross-infection control material is Next (Dental Life Sciences (mfg Ltd., Wigan, UK)), dedicated for reconstruction of all class, both carious and non-carious lesions. Portions of the material set by the manufacturer (0.07 and 0.2 g) are packed in disposable, sterile blisters. The chemical composition of the material is depicted in figure 1.

The aim of the study was to compare clinical features, such as application in the cavity, modelling, polishing and esthetics, of the restorative material Next to other polymer restorative materials.

A survey was conducted among 56 students (tab. 1) at the Dentistry Department of the Medical University in Warsaw. Each student was given a 0.07 g blister of the restorative material Next (mfg Ltd., Wigan, United Kingdom; shade A2) for reconstruction of a randomly chosen cavity. After reconstruction, the students were asked to individually and anonymously fill in the survey comprising of 25 questions about the material. The survey’s questions were constructed so as to enable the students the comparison of Next with a restorative material they would normally use during clinical classes. An open question about the material was also included in the survey. Filling out the survey took approximately 15 min. The data from all collected surveys were analyzed using chi-square test with SPP 10.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA), at a significance level of p < 0.05.