A standardized procedure was used for constructing the specimens of all four different blocks/groups.
The blocks were inspected for defects such as air bubbles or external voids by visual examination. The blocks were sectioned with the Isomet low-speed saw (Buehler, 11-1280-160, USA), wafering diamond blade 102 mm diameter × 0.3 mm (Buehler, 11-4254, series 15 LC diamond, USA), and lubricant oil (Buehler, Isocut fluid, 11-1193-032, 11-1193-128, USA). The 40 × 45 × 15 mm block was sectioned using a perpendicular holder into two identical specimens, each with the dimensions of 35 × 30 × 6 mm, as shown inFigure 3 .
The edges of each block were discarded, while the remaining portion of the rectangular specimens was sectioned further with the help of the Isomet cutting machine calipers. The caliper dimension was adjusted to 2.4 mm, taking into consideration the disc thickness (every two sections from the starting point measured 1 mm in thickness). The specimens were sectioned to obtain the final 15 samples of each of the four provisional restorative materials,Figure 4 . The final samples had dimensions of 25 × 2 × 2 mm. A total of 60 specimens were obtained from all four groups of provisional restorative materials.
The 60 specimens were washed under running water and air-dried. The final selection included 10 per group. The specimens chosen were required to have perfect dimensions and did not show any defect under the stereomicroscope.
The blocks were inspected for defects such as air bubbles or external voids by visual examination. The blocks were sectioned with the Isomet low-speed saw (Buehler, 11-1280-160, USA), wafering diamond blade 102 mm diameter × 0.3 mm (Buehler, 11-4254, series 15 LC diamond, USA), and lubricant oil (Buehler, Isocut fluid, 11-1193-032, 11-1193-128, USA). The 40 × 45 × 15 mm block was sectioned using a perpendicular holder into two identical specimens, each with the dimensions of 35 × 30 × 6 mm, as shown in
The edges of each block were discarded, while the remaining portion of the rectangular specimens was sectioned further with the help of the Isomet cutting machine calipers. The caliper dimension was adjusted to 2.4 mm, taking into consideration the disc thickness (every two sections from the starting point measured 1 mm in thickness). The specimens were sectioned to obtain the final 15 samples of each of the four provisional restorative materials,
The 60 specimens were washed under running water and air-dried. The final selection included 10 per group. The specimens chosen were required to have perfect dimensions and did not show any defect under the stereomicroscope.
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