Curing dental resins and composites by photopolymerization.
The development and continued evolution of photopolymerizable dental materials, particularly dental composite restoratives, represent a significant, practical advance for dentistry. The highly successful integration of the light-activated curing process for dental applications is described in this review. The basic mechanisms by which the photoinitiators efficiently convert monomers into polymers are discussed along with the variety of factors that influence the photopolymerization process. The conventional camphorquinone-amine visible light photoinitiator system used in most dental restorative materials is illustrated in addition to some alternative initiator systems that have been studied for dental materials applications.


CONCLUSIONS
Photopolymerization has become an integral component of the practice of dentistry. A better appreciation of the photopolymerization process as well as its potential and limitations may aid the dentist in the delivery of both esthetic and restorative dental care.
Stansbury
J W
JW
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Dentistry, Aurora, Colorado, USA. jeffrey.stansbury@uchsc.edu
D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects
D000588:Amines; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D011108:Polymers; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013729:Terpenes; C048339:camphoroquinone