Light exposure required for optimum conversion of light activated resin systems.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the degree of conversion (DC) of composites and the light intensity using LED-curing units and also to determine the amount of exposure required to achieve optimal curing.


METHODS
The light outputs of light-curing units and the depths of cure of composites exposed to these units were determined using the methods outlined in modified ISO standards, ISO/TS10650 and ISO 4049, respectively. The distributions of DC in composites were investigated by IR spectra of microareas obtained at various depths from the irradiated surface of thin specimens cut out from the cured composites. IR spectra were measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer equipped with a microscopic unit. DC was calculated from the changes in the amount of C=C double bonds in the IR spectra.


RESULTS
The light intensity at various depths through the cured composite was calculated from the attenuation coefficient of each material, obtained from the linear relationship between the depth of cure and the logarithm of the amount of exposure, which is defined as the product of the irradiance and irradiation time. There was a third or fourth order regression relationship between DC and the logarithm of total light energy at a particular depth.


CONCLUSIONS
The minimum light energy required to produce a saturated DC was about 1000 s mW/cm2.
Nomoto
Rie
R
Department of Dental Engineering, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. nomoto-r@tsurumi-u.ac.jp
Asada
Masayuki
M
McCabe
John F
JF
Hirano
Susumu
S
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003748:Dental Equipment; D008027:Light; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000528:radiation effects; D044367:Phase Transition; D012044:Regression Analysis; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012666:Semiconductors; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000528:radiation effects; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013997:Time Factors; D015040:Zirconium / Q000528:radiation effects
C112828:Clearfil AP-X; D003188:Composite Resins; C444701:Filtek Z250; D008689:Methacrylates; D019279:Resin Cements; C083568:Z100 composite resin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium