Post-gel shrinkage strain and degree of conversion of preheated resin composite cured using different regimens.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of resin composite preheating temperature, light curing regimen (mode and duration) on post-gel shrinkage strain (PGSS) and degree of conversion (DC) of a restorative resin composite.


METHODS
A hybrid resin composite preheated to three different temperatures (37 degrees C, 54 degrees C and 68 degrees C) was cured using a high intensity light emitting diode (LED) curing unit. The light source was used in 40- and 20-second continuous mode as well as soft start mode. The resin composite was monitored for PGSS during curing and 10 minutes following light irradiation using strain gauges. DC was measured using FTIR spectrometer. The results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Duncan's Multiple Range Test for pairwise comparisons. The significance level was set at p < or = 0.05.


RESULTS
Preheating of the resin composite significantly increased its PGSS and DC. The soft start groups revealed significantly lower PGSS values compared to the 20- and 40-second groups without altering the DC.


CONCLUSIONS
Preheating of resin composite prior to curing increased its DC but also increased its PGSS. The soft-start mode decreased the PGSS of resin composite without altering the DC.
El-Korashy
Dalia I
DI
Department of Dental Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. daliakorashy@hotmail.com
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055117:Curing Lights, Dental; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005782:Gels; D006244:Hardness / Q000528:radiation effects; D006358:Hot Temperature; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D044367:Phase Transition; D012666:Semiconductors; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003188:Composite Resins; D005782:Gels; C121818:Tetric ceram