title: Effect of energy density on low-shrinkage composite resins: diode-pumped solid state laser versus quartz-tungsten-halogen light-curing unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of energy density on the polymerization of low-shrinkage composite resins.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The number of photons needs to initiate the polymerization process can be controlled by light intensity and curing time through the form of energy density.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the study, two methacrylate-based (Premise [PR] and Venus Diamond [VE]) and one silorane-based (Filtek LS [LS]) composite resins were light cured using a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) light-curing unit (LCU) and a 473 nm diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser. Degree of conversion (DC), microhardness, refractive index, and polymerization shrinkage were evaluated under different energy densities. Through the study, the feasibility of DPSS laser as a light source was tested as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LS showed the highest DC and refractive index both on the top and bottom surfaces, and the least polymerization shrinkage among the tested specimens. For the same or similar energy density, QTH and DPSS showed insignificant DC difference (p>0.05). On the other hand, for microhardness, except for one case at the bottom surface, QTH and DPSS showed significant difference (p<0.001). DPSS generated slightly lower polymerization shrinkage than that by QTH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DC, microhardness, refractive index, and polymerization shrinkage were linearly correlated with energy density. In most cases, there was a strong linear correlation among DC, mirohardness, and refractive index. The DPSS laser of 473 nm could polymerize low-shrinkage composite resins to the level that was achieved by the conventional QTH unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Geun-Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong-Kil
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jung-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García-Godoy
authors.forename: Hyung-Il
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055117:Curing Lights, Dental; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008422:Materials Testing; D058105:Polymerization / Q000528:radiation effects; D012031:Refractometry
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins