title: Light diffusion through composite restorations added with spherical glass mega fillers.
abstract: Evaluate how the spherical glass mega fillers (SGMFs) can positively interfere with light diffusion when incorporated in a composite restoration.
  
  
  
  30 samples (Ss) were performed, applying 2 composite layers of 3 mm each: 6 were made with composite only; 6 with a layer of SGMFs of O1.5mm within the first layer of composite; 6 with 2 overlapping layers of SGMFs of O1.5mm; 6 with a layer of SGMFs of O2mm; 6 with 2 overlapping layers of SGMFs of O2mm. The curing time was set at 40s for the first layer, and 120s for the second layer, transilluminated through the first layer. Digital pictures were taken, in standardized settings, during the transillumination, and the light intensity was measured with a digital image analysis software.
  
  
  
  From a lateral view the Ss with a single layer of SGMFs of O1.5mm and O2mm, the relative increments of light intensity, were of 24.37% and 33.33% respectively. Concerning the Ss made with 2 layers of SGMFs, the relative increments were of 67.99% and 66.4% respectively. In front view has emerged a relative increase rate of light intensity of 53.66% and 79.58%, in the Ss with a single layer of SGMFs of O1.5mm and of O2mm respectively. Furthermore, in the Ss with two layers of SGMFs of O1.5mm and O2mm the relative increments were of 267.53 and 319.63% respectively.
  
  
  
  The SGMFs are reliable in facilitating light diffusion within the light-curing composite resins.
authors.affiliation: Private practice in Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreasi Bassi
authors.affiliation: Private practice in Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andreasi Bassi
authors.affiliation: Private practice in Matera, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andrisani
authors.affiliation: Private practice in Olevano Romano (RM), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lico
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lauritano
keywords: composite fillers; composite shrinkage; curing light; depth of cure; photo-polymerization; polymerization shrinkage; spherical glass mega fillers