To evaluate the polymerization efficiency of a matrix-modified bulk-fill composite, and compare it to a conventional composite which has a similar filler system. The degree of conversion (DC%) and monomer elution were measured over different storage periods. Additionally, fillers' content was examined.

Cylindrical specimens were prepared, in bulk and incrementally, from Filtek Bulk Fill (B) and Filtek Supreme XTE (S) composites using a Teflon mold, for each test (n = 6). Using attenuated total reflection method of Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, DC% was measured after 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, elution of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate, and bisphenol-A glycidyl dimethacrylate was measured after 24 hours, 7 days and 30 days. Filler content was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using 2-way mixed-model analysis of variance (α = 0.05).

There was no significant difference in DC% over different storage periods between B-bulk and S-incremental. Higher monomer elution was detected significantly from S than B. The elution quantity and rate varied significantly over storage periods and between different monomers. SEM images showed differences in fillers' sizes and agglomeration between both materials.

Matrix-modified bulk-fill composites could be packed and cured in bulk with polymerization efficiency similar to conventional composites.

In this study, we evaluated the influence of different radiant exposures provided by single-peak and polywave light-curing units (LCUs) on the degree of conversion (DC) and the mechanical properties of resin cements.

Six experimental groups were established for each cement (RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE; LuxaCore Dual, Ivoclar Vivadent; Variolink, DMG), according to the different radiant exposures (5, 10, and 20 J/cm²) and two LCUs (single-peak and polywave). The specimens were made (7 mm in length × 2 mm in width × 1 mm in height) using silicone molds. After 24 hours of preparation, DC measurement was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The same specimens were used for the evaluation of mechanical properties (flexural strength, FS; elastic modulus, E) by a three-point bending test. Data were assessed for normality, after which two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's test were performed.

No properties of the Variolink cement were influenced by any of the considered experimental conditions. In the case of the RelyX ARC cement, DC was higher when polywave LCU was used; FS and E were not influenced by the conditions evaluated. The LuxaCore cement showed greater sensitivity to the different protocols.

On the basis of these results, both the spectrum of light emitted and the radiant exposure used could affect the properties of resin cements. However, the influence was material-dependent.

Light-curing of resin-based materials (RBMs) increases the pulp chamber temperature, with detrimental effects on the vital pulp. This in vitro study compared the temperature rise under demineralized human tooth dentin during light-curing and the degrees of conversion (DCs) of three different RBMs using quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) and light-emitting diode (LED) units (LCUs).

Demineralized and non-demineralized dentin disks were prepared from 120 extracted human mandibular molars. The temperature rise under the dentin disks (n = 12) during the light-curing of three RBMs, i.e. an Ormocer-based composite resin (Ceram. X, Dentsply DeTrey), a low-shrinkage silorane-based composite (Filtek P90, 3M ESPE), and a giomer (Beautifil II, Shofu GmbH), was measured with a K-type thermocouple wire. The DCs of the materials were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

The temperature rise under the demineralized dentin disks was higher than that under the non-demineralized dentin disks during the polymerization of all restorative materials (p < 0.05). Filtek P90 induced higher temperature rise during polymerization than Ceram.X and Beautifil II under demineralized dentin (p < 0.05). The temperature rise under demineralized dentin during Filtek P90 polymerization exceeded the threshold value (5.5℃), with no significant differences between the DCs of the test materials (p > 0.05).

Although there were no significant differences in the DCs, the temperature rise under demineralized dentin disks for the silorane-based composite was higher than that for dimethacrylate-based restorative materials, particularly with QTH LCU.

This study evaluated the effect of camphorquinone (CQ)-amine ratio on the C=C double bond conversion of resins with binary and ternary photoinitiation systems.

Two monomer mixtures (37.5 Bis-GMA/37.5 Bis-EMA/25 TEGDMA) with binary systems (CQ/DMAEMA in weight ratio, group A [0.5/1.0] and B [1.0/0.5]) and four mixtures with ternary system (CQ/OPPI/DMAEMA, group C [0.1/1.0/0.1], D [0.1/1.0/0.2], E [0.2/1.0/0.1] and F [0.2/1.0/0.2]) were tested: 1 : 2 or 2 : 1 CQ-amine ratio in binary system, while 1 : 1 ratio was added in ternary system. The monomer mixture was cured for 5, 20, 40, and 300 sec with a Demetron 400 curing unit (Demetron). After each exposure time, degree of conversion (DC) was estimated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer (Nicolet 520, Nicolet Instrument Corp.). The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Scheffe test, with p = 0.05 as the level of significance.

DC (%) was expressed in the order of curing time (5, 20, 40, and 300 sec). Group A (14.63 ± 10.42, 25.23 ± 6.32, 51.62 ± 2.69, 68.52 ± 2.77); Group B (4.04 ± 6.23, 16.56 ± 3.38, 37.95 ± 2.79, 64.48 ± 1.21); Group C (16.87 ± 5.72, 55.47 ± 2.75, 60.83 ± 2.07, 68.32 ± 3.31); Group D (23.77 ± 1.64, 61.05 ± 1.82, 65.13 ± 2.09, 71.87 ± 1.17); Group E (28.66 ± 2.92, 56.68 ± 1.33, 60.66 ± 1.17, 68.78 ± 1.30); Group F (39.74 ± 6.31, 61.07 ± 2.58, 64.22 ± 2.29, 69.94 ± 2.15).

All the monomers with ternary photoinitiation system showed higher DC than the ones with binary system, until 40 sec. Concerning about the effect of CQ-amine ratio on the DC, group A converted into polymer more than group B in binary system. However, there was no significant difference among groups with ternary system, except group C when cured for 5 sec only.

This study investigated the effects of the color components of light-cured composite resin before and after polymerization on degree of conversion (DC) and biaxial flexural strength (FS).

Four enamel shades (A1, A2, A3, A4) and two dentin shades (A2O, A3O) of Premisa (Kerr Co.) and Denfil (Vericom Co.) were evaluated on their CIE L^*, a^*, b^* color components using the spectrophotometer before curing, after curing and at 7 day. The DC of same specimens were measured with Near-infrared spectrometer (Nexus, Thermo Nicolet Co.) at 2 hr after cure and at 7 day. Finally, the FS was obtained after all the other measurements were completed at 7 day. The correlations between each color component and DC and FS were evaluated.

The light-curing of composite resin resulted in color changes of Premisa in red-blue direction and Denfil in green-blue direction. The DC and FS were affected by product, time and shade (3-way ANOVA, p < 0.05) and product and shade (2-way ANOVA, p < 0.05), respectively. Premisa only showed a significant correlation between the DC and CIE a^* component - before and after polymerization (Pearson product moment correlation, p < 0.05). The FS of Premisa showed significant negative correlations with CIE a^* and CIE b^* components.

The DC and FS of the light-curing composite resin were affected by the color components of the material before and after polymerization.

This study investigated the optimal combination of 3-component photoinitiation system, consisting of CQ, p-octyloxy-phenyl-phenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate (OPPI), and 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) to increase the degree of conversion of resin monomers, and analyze the effect of the ratio of the photoinitiator to the co-initiator.

Each photoinitiators (CQ and OPP) and co-initiator (DMAEMA) were mixed in three levels with 0.2 wt.% (low concentration, L), 1.0 wt.% (medium concentration, M), and 2.0 wt.% (high concentration, H). A total of nine groups using the Taguchi method were tested according to the following proportion of components in the photoinitiator system: LLL, LMM, LHH, MLM, MMH, MHL, HLH, HML, HHM. Each monomer was polymerized using a quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit (Demetron 400, USA) for 5, 20, 40, 60, 300 sec and the degree of conversion (DC) was determined at each exposure time using FTIR.

Significant differences were found for DC values in groups. MMH group and HHM group exhibited greater initial DC than the others. No significant difference was found with the ratio of the photoinitiators (CQ, OPPI) to the co-initiator (DMAEMA). The concentrations of CQ didn't affect the DC values, but those of OPPI did strongly.

MMH and HHM groups seem to be best ones to get increased DC. MMH group is indicated for bright, translucent color and HHM group is good for dark, opaque colored-resin.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate bonding efficacy by means of measuring the effect of remained solvent on Degree of conversion(DC) and µTBS and FE-SEM examination.

Two 2-step total etching adhesives and two single-step self etching adhesives were used in this study. First, volume weight loss of 4 dentin adhesives were measured using weighting machine in process of time in normal conditions and calculate degree of evaporation (DE). Reaction/reference intensity ratio were measured using micro-Raman spectroscopy and calculate DC according to DE. Then 2 experimental groups were prepared according to air-drying methods (under, over) and control group was prepared to manufacturer's instruction. Total 12 groups were evaluated by means of micro tensile bond strength and FE-SEM examination.

Degree of evaporation (DE) was increased as time elapsed but different features were observed according to the kind of solvents. Acetone based adhesive showed higher DE than ethanol and butanol based adhesive. Degree of conversion (DC) was increased according to DE except for S³ bond. In µTBS evaluation, bond strength was increased by additional air-drying. Large gaps and droplets were observed in acetone based adhesives by FE-SEM pictures.

Additional air-drying is recommended for single-step self etching adhesive but careful consideration is required for 2-step total etching adhesive because of oxygen inhibition layer. Evaporation method is carefully chose and applied according to the solvent type.

The purpose of this study was to observe the reaction kinetics and the degree of polymerization of composite resins when cured by different light sources and to evaluate the effectiveness of the blue Light Emitting Diode Light Curing Units (LED LCUs) compared with conventional halogen LCUs.

First, thermal analysis was performed by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The LED LCU (Elipar Freelight, 320 mW/cm²) and the conventional halogen LCU (XL3000, 400 mW/cm²) were used in this study for curing three composite resins (SureFil, Z-250 and AEliteFLO). Second, the degree of conversion was obtained in the composite resins cured according to the above curing mode with a FTIR. Third, the measurements of depth of cure were carried out in accordance with ISO 4049 standards. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA test at 95% levels of confidence and Duncan's procedure for multiple comparisons.

The heat of cure was not statistically different among the LCUs (p > 0.05). The composites cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs were statistically more slowly polymerized than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p < 0.05). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs had significantly greater degree of conversion value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p = 0.0002). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Std) LCUs showed significantly greater depth of cure value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Exp) LCU (p < 0.05).