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.

To determine the effect of the spectral output of single and dual-peak light emitting diode (LED) curing lights on the microhardness and color stability of commercial resin composites formulated with camphorquinone and alternative photoinitiators in combination.

Three light-polymerized resin composites (Z100 (3M ESPE), Tetric Ceram (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Aelite LS Posterior (Bisco)) with different photoinitiator systems were used. The resin composites were packed into a Teflon mold (8 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness) on a cover glass. After packing the composites, they were light cured with single-peak and dual-peak LEDs. The Knoop microhardness (KHN) and color difference (ΔE) for 30 days were measured. The data was analyzed statistically using a student's t-test (p < 0.05).

All resin composites showed improved microhardness when a third-generation dual-peak LED light was used. The color stability was also higher for all resin composites with dual-peak LEDs. However, there was a significant difference only for Aelite LS Posterior.

The dual-peak LEDs have a beneficial effect on the microhardness and color stability of resin composites formulated with a combination of camphorquinone and alternative photoinitiators.