Polymerization quality testing of composite resins cured by led light source

Abstract

The quality of interface between composite resin materials and hard dental tissues is highly dependent on the polymerization light source. Newly developed blue light- emitting diode units for light polymerization of dental restorative materials are the most innovative light source technology in dentistry nowadays. The aim of this work was to estimate the depth of cure of five different light-activating composite resins exposed to different irradiation times (5s, 10s, 20s and 40s) when the experimental LED light source was used. The tested materials were: Tetric Ceram (Vivadent), Point 4 (Kerr), Admira (VOCO), Filtek Z250 (3M) and Diamond Lite (DRM Lab., Inc). The depth of cure testing was determined using a penetrometer. Results after 40s curing time were as following: the deepest depth of cure was achieved after application of Filtek Z 250, Diamond Lite Point 4 and Tetric Ceram. For the restorative material Admira was found the lowest depth of cure for the light exposure of 40s. An experimental LED light source achieved a sufficient depth of cure (over 2 mm) for all tested materials after curing time of 10s. The polymerization light source spectral distribution should be considered in addition to irradiance as a depth of cure indicator.