Effect of thickness of indirect restoration and distance from the light-curing unit tip on the hardness of a dual-cured resin cement

This study evaluated the Knoop hardness and polymerization depth of a dual-cured resin cement, light-activated at different distances through different thicknesses of composite resin. One bovine incisor was embedded in resin and its buccal surface was flattened. Dentin was covered with PVC film where a mold (0.8-mm-thick and 5 mm diameter) was filled with cement and covered with another PVC film. Light curing (40 s) was carried out through resin discs (2, 3, 4 or 5 mm) with a halogen light positioned 0, 1, 2 or 3 mm from the resin surface. After storage, specimens were sectioned for hardness measurements (top, center, and bottom). Data were subjected to split-plot ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The increase in resin disc thickness decreased cement hardness. The increase in the distance of the light curing tip decreased hardness at the top region. Specimens showed the lowest hardness values at the bottom, and the highest at the center. Resin cement hardness was influenced by the thickness of the indirect restoration and by the distance between the light-curing unit tip and the resin cement surface.Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics São José dos Campos Dental School São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, SPDepartment of Restorative Dentistry Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SPDepartment of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics São José dos Campos Dental School São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, S

Effect of light curing tip distance and resin shade on microhardness of a hybrid resin composite Efeito da distância da ponta do aparelho de fotoativação e da cor na microdureza superficial de um compósito híbrido

Resin composite shades and resin composite polymerization performed with a distanced light tip are factors that can affect polymerization effectiveness. Thisin vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of curing tip distance and resin shade on the microhardness of a hybrid resin composite (Z250 - 3M ESPE). Forty-five resin composite specimens were randomly prepared and divided into nine experimental groups (n = 5): three curing tip distances (2 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm) and three resin shades (A1, A3.5, and C2). All samples were polymerized with a continuous output at 550 mW/cm². After 24 hours, Knoop microhardness measurements were obtained on the top and bottom surfaces of the sample, with a load of 25 grams for 10 seconds. Five indentations were performed on each surface of each sample. Results showed that bottom surface samples light-cured at 2 mm and 4 mm presented significantly higher hardness values than samples light-cured at 8 mm. The resin shade A1 presented higher hardness values and was statistically different from C2. The resin shade A3.5 did not present statistical differences from A1 and C2. For the top surface, there were no statistical differences among the curing tip distances. For all experimental conditions, the top surface showed higher hardness values than the bottom surface. It was concluded that light curing tip distance and resin shade are important factors to be considered for obtaining adequate polymerization.<br>A cor do compósito e a polimerização realizada com a ponta do aparelho de fotoativação distante da superfície do compósito são fatores que podem afetar a efetividade de polimerização. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar a influência desses fatores na microdureza superficial de um compósito híbrido (Z250 - 3M ESPE). Quarenta e cinco espécimes de compósito foram aleatoriamente preparados de acordo com os nove grupos experimentais (n = 5): três distâncias de fotoativação (2 mm, 4 mm e 8 mm) e três cores de compósito (A1, A3,5 e C2). Todas as amostras foram fotoativadas com aparelho de fotoativação ajustado com intensidade contínua de 550 mW/cm². Após 24 horas, dez medidas de dureza Knoop foram obtidas nas superfícies de topo e fundo de cada amostra, com carga de 25 gramas por um tempo de 10 segundos. Resultados mostraram que, para a superfície de fundo, os grupos com a fotoativação realizada com distância de 2 e 4 mm apresentaram maiores médias do que os grupos com distância de 8 mm, e os grupos de cor A1 apresentaram maiores médias e com diferenças estatísticas que os grupos de cor C2, e o grupo A3,5 não apresentou diferenças estatísticas quando comparado aos outros grupos. Para a superfície de topo, não houve diferenças estatísticas significantes para os fatores estudados. Para todas as condições experimentais, a superfície de fundo apresentou médias de durezas estatisticamente menores do que as da superfície de topo. Pode-se concluir que os fatores cor do compósito e distância de polimerização são importantes fatores a serem considerados para a obtenção de adequada polimerização