Volumetric polymerization shrinkage of resin composites under simulated intraoral temperature and humidity conditions

This study measured the volumetric shrinkage of resin composites polymerized under temperature and humidity conditions simulating the oral cavity and compared them to those occurring under ambient room conditions. Small, semispherical specimens of a microhybrid (Z100), microfill (Filtek A110) and flowable microhybrid (4 Seasons Flow) resin composite were manually formed and light activated for 40 seconds using a halogen light-curing unit (Spectrum Curing Light). The volumetric polymerization shrinkage of 10 specimens of each brand of resin composite was measured using a drop shape analysis unit (Drop Shape Analysis System, model DSA10 Mk2) under each of two temperature/relative humidity conditions: room conditions (22 +/- 2 degrees C and 60 +/- 5%) and those simulating intraoral conditions (35 degrees C and 92 +/- 5%). Mean volumetric shrinkage values were calculated for each resin composite and the data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and t-test (a=0.05) to determine if significant differences existed between the amount of volumetric polymerization shrinkage that occurred under ambient room conditions and that which occurred under simulated intraoral conditions. Mean volumetric shrinkage values measured for the resin composites were: 2.26 +/- 0.04% (ambient) and 2.61 +/- 0.04% (intraoral) for Z100; 1.96 +/- 0.04% (ambient) and 2.28 +/- 0.04% (intraoral) for Filtek A110 and 4.53 +/- 0.06% (ambient) and 5.34 +/- 0.05% (intraoral) for 4 Seasons Flow. For each resin composite, statistical analysis indicated that the amount of volumetric shrinkage measured under simulated intraoral conditions was significantly greater than what was measured under ambient room conditions (p<0.0001).