Effect of light sources and curing mode techniques on sorption, solubility and biaxial flexural strength of a composite resin

Adequate polymerization plays an important role on the longevity of the composite resin restorations.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light-curing units, curing mode techniques and storage media on sorption, solubility and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of a composite resin.

Material and Methods

Two hundred and forty specimens were made of one composite resin (Esthet-X) in a stainless steel mold (2 mm x 8 mm Ø), and divided into 24 groups (n=10) established according to the 4 study factors: light-curing units: quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) lamp and light-emitting diodes (LED); energy densities: 16 J/cm² and 20 J/cm²; curing modes: conventional (CM) and pulse-delay (PD); and permeants: deionized water and 75% ethanol for 28 days. Sorption and solubility tests were performed according to ISO 4049:2000 specifications. All specimens were then tested for BFS according to ASTM F394-78 specification. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05).

Results

In general, no significant differences were found regarding sorption, solubility or BFS means for the light-curing units and curing modes (p>0.05). Only LED unit using 16 J/cm² and PD using 10 s produced higher sorption and solubility values than QTH. Otherwise, using CM (16 J/cm²), LED produced lower values of BFS than QTH (p<0.05). 75% ethanol permeant produced higher values of sorption and solubility and lower values of BFS than water (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Ethanol storage media produced more damage on composite resin than water. In general the LED and QTH curing units using 16 and 20 J/cm² by CM and PD curing modes produced no influence on the sorption, solubility or BFS of the tested resin.     

Conventional and high intensity halogen light effects on water sorption and microhardness of orthodontic adhesives

OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that when the equivalent total light energy is irradiated to three orthodontic adhesive resins, there is no difference between the microhardness and water sorption values regardless of the curing light sources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were divided into six groups according to the combination of three orthodontic adhesives (Kurasper F, Light-Bond, Transbond XT) and two light intensities (quartz tungsten halogen [QTH] and high intensity quartz tungsten halogen [HQTH]). One half of each of the 40 samples of three adhesive pastes was polymerized for 20 seconds by a QTH light source, and the other half was polymerized for 10 seconds by a HQTH light source. Water sorption was determined and Vickers hardness was established with three measurements per sample at the top, center, and bottom. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with multiple comparisons (Tukey-HSD). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found among all adhesives for water sorption and hardness values cured with QTH and HQTH. The HQTH curing unit resulted in higher values than did the QTH. The highest water sorption values were observed for Kurasper F cured with HQTH and the lowest value was observed for Transbond XT cured with QTH. For microhardness Light-Bond cured with HQTH produced the highest values, and Transbond XT cured with QTH produced the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: When the equivalent total light energy is irradiated to three orthodontic adhesive resins, there are significant differences between the microhardness and water sorption values cured with the QTH and HQTH light source. The null hypothesis is rejected.     

Volumetric dimensional changes of dental light-cured dimethacrylate resins after sorption of water or ethanol.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the influence of water and ethanol sorption on the volumetric dimensional changes of resins prepared by light curing of Bis-GMA, Bis-EMA, UDMA, TEGDMA or D(3)MA. METHODS: The resin specimens (15mm diameterx1mm height) were immersed in water or ethanol 37+/-1 degrees C for 30 days. Volumetric changes of specimens were obtained via accurate mass measurements using Archimedes principle. The specimens were reconditioned by dry storage in an oven at 37+/-1 degrees C until constant mass was obtained and then immersed in water or ethanol for 30 days. The volumetric changes of specimens were determined and compared to those obtained from the first sorption. RESULTS: Resins showed similar volume increase during the first and second sorptions of water or ethanol. The volume increase due to water absorption is in the following order: poly-TEGDMA>poly-Bis-GMA>poly-UDMA>poly-Bis-EMA>poly-D(3)MA. On the contrary, the order in ethanol is poly-Bis-GMA>poly-UDMA>poly-TEGDMA>poly-Bis-EMA approximately poly-D(3)MA. The volume increase was found to depend linearly on the amount of water or ethanol absorbed. SIGNIFICANCE: In the choice of monomers for preparation of composite resin matrix the volume increase in the resin after immersion in water or ethanol must be taken into account. Resins of Bis-EMA and D(3)MA showed the lowest values.     

Degree of conversion of adhesive systems light-cured by LED and halogen light

This study evaluated the effect of blue light emitting diode (LED) and quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) on the degree of conversion (DC) of an etch-and-rinse Single Bond adhesive system (SB) and a mixture composed of primer solution and resin bond from Clearfil SE Bond self-etching adhesive system (CB) using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR). Adhesives were applied to potassium bromide pellet surfaces and FTIR analyses were performed before and after photo-activation for 10 s with either LED (Freelight 1 - 400 mw/cm(2)) or QTH (XL 3000 - 630 mw/cm(2)) light-curing units (n=8). Additional FTIR spectra were obtained from photo-activated samples stored in distilled water for 1 week. The DC was calculated by comparing the spectra obtained from adhesive resins before and after photo-activation. The results were analyzed by two-way split-plot ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Both adhesive systems exhibited low DC (%) immediately after photo-activation (SB/QTH: 18.7 +/- 3.9; SB/LED: 13.5 +/- 3.3; CF/QTH: 13.6 +/- 1.9; CF/LED: 6.1 +/- 1.0). The DC of samples light-cured with LED was lower than DC of those light-cured with QTH, immediately after light curing and after 1 week (SB/QTH: 51.3 +/- 6.6; SB/LED: 50.3 +/- 4.8; CF/QTH: 56.5 +/- 2.9; CF/LED: 49.2 +/- 4.9). The LED curing unit used to photo-activate the adhesive resins promoted lower DC than the QTH curing unit both immediately after light curing and 1 week after storage in water.     

Water sorption, solubility, and tensile bond strength of resilient denture lining materials polymerized by different methods after thermal cycling

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The clinical properties of resilient denture lining materials may be influenced by the methods used to polymerize them. PURPOSE: This study evaluated and compared water sorption, solubility, and tensile bond strength of 2 resilient liner materials polymerized by different methods after being thermal cycled. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two acrylic resin-based resilient liner materials were evaluated: 1 (Light Liner) polymerized by visible light, and 1 (Ever-Soft) processed by 2 different methods: hot water bath and microwave energy. To evaluate water sorption and solubility, 10 disc-shaped specimens (50 x 0.5 mm) were fabricated for each polymerization method, using acetate matrices. The specimens were dried and thermal cycled (2000 cycles) between baths of 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C. After thermal cycling, the specimens were weighed, dried, and weighed again to calculate the water sorption values and solubility. For tensile bond strength assessment, 12 rectangular specimens measuring 83 mm in total length and with a cross-sectional area of 10 x 10 mm were fabricated using each polymerization method. The specimens were also thermal cycled (2000 cycles) and, afterwards, tested in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 6 mm/min with 100 Kg load cell. The type of failure was determined by use of stereoscopic microscopy. The data (for water sorption and solubility, n = 30, and for tensile bond strength, n = 36) were submitted to 1-way analysis of variance. The means were compared using the Bonferroni test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: For water sorption the results showed no significant differences among the polymerization methods. Light Liner showed the lowest solubility values (5.3% +/- 0.3%) when compared to Ever-Soft (hot water bath: 7.3% +/- 1.1% and microwave energy: 7.8 +/- 0.9%). For tensile bond strength, Ever-Soft polymerized by microwave energy (0.7 +/- 0.0 MPa) showed the greatest and most significant ( P <.05) value when compared to Ever-Soft polymerized by hot water bath (0.5 +/- 0.1 MPa) and Light Liner polymerized by visible light (0.5 +/- 0.0 MPa). Most Ever-Soft specimens polymerized by microwave energy and Light Liner specimens showed adhesive/cohesive failures. However, Ever-Soft polymerized by hot water bath showed 50% adhesive/cohesive and 50% adhesive failures. The results at the reline material-resin bond interface showed the absence of cohesive failures. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, Light Liner showed the lowest solubility values. Ever-Soft should be polymerized by microwave energy to obtain the greatest tensile bond strength values. Materials polymerized by microwave energy and visible light showed predominantly adhesive/cohesive failures.     

The effect of different light-curing methods on temperature changes of dual polymerizing agents cemented to human dentin

AIM: This in vitro study aims to measure the temperature changes of resin luting cements cemented to human dentin when using different light curing systems for photo-activation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The three different types of light-curing units (LCUs) used for photoactivation were quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH), light emitting diode (LED), and plasma arc (PAC). Two types of dual cure resin cements were used [Variolink II (VL) and Choice (CH)]. Feltik Z250 composite resin material was used to prepare composite discs. Thirty human dentin specimens were prepared for each resin luting cement (ten for each light source). A total of 60 specimens were fabricated. Resin cement was applied on a dentin bridge and covered with the prepared composite disc where specimens were fabricated. Temperature change was recorded with a digital thermometer. RESULTS: The lowest temperature was recorded when VL and CH were photo-activated with the PAC unit. The PAC unit produced significantly lower recorded temperatures than the LED and QTH units. No significant difference appeared between QTH and LED units in terms of recorded temperature. CONCLUSION: The PAC unit produced significantly lower temperature changes compared to QTH and LED curing units. The risk for temperature rise should be taken into consideration during photo-polymerization of adhesive resins with LED or QTH in deep cavities when dentin thickness is 0.5 mm.     

Effect of light source and solvent on the sorption and solubility of two dual-cured cements photocured through ceramic

The purpose of this study was to verify the polymerization efficiency of two curing units through a ceramic barrier. Forty specimens apiece of two resin luting cements (AllCem and RelyX U100) were made in a stainless steel mold. The experimental group was photocured through a ceramic barrier, while the control group was photocured without a barrier. The specimens were stored in deionized water or 75% ethanol for 28 days and submitted to tests of sorption and solubility (ISO 4049:2000). Values obtained were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison tests (P < 0.05). RelyX U100 suffered more sorption and solubility than AllCem. The light sources did not influence sorption and solubility values, except for the specimens of RelyX U100 that were photocured with an LED unit through ceramic and stored in ethanol; these specimens demonstrated higher values than those photocured using a halogen lamp.     

固化光源对牙本质粘结强度的影响

目的：研究两种固化光源对牙本质粘结的微拉伸强度的影响。方法：选取因正畸需要拔除的前磨牙20颗,随机分成4组。去除殆面釉质,暴露平的牙本质表面,分别使用卤素光固化灯和发光二极管光固化灯固化粘结剂和复合树脂,形成3mm高的树脂冠：A组：卤素光固化灯固化粘结剂20s,卤素光固化灯固化树脂40s;B组：卤素光固化灯固化粘结剂20s,发光二极管光固化灯固化树脂30s;C组：发光二极管光固化灯固化粘结剂20s,发光二极管光固化灯固化树脂30s;D组：发光二极管光固化灯固化粘结剂20S,卤素光固化灯固化树脂40s。所有实验牙置于（37±1）℃的生理盐水中24h后,用硬组织切片机将其切成粘结面积约1．0mm×1．0mm的条形试件,用以测试牙本质微拉伸粘结强度。在扫描电镜下观察样本的断裂界面。结果：固化粘结剂的光源对牙本质微拉伸粘结强度的影响有显著的统计学意义（P〈0．05）。4组中微拉伸粘结强度最大值为（29．55±4．39）MPa,出现在C组。扫描电镜下观察测试样本的断裂多数为粘结界面破坏。结论：固化光源对牙本质粘结的微拉伸强度存在影响,牙本质的粘结强度主要与固化粘结剂的光源有关。本实验显示使用发光二极管光固化灯固化粘结剂20s,发光二极管光固化灯固化树脂30s时牙本质的粘结强度最好。     

Bond strength of resin-based restorations polymerized with different light-curing sources

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of different light-curing units on microtensile bond strength of resin composite restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized Class I preparations (6.0 x 4.5 mm, 2.5 mm deep) were made in extracted human third molars after abrading the cusps. Resin was inserted in bulk using a 3M ESPE restorative system [Adper Single Bond (DBA)/ Filtek Z250 (RC)]. Both materials were polymerized using different light-curing units: QTH at 540 mW/cm(2) (XL 3000, 3M ESPE); LED at 750 mW/cm(2) (Elipar FreeLight2, 3M ESPE); PAC at 2130 mW/cm(2) (Arc Light II, Air Techniques). Nine different light combinations were developed to polymerize both DBA and RC: QTH/QTH; QTH/LED; QTH/PAC; LED/LED; LED/QTH; LED/PAC; PAC/PAC; PAC/QTH; PAC/LED. Restored teeth were stored in distilled water for 24 h at 37 degrees C and then sectioned, yielding stick-shaped specimens with a bonded area of approximately 0.9 mm(2). Specimens were assessed in a testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at a pre-set alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: The combinations PAC/QTH and QTH/QTH presented the highest bond strength values, and LED/QTH the lowest (p < 0.05). Significantly lower values were observed in combinations when the LED light was used to polymerize DBA compared to QTH and PAC lights, irrespective of the light source used to polymerize RC (p < 0.05). Same light combinations presented similar bond strength values. CONCLUSIONS: Different light sources influence restoration bond strength. Bond strength is more dependent on the light source used for DBA than for curing RC.     

The effect of curing units and staining solutions on the color stability of resin composites

This study investigated the effects of two different light curing units and two staining solutions on the color stability of a hybrid composite and a nanohybrid composite after different immersion periods. Thirty disk-shaped specimens (10 mm in diameter, 2-mm thick) were fabricated for each of the resin composites, Clearfil AP-X and Filtek Supreme. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups according to the curing unit used: Group I specimens (n = 15) were cured with a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) light for 40 seconds, and Group II specimens (n = 15) were cured with a light-emitting diode (LED) unit in standard mode for 40 seconds. The specimens were incubated in 100% humidity at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Then, the baseline color values (L*, a*, b*) of each specimen were measured with a spectrophotometer according to the CIELab color scale. After baseline color measurements, five randomly selected specimens from each group (Groups I and II) were immersed in one of two staining solutions (tea or coffee) or distilled water (control). After 1, 7 and 30 days of immersion, the color values of each specimen were remeasured and the color change value (deltaE*ab) calculated. Color changes caused by immersion in tea and coffee for 30 days were only perceptible in the Clearfil AP-X specimens cured with QTH or LED. In the Filtek Supreme specimens, coffee perceptibly stained the teeth after all immersion periods and tea stained after 30 days. Polymerization with QTH or LED did not cause any significant difference in the color stability of Clearfil AP-X or Filtek Supreme. While there were no significant differences between staining solutions in the Clearfil AP-X specimens cured with LED after one and seven days of storage and one day of storage in the QTH cured specimens, significant differences were observed between water and coffee after seven days of storage. In the Filtek Supreme specimens cured with QTH or LED, there were statistically significant differences between the staining solutions after one and seven days of storage. After 30 days of storage, no significant difference was found between tea and coffee in either resin composite cured with QTH or LED. The effect of the staining solutions (tea, coffee) on color changes in composites was immersion time and resin-material dependent.     

Microleakage beneath ceramic and metal brackets photopolymerized with LED or conventional light curing units

OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypotheses that (1) the type of light curing unit used (quartz-tungsten-halogen [QTH] or light-emitting diode [LED]) would not affect the amount of microleakage observed beneath brackets, and (2) the bracket type used (ceramic or metal) would not influence the amount of microleakage observed beneath brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 freshly-extracted human premolars were randomly assigned into 4 bonding groups (n = 10/group): group 1, metal bracket + LED-cured Transbond XT; group 2, ceramic bracket + LED-cured Transbond XT; group 3, metal bracket + QTH-cured Transbond XT; and group 4, ceramic bracket + QTH-cured Transbond XT. The teeth were kept in distilled water for 1 month, and thereafter subjected to 500 thermal cycles. Then, specimens were sealed with nail varnish, stained with 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24 hours, sectioned, and photographed under a stereomicroscope. Microleakage was scored with regard to the adhesive-tooth interface and the bracket-adhesive interface at both incisal and gingival margins. Statistical analysis was accomplished by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Microleakage was observed in all groups. When an LED curing unit was used for adhesive polymerization, ceramic brackets displayed significantly less microleakage than metal brackets in both tooth-adhesive and bracket-adhesive interfaces. When a QTH curing unit was used, ceramic brackets displayed significantly less microleakage than metal brackets in the bracket-adhesive interface in both gingival and incisal margins. CONCLUSIONS: Ceramic brackets cured with LED units were the best combination, demonstrating the lowest microleakage scores.     

Influence of curing rate on softening in ethanol, degree of conversion, and wear of resin composite

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of curing rate on softening in ethanol, degree of conversion, and wear of resin composites. METHOD: With a given energy density and for each of two different light-curing units (QTH or LED), the curing rate was reduced by modulating the curing mode. Thus, the irradiation of resin composite specimens (Filtek Z250, Tetric Ceram, Esthet-X) was performed in a continuous curing mode and in a pulse-delay curing mode. Wallace hardness was used to determine the softening of resin composite after storage in ethanol. Degree of conversion was determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Wear was assessed by a three-body test. Data were submitted to Levene's test, one and three-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Immersion in ethanol, curing mode, and material all had significant effects on Wallace hardness. After ethanol storage, resin composites exposed to the pulse-delay curing mode were softer than resin composites exposed to continuous cure (P< 0.0001). Tetric Ceram was the softest material followed by Esthet-X and Filtek Z250 (P< 0.001). Only the restorative material had a significant effect on degree of conversion (P< 0.001): Esthet-X had the lowest degree of conversion followed by Filtek Z250 and Tetric Ceram. Curing mode (P= 0.007) and material (P< 0.001) had significant effect on wear. Higher wear resulted from the pulse-delay curing mode when compared to continuous curing, and Filtek Z250 showed the lowest wear followed by Esthet-X and Tetric Ceram.     

The effect of light curing source on the residual yellowing of resin composites

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the amount of residual yellow in cured resin composites when polymerizing with either a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) or blue light-emitting diode (LED). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve shades (bleaching to conventional shades) of microfill, hybrid and microhybrid resin composite specimens (n = 10) were polymerized with both light types. All the materials contained only camphorquinone as the photoinitiator. After exposure, the specimens were stored in the dark for 24 hours. Then, the specimen color parameters were recorded (L*, a*, b* and C*(ab)) and color differences (deltaE*(ab)) were determined by examining for changes among the test combinations. Group comparisons were examined using ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test, and pairwise comparisons were made using the Student's t-tests at a pre-set alpha of 0.05. RESULTS: When a significant difference in the shade of yellow was noted, the QTH light produced a greater yellow tinge than most comparisons using the LED. The potential for producing more residual yellowing could not be anticipated with respect to composite filler classification or shade, as this effect may be more dependent on individual product composition. The extent to which residual yellowing differences were noted between light curing units fell within levels considered detectable by the human eye (deltaE > 2.0). CONCLUSION: The selection of light curing unit to polymerize resin-based restorative materials can have a significant influence on the amount of residual yellow present, with the QTH light tending to leave more yellow than an LED unit.     

等离子体对软衬材料Soft Reverse吸水性和溶解性的影响

目的：探讨氩气等离子体表面处理对丙烯酸树脂类软衬材料Soft Reverse吸水率和溶解率的影响。方法：将软衬材料制成直径为30mm，厚为2mm的圆片62块，2块作红外光谱图分析。浸泡时间分别设定为1天、1周、1个月、6个月和12个月，每个浸泡时间均设对照组和实验组。所有标本在浸泡前称重，直至恒定重量，记录为m1。各组浸泡到预期时间后，1min内称重，记录为m2。将标本干燥处理后，反复称重直至恒定重量，记录为m3。吸水百分率（％）=（m2-m3）÷m1×100％；溶解百分率（％）=（m1-m3）÷m1×100％。结果：软衬材料Soft Reverse表面经氩气等离子体处理后C—H结构减少；标本浸泡1个月时，实验组的吸水率低于对照组，其余时间段实验组与对照组间吸水率无统计学差异；标本浸泡1天，1周和1个月，实验组的溶解率低于对照组，6个月和12个月实验组与对照组间溶解率无统计学差异。结论：氩气离子体表面处理只在短期（1个月）内对丙烯酸树脂类软衬材料Soft Reverse的吸水率和溶解率有降低效果。     

固化光源对正畸托槽光敏粘结剂抗剪切强度及粘结剂残留指数影响的研究

目的：研究普通卤素灯（QTH）和发光二级管灯（LED）对正畸托槽复合树脂光敏粘结剂（3M）和树脂加强型玻璃离子光敏粘结剂（GC）抗剪切力的影响,为临床正畸粘结材料和固化光源的选择提供一定依据。方法：选取新鲜拔除的第一双尖牙48颗,随机分为4组,使用不同粘结材料和不同光源配合粘结标准网底方丝弓托槽,采用微机万能材料实验机对托槽的粘结强度进行检测,同时记录粘结剂残留指数（ARI）。结果：3M抗剪切力及ARI值均显著大于GC（P〈0．05）;QTH和LED对3M和GC的抗剪切力及ARI值影响差别无统计学意义。结论：2种正畸光敏粘结剂抗剪切强度均符合临床要求,托槽去除后GC对牙面破坏较小;LED灯照可以节约一半光照时间并能达到普通卤素灯的光照效果,正畸托槽粘结建议使用LED灯作为固化光源。     

Residual methyl methacrylate monomer, water sorption, and water solubility of hypoallergenic denture base materials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Denture base materials have the potential to cause irritation and allergic reaction to the oral mucosa. Water sorption and water solubility of denture base resins affect dimensional behavior and denture stability. A correlation between residual monomer and water sorption exists. PURPOSE: This in vitro study compared the amount of residual monomer, quantity of water sorption, and solubility of 4 denture base materials purported to be hypoallergenic with those of a polymethyl methacrylate-based (PMMA) heat-polymerizing acrylic resin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The denture base resins Sinomer (heat-polymerized, modified methacrylate), Polyan (thermoplastic, modified methacrylate), Promysan (thermoplastic, enterephthalate-based), and Microbase (microwave polymerized, polyurethane-based), which are purported to be hypoallergenic, and Paladon 65 (heat-polymerized, methacrylate, control group) were examined. Specimens of each material were tested for residual methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer (% wt, n=3), amount of water sorption (microg/mm3, n=5) and water solubility (microg/mm3, n=5), according to ISO 1567:2000. The residual MMA monomer concentrations were determined by gas chromatography (GC). The data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni-Dunn multiple comparisons post hoc analysis for each test variable (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Significantly lower residual MMA monomer was shown for Sinomer and Polyan compared to the PMMA control group (0.90 +/- 0.20% wt, P<.05). Sinomer contained 0.31% +/- 0.00% wt MMA monomer, and Polyan exhibited residual MMA monomer content of 0.44% +/- 0.01% wt. Promysan and Microbase did not contain detectable residual MMA. Water sorption of Promysan (16.21 +/- 0.96 microg/mm3) was significantly lower than Paladon 65 (23.04 +/- 3.13 microg/mm3, P<.0001), whereas water solubility of the hypoallergenic denture base materials (0.34-0.84 +/- 0.05-0.09 microg/mm3) was not significantly lower than the PMMA material (0.40 +/- 0.06 microg/mm3, P>.05). Except for Sinomer, the tested denture base resins passed the requirements of ISO 1567 regarding residual MMA monomer (<2.2% wt). Sinomer failed to comply with the requirements for residual MMA monomer because the manufacturer claimed that the material did not contain any MMA. The tested denture base materials fulfilled the requirements regarding water sorption (<32 microg/mm3) and solubility (<1.6 microg/mm3). CONCLUSION: The tested hypoallergenic denture base materials exhibited significantly lower residual monomer content than PMMA. Promysan and Microbase showed no detectable residual MMA.     

Effects of ethanol addition on the water sorption/solubility and percent conversion of comonomers in model dental adhesives

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the kinetics of water uptake and percent conversion in neat versus ethanol-solvated resins that were formulated to be used as dental bonding agents.MethodsFive methacrylate-based resins of known and increasing hydrophilicities (R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5) were used as reference materials. Resins were evaluated as neat bonding agents (100% resin) or they were solvated with absolute ethanol (95% resin/5% ethanol or 85% resin/15% ethanol). Specimens were prepared by dispensing the uncured resin into a circular mold (5.8 mm × 0.8 mm). Photo-activation was performed for 80 s. The water sorption/diffusion/solubility was gravimetrically evaluated, while the degree of conversion (DC) was calculated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.ResultsWater sorption increased with the hydrophilicity of the resin blends. In general, the solvated resins exhibited significantly higher water sorption, solubility and water diffusion coefficients when compared to their corresponding neat versions (p < 0.05). The only exception was resin R1, the least hydrophilic resin, in which neat and solvated versions exhibited similar water sorption (p > 0.05). Addition of ethanol increased the DC of all resins tested, especially of the least hydrophilic, R1 and R2 (p < 0.05). Despite the increased DC of ethanol–solvated methacrylate-based resins, it occurs at the expense of an increase in their water sorption/diffusion and solubility values.SignificanceNegative effects of residual ethanol on water sorption/solubility appeared to be greater as the hydrophilicity of the resin blends increased. That is, the use of less hydrophilic resins in dental adhesives may create more reliable and durable bonds to dentin.     

Influence of water-storage time on the sorption and solubility behavior of current adhesives and primer/adhesive mixtures

This study evaluated the effects of water-storage on the water sorption and solubility behavior of five commercially available dental adhesive systems and two primer/adhesive mixtures. The adhesives comprised three different approaches to bonding to hard tooth tissues: a one-step self-etching adhesive (One-up Bond F), two two-step self-etching primers (Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil Protect Bond) and two etch-and-rinse systems: a water/ethanol-based (Single Bond) and an acetone-based filled adhesive (Prime&Bond NT). The bonding agents and primers of the two-step self-etching systems were mixed in a 1:1 volume ratio. Water sorption and solubility values were determined after 1, 7, 30, 90 and 180 days. The results showed that, except for SB, all adhesives presented increased water sorption with increased storage time. The one-step self-etching adhesive and self-etching primer/adhesive mixtures presented the highest water sorption and solubility values. Equilibrium in the water sorption values was observed for all adhesives after 90 days of water-storage. However, solubility values continued to increase for some materials until 180 days. The sorption and solubility behavior of the materials tested seem to be related to hydrophilicity of the adhesive resin solution and might influence the long-term performance of resin-based composite restorations.     

Water sorption of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements photoactivated with LED

The Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology has been used to photoactivate composite resins and there is a great number of published studies in this area. However, there are no studies regarding resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RMGIC), which also need photoactivation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate water sorption of two RMGIC photoactivated with LED and to compare this property to that obtained with a halogen light curing unit. A resin composite was used as control. Five specimens of 15.0 mm in diameter x 1.0 mm in height were prepared for each combination of material (Fuji II LC Improved, Vitremer, and Filtek Z250) and curing unit (Radii and Optilight Plus) and transferred to desiccators until a constant mass was obtained. Then the specimens were immersed into deionized water for 7 days, weighed and reconditioned to a constant mass in desiccators. Water sorption was calculated based on weight and volume of specimens. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). Specimens photocured with LED presented significantly more water sorption than those photocured with halogen light. The RMGIC absorbed statistically significant more water than the resin composite. The type of light curing unit affected water sorption characteristics of the RMGIC.