Influence of different light sources on the conversion of composite resins.

AIMS: The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the influence of different light curing units on the conversion of four composite resins with different compositions (Durafill VS - Heraeus-Kulzer, Tetric Ceram - Ivoclar/Vivadent, Filtek Supreme XT - 3M ESPE e Aelite LS Packable - Bisco), using differential scanning calorimetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stainless steel matrix was used to prepare 48 cylindrical composite test samples (n=6), measuring 3 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness. The samples were photoactivated using a halogen lamp (Optilux 500 - Demetron/Kerr) and three different generations of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (LEC-470 I - MMOptics, Radii Plus - SDI and Ultra-Lume LED 5 - Ultradent). After removal of the matrix, each sample was weighed and hermetically sealed in an aluminum pan and analyzed. The amount of heat liberated by thermopolymerisation of residual monomers after photoactivation was measured in Joules/gram (J/g). The data were submitted to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test (P ≤ 0.002) and the Tukey test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The Ultra-Lume LED 5 was superior on degree of conversion for all resins. The Radii Plus was equal to the Ultra-Lume LED 5, except for the resin Tetric Ceram , were the Optilux 500 was superior. The LEC-470 I was inferior for the conversion of all resins. CONCLUSION: The study proves the importance of the compatibility of the different photoinitiators in resin composites with the different light sources.

Light transmission through porcelain.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of shade and thickness of porcelain in light transmission. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight disks of Duceram porcelain were made to combine four different thicknesses (1.5; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0 mm) and eight shades (A(1); A(4); B(1); B(4); C(1); C(4); D(2); D(4)). A digital power meter (Newport Optical Power Meter was used to measure light transmission. The porcelain transmission coefficient was calculated using Lambert-Beer law, t(c)=Ce(-alphad), where t(c) is the transmission coefficient, C the contribution factor of the reflection coefficient, e a constant, alpha the absorption coefficient and d is the sample thickness. RESULTS: The transmission coefficients did not vary statistically in relation to the two visible light-curing units studied. From all the samples, the colors A(1) and D(2), thickness 1.5 mm, presented the highest percentages of transmission (8%) and the shades, A(4), B(4) and C(4), thickness 4 mm, the lowest (0.5%). The relationship between the Naperian logarithm of the transmission coefficient and the samples thickness followed the Lambert-Beer law. The linear adjustment of the experimental points of the two variables, showed the absorption coefficient (alpha) and the constant value related to the reflection (C) of each porcelain shade. The reflection coefficient values of all shades did not vary statistically among themselves. SIGNIFICANCE: For most shades there was a significant decrease in light transmission as the sample porcelain thickness increased. For the same thickness most shades presented statistical difference between the transmission coefficients. However, the larger the thickness, the higher the number of shades which, statistically, showed no difference.