Degree of conversion, depth of cure, and color stability of experimental dental composite formulated with camphorquinone and phenanthrenequinone photoinitiators.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the applicability of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) in experimental dental composites. MATERIALS: Camphorquinone (CQ), PQ, ethyl 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDMAB) and diphenyliodonium salt (DPI) were employed. A mixture of 2,2-bis(4-[2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy]phenyl)-propane/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (60:40%) and silanated glass filler at 60% were used. A two-peak-based light-emitting diode (LED) was used. METHODS: The photoinitiator absorption and the light emission spectra were determined by a Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and a spectroradiometer, respectively. Relative photon absorption (RPabs) was calculated. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis was used to determine the degree of conversion (DC). The optical properties were determined with a spectrophotometer. Depth of cure was assessed from adapted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4049. Results were analyzed with descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and Tukey's test (α = 5%). RESULTS: PQ showed higher RPabs than CQ. Regarding the DC, CQ + EDMAB (control), CQ + EDMAB + DPI, PQ + DPI, and PQ + EDMAB + DPI produced statistically similar results. Groups formulated with CQ presented higher depth of cure. Only the group formulated with CQ + EDMAB presented satisfactory color stability (ΔE < 3.3). CONCLUSION: PQ presented higher RPabs than CQ and it was able to produce DC similar to CQ + EDMAB, when used with DPI. However, groups formulated with PQ produced lower depth of cure, greater yellowing, and less color stability than the traditional combination CQ and amine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although research with novel photoinitiator systems should be encouraged, the traditional camphorquinone and amine pair remains as a reliable combination for the formulation of dental composites.

Color stability, conversion, water sorption and solubility of dental composites formulated with different photoinitiator systems.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to formulate materials with high color stability and reduced degradation by using photoinitiator systems derived from phosphine oxides alternative to the traditional camphorquinone (CQ)/amine system. METHODS: Materials were formulated with the monomers BisGMA and TEGDMA as organic matrix. The photoinitiators tested were CQ+amine (EDMAB), phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (BAPO), BAPO+EDMAB, diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phosphine oxide (TPO) and TPO+EDMAB. A 60% mass of silanated glass filler particles was added. Degree of CC conversion was evaluated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy 10min after photopolymerization. The color properties were evaluated by a digital spectrophotometer, applying the CIELab parameters, either before photoactivation, immediately after photoactivation, 24h after dry storage, and one month after water immersion. Water sorption and solubility were assessed by mass gain or loss after storage in water for 30 days. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: Degree of conversion did not differ statistically among all the tested formulations. Regarding color, only groups with TPO presented satisfactory color stability after one month of water storage (ΔE<3.3). Water sorption and water stability did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Degree of conversion, water sorption and water solubility did not differ among all the tested groups. The TPO-based groups were the only materials with satisfactory color stability after one month of water storage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of a photoinitiator system containing TPO might improve the color stability of resin composites compared with the traditional CQ/amine system while attaining similar physico-chemical properties for the composite.