Curing profile and marginal gap formation using a liner containing long-wavelength-absorbing photoinitiator: an in vitro study.

The aim was to evaluate the marginal-gap formation and curing profile of a new restorative technique using a liner with long-wavelength-absorbing photoinitiator (LWAP). Box-shaped preparations (6 mm × 4 mm × 4 mm) were made in third molars. All samples were treated with Clearfill SE Bond and divided into 4 groups (n = 5), according to restorative technique used: (1) incremental technique (INC-Technique); (2) camphorquinone-based liner (CQ-Liner) + bulk-fill resin composite; (3) LWAP-based liner (LWAP-Liner) + bulk-fill resin composite; and (4) bulk-fill technique without liner (BF-Technique). The marginal gaps (%) for all the samples were measured using micro-computed tomography. The restorations were cross-sectioned, and the degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop microhardness were evaluated at different depths (0.3, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm). INC-Technique, CQ-Liner, and LWAP-Liner groups showed significantly fewer marginal gaps than those from the BF-Technique group. The BF-Technique specimens had the lowest DC and microhardness in depth. All the other techniques presented similar degree of conversion and microhardness at all the depths. The use of liners, regardless of the photoinitiator system, decreased the marginal-gap formation and improved the curing profile of bulk-filling restoration technique.

Effect of Thickness of Ceramic Veneers on Color Stability and Bond Strength of Resin Luting Cements Containing Alternative Photoinitiators.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the light transmittance of ceramic veneers of different thicknesses and verify their influence on the degree of conversion, color stability, and dentin bond strength of light-curing resin cements containing different photoinitiator systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental resin cements were fabricated containing camphorquinone and amine (CQ-amine), TPO, Ivocerin (IVO), or TPO and Ivocerin (TPO-IVO). All photoinitiators were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Disk-shaped lithium disilicate ceramic specimens that were 0.4, 0.7, and 1.5 mm in thickness were prepared using IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar Vivadent, shade LT/A2). Light transmittance through each specimen was measured using spectrophotometry. Specimens of each cement (n = 10) were made in a custom-designed mold and were light cured through each glass-ceramic disk using a multiwave LED (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent). CS was evaluated using spectrophotometry before and after artificial aging with UV light. DC was evaluated using FTIR-spectroscopy. Dentin µSBS was evaluated using 0.75-mm-thick specimens that were light cured under the same protocol (n = 10). All data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05; ß = 0.2). RESULTS: CQ-amine cements showed the highest color changes (p < 0.05) due to increased yellowing when compared to the amine-free cements (p < 0.05). However, all cements showed a significant color change after aging when cured through ceramics up to 1.5 mm thick (p < 0.05). The TPO-IVO cement showed the highest DC and the IVO cement showed a similar DC when compared to the CQ-amine cement. The TPO cement presented the lowest DC (p = 0.0377). No differences in mean dentin µSBS were found among the cements, except for the TPO cement, which presented a lower mean dentin µSBS (p = 0.0277). CONCLUSION: Amine-free cements containing Ivocerin and TPO seem to be a better alternative to CQ-amine cements, while not reducing either DC or dentin µSBS of amine-free cements. However, CQ-amine and amine-free cements still seem to change color over time.

Simplified ethanol wet-bonding technique: an alternative strategy for resin-dentin bonding in root canals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the simplified ethanol wet-bonding technique on luting of posts to intraradicular dentin. The effect was assessed by push-out bond strength testing and confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis. Thirty endodontically treated roots were distributed into 3 groups (n = 10): water wet-bonding; stepwise ethanol wet-bonding; and simplified ethanol wet-bonding. After cementation of the posts, the roots were sectioned. Specimens were stored for 24 hours or 1 year before they were stressed to failure. Specimens from each group were processed for microscopic analysis. Data were analyzed using a 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (α = 0.05). Statistically significant differences in push-out bond strength values were observed between the technique groups (P < 0.001) and between the storage periods (P = 0.009). The bond strength results in the group bonded using the simplified ethanol wet-dehydration approach did not differ from those in the group bonded using the stepwise ethanol technique at either storage time interval (P > 0.05). From 24 hours to 1 year, there was a similar decrease in bond strength for specimens prepared with the simplified and stepwise techniques. The microscopic results confirmed that ethanol wet-bonding technique improved the quality of the interface. The simplified ethanol wet-dehydration protocol achieved bond strengths and stability over time that were similar to those obtained with the stepwise ethanol technique and may be considered an alternative strategy to accomplish resin cement-root dentin bonding.

Effect of Nanofiller Loading on Cure Efficiency and Potential Color Change of Model Composites.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of nanofiller loading on cure efficiency and potential color change of experimental composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different polymeric materials were produced using the same organic matrix blend. To this matrix, different amounts of 0.05 µm fumed silica filler were added: no filler, 13, 52, and 65wt%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) for each composite using near-IR analysis, and spectrophotometry according to CIELab chromatic space was used to evaluate the color change.To induce color change, composites were artificially aged with exposure to cycles of UV-B light for 300 hours. Trasmission electron microscopy was used to illustrate nanoffiler aglomeration in the resin matrix. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was an excellent inverse linear correlation between filler wt% and either DC or color change. Greater changes to red (+Δa) and yellow (+Δb) were observed as the filler wt% increased. CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of nano-sized filler particles in dental resin composites directly affects their cure efficiency and potential for color change. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The increase in filler particle loading negatively affected monomer conversion and color stability of resin-based composites. As reduced filler loading results in poorer mechanical properties, to enhance color stability, resin-based composites should be formulated by making the refractive index of the polymeric matrix more closely match that of the filler throughout the polymerization process. (J Esthet Restor Dent, 2016).

Effect of Different In Vitro Aging Methods on Color Stability of a Dental Resin-Based Composite Using CIELAB and CIEDE2000 Color-Difference Formulas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different in vitro aging methods on color change (CC) of an experimental dental resin-based composite using CIELAB (ΔEab ) and CIEDE2000 (ΔE00 ) color-difference formulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CC was evaluated with a spectrophotometer (CM700d, Konica Minolta, Tokyo, Japan) according to the CIE chromatic space. Disk-shaped specimens (Φ = 5 × 1 mm thick) (N = 10) were submitted to different in vitro aging methods: 30 days of water aging (WA); 120 hours of ultraviolet light aging (UVA); or 300 hours of an accelerated artificial aging (AAA) method with cycles of 4 hours of UV-B light exposure and 4 hours of moisture condensation to induce CC. The temperature was standardized at 37°C for all aging methods. CC was evaluated with ΔEab and ΔE00 formulas. Differences in individual Lab coordinates were also calculated. Data for the individual color parameters were submitted to one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). RESULTS: All in vitro aging methods tested induced CC, in the following order: WA: ΔEab = 0.83 (0.1); ΔE00 = 1.15 (0.1) < AAA: ΔEab = 5.64 (0.2); ΔE00 = 5.01 (0.1) < UVA: ΔEab = 6.74 (0.2); ΔE00 = 6.03 (0.4). No changes in L* or a* coordinates were ≥1; the methods with UV aging showed a yellowing effect due a large positive change in b*. CONCLUSIONS: All in vitro aging methods tested induced a CC, but to different extents. Changes in color followed similar trends, but with different absolute values when calculated with the CIELAB and the CIEDE2000 formulas. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing the efficacy of different artificial aging methods and differences between color change using CIELAB and CIEDE2000 formulas are important to standardize color stability evaluations and facilitate the comparison of outcomes from different studies in the literature.

Nanoleakage of fiber posts luted with different adhesive strategies and the effect of chlorhexidine on the interface of dentin and self-adhesive cements.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the nanoleakage of fiber posts luted using different adhesive strategies and to investigate the effect of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on nanoleakage at the resin-dentin interfaces of self-adhesive cements. The self-adhesive and etch-and-rinse adhesive groups tested demonstrated similar results with regard to nanoleakage. Pretreatment with CHX promoted an adequate seal at the resin-dentin interface for self-adhesive cements.

Color stability and polymerization behavior of direct esthetic restorations.

OBJECTIVES: The current study evaluated the effect of accelerated artificial aging (AAA) on the color stability (CS) and degree of conversion (DC) of nanofilled and nanohybrid resin composites associated to different adhesive systems in direct esthetic restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty bovine incisors were used to obtained dentin blocks (4 × 4 × 1 mm). The restorative systems were bonded to the blocks and photoactivated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Three adhesive systems were used: Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (conventional of three steps), Tetric N-Bond (conventional of two steps) and ClearFill SE Bond (self-etching). Also, two composites were used: Filtek Z350 XT (nanofilled) and IPS Empress Direct (nanohybrid). The restorations were made using a silicone mold placed on top of the prepared dentin blocks (N = 10). CS was measured after 300 hours of AAA by means of ultraviolet light using a spectrophotometer and CIE L*a*b* parameters on the top surface of the composite and at the bonded interface. The DC was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (N = 10). Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The adhesive systems had no significant influence on the color stability (ΔE) of either the restoration surface (α = 0.90) or the bonded interface (α = 0.78). However, composite influenced the color as measured by ΔE and isolated coordinates (α < 0.001). The nanohybrid composite showed increased DC values (67%) compared with the nanofilled (61%) with statistically significant differences (α < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The adhesive system did not affect the final color of direct esthetic restorations. The nanohybrid composite demonstrated a higher DC and increased color stability after AAA compared to the nanofilled composite. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The long-term color stability of composite restorations is a critical aspect of esthetic restorative procedures. Optimal Polymerization behavior of resin composite as indicated by the degree of conversion also influence on the color stability after artificial aging of composite restorations.

Minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry: smile reconstruction using direct resin bonding.

Discrepancies in tooth size and shape can interfere with smile harmony. Composite resin can be used to improve the esthetics of the smile at a low cost while offering good clinical performance. This article presents an approach for restoring and correcting functional, anatomic, and esthetic discrepancies with minimal intervention, using composites and a direct adhesive technique. This conservative restorative procedure provided the patient with maximum personal esthetic satisfaction.

Influence of the curing mode on the degree of conversion of a dual-cured self-adhesive resin luting cement beneath ceramic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the delayed photoactivation and ceramic barrier on the degree of conversion (DC) of self-adhesive resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Circular specimens (5 mm in diameter × 1 mm in thickness) of the RelyX U-100 resin cement were made using the following curing protocols (n = 10): (G1) 40 s beneath a IPS Empress II ceramic; (G2) 40 s of direct photocuring; (G3) 80 s beneath the ceramic; (G4) 80 s of direct photocuring; (G5) self-curing; (G6) 5 min in the absence of light (self-curing) followed by transceramic photocuring for 40 s; (G7) 5 min in the absence of light (self-curing) followed by transceramic photocuring for 80 s. All the specimens were photoactivated by LED (800 mW/cm(2)). After 24 h of dry storage, the DC was measured by FTIR, on the top surface of the specimens. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Direct photocuring with no ceramic interposition, regardless of the curing time (40 s and 80 s) promoted the highest conversion mean (56.79 ± 1.19 and 59.98 ± 2.93, respectively) and the 5 min delay time for the transceramic photocuring presented a similar mean compared to the immediate transceramic photocuring. The DC was influenced by the ceramic barrier, decreasing the conversion values (49.72 ± 1.91 for 40 s and 52.36 ± 2.50 for 80 s), with no statistical difference from the groups with the previous 5 min of photoactivation delay. The self-cure only showed the worst DC values. CONCLUSION: Direct photocuring provided a higher degree of conversion for the self-adhesive resin cement. The delayed light activation did not influence the degree of conversion for the resin cement tested.

The use of an elastomeric methacrylate monomer (Exothane 24) to reduce the polymerization shrinkage stress and improve the two-body wear resistance of bulk fill composites.

OBJECTIVES: Characterize the chemical structure of an elastomeric monomer (Exothane 24) and evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage stress (PSS), rate of polymerization (Rp), flexural strength (FStrenght), flexural modulus (FModulus), Vickers hardness (VHardness) and two-body wear resistance of dental bulk fill composites (BFCs) containing Exothane 24. METHODS: The Exothane 24 was characterized using mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, 13C- and 1H NMR. BFCs were formulated containing Exothane 24 (E10, E25, and E50). Similar BFCs containing regular UDMA (U10, U25, and U50), commercial conventional, and BFCs were used as control groups. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to measure DC and the Rp of the composites. The PSS was measured using the universal testing machine method. Specimen bars were used to assess the FStrenght, FModulus, and VHardness. RBCs were submitted to a two-body wear test using a chewing simulator machine; the rate and volumetric wear loss were evaluated using an optical scanner. Data were analyzed statistically with α = 0.05 and ß = 0.2. RESULTS: Exothane 24 is a urethane isophorone tetramethyl methacrylate monomer with polymerization stress-relieving properties. No differences were found in the DC up to 4 mm in depth for E25. All BFCs had similar FStrenght, except for E50. E25 had the lowest volumetric wear loss and wear rate. E25 had approximately 30% lower PSS and slower Rp than commercial BFCs with similar wear resistance to conventional commercial composites. SIGNIFICANCE: The Exothane 24 reduced the PSS and increased the wear resistance of BFCs; however, the formulation is important to optimize the properties of the BFCs.

Effect of light attenuation through veneers on bond strength of adhesives with photoinitiator combinations.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of light attenuation through ceramic veneers and resin cement on degree of conversion (DC), cohesive strength (CS), and microshear bond strength (µSBS) of experimental adhesive systems. Experimental etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives were combined with different ratios of camphorquinone (CQ) and diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) photoinitiators: CQ-only; 3CQ:1TPO; 1CQ:1TPO; 1CQ:3TPO and TPO-only. Square-shaped ceramic veneer (IPS Empress Esthetic, Ivoclar Vivadent) (n = 10; 10mm long x 10mm wide x 0.5mm thick) and resin cement specimens (Variolink Esthetic LC, Ivoclar Vivadent) (n = 10; 10 mm long x 10 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick) were prepared. Light transmittance of a multiple-peak LED (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) was measured through restorative materials using a spectrometer (n = 5). Adhesive specimens were analyzed for DC, CS, and µSBS by light-curing the adhesive with or without (control) ceramic veneer, and with resin cement fixed to output region of the light-curing tip (n = 10). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Total light transmittance through the restorative materials was attenuated, and this attenuation was more evident for the violet spectrum. The DC for the TPO groups in ratios up to 1CQ:1TPO was similar to the control. 1CQ:3TPO showed lower values for CS. µSBS was reduced for all groups with light attenuation, but lower values were observed for 1CQ:3TPO and TPO-only. In conclusion, light transmission was reduced with interposed restorative materials. Adhesives combined with CQ and TPO up to 1CQ:1TPO showed greater cure efficiency and mechanical properties compared with a higher amount of TPO.

Solvent Degradation and Polymerization Shrinkage Reduction of Resin Composites Using Isobornyl Methacrylate.

The aim of this study was to use the isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) as a combining or substituent diluent monomer in the resin matrix of dental resin composites. Thus, the resin matrix was formulated with 60 wt% of BisGMA and 40 wt% of diluent monomers. TEGDMA as the only diluent monomer was used as control with 40 wt%, while total substitution of TEGDMA was done with 40 wt% of IBOMA. The combination of IBOMA and TEGDMA was done with 20 wt% of each monomer. To the resin matrix, 65 wt% of filler particles was added. Degree of conversion (DC) using FT-IR, flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), polymerization shrinkage by gap formation (GF), Knoop hardness (KH) and solvent degradation (SD) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05; b=0.2). The results showed that reducing or substituting TEGDMA using IBOMA did not affect the DC (0.085), FS (p=0.886) or FM (p=0.414). Also, when IBOMA was used, lower GF was found in comparison to the control containing only TEGDMA as the diluent monomer (p=0.032). However, even though all composites presented reduction in KH during the SD test, the combination of IBOMA and TEGDMA showed similar reduction in KHN in comparison to the control group (p=0.001), while the total substitution of TEGDMA with IBOMA decreased KHN after SD (p=0.041). Thus, the combination of IBOMA and TEGDMA seem to reduce SD and GF without affecting the properties of resin composites.

Influence of Pre-Heating Regular Resin Composites and Flowable Composites on Luting Ceramic Veneers with Different Thicknesses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate of pre-heating, filler contents and ceramic thickness on film thickness, microshear bond strength, degree of conversion and color change on ceramic veneers. Two experimental composites were prepared (Bis-GMA/UDMA/BisEMA/ TEGDMA), with different amounts of filler (65% or 50%wt) simulating a conventional and a flowable composite. The flowable (F) was used at room temperature and, the conventional either at room temperature (C) or pre-heated (CPH). Disk-shaped ceramics with different thickness (0.4 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.5 mm) were prepared. The film thickness was evaluated according to the ISO 4049 (n=10). The microshear bond strength (n=10) was evaluated in enamel using tubing specimens light-cured through the ceramic veneer. The degree of conversion was evaluated using Raman spectroscopy. The color change of the ceramic restorations (n=10) was evaluated by spectrophotometry. The results were submitted to 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (a=5%). For the film thickness 1-way ANOVA was used (a=5%). The C presented the thicker film thickness; the CPH produced a similar film thickness in comparison to the F. All composites showed similar microshear bond strength. The degree of conversion of the F was higher than the C and CPH. The degree of conversion of the composites photo-activated through a 0.4 mm was higher than the composites photo-activated through thicker ceramics. The C showed the highest color change, while the CPH showed similar color change to the F. In conclusion, pre-heated conventional composites seem to be a potential alternative to lute ceramic veneers such as the flowable composites.

Influence of Photoinitiator on Accelerated Artificial Aging and Bond Strength of Experimental Resin Cements.

The goal of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of the photoinitiator phenylpropanedione (PPD), alone or combined with camphorquinone (CQ), on color stability of photoactivated resin cements and their bond strength to ceramics using a micro-shear test. Four resin cements were used: a commercial brand cement (RelyX Veneer®) and 3 experimental cements with different types and concentration of photoinitiators. For color analysis, ceramic discs were cemented on bovine dentin specimens to simulate indirect restorations (n=8) and were exposed to UV for 120 h and tested for color alteration using a reflectance spectrophotometer and the CIEL*a*b* system. Data were analyzed by Anova and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. The color test results did not present statistically significant difference for the ∆E for all the studied cements, neither for ∆L, ∆a and ∆b. For the bond strength, all the studied cements showed statistically significant differences to each other, with the highest result for the RelyX Veneer® (29.07 MPa) cement, followed by the cement with CQ (21.74 MPa) and CQ+PPD (19.09 MPa) cement; the lowest result was obtained by the cement using only PPD as a photoinitiator (13.99 MPa). So, based on the studied parameters, PPD was not advantageous as photoinitiator of resin cements, because it showed a low value of bond strength to the ceramics and no superior color stability.

Effect of light attenuation through veneers on bond strength of adhesives with photoinitiator combinations

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of light attenuation through ceramic veneers and resin cement on degree of conversion (DC), cohesive strength (CS), and microshear bond strength (μSBS) of experimental adhesive systems. Experimental etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives were combined with different ratios of camphorquinone (CQ) and diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) photoinitiators: CQ-only; 3CQ:1TPO; 1CQ:1TPO; 1CQ:3TPO and TPO-only. Square-shaped ceramic veneer (IPS Empress Esthetic, Ivoclar Vivadent) (n = 10; 10mm long x 10mm wide x 0.5mm thick) and resin cement specimens (Variolink Esthetic LC, Ivoclar Vivadent) (n = 10; 10 mm long x 10 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick) were prepared. Light transmittance of a multiple-peak LED (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) was measured through restorative materials using a spectrometer (n = 5). Adhesive specimens were analyzed for DC, CS, and μSBS by light-curing the adhesive with or without (control) ceramic veneer, and with resin cement fixed to output region of the light-curing tip (n = 10). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Total light transmittance through the restorative materials was attenuated, and this attenuation was more evident for the violet spectrum. The DC for the TPO groups in ratios up to 1CQ:1TPO was similar to the control. 1CQ:3TPO showed lower values for CS. μSBS was reduced for all groups with light attenuation, but lower values were observed for 1CQ:3TPO and TPO-only. In conclusion, light transmission was reduced with interposed restorative materials. Adhesives combined with CQ and TPO up to 1CQ:1TPO showed greater cure efficiency and mechanical properties compared with a higher amount of TPO.

The effect of combining photoinitiator systems on the color and curing profile of resin-based composites.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combining camphorquinone (CQ) and diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (TPO) on the color and curing profile of resin-based composites. METHODS: Experimental composites were produced with different CQ and TPO molar concentrations: CQ-only, 3CQ:1TPO, 1CQ:1TPO, 1CQ:3TPO, and TPO-only. Polywave LED was characterized using a beam profiler. Block-shaped samples (5mm×5mm×3mm depth) were cured in a custom-designed mold with a polywave LED positioned to compare the regions exposed to the 420-495nm and 380-420nm LED emittances. To map the cure profile, degree of conversion (DC) of longitudinal cross-sections from each block were evaluated by FT-NIR. Color, light-transmittance and light-absorption during curing were evaluated on specimens 1-3mm thick. Data were analyzed using ANOVA/Tukey's test (α=0.05; ß=0.2). RESULTS: Though the polywave LED beam profile was non-uniform, up to a depth of 2mm no differences in DC were found among the composites containing CQ with TPO added up to 50%, regardless of the position under the curing tip. Composites with higher TPO concentration showed a decrease in DC beginning with a depth of 1mm, while composites with higher or similar CQ concentrations did not show decreased DC until a depth of 3mm. Higher TPO concentration reduced initial yellowness and color change after curing; and lower CQ concentration decreased light-absorption at greater depths. SIGNIFICANCE: The combination of CQ with TPO added up to 50% reduced the yellowness and color change of composites after curing without affecting cure efficiency up to a depth of 2mm.

Evaluation of phenyl-propanedione on yellowing and chemical-mechanical properties of experimental dental resin-based materials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of phenyl-propanedione on yellowing and chemical-mechanical properties of experimental resin-based materials photoactivated using different light curing units (LCUs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental resin-based materials with the same organic matrix (60:40 wt% BisGMA:TEGDMA) were mechanically blended using a centrifugal mixing device. To this blend, different photoinitiator systems were added in equimolar concentrations with aliphatic amine doubled by wt%: 0.4 wt% CQ; 0.38 wt% PPD; or 0.2 wt% CQ and 0.19 wt% PPD. The degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS), Young's modulus (YM), Knoop hardness (KNH), crosslinking density (CLD), and yellowing (Y) were evaluated (n=10). All samples were light cured with the following LCUs: a halogen lamp (XL 2500), a monowave LED (Radii), or a polywave LED (Valo) with 16 J/cm2. The results were analysed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: No statistical differences were found between the different photoinitiator systems to KNH, CLS, FS, and YM properties (p≥0.05). PPD/CQ association showed the higher DC values compared with CQ and PPD isolated systems when photoactivated by a polywave LED (p≤0.05). Y values were highest for the CQ compared with the PPD systems (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: PPD isolated system promoted similar chemical and mechanical properties and less yellowing compared with the CQ isolated system, regardless of the LCU used.

Effect of different photoinitiators and reducing agents on cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites using different LED wavelengths.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of photoinitiators and reducing agents on cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites using different LED wavelengths. METHODS: Model resin-based composites were associated with diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO), phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BAPO) or camphorquinone (CQ) associated with 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), ethyl 4-(dimethyamino) benzoate (EDMAB) or 4-(N,N-dimethylamino) phenethyl alcohol (DMPOH). A narrow (Smartlite, Dentisply) and a broad spectrum (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) LEDs were used for photo-activation (20 J/cm(2)). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to evaluate the cure efficiency for each composite, and CIELab parameters to evaluated color stability (ΔE00) after aging. The UV-vis absorption spectrophotometric analysis of each photoinitiator and reducing agent was determined. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (α=0.05). RESULTS: Higher cure efficiency was found for type-I photoinitiators photo-activated with a broad spectrum light, and for CQ-systems with a narrow band spectrum light, except when combined with an aliphatic amine (DMAEMA). Also, when combined with aromatic amines (EDMAB and DMPOH), similar cure efficiency with both wavelength LEDs was found. TPO had no cure efficiency when light-cured exclusively with a blue narrowband spectrum. CQ-systems presented higher color stability than type-I photoinitiators, especially when combined with DMPOH. CONCLUSIONS: After aging, CQ-based composites became more yellow and BAPO and TPO lighter and less yellow. However, CQ-systems presented higher color stability than type-I photoinitiators, as BAPO- and TPO-, despite their higher cure efficiency when photo-activated with corresponding wavelength range. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Color matching is initially important, but color change over time will be one of the major reasons for replacing esthetic restorations; despite the less yellowing of these alternative photoinitiators, camphorquinone presented higher color stability.

Effect of low shrinkage monomers on physicochemical properties of dental resin composites.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low shrinkage monomers on physicochemical properties of dental resin composites. Two low shrinkage resin composites: one with a crosslink branching monomer (Kalore, GC Corp) and a novel monomer (Venus Diamond, Heraeus Kulzer) were compared to a conventional resin composite formulation (Filtek Z250, 3M/ESPE). The volumetric shrinkage was evaluated by µCT analysis (n=5) and the physicochemical properties by degree of C=C conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS) and Young's modulus (YM) (n=10). All samples were light cured by a LED device (Radii, SDI) with 16 J/cm2. The results were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test for multiple comparisons (α=0.05). No statistical difference was found between µCT shrinkage values to Kalore (1.8%) and Venus Diamond (1.7%) (p≥0.05); Z250 presented statistical highest shrinkage value (2.0%). Kalore presented higher statistical DC (60.8%) than Venus Diamond (49.5%) and Z250 (49.6%). No statistical difference was found between FS or YM properties to Venus Diamond and Z250; Kalore presented statistical lowest FS and YM properties (p≥0.05). CONCLUSION: Using novel monomers seem to reduce polymerization shrinkage without affecting the physicochemical properties evaluated of resin composites rather than using crosslink branching monomers.

Effect of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenethyl alcohol on degree of conversion and cytotoxicity of photo-polymerized CQ-based resin composites.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) and the cytotoxicity of photo-cured experimental resin composites containing 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenethyl alcohol (DMPOH) combined to the camphorquinone (CQ) compared with ethylamine benzoate (EDAB). The resin composites were mechanically blended using 35 wt% of an organic matrix and 65 wt% of filler loading. To this matrix was added 0.2 wt% of CQ and 0.2 wt% of one of the reducing agents tested. 5x1 mm samples (n=5) were previously submitted to DC measurement and then pre-immersed in complete culture medium without 10% (v/v) bovine serum for 1 h or 24 h at 37 °C in a humidifier incubator with 5% CO2 and 95% humidity to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of experimental resin composites using the MTT assay on immortalized human keratinocytes cells. As a result of absence of normal distribution, the statistical analysis was performed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis to evaluate the cytotoxicity and one-way analysis of variance to evaluate the DC. For multiple comparisons, cytotoxicity statistical analyses were submitted to Student-Newman-Keuls and DC analysis to Tukey's HSD post-hoc test (=0.05). No significant differences were found between the DC of DMPOH (49.9%) and EDAB (50.7%). 1 h outcomes showed no significant difference of the cell viability between EDAB (99.26%), DMPOH (94.85%) and the control group (100%). After 24 h no significant difference were found between EDAB (48.44%) and DMPOH (38.06%), but significant difference was found compared with the control group (p>0.05). DMPOH presented similar DC and cytotoxicity compared with EDAB when associated with CQ.