Abstract Objectives: To measure and compare in vivo and in vitro pulp temperature (PT) increase (ΔTEMP) over baseline, physiologic temperature using the same intact upper premolars exposed to the same Polywave® LED curing light. Methodology: After local Ethics Committee approval (#255,945), local anesthesia, rubber dam isolation, small occlusal preparations/minute pulp exposure (n=15) were performed in teeth requiring extraction for orthodontic reasons. A sterile probe of a temperature measurement system (Temperature Data Acquisition, Physitemp) was placed within the pulp chamber and the buccal surface was sequentially exposed to a LED LCU (Bluephase 20i, Ivoclar Vivadent) using the following exposure modes: 10-s low or high, 5-s Turbo, and 60-s high. Afterwards, the teeth were extracted and K-type thermocouples were placed within the pulp chamber through the original access. The teeth were attached to an assembly simulating the in vivo environment, being similarly exposed while real-time temperature (°C) was recorded. ΔTEMP values and time for temperature to reach maximum (ΔTIME) were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (pre-set alpha 0.05). Results: Higher ΔTEMP was observed in vitro than in vivo. No significant difference in ΔTIME was observed between test conditions. A significant, positive relationship was observed between radiant exposure and ΔTEMP for both conditions (in vivo: r2=0.917; p<0.001; in vitro: r2=0.919; p<0.001). Conclusion: Although the in vitro model overestimated in vivo PT increase, in vitro PT rise was close to in vivo values for clinically relevant exposure modes.

Abstract Contemporary dentistry literally cannot be performed without use of resin-based restorative materials. With the success of bonding resin materials to tooth structures, an even wider scope of clinical applications has arisen for these lines of products. Understanding of the basic events occurring in any dental polymerization mechanism, regardless of the mode of activating the process, will allow clinicians to both better appreciate the tremendous improvements that have been made over the years, and will also provide valuable information on differences among strategies manufacturers use to optimize product performance, as well as factors under the control of the clinician, whereby they can influence the long-term outcome of their restorative procedures.

Abstract Alternative photoinitiators with different absorption wavelengths have been used in resin composites (RCs), so it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of light-curing units (LCUs) on these products. Objective Using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) in vitro, the effects of varying radiant exposure (RE) values generated by second and third generation LED LCUs on the degree of conversion (DC) and maximum rate of polymerization (Rpmax) of an experimental Lucirin TPO-based RC were evaluated. Material and Methods 1 mm or 2 mm thick silicon molds were positioned on a horizontal attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit attached to an infrared spectroscope. The RC was inserted into the molds and exposed to varying REs (18, 36 and 56 J/cm2) using second (Radii Plus, SDI) and third generation LED LCUs (Bluephase G2/Ivoclar Vivadent) or a quartz tungsten based LCU (Optilux 501/SDS Kerr). FTIR spectra (n=7) were recorded for 10 min (1 spectrum/s, 16 scans/spectrum, resolution 4 cm-1) immediately after their application to the ATR. The DC was calculated using standard techniques for observing changes in aliphatic to aromatic peak ratios both prior to, and 10 min after curing, as well as during each 1 second interval. DC and Rpmax data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test (p=0.05). Results No significant difference in DC or Rpmax was observed between the 1 mm or 2 mm thick specimens when RE values were delivered by Optilux 501 or when the 1 mm thick composites were exposed to light emitted by Bluephase G2, which in turn promoted a lower DC when 18 J/cm2 (13 s) were delivered to the 2 mm thick specimens. Radii Plus promoted DC and Rpmax values close to zero under most conditions, while the delivery of 56 J/cm2 (40 s) resulted in low DC values. Conclusions The third generation LCU provided an optimal polymerization of Lucirin TPO-based RC under most tested conditions, whereas the second generation LED-curing unit was useless regardless of the RE.

ABSTRACT Objective This in vitro study evaluated the effect of two different shades of resin cement (RC- A1 and A3) layer on color change, translucency parameter (TP), and chroma of low (LT) and high (HT) translucent reinforced lithium disilicate ceramic laminates. Material and Methods One dual-cured RC (Variolink II, A1- and A3-shade, Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to 1-mm thick ceramic discs to create thin RC films (100 µm thick) under the ceramics. The RC was exposed to light from a LED curing unit. Color change (ΔE) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIEL*a*b* system with a standard illuminant D65 in reflectance mode in a spectrophotometer, operating in the light range of 360-740 nm, equipped with an integrating sphere. The color difference between black (B) and white (W) background readings was used for TP analysis, while chroma was calculated by the formula C*ab=(a*2+b*2)½. ΔE of 3.3 was set as the threshold of clinically unacceptable. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results HT ceramics showed higher ΔE and higher TP than LT ceramics. A3-shade RC promoted higher ΔE than A1-shade cement, regardless of the ceramic translucency. No significant difference in TP was noted between ceramic discs with A1- and those with A3-shade cement. Ceramic with underlying RC showed lower TP than discs without RC. HT ceramics showed lower chroma than LT ceramics, regardless of the resin cement shade. The presence of A3-shade RC resulted in higher chroma than the presence of A1-shade RC. Conclusions Darker underlying RC layer promoted more pronounced changes in ceramic translucency, chroma, and shade of high translucent ceramic veneers. These differences may not be clinically differentiable.

This study compared the volumetric shrinkage (VS), flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) properties of the low-shrinkage resin composite Aelite LS (Bisco) to those of Filtek LS (3M ESPE) and two regular dimethacrylate-based resin composites, the microfilled Heliomolar (Ivoclar Vivadent) and the microhybrid Aelite Universal (Bisco). The composites (n = 5) were placed on the Teflon pedestal of a video-imaging device, and VS was recorded every minute for 5 min after 40 s of light exposure. For the FS and FM tests, resin discs (0.6 mm in thickness and 6.0 mm in diameter) were obtained (n = 12) and submitted to a piston-ring biaxial test in a universal testing machine. VS, FS, and FM data were submitted to two-way repeated measures and one-way ANOVA, respectively, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test (a = 5%). Filtek LS showed lower VS than did Aelite LS, which in turn showed lower shrinkage than did the other composites. Aelite Universal and Filtek LS exhibited higher FS than did Heliomolar and Aelite LS, both of which exhibited the highest FM. No significant difference in FM was noted between Filtek LS and Aelite Universal, while Heliomolar exhibited the lowest values. Aelite LS was not as effective as Filtek LS regarding shrinkage, although both low-shrinkage composites showed lower VS than did the other composites. Only Filtek LS exhibited FS and FM comparable to those of the regular microhybrid dimethacrylate-based resin composite.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é avaliar o efeito do modo de ativação na resistência flexual biaxial (RF) e módulo (MF) em cimentos resinosos duais. METODOLOGIA: Foram formados oito grupos experientais (n=12) de acordo com cimento resinos (Nexus 2/Kerr Corp. and Variolink II/IvoclarVivadent), modo de ativação (dual ou auto-polimerizado) e viscosidade (baixa e alta). Quarenta e oito discos de cada cimento foram fabridados (0,5 mm espessura por 6,0 mm diametro). Metade dos espécimes foram foto-ativados e a outra metade foi deixado para auto-polimerização. Após dez dias, o teste biaxial foi realizado em máquina de ensaio universal (1,27 mm/min, Instron 5844). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por ANOVA e teste Tukey (5%). RESULTADOS: A foto-ativação aumentou a RF e RM para os cimentos em ambas as viscosidades em comparação com os grupos auto-polimerizados. A versão alta viscosidade dos cimentos foto-ativados apresentou maior RF que os cimentos em baixa viscosidade. A viscosidade e o tipo de cimento não influenciam o MF. A foto-ativação aumenta os valores de RF e MF para ambos os cimentos e viscosidades. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de diferentes cimentos com diferentes viscosidades pode influenciar o comportamento biomecânico de cimentos resinoso.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curing mode and viscosity on the biaxial flexural strength (FS) and modulus (FM) of dual resin cements. METHODS: Eight experimental groups were created (n=12) according to the dual-cured resin cements (Nexus 2/Kerr Corp. and Variolink II/IvoclarVivadent), curing modes (dual or self-cure), and viscosities (low and high). Forty-eight cement discs of each product (0.5 mm thick by 6.0 mm diameter) were fabricated. Half specimens were light - activated for 40 seconds and half were allowed to self-cure. After 10 days, the biaxial flexure test was performed using a universal testing machine (1.27 mm/min, Instron 5844). Data were statistically analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: Light-activation increased FS and FM of resin cements at both viscosities in comparison with self-curing mode. The high viscosity version of light-activated resin cements exhibited higher FS than low viscosity versions. The viscosity of resin and the type of cement did not influence the FM. Light-activation of dual-polymerizing resin cements provided higher FS and FM for both resin cements and viscosities. CONCLUSION: The use of different resin cements with different viscosities may change the biomechanical behavior of these luting materials.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of light exposure through simulated indirect ceramic restorations (SICR) on hardness (KHN) of dual-cured resin cements (RCs), immediately after light-activation and 24 h later. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three dual-cured RCs were evaluated: Eco-Link (Ivoclar Vivadent), Rely X ARC (3M ESPE), and Panavia F (Kuraray Medical Inc.). The RCs were manipulated in accordance to the manufacturers' instructions and were placed into cylindrical acrylic matrixes (1-mm-thick and 4-mm diameter). The RC light-activation (Optilux 501; Demetron Kerr) was performed through a glass slide for 120 s (control group), or through 2-mm or 4-mm thick SICRs (IPS Empress II; Ivoclar Vivadent). The specimens were submitted to KHN analysis immediately and 24 h after light-activation. The data obtained at the 2 evaluation intervals were submitted to 2-way ANOVA repeated measures and post-hoc Tukey's test (pre-set alpha of 5%). RESULTS: Lower KHN was observed when light-activation was performed through SICRs for Eco-Link at all evaluation intervals and for Rely X ARC 24 h later. For Panavia F, no significant difference in KHN was observed between control and experimental groups, regardless of evaluation interval. Most groups exhibited higher KHN after 24 h than immediately after light-activation, with the exception of Rely X ARC light-activated through SICR, as no significant difference in KHN was found between evaluation intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Light overexposure did not compensate for light intensity attenuation due to the presence of SICR when Rely X and Eco-Link were used. Although hardness of such RCs increased over a 24-h interval, the RCs subjected to light overexposure did not reach the hardness values exhibited after direct light exposure.

Este estudo avaliou a influência de sistemas de fotoativação no grau de conversão (GC) de sistemas adesivos por meio da análise infravermelha transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Os sistemas adesivos Single Bond (SB) e Clearfil SE Bond (CF) foram aplicados em pastilhas de brometo de potássio e fotoativados com luz halógena (XL 3000 - 630 mw/cm²) (QTH) e LED (Elipar Freelight 1 - 400 mw/cm²) por 10 s (n=8). Foram obtidos espectros de FTIR antes e imediatamente após a fotoativação, e tambem após 1 semana de armazenamento em água destilada. Calculou-se o GC comparando-se a razão entre os picos das bandas dos espectros, antes e após a fotoativação. Os resultados de GC foram submetidos à ANOVA e ao teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Para ambos os sistemas adesivos, o GC (%) obtido imediatamente após a fotoativação com LED foi inferior ao obtido utilizando-se QTH (SB/QTH: 18,7 ± 3,9; SB/LED: 13,5 ± 3,3; CF/QTH: 13,6 ± 1,9; CF/LED: 6,1 ± 1,0). Após uma semana foi observado um aumento significativo no GC de todos os grupos, porém os valores dos grupos fotoativados com LED mantiveram-se inferiores aos obtidos com QTH (SB/QTH: 51,3 ± 6,6; SB/LED: 50,3 ± 4,8; CF/QTH: 56,5 ± 2,9; CF/LED: 49,2 ± 4,9). O GC dos adesivos fotoativados com LED foi inferior ao observado após fotoativação com QTH, imediatamente após fotoativação como após 1 semana de armazenamento em água.

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/cm²) or QTH (XL 3000 - 630 mw/cm²) 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.