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Comparison of post-gel shrinkage strains in light-polymerized composite resins
1Faculty of Dentistry, Hacettepe University, Gazi Mustafa Kenal Bulvari, 61/11, TR 06570 Maltepe, Ankara, Turkey. mcehreli@hotmail.com
Statement Of Problem:
Polymerization shrinkage is associated with light-polymerized and polyacid-modified composites.
Purpose:
This in vitro study compared the polymerization shrinkage of a light-polymerized hybrid composite, a posterior composite, and a polyacid-modified composite.
Material And Methods:
Five disk-shaped specimens (1 cm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness) were prepared in a mold from each of the following test materials: a light-polymerized hybrid composite (3M Valux Plus), a posterior composite (Filtek P60), and a polyacid-modified composite (Dyract AP). The hybrid composite served as the control material. A linear strain gauge was placed at the center of each specimen. After the specimens were light-polymerized for 60 seconds under 400-mW/cm(2) light intensity, microstrains were recorded with the strain indicator continuously every 4 seconds for 120 seconds. The data were evaluated with 1-way analysis of variance (P<.05) followed by a post hoc least significant difference test.
Results:
During the first 20 seconds of light polymerization, all materials exhibited tensile strains between 6 and 55 mu epsilon that quickly converted into compressive strains and continued rising after the light source was removed. The strains for all materials increased at a declining rate until they reached a constant level between 148 and 180 seconds. The polymerization shrinkage recorded for Filtek P60 was the lowest (-190.56 mu epsilon), followed by 3M Valux Plus (-303.94 mu epsilon) and Dyract AP (-345.64 mu epsilon) (P<.05). The dimensional change between Filtek P60 and Dyract AP and between Filtek P60 and 3M Valux Plus was significant (P=.001). However, the difference between Dyract AP and 3M Valux Plus specimens was not significant (P=.208).
Conclusion:
Within the limitations of this study, the light-polymerized posterior composite tested demonstrated less polymerization shrinkage than the polyacid-modified and hybrid composites tested. Polymerization shrinkage velocity significantly affected the magnitude of strains.