A comparative study of the properties of dental resin composites polymerized with plasma and halogen light

Newly developed curing units utilizing plasma arc methodology have been advocated for rapid curing of dental composites. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of plasma light using a 3 s and a step cure regime on the properties of four dental restorative materials and compare it with properties resulting from halogen light curing of the same materials.

Composites Quadrant, Filtek and two polyacid modified composites (compomers) Dyract AP and Compoglass F were cured, using a conventional halogen light, a plasma light for 3 s (Apollo95E) and a plasma step cure (Apollo 95E) method. The parameters studied for characterization of the restorative materials were polymerization exotherm, surface hardness and their interactions with saline.

Irradiation with plasma light for 3 s or step cure produced an order of hardness: Filtek>Compoglass F>Dyract AP>Quadrant (p<0.001), however, halogen cure yielded an order of hardness: Filtek>Quadrant>Dyract AP>Compoglass F. No significant differences in hardness were observed on the exposed and non-exposed surfaces of the materials cured by plasma step cure whereas a 3 s cure yielded a significant difference in the cases of Quadrant, Compoglass F and Dyract AP (p<0.001). Mass losses were also found to be greater in the specimens cured by plasma light for 3 s in comparison with plasma step cure and halogen cure.

Plasma step and halogen curing were found to yield composites with superior properties in comparison to a 3 s plasma cure, suggesting, that a step cure regime is a preferred method, when a plasma light unit is used. A 3 s curing with a plasma light may lead to less than optimum properties of the composite cements.