[In-depth polymerization of a light-activated resin cement]

The potential for in-depth cure of the light-activated resin cement TULUX-CEM was investigated. Disks of TULUX-CEM were irradiated through a layer of inlay/onlay material of varying thickness. After the irradiation, the hardness of the disks was measured. It was found that the resin cement became softer as the thickness of overlying inlay/onlay material increased from 2.0 to 3.5 mm. At a thickness of 4.0 mm, the resin cement remained unpolymerized. It was concluded that in certain situations the in-depth cure of resin cements activated only by light may not be sufficient.