Microhardness and polymerization shrinkage of flowable resins that are light cured using a blue laser

This study evaluated the microhardness and polymerization shrinkage of flowable resins that are cured using different light sources. Seven flowable resins and two light sources (diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser (LAS) and Optilux 501 (OP)) were chosen for the study. To evaluate the microhardness, a mold (height: 2 mm, inner diameter: 4 mm) was filled with resin and then light cured. The microhardness was measured at the top and bottom surfaces after aging for 24 h. The level of polymerization shrinkage was evaluated for 130 s (during and after the light curing) by measuring the dimensions of the cylindrical shape resin filling. The light intensity of the LAS and OP was approximately 520 mW/cm(2) and 800 mW/cm(2), respectively. The data for the microhardness and polymerization shrinkage were analyzed statistically. The microhardness (Hv) of the specimens at the top and bottom surface ranged from 25.3 ± 0.6 to 55.3 ± 1.0 and 28.0 ± 2.6 to 63.0 ± 2.3, respectively. Admira flow, Grandio flow, and Filtek Z350 flow showed a slightly higher microhardness at the bottom surface than that at the top surface. The degree of polymerization shrinkage (μm) of the specimens ranged from 30.5 ± 1.3 to 45.9 ± 0.6 for LAS and from 35.1 ± 1.5 to 47.1 ± 1.0 for OP. The values obtained using LAS and OP showed a statistical difference, but in many cases, the difference between the absolute values was minor.