Effect of precuring warming on mechanical properties of restorative composites

To investigate the effect of prepolymerization warming on composites' mechanical properties, three composites were evaluated: Clearfil Majesty (CM) (Kuraray), Z-100 (3M/ESPE), and Light-Core (LC) (Bisco). Specimens were prepared from each composite at room temperature as control and 2 higher temperatures (37°C and 54°C) to test surface hardness (SH), compressive strength (CS), and diametral tensile strength (DTS). Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's LSD tests. Results revealed that prewarming CM and Z100 specimens significantly improved their SH mean values (P < 0.05). Prewarming also improved mean CS values of Z100 specimens (P < 0.05). Furthermore, DTS mean value of CM prepared at 52° was significantly higher than that of room temperature specimens (P < 0.05). KHN, CS, and DTS mean values varied significantly among the three composites. In conclusion, Prewarming significantly enhanced surface hardness of 2 composites. Prewarming also improved bulk properties of the composites; however, this improvement was significant in only some of the tested materials.