Release of monomers from four different composite materials after halogen and LED curing

To evaluate the release of monomers from four different composite materials (Ceram X, Filtek Supreme XT, Tetric Flow, Tetric EvoCeram), polymerized using either halogen or LED unit.

Ten specimens were made for each material/unit combination. Each specimen was stored in 1 ml 75% ethanol. The storage medium was renewed after 1, 7 and 28 days. Aliquots of this medium were analyzed by LC-MS/MS.

The effect of the curing unit on monomers' release differed significantly among the materials (P < 0.0001). The amount of BisGMA and TEGDMA released from Ceram X was not influenced by the unit used (P > 0.05). Curing with LED reduced the amount of Bisphenol A released from Ceram X compared to halogen. For Filtek Supreme XT, the type of unit exerted a significant effect on the elution of BisGMA (P < or = 0.05). LED curing resulted in a higher release of TEGDMA and UDMA compared to halogen (P < or = 0.05). For Tetric Flow, LED curing resulted in lower monomer release (P < 0.0001). For Tetric EvoCeram, the amounts of BisGMA, UDMA and Bisphenol A were higher when polymerizing with LED compared to halogen. The release of substances was more material dependent and less influenced by the curing unit used.