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Continuous and gradual photo-activation methods: influence on degree of conversion and crosslink density of composite resins

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Abstract

Thermal properties and degree of conversion (DC%) of two composite resins (microhybrid and nanocomposite) and two photo-activation methods (continuous and gradual) displayed by the light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units (LCUs) were investigated in this study. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis technique was used to investigate the glass transition temperature (T g) and degradation temperature. The DC% was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that the microhybrid composite resin presented the highest T g and degradation temperature values, i.e., the best thermal stability. Gradual photo-activation methods showed higher or similar T g and degradation temperature values when compared to continuous method. The Elipar Freelight 2TM LCU showed the lowest T g values. With respect to the DC%, the photo-activation method did not influence the final conversion of composite resins. However, Elipar Freelight 2TM LCU and microhybrid resin showed the lowest DC% values. Thus, the presented results suggest that gradual method photo-activation with LED LCUs provides adequate degree of conversion without promoting changes in the polymer chain of composite resins. However, the thermal properties and final conversion of composite resins can be influenced by the kind of composite resin and LCU.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the University of São Paulo-USP, Physics Institute of São Carlos, especially to the Optics and Cristal Growth and Ceramic Materials Groups for permitting us to use the equipments used in this study. Also, the authors would like to thank for 3M Espe Brazil for providing the composite resins and LCU used in this study. The authors owe their special thanks to Milko Javier Villarroel Cortes for the availability of the Bluephase® C8 (Ivoclar/Vivadent) LCU. This study was funded by CAPES and São Paulo State University-UNESP, and the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Humaitá St., 1680, Araraquara, SP, 14801-903, Brazil

    S. X. S. Costa, M. R. Galvão, A. N. de Souza Rastelli & M. F. Andrade

  2. Laboratório de Biofotônica, Grupo de Óptica, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    D. P. Jacomassi & A. N. de Souza Rastelli

  3. Grupo de Crescimento de Cristais e Materiais Cerâmicos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    M. I. B. Bernardi, A. C. Hernandes & A. N. de Souza Rastelli

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  1. S. X. S. Costa
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  2. M. R. Galvão
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  3. D. P. Jacomassi
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  4. M. I. B. Bernardi
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Correspondence to A. N. de Souza Rastelli.

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Costa, S.X.S., Galvão, M.R., Jacomassi, D.P. et al. Continuous and gradual photo-activation methods: influence on degree of conversion and crosslink density of composite resins. J Therm Anal Calorim 103, 219–227 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-1018-z

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