Effect of different light-curing techniques on hardness of a microhybrid dental composite resin

Objective: This study assessed the Vickers hardness (VHN) provided by two LCUs when using (1) direct and indirect light-curing techniques, (2) 40 and 60 s and (3) top and bottom surfaces. Material & Methods: One halogen Curing Light 2500 (3M Espe) and one LED (MM Optics) were used by direct and indirect (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mm of dental structure) techniques during 40 and 60 s. The samples were made with FiltekTM Z250 in a metallic mould with a central orifice (4 mm in diameter, 2 mm in thickness). The samples were stored in dry mean by ± 24 h and the hardness measurements were performed in a testing machine (Buehler MMT-3 digital microhardness tester Lake Bluff, Illinois USA). A 50 gf load was used and the indenter with a dwell time of 30 s. The data were submitted to multiple ANOVA and Newman-Keuls‘s test (p < 0.05). Results: Halogen LCU exhibited higher Vickers hardness values than LED mainly because of the power density used. Hardness values were influenced by LCUs, lightcuring techniques, irradiation times and surfaces. For both LCUs, hardness values were found to decrease with indirect light-curing technique, mainly for the bottom surface. Samples irradiated for 60 s exhibited higher hardness values when the halogen LCU was used. For 60 s, the VHN values were statistically significant greater than 40 s. Significant differences in top and bottom surfaces Vickers hardness number (VHN) values were observed among different LCUs used 40 and 60 s. Conclusion: The LCUs, lightcuring techniques, variations of irradiation times, and surfaces (top and bottom) influence the composite resin hardness. Alessandra Nara de Souza RAStelli1, Ricardo Scarparo NAvARRO2, José Roberto Cury SAAd1, Marcelo Ferrarezi de ANdRAde1, vanderlei Salvador BAgNAtO3 1 – Univ Estadual Paulista – UNESP – Araraquara School of Dentistry – Department of Restorative Dentistry – Araraquara – SP – Brazil. 2 – Camilo Castelo Branco University – UNICASTELO – BEC – Biomedical Engeneering Center – CITE – City of Science Technology and Information – São José dos Campos – SP – Brazil. 3 – University of São Paulo – USP – Physics Institute of São Carlos – Optical Group – Department of Physics and Materials Science – São Carlos – SP – Brazil.