INTRODUCTION The evolution of light curing units can be noticed by the different systems recently introduced. The technology of LED units promises longer lifetime, without heating and with production of specific light for activation of camphorquinone. However, further studies are still required to check the real curing effectiveness of these units. PURPOSE This study evaluated the microhardne...

PURPOSE To evaluate the depth of cure and surface hardness of two resin composites when subjected to three preheating temperatures, three polymerization times and two types of curing lights. METHODS Two resin composites were used in this study (Esthet-X and TPH), three polymerization times (10, 20, 40 seconds), three preheating temperatures (70, 100, 140 degrees F/21.1, 37.7 and 60 degrees C)...

This study investigated temperature rises caused by different light curing units (LCUs) in dentin of different thicknesses. The different LCUs tested in this study were namely: quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) (Heliolux DLX) LCU, plasma arc (PAC) (Apollo 95E Elite) LCU, and light emitting diode (LED) (Mini LED) in standard curing mode as well as pulse and soft-start modes. One hundred and forty de...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of bracket composites as a function of the application of flow adhesive prior to the composite and light curing time. Material and methods: Freshly extracted bovine permanent central incisors (50) were acid etched and divided into four groups varying the attachment protocol: (1) no adhesive, composite light-cured for 20s; (2) no adhe...

AIM The aim of this study was to measure the temperature increase induced by various light-curing units during photo-polymerization beneath ceramic restorations. METHODS Three light-curing units were used; a high intensity QTH unit Elipar 2500 and two LED units: Translux Power Blue and Excelled 1400. The 15 ceramic specimens (CEREC Blocks) used in this study were of 2.5 mm thickness, 5 mm wid...

PURPOSE The aim was to evaluate the effect of curing mode and different dentin surface pretreatment on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of self-adhesive resin cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six extracted human permanent molars were sectioned horizontally exposing flat dentin surface. The teeth were divided into 12 groups (3 teeth/group) according to the dentin surface pretreatment met...

AIM The purpose of this study was to compare the surface hardness of a hybrid composite resin polymerized with different curing lights. METHODS AND MATERIALS Two 3.0 mm thick composite resin discs were polymerized in a prepared natural tooth mold using: (1) a conventional quartz-tungsten halogen light (QTH- Spectrum 800); (2) a high-intensity halogen light, Elipar Trilight (TL)-standard/expon...

Resin-based cements have been frequently employed in clinical practice to lute indirect restorations. However, there are numerous factors that may compromise the clinical performance of those cements. The aim of this literature review is to present and discuss some of the clinical factors that may affect the performance of current resin-based luting systems. Resin cements may have three differe...