Evaluation of polymerization ability of resin-based materials used for teeth splinting

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymerization ability of resin-based materials used for teeth splinting according to the thickness of cure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, the Light-Fix and G-FIX developed for resinous splinting materials and the G-aenial Universal Flo, the high-flowable composite resin available as restorative and splinting material, were used. Ten specimens of the thickness of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm and 5 mm in diameter for each composite resin (total 120) were prepared. The microhardness of top and bottom surfaces for each specimen was measured by the Vickers hardness testing machine. The polymerization ability of the composite resin for each thickness was statistically analyzed using independent T-test at a 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: There was no difference of polymerization ability regardless of the thickness in the Light-Fix and G-FIX. The G-aenial Universal Flo showed significantly low polymerization ability from the thickness of the 3 mm (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Light-Fix and G-FIX, which are resin-based materials used for teeth splinting, are expected to be suitable for light curing up to 5 mm in thickness.