Temperature change, dentinal fluid flow and cuspal displacement during resin composite restoration.

Dentin-bonding agents and resin composite materials typically require light activation for polymerization. Light curing generates heat, which may influence dentinal fluid flow (DFF) and cuspal displacement. This study investigated the relationship among temperature increase, DFF and cuspal displacement in extracted human maxillary premolars with a mesial occlusal distal (MOD) cavity preparation. Two types of curing light were compared. Temperature changes were measured using thermocouples located on the occlusal cavity floor and at the pulp-dentine junction, during polymerization of bonding agent and resin composite material. DFF and cuspal displacement were measured simultaneously using automated flow measurement apparatus and direct current differential transformers respectively. Temperature increases of up to 15 degrees C were recorded during the restoration procedures. A quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) unit produced a significantly greater temperature increase than a light-emitting diode unit and curing of the bonding agent generated less temperature increase than curing of the resin composite. Heating due to exothermic reaction during polymerization of bonding agent and resin was not significantly different between light sources or between bonding and curing (P > 0.05). The QTH unit produced both greater inward fluid flow and cuspal displacement during the irradiation of bonding agent and resin composite than the light-emitting diode unit. There was not a simple relationship between temperature increase, fluid movement and cuspal displacement. From a clinical point of view, the light-emitting diode unit can be considered preferable to the QTH light, because it caused significantly smaller temperature increase, fluid shift and cuspal displacement.

Minimizing dentinal fluid flow associated with gap formation.

The relationship between gap formation and outward fluid flow and procedures to minimize both phenomena were investigated in extracted human premolars restored in vitro with MOD composite restorations. We hypothesized that either glass-ionomer cement (GIC) liners or low-shrinkage composite could reduce fluid flow related to gap formation. Two groups restored with bonding agents with either high- or low-shrinkage resin composites, and 2 groups restored by either conventional or light-cured GIC liner plus resin composite were compared (8 teeth/group). Fluid flow was measured with an automated apparatus. Baseline fluid flow was low and unchanged after bonding, but increased sharply (though transiently) after teeth were lined with GIC. Outward flow was significantly greater with conventional than with light-cured GIC. Inward fluid flow occurred during light-curing, followed by extensive, prolonged outward flow after curing. Low-shrinkage composite or GIC liners reduced gap formation and limited outward fluid flow. GIC liners promoted outward fluid flow during their setting reactions.