Polymerization kinetics of pre-heated composite.

Temperature affects the polymerization behavior of dimethacrylate-based materials. This study describes the influence of pre-polymerization temperature and exposure duration on polymerization kinetics of a commercial dental photo-activated composite at the top and at 2-mm depth. We used the temperature-controlled stage of a diamond-attenuated-total-reflectance unit to pre-set composite temperature between 3 degrees and 60 degrees C. Composite was light-exposed by a conventional quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit for 5, 10, 20, or 40 sec. Real-time conversion, maximum conversion rate (R(p)(max)), time to achieve R(p)(max), and conversion at R(p)(max) were calculated from infrared spectra. Composite pre-warming enhanced maximal polymerization rate and overall monomer conversion (top significantly greater than 2 mm). Time when R(p)(max) occurred did not change with temperature, but occurred sooner at the top than at 2-mm depth. Conversion at R(p)(max) increased with temperature, allowing more of the reaction to occur prior to vitrification than at room temperature.

Influence of time and adhesive system on the extrusion shear strength between feldspathic porcelain and bovine dentin.

OBJECTIVES: The behavior of dual-cure cements over time remains unclear. This study evaluated the extrusion shear strength of the bond between feldsphatic porcelain and bovine dentin at different time intervals, using three adhesive systems based on dual-cure cements and one based on a self-cure cement. METHODS: The adhesive systems evaluated included: C&B/One-Step, Enforce/Prime&Bond NT Dual-Cure, RelyX ARC/Single Bond and Variolink II/Syntac SC. Discs of bovine root dentin, 2.5 mm thick, had the root canal prepared with a standardized taper. Porcelain truncated cones etched with 4% hydrofluoric acid and silanized were bonded into the perforations. The extrusion shear test was performed after 15 min, 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 7 days. Data were analyzed using the Weibull distribution. The failure mode was accessed by stereomicroscope and SEM. RESULTS: Statistical differences were found between 15 min and 7 days for Variolink II/Syntac SC and RelyX ARC/Single Bond, and between 15 min and 24 h for Enforce/Prime&Bond NT Dual-Cure. For C&B/One-Step, difference was found between 15 min and 4 h. Between 24 h and 7 days, only the system RelyX ARC/Single Bond showed a significant increase in the characteristic strength. SEM analysis revealed that the failure involved the hybrid layer/dentin or the hybrid layer/adhesive interfaces, regardless of the time interval and adhesive system. SIGNIFICANCE: High characteristic strengths were observed after 15 min when dual-cure cements were used. In general, the values found at 24 h or 7 days were higher than at 15 min. However, there was always a considerable probability of bonding failure at low stress levels for all the systems tested.