RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of power density and irradiation time of an argon laser on the physico-mechanical properties of light-cured dental nanocomposites. The composites were cured with 260 mW/cm(2) and 340 mW/cm(2) power densities at different irradiation times. The degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength, flexural modulus, water sorption, solubility and reaction temperature were measured. The maximum DC (50%), which was achieved after approximately 20 s irradiation, and the reaction temperature rise (20°C) were demonstrated by composite containing 20% filler cured at 340 mW/cm(2). The composite with 25% filler cured at 340 mW/cm(2) showed the highest flexural strength and modulus, which were 32.2 MPa and 1.89 GPa, respectively. The minimum water sorption (3.8%) and solubility (1.2%) were achieved with the composite containing 25% filler cured at 340 mW/cm(2). Finally, the composite with 25% filler cured at 340 mW/cm(2) showed higher physico-mechanical properties.
