Effect of exposure time and moving the curing light on the degree of conversion and Knoop microhardness of light-cured resin cements

Objective. To evaluate the effect of exposure time and moving the light-curing unit (LCU) on the degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop microhardness (KH) of two resin cements that were light-cured through ceramic. Methods. Two resin cements: AllCem Veneer APS (FGM) and Variolink Esthetic LC (Ivoclar Vivadent) were placed into a 0.3 mm thick matrix in 6 locations representing the canine to canine. The resins were covered with 0.5 mm thick lithium disilicate glass -ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent). A motorized device moved the LCUs over the ceramic when the LCU was on. Two single-peak LCUs: Elipar DeepCure-L (3M Oral Care) and Emitter C (Schuster), and one multi-peak: Bluephase G2 (Ivoclar Vivadent) were used with 3 different exposure protocols: a localized exposure centered over each tooth for 10 or 40 s; moving the tip across the 6 teeth for a total exposure time of 10 or 40 s; and moving the tip across the 6 teeth resins for a total exposure time of 60 or 240 s. After 24 h, the DC and KH were measured on the top surfaces and the data was analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (a = 0.05). Results. Interposition of 0.5 mm of ceramic reduced the irradiance received by the resin by approximately 50%. The 40 s localized exposure over each tooth always produced significantly higher DC and KH values. Moving the LCUs with a total exposure time of 10 s resulted in the lowest DC and KH. There was no beneficial effect on the DC or KH when the multi-peak (violet -blue) LCU (Elipar DeepCure-L or Bluephase G2), but the lower light output from a small tip LCU reduced the DC and KH values (Emitter C). Significance. Moving the LCUs when photo-curing light-cured resin cements is not recommended. This study showed that a single-peak LCU could activate a resin cement that uses IvocerinTM as well as the multi-peak LCU. (C) 2020 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.