Curing Light Intensity and Depth of Cure of Resin-Based Composites Tested According to International Standards

Published

April 1, 2002

Author(s)

P L. Fan, R Schumacher, K Azzolin, R Geary, F Eichmiller

Abstract

Several factors affect light curing of a resin-based composite: the material's composition (including opacity), the choice of photoinitiators and the concentration of the initiators. The peak wavelengths and bandwidth of the curing light, the intensity of the light and the irradiation time also have profound effects on the depth of cure. Although manufacturers determine the composition of the materials and establish recommended irradiation times, they rarely offer any suggestions in regard to the wavelength or intensity of the curing light to be used. As a result, we need to determine the factors that affect light curing and how these factors influence the depth of cure of resin-based composites. Many researchers have measured the intensities of curing lights using radiometers, many of which were designed for dental office use. The depth of cure of a resin-based composite decreases with decreasing intensity of the curing light. An array of methods, such as hardness tests, interaction with color dyes, translucency changes, double-bond conversion, nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging, tactile tests, penetration tests and scraping tests, have been used to measure the depth of cure of resin-based composites. In addition, many studies of composites have examined the type of curing light, but provide no information about the light intensity or wavelength characteristics.

Citation

Journal of the American Dental Association

Volume

133

Issue

No. 4

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

composite curing, depth of cure, light curing

Citation

Fan, P. , Schumacher, R. , Azzolin, K. , Geary, R. and Eichmiller, F. (2002), Curing Light Intensity and Depth of Cure of Resin-Based Composites Tested According to International Standards, Journal of the American Dental Association (Accessed January 19, 2025)