Degree of Conversion and Mechanical Properties of a Commercial Composite with an Advanced Polymerization System.

Advanced Polymerization System (APS) technology in a commercial composite resin enables reduction of the concentration of camphorquinone without altering composite physicochemical properties.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion and mechanical properties of a commercial composite with an advanced polymerization system (APS) and compare it to other composites that do not use this system.

Materials and method: Five groups were analyzed. Group 1 (VT: Vittra APS - FGM); G2 (AU: Aura - SDI); G3 (ES: Quick Sigma Stelite - TOKOYAMA); G4 (FZ: Filtek Z350 XT - 3M ESPE); G5 (OP: Opallis -FGM). Degree of conversion (DC, n=3) was analyzed immediately and after 24h by analysis with FTIR spectroscopy. For Knoop hardness (KHN, n=3), 5 indentations were made at the top and bottom of specimens 2 mm thick. Flexural strength (FS, n=10) was determined by the three-point method in a universal testing machine. Polymerization stress (PS) was determined by light-curing the material (1.0 mm high) between polymethylmethacrylate rods in a universal testing machine. Light curing was performed with a Valo Cordless LED (1,000 mW/cm2 x 20 s: 20J). The results were analyzed using ANOVA and complemented by Tukey's test (α=0.05).

Results: The highest DC values (immediate and 24h after) were observed for VT and OP resins, followed by FZ, AU and ES. FZ (top and bottom) had the highest KHN values, similar to VT top. AU, ES, OP and VT had statistically different KHN between their top and bottom surfaces. The highest RF values were observed for FZ, followed by OP/VT, ES and AU. The highest TP values were observed for FZ, OP and VT.

Conclusion: The Vittra APS resin with a new polymerization system presents satisfactory performance for the parameters evaluated.