Beam profile characterization of light-emitting-diode curing units and its effect on polymerization of a resin-matrix composite

Abstract

The general aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the localized irradiance beam profiles from multiple light-emitting-diode (LED) light-curing units (LCUs) on the polymerization pattern within a resin-matrix composite (RMC). Irradiance beam profiles were generated from one quartz-tungsten-halogen and various single and multiple emission peak LED LCUs using a camera-based beam profiler system combined with LCU power measurements obtained using an integrating sphere/spectrometer assembly. The influence of distance on irradiance, radiant exposure (RE) and degree of conversion (DC) on the top and bottom surfaces of a RMC increment, using various LCUs, at two clinically relevant distances was investigated. Molar absorptivity of the photoinitiators present in the nano-hybrid RMC (Tetric EvoCeram bleaching shade-XL) assessed was using UV-spectrophotometry. The correlation among irradiance, RE and DC was explored. A mapping approach was used to investigate DC, microhardness and cross-link density (CLD) within 5×5×2 mm specimens at various depths; top, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3,1.5 mm and bottom. The localized irradiance correlation with its corresponding DC, microhardness and CLD was explored, and localized DC correlation with microhardness was assessed. The DC was measured using micro-Raman spectroscopy, and CLD was assessed by an ethanol-softening method (%KHN reduction) using an automated microhardness tester. Molar absorptivity of diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide was 20-fold higher than camphorquinone. Non-uniform LCU beam profiles caused localized polymerization discrepancies that were significant at specific depths and points within the specimens with respect to DC, microhardness and CLD, which did not follow a specific pattern regardless of the LCU or curing distance assessed. A moderate correlation was displayed among irradiance, RE and DC. The localized irradiance from the LCUs was weakly correlated with the corresponding DC, microhardness and CLD on the top surface of a RMC at both curing distances. The localized microhardness was moderately correlated with DC. In conclusion, polymerization within the RMC investigated was non-uniform and did not reflect the LCU irradiance pattern at the area assessed. Also, a mapping approach within the specimens provided a detailed polymerization pattern assessment occurring within a RMC increment. Therefore, the LCUs explored may potentially increase the risk of RMC fracture.