Effects of Curing Modes on the Microhardness of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of curing modes on surface microhardness of visible lightcured resin-modified glass ionomer cements (VLC RMGIC) and a giomer after different storage periods in comparison to auto-cured resin-modified glass ionomer cements (AC RMGIC). Materials and Methods: The following materials were used: VLC RMIC: Fuji II LC Improved, Photac Fil Quick Aplicap, AC RMGIC: Fuji Plus, Fuji VIII and Giomer: Beautifil II. The measurements of microhardness were performed using a Vickers test (100 g loads were applied for 10 s) in the following time intervals: immediately after the recommended cure and after 1, 7 and 14 days of immersion in distilled water. Five samples (d=4 mm, h=2 mm) were prepared for each combination of curing mode and tested material. Results: After 14 days, an improvement of microhardness was evident in all tested materials. The full factorial ANOVA identified a highly significant (pFuji II LC>Photac Fil Quick>Fuji Plus>Fuji VIII) and curing modes (low <soft <high). Conclusions: Material type had the greatest impact on microhardness, followed by the factor of time, while curing modes showed a considerably smaller influence on microhardness of the lightcured materials.

Keywords

• Dental Materials
• Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives
• Glass Ionomer Cements
• Hardness Tests