This study evaluated the light intensity of light-emitting diode (LED) units and the effects of five laboratory polymerization units on hardness and flexural strength. Two indirect composite materials (Cesead N and Solidex Hardura) were polymerized with five units (α-Light II, Hyper LII, LED Cure Master, Twinkle LED, and α-Light V). The light intensity of the devices was measured with a spectroradiometer. After light exposure, Knoop hardness number, flexural strength, and elastic modulus were determined. Evaluation of light intensity, using a wavelength range of 400 to 500 nm, revealed that the α-Light V and Hyper LII units had the highest light intensity. For the top surface of the two composites, the Knoop hardness number was significantly higher for the α-Light V and Hyper LII. For the two composite materials, flexural strength did not differ among the five polymerizing units. The present results indicate that the Cesead N and Solidex Hardura composites can be adequately polymerized with laboratory LED units.
Keywords: indirect composite; laboratory light polymerization; light emitting diode; light source; microhardness.