Objectives: The purpose of this study was to simultaneously determine the impact of exposure times and incremental resin composite overlaying thickness on the cure kinetics of a light activated composite and a dentin adhesive at selected depths of a simulated restoration.
Methods: Levels and kinetics of polymerization of a light activated resin composite (Z250, 3M-ESPE) and dentin adhesive (Excite, Ivoclar) cured with a halogen light unit (Demetron, Kerr, USA) operating at low/medium intensity (500 mW/cm2) for different exposure durations (20 and 60 s) were measured at selected depths (0.3, 0.6 and 1mm) using a modified calorimetric analyzer (DSC 25, METLLER-TOLEDO).
Results: Final polymerization levels of materials up to 1mm through the composite are not significantly different while the light shielding effect of incremental resin composite overlaying progressively reduces their reaction rates.
Significance: Prolonged irradiation time at low/medium energies is effective for proper conversion of a resin composite and dentin adhesive; 60 s irradiation time provides the maximum obtainable conversion through the dental resin composite for thicknesses up to 1mm.