Purpose: To determine the extent of radiant exposure (RE) attenuation of three LED light-polymerization units (LPUs), and their beam-profile, at the bottom of the Class-2 slot, using MARC-PS.
Methods: 10 seconds RE was delivered to MARC-PS' anterior sensor by Bluephase-Style, Demi-Plus, and Deep-Cure-S. Two ivorine lower first-molars received Class-2 proximal box preparations: (3×2×4 mm and 4×4×4 mm) and were sectioned horizontally above the cementoenamel junction. Tofflemire matrix-retainer was placed around each tooth and secured with a low-fusing compound. Each LPU tested delivered 10 seconds RE to MARC-PS through proximal slots. Mean RE of three readings per group was obtained. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, mixed ANOVAs with a pre-set alpha of 0.05.
Results: RE attenuation ratio calculated from the baseline to 4× 4×4/3×2×4 Class-2 boxes were: 58.25/80.03 Bluephase-Style; 49.36/80.25 Demi-Plus; 32.8/77.43 Deep-Cure-S. A significant and strong correlation (r= 0.86, P< 0.001) between the reduction in aperture size and RE was found. The beam profile of LED-LPUs tested decreased RE values at the bottom of a proximal box. More than 80% RE value reduction from the baseline to the smallest Class-2 cavity 3×2×4 aperture was observed.
Clinical significance: Polymerization of resin-composites at the bottom of the Class-2 box is challenging due to the small aperture size, depth, and hard-to-reach location. Inadequate polymerization at the bottom of the Class-2 proximal box is a causative factor for secondary caries and, ultimately, restoration failure.
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