Flexure strength evaluation of direct restorative composites photoactivated by halogen light and by light emitting diode (LEO)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify flexure strength of compo- sites used in direct esthetic res- torations. Z100 (3M), DEFINI- TE (DEGUSSA) and SUREFIL (DENTSPLY) were polymerized using two types of photopolyme- rizers: halogen light (ULTRALUX - DABI-ATLANTE) and LED (ULTRALED - DABI-ATLANTE). Twenty specimens were made of each material and each measured 25mm of length by 2mm of hei- ght by 2mm of width. Ten of each were polymerized with halogen li- ght and 10 were polymerized with LED. AlI handling and polymeri- zation of the materiais was done according to the manufacturer's specifications. After the specimens were made, they were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24h ad then taken to the Testing Machine for the flexure test, which was per- formed at a speed of O,5mm/min. The results obtained were then statistically analyzed (Tukey Test - significance level of 5%),showing no significant statistical difference between the means when the ha- logen light was used to polymerize the materials, When the LED was used, there was significant statis- tical difference only for the DEFI- NITE material, indicating less re- sistance to flexion. Key words: composites, photopoli- merization, LED.