Effect of Different Light-Curing Modes on the Depth of Cure of Bulk Fill Resins: In Vitro Study

In Dentistry, photopolymerized composite resins are considered an ideal material to restore the loss of dental structure, which is why light activation will achieve adequate hardening of the resin since the deficiency could affect the clinical performance of the patient. The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of different photopolymerization modes on the curing depth of Bulk Fill resins. It was an in vitro experimental study, with a sample of 90 cylindrical specimens of Bulk Fill composite resin from two commercial brands, Tetric N-Ceram and FiltekTM from 3M ESPE. These were distributed into 6 study groups with 15 specimens each; Each brand of composite resin was made up of 3 study groups and was subjected to intense, ramp, and intermittent light exposure. The results show the existence of a significant statistical difference between the two groups of resins studied (p = 0.00), where the FiltekTM Bulk fill resin from 3M ESPE had a greater depth of cure with the intense light activation mode (4.15 ± 0.03 mm), followed by the ramp light (4.05 ± 0.04 mm) and then the intermittent light (3.98 ± 0.13 mm). It is concluded, considering the photoactivation modes, intense light obtained better values in the depth of polymerization in both Bulk fill resins and the lowest values in the depth of polymerization were with intermittent light.