Role of delayed light polymerization of a dual-cured composite base on marginal adaptation of class II posterior composite open-sandwich restoration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of delayed light polymerization of a dual-cured composite base material on the marginal adaptation of class II composite restoration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 extracted human molar teeth were used to prepare class II mesio-occlusal or disto-occlusal slot preparations with gingival margins at the CEJ. The teeth were restored using an open-sandwich technique with a 2mm base increment of dual-cured composite, and divided into 5 groups based on the mode of the polymerization of the dual-cured composite base: Group A - self-cured after placement (5 mins), Group B - light-cured immediately after placement, Group C - light-cured 30 seconds after placement, Group D - light-cured 60 seconds after placement, Group E - light-cured 120 seconds after placement. Then a top layer of a light-cured composite resin is placed to complete the restoration. The teeth were thermocycled and immersed in 1% aqueous solution of methylene blue for 24 hours. Sectioning of the teeth and scoring under stereomicroscope was done. Data will be statistically evaluated using the kruskal wallis 1-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis using kruskal wallis 1-way ANOVA showed that the dual-cured composite light polymerized 1 minute after placement exhibited the least microleakage.

CONCLUSION: Delayed light polymerization of the dual-cured composite base reduced the microleakage in class II open-sandwich restorations.