Cure behaviour of visible light-activated pattern materials.
AIM: This study tested the hypothesis that the cure behaviour (depth of cure and polymerization contraction) of light-activated pattern materials was no worse than that of light-activated composite resins, allowing them to be handled in a similar fashion. METHODOLOGY: Depth of cure was measured by a penetrometer method. RESULTS: Cure depths were comparable to those of composite resins, ranging from 3.52 mm (Lumin-X paste) to 6.76 mm (Visioform) after visible light activation for 30 s. There were significant differences in the depth of cure of the three materials tested (P < 0.001). Polymerization contraction was assessed by a minimal load transducer method. Values ranged from 0.45% (Lumin-X paste) to 1.89% (Visioform), lower than that of composite resins. There were significant differences in the polymerization contraction values for each of the three materials (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that light-activated pattern materials cure in a manner comparable to composite resins, and may be built up incrementally in a similar fashion.