Ultrasonic measurement of the effects of adhesive application and power density on the polymerization behavior of core build-up resins

OBJECTIVE: To use ultrasonic measurements to monitor the effects of adhesive application and power density on the polymerization behavior of dual-cured core build-up resins. METHODS: Ultrasonic measurements were carried out using a pulser-receiver, transducers and an oscilloscope. The core build-up resins were mixed, inserted into a transparent mold and then placed onto a sample stage with or without self-etch adhesive. Power densities of 0 (no light irradiation), 200 and 600 mW/cm(2) were used for curing. The transit time through the core build-up resin disk was divided by the specimen thickness to obtain the longitudinal sound velocity (V). RESULTS: Light irradiation of the core build-up resins at a power density of 600 mW/cm(2) caused V values to rise to an initial plateau of 1550-1650 m/s, then to rise rapidly to a second plateau of 2800-3200 m/s. The rate of V increase was slower when the resin cements were light-irradiated and became faster when irradiated at a higher power density. There were no significant differences between the groups with or without adhesive. CONCLUSIONS: The polymerization behavior of the core build-up resins was affected by the power density of the curing unit. The influence of adhesive application differed among the core build-up resins tested.