Polymerization kinetics of pre-heated composite

Temperature affects the polymerization behavior of dimethacrylate- based materials. This study describes the influence of pre-polymerization temperature and exposure duration on polymerization kinetics of a commercial dental photo-activated composite at the top and at 2-mm depth. We used the temperature-controlled stage of a diamond-attenuated-total-reflectance unit to pre-set composite temperature between 3 and 60 degrees C. Composite was light-exposed by a conventional quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit for 5, 10, 20, or 40 sec. Real-time conversion, maximum conversion rate ( Rp(max)), time to achieve Rpmax, and conversion at Rpmax were calculated from infrared spectra. Composite pre-warming enhanced maximal polymerization rate and overall monomer conversion (top significantly greater than 2 mm). Time when Rpmax occurred did not change with temperature, but occurred sooner at the top than at 2-mm depth. Conversion at Rp(max) increased with temperature, allowing more of the reaction to occur prior to vitrification than at room temperature.