Curing Methods Of Composite

Prepared By : Mustafa Samir Ban Noori

What is Composite Curing ?

Composite curing means toughening or hardening of a composite made from several different materials. this is achieved using chemical additives, or with the use of visible lights.

Curing Methods Of Composite

1- Self curing
2- Light curing 3- Dual curing

1- Self curing Composite resin :

It is available as a two- paste system composed of a Catalyst and a Base material . One part contains an organic amine accelerator and the other part includes a peroxide initiator. Catalyst and Base materials are usually mixed in a ratio of approximately 1:1 . Their polymerization process is chemically activated . It does not need any special equipments .

Disadvantages :

1- Air incorporation during mixing result in greater internal porosity , reduce wear resistance and staining. 2- The working time is restricted by the speed of chemical reaction . 3- Color stability is less stable because of eventual breakdown of the polymerization initiating chemical ingredients , tertiary amines .

2- Light curing Composite resin :

It is supplied as single paste system. Polymerization is either by ultraviolet or visible light . The use of UV Light is replaced with visible light curing system due to:
( retina and self tissue damages, low curing depth 1.5 mm )

Photo initiator (camphoroquinone) is added to initiate polymerization It absorbs visible light of wavelength (400-500)

(blue light) forming free radicals which initiate

polymerization.

Its placed incrementally and each layer is cured for 20 to 30 seconds by holding the light source close to it.

Advantages : 1- Flexible working time

2- Better wear resistance 3- Reduced porosity 4- Greater curing depth (up to 2 mm) 5- More color stable

Light Cured Units

1- Quartz Tungsten- Halogen ( QTH)
It generates light through the heating of tungsten filaments to high temp. Its broad emission spectrum allows the polymerization of all known photo-activated materials.

Its generate high heat energy so filters are used to reduce the emitted heat energy.
The setting time required for QTH is (20 40 sec). Its inexpensive and most widely used. Disadvantages :

1- The bulbs, filters and reflectors in the optical system degrade with time, and so reduce light output.
2- The power density of the light decreases dramatically with distance.

2- Plasma Arc (PAC)

Its principle that, when electricity is passed through xenon gas, ionization produces a plasma of charged particles that emit blue-white light. The light intensity given by plasma-arc units is greater than that for halogen-based units, which can decrease curing time to (2-6 sec). Its generate high heat energy so filters are use to reduce the emitted heat energy.

Its more expensive.

3 - Argon Laser
Laser can emit light at specific wavelengths as a result of the excitation of atoms of Argon gas to specific energy levels.

There is no need for filters to be used.

The photons are coherent and do not diverge and more concentrated into a tiny area.

Advantages : greater curing depth ( up to 5 mm)

single short exposure time (10 sec)

Disadvantages : large and expensive.

chances of pulpal damage due to more heat

4 Blue LED Curing Lights

The diode is designed to activate camphorquinone initiator around 460 nm. Advantages : Battery powered Portable ,compact. lightweight Energy-efficient ,long battery life Low emitted heat Durable - diodes last 5.000 hours Disadvantages :

Narrow spectral range so most units only work with CQ initiator.

3 - Dual Cured Composite resin

Dual cure means chemical initiation is used and combined with photochemical initiation so either and both techniques polymerize composite. Common photochemical initiator are: Camphoroquinone Acenaphthene quinone Benzyl Photochemical initiator is activated by visible, blue light to produce slow reactions. Amines are added to accelerate curing time.

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