Influence of different light sources on microtensile bond strength and gap formation of resin cement under porcelain inlay restorations

Clinical success with ceramic inlays/onlays has been assisted by the ability to develop a reliable bond of composite resin to dental tissues. The purpose of this study was to test the efficiency of two different light sources on microtensile bond strength and the gap formation of resin cement under class II porcelain inlay restorations. Standardized mesio-occlusal cavities were prepared in 30 freshly extracted, intact human premolar teeth. Then impressions were made and ceramic inlays were fabricated. In the cementation process, the resin cement/inlay combinations were exposed to two different photopolymerization units. The polymerizations through 15 specimens were performed with a conventional halogen light source for 60 s, and the other specimens were cured by a plasma arc light for 9 s. After the cementation process, two 1.2 x 1.2 mm wide 'I' shape sections per tooth were produced with a sectioning machine and sections were subjected to microtensile testing after 24 h or 1 week. Gap formation of specimens cured by different photopolymerization units were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistically significant differences were found between the microtensile bond strength of inlays exposed to conventional light and plasma arc curing unit (P < 0.001). Plasma arc curing units make it possible to polymerize composite in much shorter times than conventional curing unit. However, the samples polymerized with conventional halogen light produced better microtensile bond strength than the plasma arc unit.