Influence of delayed light curing on the cuspal deflection and microleakage of a dual-cured composite resin in Class 2 restorations

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of delayed light curing on a dual-cured composite resin on cuspal deflection, microleakage, and enamel cracks. Method and materials: Forty-eight standardized Class 2 cavities were prepared in maxillary third molars and restored with a dual-cure composite resin (Core-X Flow) in bulk-fill technique. The samples were divided into four groups (n = 12) and either self-cured (1) or light cured immediately (2), with 1 minute (3) or 2 minutes of delay (4) after placement. Cuspal deflection was measured before preparation, 6 minutes after placement, after 24 hours, and after 120 days of storage and thermocycling. The margins of the restorations were examined under a stereomicroscope after 24 hours and 120 days. Samples were immersed in a 0.2% basic fuchsin solution for 24 hours at room temperature and then sectioned vertically and mesiodistally, and dye penetration and enamel cracks were recorded under a stereomicroscope using a scoring system. Results: Six minutes after placement the cuspal deflections were between 20 ± 2.1 µm and 39.3 ± 1.9 µm. After 120 days the cuspal deflection in all groups was reduced to almost complete recovery, while the percentage of perfect margin decreased. Differences in microleakage, dye penetration, and enamel cracks were observed between different locations but not between the groups. Statistical analysis did not show a correlation between cuspal deflection, margin quality, or enamel cracks. Conclusion: A short delay in light curing of a dual-cure composite resin could significantly reduce the initial cuspal deflection measured 6 minutes after light curing, thereby probably reducing the polymerization shrinkage stress. However, the curing mode did not significantly influence microleakage and enamel cracks. Keywords: autopolymerization, cuspal deflection, delayed light polymerization, dual-cured polymerization, dye penetration, microleakage, microscopic analysis