This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different LED irradiance levels on the degree of conversion (DC) of dual-cured resin luting agents photocured through a high-translucency zirconia disc. Fifty-four disc specimens (approximately 0.1 × 6.0 × 6.0 mm) were prepared using 3 dual-cured resin luting agents (Panavia F 2.0, RelyX Unicem 2 Automix, and Calibra). Eighteen groups (n = 3) were evaluated. Test specimens were photocured through a 0.7 × 10.0-mm, high-translucency zirconia disc for 20 seconds using 1 of 3 different LED irradiances (mean output of 855, 1330, or 1750 mW/cm2 after 3 consecutive measurements with an LED radiometer). Specimens photocured directly, without a zirconia disc, were used as controls. Microattenuated total reflectance/Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate the extent of polymerization of all specimens prior to curing (baseline) and 24 hours after curing. Data were analyzed by 3-way analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparisons test (α = 0.05). The RelyX Unicem 2 Automix and Panavia F 2.0 specimens showed no statistically significant difference in the mean DC after the use of different LED irradiance levels (P = 0.15 and P = 0.91, respectively) or when photocured with or without the use of a zirconia disc (P = 0.56 and P = 0.86, respectively). The Calibra specimens cured at the lowest irradiance level (855 mW/cm2) presented a significantly lower mean DC (P = 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean DC values when Calibra was photocured directly or through a zirconia disc (P = 0.33). The interpositioning of a high-translucency zirconia material did not reduce the DC of the tested resin luting agents compared to directly irradiated resin luting agents. The influence of different LED irradiance levels on the DC of dual-cured resin luting agents was material dependent.
Keywords: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; LED; degree of conversion; resin luting agents; zirconia.