This study aimed to establish the minimum radiant exposure and irradiance to trigger an adequate polymerization of a photo-polymerized resin cement. In total, 220 disc-shaped specimens (diameter of 10 mm and thickness of 0.1 mm) were fabricated using a photo-polymerized resin cement (Variolink N-transparent, Ivoclar Vivadent). To investigate the minimum radiant exposure, the specimens were polymerized with radiant exposures of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 18 J/cm2 (n = 20). During polymerization, the irradiance was maintained at 200 mW/cm2. To investigate the minimum irradiance, the specimens were polymerized with irradiances of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mW/cm2 (n = 20). During polymerization, the radiant exposure was maintained at the previously determined minimum radiant exposure. The Vickers microhardness (HV) and degree of conversion (DC) of the carbon double bond of the specimens were measured to determine the degree of polymerization of the specimens. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). In the investigation of the minimum radiant exposure, the HV and DC of the specimens polymerized with a radiant exposure from 1 to 5 J/cm2 were significantly lower than those with 18 J/cm2 (all p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in HV and DC was found between the specimens polymerized with 6 J/cm2 and 18 J/cm2 (p > 0.05). In the investigation of the minimum irradiance, the specimens polymerized with an irradiance of 50 mW/cm2 had significantly lower HV and DC than the specimens polymerized with an irradiance of 200 mW/cm2 (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the HV and DC was found among the specimens cured with irradiances of 100, 150, and 200 mW/cm2 (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the minimum radiant exposure and irradiance to trigger an adequate polymerization of the light-cured resin cement were 6 J/cm2 and 100 mW/cm2, respectively.
Keywords: irradiance; photo-polymerized resin cement; polymerization; radiant exposure.