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OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to introduce a novel two-step optical fiber-based photo-activation of dental resin-based composites (RBCs) for reducing polymerization shrinkage stress (PSS). METHODS: Proposed protocol design - in the first step, two flexible plastic optical fibers connected to a dental light curing unit (LCU), were used as light guides inserted into the filling to initiate low-irradiance polymerization from within; in the second step, fibers were extracted and remaining voids were filled with RBC, followed by conventional high-irradiance curing to finalize polymerization. Three bulk-fill RBCs were tested (Beautifil-Bulk Restorative, Filtek Bulk-fill Posterior, Tetric PowerFill) using tooth cavity models. Three non-invasive examination techniques were employed: Digital Holographic Interferometry, Infrared Thermography, and Raman spectroscopy for monitoring model deformation, RBC temperature change, and degree of conversion (DC), respectively. A control group (for each examined RBC) underwent conventional photo-activation. RESULTS: The experimental protocol significantly reduced model deformation by 15 - 35 %, accompanied by an 18 - 54 % reduction in RBC temperature change, emphasizing the impact of thermal shrinkage on PSS. Real-time measurements of deformation and temperature provided indirect insights into reaction dynamics and illuminated potential mechanisms underlying PSS reduction. After a 24-hour dark-storage period, DC outcomes comparable to conventional curing were observed, affirming the clinical applicability of the method. CONCLUSIONS: Protocol involving the use of two 1.5 mm fibers in the first step (300 mW/cm2 x 10 s), followed by a second conventional curing step (1000 mW/cm2 x 10 s), is recommended to achieve the desired PSS reduction, while maintaining adequate DC and ensuring efficient clinical application. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Obtained PSS reduction offers promise in potentially improving the performance of composite restorations. Additionally, leveraging the flexibility of optical fibers improves light guide approach for restorations on posterior teeth. Meanwhile, implementation in clinical practice is easily achievable by coupling the fibers with commercial dental LCUs using the provided plastic adapter.

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OBJECTIVES: Characterize the chemical structure of an elastomeric monomer (Exothane 24) and evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage stress (PSS), rate of polymerization (Rp), flexural strength (FStrenght), flexural modulus (FModulus), Vickers hardness (VHardness) and two-body wear resistance of dental bulk fill composites (BFCs) containing Exothane 24. METHODS: The Exothane 24 was characterized using mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, 13C- and 1H NMR. BFCs were formulated containing Exothane 24 (E10, E25, and E50). Similar BFCs containing regular UDMA (U10, U25, and U50), commercial conventional, and BFCs were used as control groups. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to measure DC and the Rp of the composites. The PSS was measured using the universal testing machine method. Specimen bars were used to assess the FStrenght, FModulus, and VHardness. RBCs were submitted to a two-body wear test using a chewing simulator machine; the rate and volumetric wear loss were evaluated using an optical scanner. Data were analyzed statistically with α = 0.05 and ß = 0.2. RESULTS: Exothane 24 is a urethane isophorone tetramethyl methacrylate monomer with polymerization stress-relieving properties. No differences were found in the DC up to 4 mm in depth for E25. All BFCs had similar FStrenght, except for E50. E25 had the lowest volumetric wear loss and wear rate. E25 had approximately 30% lower PSS and slower Rp than commercial BFCs with similar wear resistance to conventional commercial composites. SIGNIFICANCE: The Exothane 24 reduced the PSS and increased the wear resistance of BFCs; however, the formulation is important to optimize the properties of the BFCs.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the polymerization shrinkage of short fiber reinforced composite (SFRC) using a multicolor confocal displacement laser that can measure the polymerization shrinkage with high accuracy. The three types of SFRCs used in this study were XD (Ever X Flow Dentin), XB (Ever X Flow Bulk), and XP (EverX Posterior). In addition, CF (Clearfil majesty ES Flow) with hybrid type filler was used as a control. The measured values of the final polymerization shrinkage rate and amount of polymerization shrinkage rate when the polymerization shrinkage rate became constant (less than 0.1 µm/s) were approximated for all SFRCs. XP had a large aspect ratio of glass fiber filler and showed a significant difference from XD with a small aspect ratio (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the measured value of time when the polymerization contraction reached a constant speed (0.1 µm/s or less) for all SFRCs (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the measured values of polymerization shrinkage rate after the polymerization shrinkage reached a constant rate for all SFRCs (p > 0.05). These results show that glass fiber with large aspect ratio can alleviate polymerization shrinkage stress. The polymerization behavior of SFRC was found to be dependent on the amount of glass fiber filler, aspect ratio, and orientation.

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OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of high-intensity (3 s with 3440 mW/cm2) and conventional (10 s with 1340 mW/cm2) light-curing on shrinkage properties and degree of conversion of conventional and bulk-fill resin composites, including two composites specifically designed for high-intensity curing. METHODS: Real-time linear shrinkage and shrinkage force of 1.5 mm thick composite specimens were measured for 15 min after the start of light-curing using custom-made devices. From the shrinkage force data, maximum shrinkage force rate and time to achieve maximum shrinkage force rate were determined. Degree of conversion was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. RESULTS: Flowable composites showed significantly higher linear shrinkage compared to sculptable composites (1.93-2.91 % vs. 1.15-1.54 %), as well as significantly higher shrinkage forces (18.7-24.4 N vs. 13.5-17.0 N). Degree of conversion amounted to 45.8-60.1 %. For high-intensity curing, degree of conversion was significantly lower in three out of seven composites, whereas shrinkage forces were either increased, decreased, or unchanged compared to conventional curing. For high-intensity curing, maximum shrinkage rates were 6-61 % higher, whereas times to achieve maximum shrinkage force rate were 15-53 % shorter compared to conventional curing. Composites specifically designed for high-intensity curing showed shrinkage parameters comparable to other investigated composites. CONCLUSION: Shrinkage behavior under conditions of high-intensity light-curing was material-dependent. Shrinkage force kinetics were more strongly affected by high-intensity curing than absolute values of linear shrinkage and shrinkage force. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite being attractive for its convenience, high-intensity curing can lead to considerably faster development of shrinkage forces in the early stage of polymerization.

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Contraction due to polymerization of dental resin can cause failure on the adhesive interfaces, can lead to problems such as the appearance of gaps in the interfaces, postoperative sensitivity, pulp damage and the return of the caries. The objective of this work is the study of stresses on the dental adhesive that are generated by the process shrinkage of resin associated with biting forces. A laboratory experiment measured the strains and temperature inside the FiltekTM Bulk Fill Flow resin during the process of polymerization using Fiber Bragg Grating sensors in an ex vivo tooth. From tomographic images a three-dimensional geometric model of the tooth was reconstructed. A pre-tension was calibrated to simulate the residual contraction on the resin 3 D model. Finally, an Finite Element Method analysis was performed to access the adhesive stresses at the interface enamel/dentin with the adhesive, considering as loading the residual polymerization contraction of the dental resin and also biting loads. The model was able to represented the strain obtained in the laboratory experiment. The results of the stress analysis shows that the outer regions of adhesive are more prone to failure, as veried by dental surgeons in clinical practice.

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A new photocurable composite resin for dental restorations was synthesized using a monovinyl acrylate diluent. Its polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress, degree of conversion, and mechanical properties were investigated and compared to those of a conventional composite resin synthesized using a triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate diluent as well as three commercial resins: Tetric N-Ceram, Neofil, and Gradia Direct. The polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage stress of the new composite resin were statistically lower than those of the conventional resin (p<0.05), but not those of the commercial resins (p>0.05). The degree of conversion of the new resin was statistically better than all other tested resins (p<0.05) except the Neofil resin (p>0.05). The mechanical properties of the resins were not statistically different (p>0.05). Overall, the new composite resin exhibited less polymerization shrinkage, lower shrinkage stress, a higher degree of conversion, and similar mechanical properties to the other resins, demonstrating its potential for clinical application.

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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the internal adaptation of resin composite restorations in Class I cavities with or without an intermediate layer, and to identify the relationships between the internal adaptation and the polymerization shrinkage parameters of the layer material. METHODS: Class I cavities prepared in human third molars were treated with a one-step self-etch adhesive (G-Premio Bond, GC). In the control group, Tetric-EvoCeram Bulk-Fill (TBF, Ivoclar Vivadent) was placed using the bulk-fill technique and then light-cured. In the experimental groups, six different layer materials (three flowable resin composites, two bulk-fill resin composites, and a resin-modified glass-ionomer) were applied to a 1.5-mm thickness and light-cured, which was followed by TBF filling. After thermo-cycling, internal adaptation was measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging and compared in terms of high brightness percentage (HB%) to represent the microgap. Shrinkage strain (SS), flexural modulus (FM), and polymerization shrinkage stress of the intermediate layer-resin composite complex (PS) were measured for each material. The relationships among HB%, SS, FM, and PS were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Groups with an intermediate layer showed lower HB% than the control group. The HB% correlated with PS (Pearson's correlation: R2 = 0.883, p < 0.05), and the PS correlated with the product of SS and FM. CONCLUSION: Internal adaptation depended on the polymerization shrinkage stress of the intermediate layer-resin composite complex. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bulk-fill resin composite, which can show low polymerization shrinkage stress, may be used as an intermediate layer for better internal adaptation.

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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of radiant emittance and cure time of pulse width modulation (PWM)-controlled LED light on polymerization shrinkage/stress kinetics and surface hardness of dental composites. METHODS: A conventional (Filtek Z250) and a bulk-fill (Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior; BFP) composite were investigated. The duty ratio (% of time the light is on) and cure time of the LED light were controlled using an Arduino UNO microcontroller (PWM) as follows: 10%/100s, 20%/50s, 30%/33.3s, 40%/25s, 50%/20s, 100%/10s, Increase mode (0→100%)/20s, and Decrease mode (100→0%)/20s at 50Hz. The radiant exposure of each group was constant. Polymerization shrinkage/stress and Vickers hardness (HV) of composites were measured for each curing condition (n=5). Peak shrinkage/stress rate (Rsh/Rst) and time at peak shrinkage/stress rate (Tsh/Tst) were also determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in polymerization shrinkage or HV of composites with varying duty ratio. However, polymerization shrinkage stress, Rsh, and Rst increased and Tsh and Tst decreased with increasing duty ratio. The polymerization shrinkage stress and Rst of the Increase mode group were similar to those of the 50% duty ratio group, and the Tst of the Increase mode was delayed. The polymerization shrinkage/stress kinetics of the Decrease mode group were comparable to those of the 100% duty ratio group. Under the same light curing conditions, polymerization shrinkage/stress, Rsh, Rst, and HV of Z250 were higher than those of BFP, and the Tsh and Tst of Z250 were shorter than those of BFP. SIGNIFICANCE: With constant radiant exposure, evaluation of polymerization shrinkage/stress kinetics and their relationships could be performed by a PWM-controlled LED curing light. These results will be helpful to determine proper curing modes with varying radiant emittance of the LED curing light for decreasing polymerization shrinkage stress of dental composites. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, when radiant exposure is constant, polymerization shrinkage stress with low initial radiant emittance can be reduced compared to that with high initial radiant emittance.

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PURPOSE: A systematic review was conducted to determine whether there were composition strategies available to reduce and control polymerization shrinkage stress development in resin-based restorative dental materials. DATA SOURCES: This report was reported in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Two reviewers performed a literature search up to December 2016, without restriction of the year of publication, in seven databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, IBECS, and BBO. STUDY SELECTION: Only laboratory studies that evaluated polymerization shrinkage stress by direct testing were included. Pilot studies, reviews and in vitro studies that evaluated polymerization shrinkage stress by indirect methods (e.g., microleakage or cuspal deflection measurements), finite elemental analysis, or theoretical and mathematical models were excluded. Of the 6113 eligible articles, 62 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and the meta-analysis was performed with 58 studies. The composition strategy was subdivided according to the modified part of the material: filler phase, coupling agent, or resin matrix. A global comparison was performed with random-effects models (α = 0.05). The only subgroup that did not show a statistical difference between the alternative strategy and the control was 'the use of alternative photo-initiators' (p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Modification of the resin matrix made the largest contribution to minimizing stress development. The technology used for decreasing stress in the formulation of low-shrinkage and bulk-fill materials was shown to be a promising application for reducing and controlling stress development.

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PURPOSE: A systematic review was conducted to determine whether there were any alternative technique or additional step strategies available to reduce and control polymerization shrinkage stress development in dental resin-based restorative materials. DATA SOURCES: This report followed the PRISMA Statement. A total of 36 studies were included in this review. Two reviewers performed a literature search up to December 2016, without restriction of the year of publication, in seven databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, IBECS, and BBO. STUDY SELECTION: Only in vitro studies that evaluated polymerization shrinkage stress by direct testing were included. Pilot studies, reviews and in vitro studies that evaluated polymerization shrinkage stress by indirect methods (e.g., microleakage or cuspal deflection measurements), finite elemental analysis or mathematical models were excluded. Of the 6.113 eligible articles, 36 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and the meta-analysis was performed with 25 studies. A global comparison was performed with random-effects models (α = 0.05). The strategies were subdivided as follows: the use of an alternative technique protocol of placing the material inside the tooth cavity; the modification of the irradiation intensity or total energy delivered to the material; the use of an alternative light-curing source; or the use of an alternative photo-activation mode. All alternative strategies showed statistically significant differences when compared with their respective controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of alternative light-curing sources contributed more to minimizing stress development than placing the material by means of an alternative technique protocol or by modifying the irradiant intensity or total energy delivered to the material during photo-activation. Moreover, the use of an alternative photo-activation mode (intermittent light, exponential, soft-start or pulse delay modes) was shown to be an effective strategy for reducing and controlling stress development in resin-based dental materials.

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OBJECTIVE: The effect of filler content in dental restorative composites on the polymerization shrinkage stress (PS) is not straightforward and has caused much debate in the literature. Our objective in this study was to clarify the PS/filler content relationship based on analytical and experimental approaches, so that guidelines for materials comparison in terms of PS and clinical selection of dental composites with various filler content can be provided. METHODS: Analytically, a simplified model based on linear elasticity was utilized to predict PS as a function of filler content under various compliances of the testing system, a cantilever beam-based instrument used in this study. The predictions were validated by measuring PS of composites synthesized using 50/50 mixtures of two common dimethacrylate resins with a variety of filler contents. RESULTS: Both experiments and predictions indicated that the influence of filler content on the PS highly depended on the compliance of the testing system. Within the clinic-relevant range of compliances and for the specific sample configuration tested, the PS increased with increasing filler content at low compliance of instrument, while increasing the compliance caused the effect of filler content on the PS to gradually diminish. Eventually, at high compliance, the PS inverted and decreased with increasing filler content. SIGNIFICANCE: This compliance-dependent effect of filler content on PS suggests: (1) for materials comparison in terms of PS, the specific compliance at which the comparison being done should always be reported and (2) clinically, composites with relatively lower filler content could be selected for such cavities with relatively lower compliance (e.g. a Class-I cavity with thick tooth walls or the basal part in a cavity) and vice versa in order to reduce the final PS.

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OBJECTIVES: The literature reports inconsistent results regarding using configuration factor (C-factor) as an indicator to reflect the generation of polymerization shrinkage stress (PS) from dental restorative composites due to the constraint of cavity configuration. The current study aimed at unraveling the complex effects of C-factor on PS based on analytical and experimental approaches together, such that the reported inconsistency can be explained and a significance of C-factor in clinic can be comprehensively provided. METHODS: Analytical models based on linear elasticity were established to predict PS measured in instruments (testing systems) with different compliances, and complex effects of C-factor on PS were derived. The analyses were validated by experiments using a cantilever beam-based instrument and systematic variation of instrumental compliance. RESULTS: For a general trend, PS decreased with increasing C-factor when measured by instruments with high compliance. However, this trend gradually diminished and eventually reversed (PS became increased with increasing C-factor) by decreasing the system compliance. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study indicates that the correlation between PS and C-factor are highly dependent on the compliance of testing instrument for PS measurement. This suggests that the current concept on the role of C-factor in the stress development and transmission to tooth structures, higher C-factor produces higher PS due to reduced flow capacity of more confined materials, can be misleading. Thus, the compliance of the prepared tooth (cavity) structure should also be considered in the effect of C-factor on PS.

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OBJECTIVES: Photopolymerized composites are used in a broad range of applications with their performance largely directed by reaction kinetics and contraction accompanying polymerization. The present study was to demonstrate an instrument capable of simultaneously collecting multiple kinetics parameters for a wide range of photopolymerizable systems: degree of conversion (DC), reaction exotherm, and polymerization stress (PS). METHODS: Our system consisted of a cantilever beam-based instrument (tensometer) that has been optimized to capture a large range of stress generated by lightly-filled to highly-filled composites. The sample configuration allows the tensometer to be coupled to a fast near infrared (NIR) spectrometer collecting spectra in transmission mode. RESULTS: Using our instrument design, simultaneous measurements of PS and DC are performed, for the first time, on a commercial composite with ≈80% (by mass) silica particle fillers. The in situ NIR spectrometer collects more than 10 spectra per second, allowing for thorough characterization of reaction kinetics. With increased instrument sensitivity coupled with the ability to collect real time reaction kinetics information, we show that the external constraint imposed by the cantilever beam during polymerization could affect the rate of cure and final degree of polymerization. SIGNIFICANCE: The present simultaneous measurement technique is expected to provide new insights into kinetics and property relationships for photopolymerized composites with high filler content such as dental restorative composites.

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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the polymerization shrinkage stress among conventional methacrylate-based composite resins and a silorane-based composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The strain gauge method was used for the determination of polymerization shrinkage strain. Specimens were divided by 3 groups according to various composite materials. Filtek Z-250 (3M ESPE) and Filtek P-60 (3M ESPE) were used as a conventional methacrylate-based composites and Filtek P-90 (3M ESPE) was used as a silorane-based composites. Measurements were recorded at each 1 second for the total of 800 seconds including the periods of light application. The results of polymerization shrinkage stress were statistically analyzed using One way ANOVA and Tukey test (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The polymerization shrinkage stress of a silorane-based composite resin was lower than those of conventional methacrylate-based composite resins (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this study, silorane-based composites showed lower polymerization shrinkage stress than methacrylate-based composites. We need to investigate more into polymerization shrinkage stress with regard to elastic modulus of silorane-based composites for the precise result.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of instrument compliance on the polymerization shrinkage stress measurements of dental composites. The contraction strain and stress of composites during light curing were measured by a custom made stress-strain analyzer, which consisted of a displacement sensor, a cantilever load cell and a negative feedback mechanism. The instrument can measure the polymerization stress by two modes: with compliance mode in which the instrument compliance is allowed, or without compliance mode in which the instrument compliance is not allowed. A flowable (Filtek Flow: FF) and two universal hybrid (Z100: Z1 and Z250: Z2) composites were studied. A silane treated metal rod with a diameter of 3.0 mm was fixed at free end of the load cell, and other metal rod was fixed on the base plate. Composite of 1.0 mm thickness was placed between the two rods and light cured. The axial shrinkage strain and stress of the composite were recorded for 10 minutes during polymerization, and the tensile modulus of the materials was also determined with the instrument. The statistical analysis was conducted by ANOVA, paired t-test and Tukey's test (alpha<0.05). There were significant differences between the two measurement modes and among materials. With compliance mode, the contraction stress of FF was the highest: 3.11 (0.13), followed by Z1: 2.91 (0.10) and Z2: 1.94 (0.09) MPa. When the instrument compliance is not allowed, the contraction stress of Z1 was the highest: 17.08 (0.89), followed by FF: 10.11 (0.29) and Z2: 9.46 (1.63) MPa. The tensile modulus for Z1, Z2 and FF was 2.31 (0.18), 2.05 (0.20), 1.41 (0.11) GPa, respectively. With compliance mode, the measured stress correlated with the axial shrinkage strain of composite; while without compliance the elastic modulus of materials played a significant role in the stress measurement.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cavity shape, bond quality of bonding agent and volume of resin composite on shrinkage stress developed at the cavity floor. This was done by measuring the shear bond strength with respect to iris materials (cavity shape; adhesive-coated dentin as a high C-factor and Teflon-coated metal as a low C-factor), bonding agents (bond quality; Scotchbond(TM) Multi-purpose and Xeno(R)III) and iris hole diameters (volume; 1 mm or 3 mm in diameter x 1.5 mm in thickness). Ninety-six molars were randomly divided into 8 groups (2 x 2 x 2 experimental setup). In order to simulate a Class I cavity, shear bond strength was measured on the flat occlusal dentin surface with irises. The iris hole was filled with Z250 restorative resin composite in a bulk-filling manner. The data was analyzed using three-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. Fracture mode analysis was also done. When the cavity had high C-factor, good bond quality and large volume, the bond strength decreased significantly. The volume of resin composite restricted within the well-bonded cavity walls is also be suggested to be included in the concept of C-factor, as well as the cavity shape and bond quality. Since the bond quality and volume can exaggerate the effect of cavity shape on the shrinkage stress developed at the resin-dentin bond, resin composites must be filled in a method, which minimizes the volume that can increase the C-factor.

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The purpose of present study was to evaluate the polymerization shrinkage stress and cuspal deflection in maxillary premolars resulting from polymerization shrinkage of composites and compomers. Composites and compomers which were used in this study were as follows: Dyract AP, Z100, Surefil, Pyramid, Synergy Compact, Heliomolar, Heliomolar HB, and Compoglass F. For measuring of polymerization shrinkage stress, Stress measuring machine (R&B, Daejon, Korea) was used. One-way ANOVA analysis with Duncan's multiple comparison test were used to determine significant differences between the materials. For measuring of cuspal deflection of tooth, MOD cavities were prepared in 10 extracted maxillary premolars. And reduction of intercuspal distance was measured by strain measuring machine (R&B, Daejon, Korea) One-way ANOVA analysis with Turkey test were used to determine significant differences between the materials. Polymerization shrinkage stress is [Heliomolar, Z100, Pyramid 0.05).

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The purpose of present study was to evaluate the polymerization shrinkage stress and amount of linear shrinkage of composites and compomers for posterior restoration. For this purpose, linear polymerization shrinkage and polymerization stress were measured. For linear polymerization shrinklage and polymerization stress measurement, custom made Linometer (R&B, Daejon, Korea) and Stress measuring machine was used (R&B, Daejon, Korea). Compositers and compomers were evaluated; Dyract AP (Dentsply Detrey, Gumbh. German) Z100 (3M Dental Products, St. Paul, USA) Surefil (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, USA) Pyramid(Bisco, Schaumburg, USA) Synergy Compact (Coltene, Altstatten, Switzerland), Heliomolar (Vivadent/Ivoclar, Liechtenstein), and Compoglass (Vivadent Ivoclar/Liechtenstein) were used. 15 measurements were made for each material. Linear polymerization shrinkage or polymerization stress for each material was compared with one way ANOVA with Tukey at 95% levels of confidence. For linear shrinkage; Heliomolar, Surefil

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Objective:To examine the polymerization shrinkage stress of three universal hybrid composite resins by photo-elastic analysis.Method:Epoxide resin disks (d=80 mm,h=4 mm) with a cylindrical cavity (d=4 mm) in the middle were prepared.Composite resins of Charisma,TPH Spectrum and Esthet-X were respectively filled in the cavities for the formation of specimens.Eight specimens were made for each resin.The resin specimens were light cured for 40 s by Dentsply QHL75 Curing lite. Polymerization contraction stress was calculated based on the diameter of the isochromatic rings of first order obtained from the diameter of epoxide resin specimen at 1,2,3,4,5,10,20 and 30 min,1,24 and 48 h after curing. The statistical analysis was carried out with the Wilcoxon test.Results:Polymerization contraction stress rised rapidly in the first 10 min after curing. 1 and 24 h after curing the shrinkage stress(MPa) of Charisma were 2.893 6?0.1 and 4.190 4?0.1,while that of Esthet-X were 2.291 7? 0.1 and 3.143 9? 0.3 ,respectively.The shrinkage stress values of TPH spectrum was between those of Charisma and Esthet-X 24 h after curing. 79% specimens showed shrinkage stress releasing during 24 and 48 h after curing.Conclusion:The rates of the shrinkage stress of the three studied resin composites are different.