Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?

With the growing use of high-intensity LED units in orthodontics, the effect of ultra-fast curing protocols on polymerization efficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of conventional and rapid high-intensity light curing protocols on the degree of conversion (DC) of ort...

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Main Authors: Ivona Profeta Krznar, Senka Meštrović, Helena Miler, Danijela Marovic, Zrinka Tarle, Matej Par
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7641
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author Ivona Profeta Krznar
Senka Meštrović
Helena Miler
Danijela Marovic
Zrinka Tarle
Matej Par
author_facet Ivona Profeta Krznar
Senka Meštrović
Helena Miler
Danijela Marovic
Zrinka Tarle
Matej Par
author_sort Ivona Profeta Krznar
collection DOAJ
description With the growing use of high-intensity LED units in orthodontics, the effect of ultra-fast curing protocols on polymerization efficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of conventional and rapid high-intensity light curing protocols on the degree of conversion (DC) of orthodontic adhesive systems. Three commercially available materials were tested under two conditions, without bracket interference (control group, CG) and with a metal bracket present during curing (metal bracket group, MBG). Two light-curing protocols were employed: conventional curing, using two consecutive 10 s exposures at 1100 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>, and rapid curing, with two consecutive 3 s exposures at 2900 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>. The DC was assessed via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy at short-term intervals (2, 6, and 10 min) and after 24 h. The results showed that rapid high-intensity curing yielded significantly lower DC values at both the short term and 24 h period compared to the conventional protocol. Short-term DC values ranged from 44.4% to 64.4% for conventional curing and from 43.0% to 60.0% for rapid curing. At 24 h, DC values increased for all materials, reaching 54.4–82.8% in the conventional group and 49.7–81.4% in the rapid curing group. The largest difference in DC values between curing protocols was observed in the MBG, with reductions of up to 5.9% (short-term) and 4.7% (24 h). The 24 h DC values were mostly material-dependent, while external factors (curing protocol and the presence of a bracket) had more impact on the short-term DC values.
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spelling doaj-art-2fb8baac144c48ad9d2a0da71536e7122025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514764110.3390/app15147641Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?Ivona Profeta Krznar0Senka Meštrović1Helena Miler2Danijela Marovic3Zrinka Tarle4Matej Par5Private Orthodontic Practice, 49000 Krapina, CroatiaDepartment of Orthodontics, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaPrivate Dental Practice, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaWith the growing use of high-intensity LED units in orthodontics, the effect of ultra-fast curing protocols on polymerization efficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of conventional and rapid high-intensity light curing protocols on the degree of conversion (DC) of orthodontic adhesive systems. Three commercially available materials were tested under two conditions, without bracket interference (control group, CG) and with a metal bracket present during curing (metal bracket group, MBG). Two light-curing protocols were employed: conventional curing, using two consecutive 10 s exposures at 1100 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>, and rapid curing, with two consecutive 3 s exposures at 2900 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>. The DC was assessed via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy at short-term intervals (2, 6, and 10 min) and after 24 h. The results showed that rapid high-intensity curing yielded significantly lower DC values at both the short term and 24 h period compared to the conventional protocol. Short-term DC values ranged from 44.4% to 64.4% for conventional curing and from 43.0% to 60.0% for rapid curing. At 24 h, DC values increased for all materials, reaching 54.4–82.8% in the conventional group and 49.7–81.4% in the rapid curing group. The largest difference in DC values between curing protocols was observed in the MBG, with reductions of up to 5.9% (short-term) and 4.7% (24 h). The 24 h DC values were mostly material-dependent, while external factors (curing protocol and the presence of a bracket) had more impact on the short-term DC values.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7641rapid high-intensity curingorthodontic adhesive systemsdegree of conversionFTIRultra-fast polymerization
spellingShingle Ivona Profeta Krznar
Senka Meštrović
Helena Miler
Danijela Marovic
Zrinka Tarle
Matej Par
Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
Applied Sciences
rapid high-intensity curing
orthodontic adhesive systems
degree of conversion
FTIR
ultra-fast polymerization
title Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
title_full Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
title_fullStr Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
title_full_unstemmed Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
title_short Are Commercially Available Orthodontic Adhesive Systems Suitable for Rapid (3 s) High-Intensity Light Curing?
title_sort are commercially available orthodontic adhesive systems suitable for rapid 3 s high intensity light curing
topic rapid high-intensity curing
orthodontic adhesive systems
degree of conversion
FTIR
ultra-fast polymerization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7641
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