Obada Jabbour* and Reem Alfares
The use of direct resin-based materials has increased primarily due to patient esthetic desires, product improvements, and health concerns with dental amalgam. New visible light-curing resin-based materials are introduced yearly, as manufacturers continue to improve this tooth-colored restorative material. This paper will characterize the heat released during the polymerization of light-curing resin composite and review in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, the literature on temperature rise during polymerization of light-curing pulp-capping materials, bonding agents, Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), and compomers will be reviewed. The data indicate that the use of light curing sources with high radiant exitance seemed to make a greater temperature rise than the use of traditional sources. Moreover, particular attention should be paid to deep preparations where the thickness of the remaining dentin is minimal.
