• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.731-748
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the more thorough cure of lightactivated composite resin could be obtained if a new way of delivering the light source deep through the resin body is developed when compared to the conventional bulk cure or incremental cure. Using cylindrical resin blocks and natural teeth, various curing conditions were tested for their effects on the degree of microleakage and microhardness. Data were analyzed statistically using One-Way ANOVA and Scheff's Multiple Range test. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. The increment of reduction in microhardness with depth was shown to be higher in group I and II than in group II and V. 2. At the level of lower inner surface and the bottom surface, significantly lower microhardness values were obtained in group I and II when compared to group III, IV and V. Group IV showed the lowest value among three groups(III, IV, V) representing the only statistically significant difference from group V(p<05). 3. Differences between groups in the degree of microleakage detected were shown to be statistically significant (p<05) with the exception of group IV and V at both occlusal and gingival margins. 4. Based upon the above-mentioned results, commonly cited recommendation of incremental curing is strongly supported and the light-transmitting wedge insertion method can be considered as a effective and feasible clinical procedure for the better curing of composite resin. However, more studies under a variety of conditions should be completed before this method is applied actually to the clinical setting.