Contraction Measurements of Dental Composite Material during Photopolymerization by a Fiber Optic Interferometric Method

ARENAS GUSTAVO F.; NORIEGA SERGIO B.; MUCCI VERÓNICA B.; VALLO CLAUDIA I.; DUCHOWICZ RICARDO

Campinas, San Pablo, Brasil

Congreso; RIAO/OPTILAS 07; 2007

In order to monitor the shrinkage generated by new composites during photopolymerization, we have implemented a fiber optic sensing method based on a Fizeau‐type interferometric scheme. This simple, compact, non‐invasive and self‐calibrating system competes with both conventional and other high‐resolution bulk interferometric techniques. Several stages of the curing process were characterized from sample interferograms, including photopolymerization inhibition, the onset and degree of sample shrinkage, as well as typical kinetic behaviour of photopolymerization of dimethacrylates monomers. Some complementary studies (temperature and transmission measurements) were performed to complete the kinetic scheme. A simple polymerization model was generated in order to discuss the main results.