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

GUSTAVO ARENAS, SERGIO NORIEGA, VERONICA MUCCI, CLAUDIA VALLO, RICARDO DUCHOWICZ

Campinas, San Pablo, Brasil

Congreso; RIAO/OPTILAS 07; 2007

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