Controlling and understanding the polymerization shrinkage-induced stresses in light-cured composites.

The shrinkage of composites induces stress in the final restoration when the composite is bonded to the tooth surface. The amount of stress can be controlled by the method of pulse-delay cure used. The development of new composites has changed the energy requirements for obtaining polymerization. The total energy required for optimal polymerization has been reduced and the rate at which the energy is delivered can have a strong effect on the final properties of the restoration. Newer composites may employ different photoinitiators, making the spectral emission from the curing light an important factor for properties of the final restoration. It is proposed that labels for composites carry: (1) indications for the total energy required; (2) specification of the pulse-delay cure if applicable; and (3) the required spectral bandwidth of the curing lamp light emission.