Enhancement of physical properties of resin restorative materials by laser polymerization.

A study was conducted to compare the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, transverse flexural strength, and flexural modulus of a microfilled and a small particle composite resin restorative material following argon laser and conventional visible light polymerization techniques. All physical properties examined in this study were enhanced by laser polymerization. The diametral tensile strength of both types of restorative materials was significantly greater following laser polymerization, as were the transverse flexural strength and the flexural modulus of the microfilled resin restorative material. Additionally, these results were obtained with a laser polymerization time that was one-fourth that used for visible light activation. It was concluded that the argon laser is a potentially advantageous means of initiating the polymerization of dental composite resin restorations.