Curing kinetics of a photo-polymerized dental sealant.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of using a variety of light-curing sources on the extent (monomer conversion) and rate of cure of a light-cured dental sealant.

Methods: Infrared spectroscopy recorded real-time polymerization of a self-cured and a light-cured sealant when the latter was exposed using manufacturer's recommendations [quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH)] for 20 seconds as well as to other light sources: high intensity QTH, plasma arc light (PAC), and second-generation blue light emitting diode (LED) units. Specimens were heated to 37 degrees C and the degree and rate of conversion were recorded at each second for 300 seconds.