MARTINS JUNIOR, Luciano de Oliveira; MOTA, João Maurício Lima de Figueiredo; VAZ, Ricardo Rodrigues    CAMPOS, Wagner Reis da Costa. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of light-cure composite resins submitted to post-cure. RFO UPF []. 2010, 15, 3, pp. 273-278. ISSN 1413-4012.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of a direct restorative composite resin (Filtek P-60^TM), submitted or not to the post-cure, and a laboratory composite resin (Artglass^TM). METHODS: The flexural strength tests followed the ISO 4049:1988 regulations, and the Vickers microhardness tests the ASTM E-384:1999 regulations. The Filtek P-60^TM composite resin was cure activated as follows: Group I - conventional light cure; Group II - conventional light cure followed by post-cure with dry heat; Group III - conventional light cure followed by post-cure in a stroboscopic light unit; Group IV - Artglass^TM composite resin was light cured in a stroboscopic unit. After cure activation procedures, the samples were kept in deionized water at 37 ± 1 ºC for 24h and protected from light. Results were submitted to Anova and Duncan's test and revealed an increase in flexural strength and Vickers microhardness test after Filtek P-60^TM post-cure. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that the Vickers microhardness values for Filtek P-60^TM samples were superior to the Artglass^TM composite resin values; and that the flexural resistance values for Filtek P-60^TM submitted to post-cure were superior to the Artglass^TM resin values.

: Resin composite; Mechanical properties; Post-cure.