OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the microhardness of posterior composite resins at different depths varying the post-irradiation time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each composite resin [Solitaire 2 (SO) - Heraus Kulzer, P60 (P) - 3M, Prodigy Condesable (PC) - Kerr, Surefil (S) - Dentsply and Alert (A) - Pentron], 6 specimens (3 mm in diameter; 4mm high) were prepared using a black polyurethane cylindrical matrix. The resins were inserted in a bulk increment and light cured for 40 seconds. Microhardness was analyzed at different depths (top, 0.4 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0mm, 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm) and at two moments (20 minutes and 24 hours after light-curing). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Overall, microhardness means decreased significantly with the increase of depth, being lower in the first moment tested. P, S and PC showed the highest microhardness means. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that the tested composite resins presented a gradual decrease of microhardness as depth increased and this drop was more accentuated for depths beyond 2 mm. For all materials, higher microhardness means were recorded 24 hours after light activation. P60 yielded the best results at the different depths evaluated.
Microhardness; Composite resins; Light-curing units; Depth; Post-irradiation time
