Comparative evaluation of surface hardness and depth of cure of silorane and methacrylate-based posterior composite resins: An in vitro study

AIM: This in vitro study was carried out to compare the effect of LED light curing system on polymerization and hardness of silorane-based and methacrylate-based posterior composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 samples, 20 of silorane-based composite Filtek P-90 and 20 of methacrylate-based composite Heliomolar HB measuring 2 mm thickness and 8 mm diameter were prepared using Teflon molds and cured using LED curing light. The samples were polished and tested in Knoop hardness tester using a 50-gram load and dwell time of 15 seconds on top and bottom surfaces. The percentage depth of cure was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA test and Student t- test. RESULTS: Higher statistically significant values were seen for both the top and bottom surface hardness in silorane-based resins than methacrylate-based resins on LED light curing. CONCLUSION: Greater depth of cure was achieved in silorane-based posterior composite than in methacrylate-based posterior composite resins with a statistically significant difference.