Early surface microhardness of a resin composite exposed to a pulse-delayed curing exposure: a comparison of a tungsten halogen and a plasma arc lamp, in vitro.

Surface microhardness numbers of a commercial resin composite have been compared after exposure to a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) and plasma arc (PAC) lamp respectively, using two exposure protocols. The effect of increased tip-to-composite distance has also been compared. Exposure with the PAC lamp tested is more appropriate to the early finishing of composite restorations after placement and curing than with the QTH. However both lamps were capable of producing comparable surface hardness, with appropriate exposure protocols. The effect of increased tip-to-composite distance was generally not significant between the lamps for continuous exposure.