Effects of curing lights on polymerization shrinkage of composite attachments in clear aligner treatment: A microcomputed tomography study.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the polymerization shrinkage of composite attachments and changes in attachment templates during bonding in clear aligner treatments.

METHODS

A total of 24 extracted teeth were divided into 4 groups, and plaster models were digitized. Attachment templates were produced with beveled attachments on premolars and rectangular attachments on molars. Polymerizations used a halogen curing light (800 milliwatts per square centimeter [mW/cm] for 20 seconds) and light-emitting diode (LED) curing light in 3 modes (1000 mW/cm for 20 seconds, 1000 mW/cm for 10 seconds, and 3200 mW/cm for 3 seconds). The curing distance was 5 mm, and temperature changes were recorded with a thermal camera. Microcomputed tomography scanning measured volumetric and linear attachments before and after polymerization. Statistical analyses employed a 1-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni corrected Tukey post-hoc for multiple comparisons and the Kruskal-Wallis test for temperature change.

RESULTS

Significant differences (P <0.001) were found in temperature among curing lights. The highest temperature was in the LED unit-extra mode, and the lowest was in the halogen curing unit. The LED unit for 20 seconds caused the highest temperature change. A significant difference (P = 0.048) in occlusal attachment length was found between the LED unit for 20 seconds and the LED unit-extra mode. Polymerization resulted in increased attachment template thickness across all groups, with significant changes noted in the halogen unit, LED unit for 20 seconds, and LED unit-extra mode.

CONCLUSIONS

Temperature generated during polymerization varied between halogen and LED curing lights. Significant differences were found in attachment length at the occlusal level and template thickness postpolymerization. Preferences in attachment bonding protocols may affect the clinical precision of clear aligner treatments.