Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various polymerization techniques on the microleakage of compomer restorations. Fifty extracted human premolars and molar were used and randomly divided into 5 groups. After cavity preparation, compomer (F2000$^{\circledR}$) was filled according to the manufacturer's directions. All groups, except group 5, were filled using an incremental technique. Group 1 was polymerized for 40 seconds at a continuous 485mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$ with a VIP$^{\circledR}$(Bisco, USA) light cure unit. Group 2 was polymerized for 20 seconds at 345mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$ and then for 20 seconds at 645mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$ with the VIP equation omitted light cure unit. Group 3 was polymerized at 400mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$, gradually increased to 50mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$ 10 seconds until 550mW/$\textrm{cm}^2$ was reached; total 40 seconds with a Spectrum 800$^{\circledR}$ (Dentsply Caulk, USA) light cure unit. Group 4 was polymerized for 3 seconds using an incremental technique with a Flipo$^{\circledR}$ (LOKKi, France) light cure unit. Group 5 was polymerized for 3 seconds using a bulk fill technique with the Flipo$^{\circledR}$ light cure unit. The specimens were embedded with acrylic resin, and were sectioned with diamond saws in a mesiodistal direction along the longitudinal axis of the tooth so as to pass through the center of the restoration, and three surfaces (occlusal, pulpal, and gingival) were examined with SEM. The results were as follows ; 1. Group 5 showed a significantly larger gaps compared to other groups on the gingival, occlusal, and pulpal walls. 2. All groups except group 5 had no statistically significant gap on the gingival, occlusal, and pulpal walls. 3. There was no significant correlation between the amount of enamel on the gingival and occlusal walls and polymerization shrinkage.