• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.296-309
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• 1999

Autopolymerized resin facilitates a more rapid and easier means for the construction of removable orthodontic appliances than heat cured resin. But many reports reveal that more unreacted monomer is found in autopolymerized resin. It is very important to achieve maximum degree of polymerization because if polymerization is inadequate, high level of unreacted monomer has been shown to adversely affect mechanical and physical properties, and also the question of allergy or toxicity to methylmethacrylate must be considered. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of polymerization according to curing method and curing time. Five groups were desinged ; Group 1 was polymerizied at room temperature($28^{\circ}C$) ; Group 2 in $28^{\circ}C$ water ; Group 3 in $28^{\circ}C$ water under 30psi pressure ; Group 4 in $43^{\circ}C$ water ; Group 5 in $43^{\circ}C$ water under 30psi pressure for 10 minutes, 1 hour 12 hours, 1 day and 3 days. The degree of polymerization was measured by means of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The results were as follows: 1. The degree of polymerization increased constantly in accordance with curing time in all groups and after curing for 10 minutes, Group 1 showed significantly higher degree of polymerization after 12 hours and Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, Group 5 after 1 hour(p<0.05). 2. The degree of polymerization decreased in the order of Group 5, Group 4, Group 3, Group 2, Group 1 except when the curing time was 1 hour and 12 hours(p<0.05). 3. The degree of polymerization of Group 4, Group 5 cured at $43^{\circ}C$ showed significantly higher degree of polymerization than Group 2, Group 3 at $28^{\circ}C$ except when the curing time was 1 day(p<0.05). 4. Among Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4, Group 5, the pressure had no effect on polymerization except when the curing time was 12 hours(p<0.05). 5. Between Group 1 and Group 2, the method of storage had no effect on polymerization except when the curing time was 1 hour(p<0.05).