Conhecimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas de Aracaju/SE sobre fotoativação de compósitos Bulk Fill e profundidade de polimerização alcançada, nos serviços privados e públicos de saúde

Abstract

This study evaluated photo- columns unified by dentists in the city of Aracaju/SE and the polymerization depth of a bulk-fill resin achieved with the use of their photopolymerization devices. Thirty-three dentists were randomly included in the study, fifteen of whom were in the public health service. The profile and knowledge of these clinicians about photo-enhanced resin, resin in posterior teeth, and bulk-fill resin were analyzed. The external diameter of the photopolymerization tip was measured using a digital caliper, and the brand and model of these devices were tabulated. Clinicians performed MOD Class II restorations on plaster models with a bulk-fill resin using their light-curing unit, without receiving any additional instruction, and the details of the light-curing protocol used were noted. The polymerization depth was measured by inserting the composite into a metal matrix with a depth of 8 mm, followed by removal of the unpolymerized composite with a metal spatula. Descriptive analyses of the data were performed and the polymerization depths achieved by the devices in public and private services were compared using the t-test and Fisher's exact test (α = 0.05). A low level of knowledge among dentists about bulk-fill resins and light-curing was observed, resulting in a wide variety of light-curing protocols. The average polymerization depth observed in public and private services was 3.1 and 3.3 mm, respectively, with no statistical difference between them. Only 10% of the photo-envations resulted in a polymerization depth of 4 mm. In conclusion, photopolymerization devices and unified photo-envation techniques are still a major challenge for obtaining adequate polymerization of bulk-fill resins.