Do lithium disilicate ceramic manufacturing techniques affect the degree of conversion of light-cured resin cement?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of conversion of light-cured resin cement subjected to activation through the interposition of lithium disilicate ceramic produced according to two manufacturing techniques. Cylindrical specimens of RelyX? Veneer resin cement were generated based on each manufacturing technique (CAD/CAM—computer aided design/computer assisted manufacturing, n?=?5 or pressed ceramic technique, n?=?5). Next, the specimens were washed in distilled water, dried with absorbent paper and stored in containers filled with distilled water at 37?°C for 24?h. Specimens from each group were subjected to attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) in order to evaluate their degree of conversion. Data about the degree of conversion (%) were subjected to analysis of variance and to Student’s t-test (α?=?0.05%). The degree of conversion of RelyX? Veneer was statistically higher in the CAD/CAM manufacturing technique (39.83?±?0.35%) than in the Press one (37.59?±?0.62%). The light-cured resin cement activated through ceramic structure reinforced with lithium disilicate generated through the CAD/CAM manufacturing technique showed higher degree of conversion than the one generated through the Press manufacturing technique.