COMPARISON OF EXOTHERMIC RELEASE DURING POLYMERIZATION OF 4 MATERIALS USED TO FABRICATE INTERIM RESTORATIONS

Four materials commonly used to make resin crown and fixed partial denture interim restorations (poly)methylmethacrylate, vinyl ethylmethacrylate, visible-light activated resin, and a Bis-acryl composite resin) were studied to evaluate their heat-producing capabilities. All four materials, despite manufacturers' claims, created a rise in temperature during polymerization. Poly(methylmethacrylate)'s temperature increases were significantly higher than those of the other three materials and visible-light activated resin had temperature increases that were significantly lower than those of the other three products. Dentists must be aware of all potential heat-producing sources to minimize thermal injury to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity during the fabrication of interim crowns and fixed partial dentures.