The irradiation technique, used to measure mechanical properties of resin-based composites according to international standards, consistently differs from clinically simulated conditions, calling into question whether laboratory findings can be unrestrictedly applied clinically, especially at short polymerization times. The study analyzes whether degree of conversion measurements at short post-polymerization time (five minutes) are able to predict the long-term material behavior. SUMMARYThe following parameters were varied: 1) irradiation technique: top and bottom polymerization according to the ISO standard, and polymerization from only the top, simulating clinical situations; 2) polymerization time: 5, 10, 20, and 40 seconds; 3) storage conditions: 24 hours in distilled water, thermocycling followed by storage for four weeks in artificial saliva or alcohol. Flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (E flexural ), indentation modulus (E), Vickers hardness (HV), and degree of conversion (DC) were measured.The laboratory results were similar to those measured by mimicking clinical conditions only at high polymerization times and mild storage conditions (20 seconds and 40 seconds and storage for 24 hours in water, and 40 seconds with aging and storing in saliva). Significantly higher DC values were measured on the top than on the bottom of a 2-mm layer for all polymerization times. Overall, 5-second

This study investigated the effects of aging and irradiation time on the macro-and micro-mechanical properties of a highly translucent nanohybrid composite (IPS Empress Direct, Trans Opal shade, Ivoclar Vivadent). Flexural strength, flexural modulus, indentation modulus, Vickers hardness, and creep were measured after being irradiated with different durations (5, 10, 20, and 40 s) and aged under different conditions (24 h at 37°C in water; 5,000 times of thermocycling between 5°C and 55°C followed by 4-week storage in artificial saliva or alcohol). Rate of cure was also measured for these four irradiation times at composite specimen surface and at 2 mm depth. Effects of aging and irradiation time were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post hoc test (α=0.05), partial eta-squared statistic, and Weibull analysis. Alcohol aging significantly reduced the mechanical properties. Aging in saliva produced a positive effect on micro-mechanical properties. Irradiation time should be at least 20 s to yield favorable mechanical properties.