The present study had the purpose of determining the relative number of free radicals of three composites with clear and dark colors. Intensities of irradiation were: 110, 180, 300, and 580 mW/cm2, for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 90 seconds. Hardness was determined for the clear colors of the composites, using 110 and 300 mW/cm2 irradiation intensities, for 20, 40, 60, and 80 seconds, on front and deep surfaces, at the ages of 5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. The conclusions were that: depending on the resin, clear colors present more free radicals; the number of free radicals increases with higher intensity and longer irradiation time; composite Z100 is much richer in free radicals than Silux Plus and Heliomolar RO; higher intensity of irradiation leads to increasing hardness; longer irradiation time increases hardness of Silux Plus and Heliomolar RO, but not that of Z100; hardness increases with age; in depth hardness is very low; Z100 is much harder than the other two resins; Z100 is less sensitive to irradiation intensity.
Composite resins; Dental materials
