The micro-Raman spectroscopy, a useful tool to determine the degree of conversion of light-activated composite resins

Light-activated composites are nom among the most popular dental restorativ e materials. Nevertheless, concerns exist about the so-called depth of cure , Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has traditionally been used to quantify this problem by evaluating the degree of conversion of dental resins, However, Raman scattering provides an alternate method. This article describes the a dvantages and the limitations of micro-Raman spectroscopy, as compared to F TIR and other techniques, for calculating the local degree of conversion an d the depth of cure of light-cured composites, (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.