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Restorative & Materials · single question

Why is a dual-cure resin cement or core material preferred in a molar with a deep endodontic access cavity?

  1. It bonds chemically to gutta-percha
  2. Light-curing alone cannot reliably polymerise beyond a limited depth
  3. It sets faster than any light-cured material
  4. It has a higher filler content than light-cure materials
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Light-curing alone cannot reliably polymerise beyond a limited depth

  • A. No resin cement bonds chemically to gutta-percha.
  • B. Correct. Light-cured resin achieves reliable polymerisation only to roughly 2 mm per increment, and light attenuates sharply with depth and through opaque tooth structure. In a deep access cavity or a post space, light simply cannot reach the base. A DUAL-CURE material carries a chemical (self-cure) initiator alongside the photo-initiator, so it will polymerise fully even where light does not penetrate.
  • C. Dual-cure materials generally set more SLOWLY than light-cured resin, which polymerises on demand.
  • D. Filler content is not the distinguishing feature; dual-cure materials often have LOWER filler loading.

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