Evaluation of Students Experience Using Pre-heated Composite Resin: Lab Trial

Objectives: The purpose of the present double blinded lab trial is to determine if dental students were satisfied to work with preheated composite resin and what was their preferable temperature.

Methods: Thirty-two second year dental students agreed to participate by restoring class I readily prepared acrylic first molars with preheated composite resin at different temperatures (23^oC, 37 ^oC, 54 ^oC & 68 ^oC). Each student experienced using two types of composite resin restoration. Students were blinded from the type of composite restoration and the temperature; to blindness that the participants were handed the composite compule in the loading composite gun. After each restoration, students were asked to fill out a color-coded survey of their experience with material performance together with a final overall evaluation survey.

Results: Out of the thirty participants, only two students preferred room-temperature composite (P P =0.029). The participants reported that the preheated composite was easier to manipulate, easier to flow out of the compule, and less likely to stick on the instruments. Preheated composite at 54 ^oC was the most preferable temperature followed by 68 ^oC and 37 ^oC.

Conclusions: Pre-heated composite was observed to be the preference for the students.