The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the Vickers microhardness of one microhybrid composite polymerized with different sources and stored in distilled water for up to 14 days. Thirty samples have been prepared with Charisma composite, shade B1, for each polymerization method: halogen light photopolymerization, LED photopolymerization, photopolymerization plus post-cured cycles in autoclave. Two readings of Vichers micro hardness have been done in each sample on 24h, 7days and 14 days of storage. The post curing method tended to improve the microhardness, but it was not statistically different from halogen or LED curing methods (p > 0.05). After 7 days, the hardness values were higher than the first day, but statistically not different to 14 days (p < 0.05). Post-cured samples in autoclave had an improved mean value, however, without differing from those of the LED and halogen.
UNITERMS: composite; micro hardness; polymerization method; storage media.