## 4 Discussion
Based on this, although Myra exhibits a statistically significant difference compared to the other two composites, its closer proximity to Omnichroma in terms of degree of conversion could be attributed to this reason. Incomplete monomer conversion in dental composites leads to various disadvantages such as secondary caries, postoperative sensitivity, and the need for root canal treatment [42]. Unreacted monomers pose a threat to oral health and their release can induce cytotoxicity even at very low concentrations. It has been observed that up to 30 min following the completion of composite restoration, residual monomers and other degradation products can be isolated from saliva to peak levels. In addition, degradation products can be released into the oral environment for up to 24 h [43]. Partially polymerized monomers secondarily foster bacterial adhesion on surfaces, consequently promoting the development of dental plaque [44]. The most common strategy employed clinically to maximize the degree of conversion and minimize monomer release involves increasing the light application time to reach the required energy level. Some studies conducted with commercially available composites emphasize that even with high-power LEDs, a minimum of 20 s of light application is necessary to minimize monomer release, with 40 s of light application being considered more ideal [45; 46; 47]. In the present study, to ensure standardization, the polymerization time was limited to 20 s in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The imaging of specimen surfaces through the electron microscopy technique, a process resulting from the interaction of electrons with the sample, is accomplished by generating topological images. In this way, making the invisible visible is achieved, and additionally, through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-rays emitted from the specimens are detected, enabling not only imaging, but also character analysis [48]. EDX spectroscopy is involved in the determination of the elemental composition of matter using a scanning electron microscope. EDX can detect elements with higher atomic numbers than boron, and these elements can be detected even at very low concentrations. The applications of EDX include material assessment and identification, contamination detection, and quality control screening [48]. Surface characterization through SEM and EDX analysis provides valuable information about the elemental composition and morphology of the restorative materials. The presence of silicon, barium, and ytterbium in varying proportions reflects the diverse filler compositions and surface chemistries of Neo Spectra, Omnichroma, and Myra. The detection of platinum in Omnichroma suggests the incorporation of novel additives or filler treatments, which may contribute to its unique mechanical and optical properties. Variations in both the organic and inorganic structures of dental composites give rise to different mechanical properties. The utilization of DSC for the detection of the monomer conversion rate demonstrates consistency with the FT-IR method, thus solidifying the position of DSC among alternative testing techniques. However, the comparison of bottom/top surface microhardness may not always yield accurate findings. In the literature, only a scant number of studies have employed the DSC method for measuring monomer conversion in dental composites [14; 49]. Upon analyzing the data, it was observed that the average value obtained from the DSC measurements closely resembled that of the FT-IR. In conclusion, the comprehensive characterization of Neo Spectra, Omnichroma, and Myra restorative materials revealed significant differences in mechanical properties, curing efficiency, and elemental composition. These findings contribute to the understanding of their performance characteristics and facilitate informed decision-making in dental restoration procedures.