Polymerize is defined as

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Polymerize is defined as

Polymerize means the chemical process of joining smaller molecules called monomers into long chains or networks to form a polymer. In dentistry, this is what happens when resin materials—like composites or acrylics—set: initiators and energy (light, heat, or chemical) drive bonds between monomers, turning a liquid into a solid. Depolymerization would be breaking polymers back into monomers, which is the opposite of polymerizing. Curing describes the hardening outcome of the polymerization in resins, not the definition itself. Degradation with heat refers to breaking down polymers, which again isn’t polymerization.

Polymerize means the chemical process of joining smaller molecules called monomers into long chains or networks to form a polymer. In dentistry, this is what happens when resin materials—like composites or acrylics—set: initiators and energy (light, heat, or chemical) drive bonds between monomers, turning a liquid into a solid. Depolymerization would be breaking polymers back into monomers, which is the opposite of polymerizing. Curing describes the hardening outcome of the polymerization in resins, not the definition itself. Degradation with heat refers to breaking down polymers, which again isn’t polymerization.

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