Safe and sufficient light curing of dental materials
Check out the irradiance of the curing light at the time of purchase and monitor it over time.
Applying too short light curing time or too low light output (irradiance) may lead to inadequate curing.
Proper light curing is mandatory for restoration success, a recent article from NIOM scientists in Aktuel Nordisk Odontologi ascertained. Light curing can be a process that does not receive the attention it requires, but there are simple ways to optimise the light curing procedure.
Advice for safe and effective curing:
• Know your curing lamp! Check out the irradiance of the curing light at the time of purchase and monitor the irradiance over time using a radiometer or by other means described in the publication.
• Adjust the curing time depending on the clinical conditions. For instance, increasing the distance or angle between the curing light tip and restoration surfaces will decrease the irradiance to the restoration, and may eventually reduce the curing depth. In this case, you will have to increase the curing time.
• We recommend using a transparent sleeve to cover the light tip to avoid contamination of biological or material samples and to avoid scratches.
• Protect yourself from the emitted light of the curing lamp.
Applying too short light curing time or too low light output (irradiance) may lead to inadequate curing. Use at least the recommendation from the manufacturer of the material and never less than 10 seconds. On the other hand, too long curing time, especially in combination with too high irradiance, may increase the risk of heat dissipation and hazard to oral tissue and pulp. Irradiance above 2000 mW/cm2 is not required to obtain sufficient curing.
Full text available here:
Bruzell E, Kopperud HM, Rukke HV. Lysherding – så enkelt og så vanskelig. Aktuel Nordisk Odontologi. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo. 2018; 43: 68-77. ISSN Print: 1902-3545; ISSN Online: 2058-7538; DOI: 10.18261/issn.2058-7538
