Characterization of heat emission of light-curing units

ObjectivesThis study was designed to analyze the heat emissions produced by light-curing units (LCUs) of different intensities during their operation. The null hypothesis was that the tested LCUs would show no differences in their temperature rises.MethodsFive commercially available LCUs were tested: a “Flipo” plasma arc, “Cromalux 100” quartz–tungsten–halogen, “L.E. Demetron 1” second-generation light-emitting diode (LED), and “Blue Phase C5” and “UltraLume 5” third-generation LED LCUs. The intensity of each LCU was measured with two radiometers. The temperature rise due to illumination was registered with a type-K thermocouple, which was connected to a computer-based data acquisition system. Temperature changes were recorded in continues 10 and 20 s intervals up to 300 s.ResultsThe Flipo (ARC) light source revealed the highest mean heat emission while the L.E. Demetron 1 LED showing the lowest mean value at 10 and 20 s exposure times. Moreover, Cromalux (QTH) recorded the second highest value for all intervals (12.71, 14.63, 14.60) of heat emission than Blue Phase C5 (LED) (12.25, 13.87, 13.69), interestingly at 20 s illumination for all intervals the highest results (18.15, 19.27, 20.31) were also recorded with Flipo (PAC) LCU, and the lowest (6.71, 5.97, 5.55) with L.E. Demetron 1 LED, while Blue Phase C5 (LED) recorded the second highest value at the 1st and 2nd 20 s intervals (14.12, 11.84, 10.18) of heat emission than Cromalux (QTH) (12.26, 11.43, 10.26). The speed of temperature or heat rise during the 10 and 20 s depends on light intensity of emitted light. However, the QTH LCU was investigated resulted in a higher temperature rise than LED curing units of the same power density.ConclusionThe PAC curing unit induced a significantly higher heat emission and temperature increase in all periods, and data were statistically different than the other tested groups (p < .05). LED (Blue Phase C5) was not statistically significant (p < .05) (at 10 s) than QTH units, also LED (Blue Phase C5, UltraLume 5) generates obvious heat emission and temperature rises than QTH units (at 20 s) except for those which have lower power density of LED curing units (first generation). Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected.     

The effect of different light-curing methods on temperature changes of dual polymerizing agents cemented to human dentin

AIM: This in vitro study aims to measure the temperature changes of resin luting cements cemented to human dentin when using different light curing systems for photo-activation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The three different types of light-curing units (LCUs) used for photoactivation were quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH), light emitting diode (LED), and plasma arc (PAC). Two types of dual cure resin cements were used [Variolink II (VL) and Choice (CH)]. Feltik Z250 composite resin material was used to prepare composite discs. Thirty human dentin specimens were prepared for each resin luting cement (ten for each light source). A total of 60 specimens were fabricated. Resin cement was applied on a dentin bridge and covered with the prepared composite disc where specimens were fabricated. Temperature change was recorded with a digital thermometer. RESULTS: The lowest temperature was recorded when VL and CH were photo-activated with the PAC unit. The PAC unit produced significantly lower recorded temperatures than the LED and QTH units. No significant difference appeared between QTH and LED units in terms of recorded temperature. CONCLUSION: The PAC unit produced significantly lower temperature changes compared to QTH and LED curing units. The risk for temperature rise should be taken into consideration during photo-polymerization of adhesive resins with LED or QTH in deep cavities when dentin thickness is 0.5 mm.     

Thermal emission and curing efficiency of LED and halogen curing lights

The purpose of this study was to compare the thermal emission and curing efficiency of LED (LEDemetron 1, SDS/Kerr) and QTH (VIP, BISCO) curing lights at maximum output and similar power, power density and energy density using the same light guide. Also, another LED curing light (Allegro, Den-Mat) and the QTH light at reduced power density were tested for comparison. Increase in temperature from the tips of the light guides was measured at 0 and 5 mm in air (23 degrees C) using a temperature probe (Fluke Corp). Pulpal temperature increase was measured using a digital thermometer (Omega Co) and a K-type thermocouple placed on the central pulpal roof of human molars with a Class I occlusal preparation. Measurements were made over 90 seconds with an initial light activation of 40 seconds. To test curing efficiency, resin composites (Z100, A110, 3M/ESPE) were placed in a 2-mm deep and 8-mm wide plastic mold and cured with the LED and QTH curing lights at 1- and 5-mm curing distances. Knoop Hardness Numbers (KHN) were determiped on the top and bottom surfaces (Leco). Bottom hardness values were expressed as a percentage of maximum top hardness. No significant differences were found in maximum thermal emission or KHN ratios between the LED (LEDemetron 1) and the QTH (VIP) at maximum output and similar energy densities (ANOVA/Tukey's; alpha=0.05).     

Effect of irradiation type (LED or QTH) on photo-activated composite shrinkage strain kinetics,temperature rise,and hardness

This study compares commercially available light-emitting diode (LED) lights with a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) unit for photo-activating resin-based composites (RBC). Shrinkage strain kinetics and temperature within the RBC were measured simultaneously using the 'deflecting disc technique' and a thermocouple. Surface hardness (Knoop) at the bottom of 1.5-mm thick RBC specimens was measured 24 h after irradiation to indicate degree of cure. Irradiation was performed for 40 s using either the continuous or the ramp-curing mode of a QTH and a LED light (800 mW cm(-2) and 320 mW cm(-2), respectively) or the continuous mode of a lower intensity LED light (160 mW cm(-2)). For Herculite XRV and Filtek Z250 (both containing only camphoroquinone as a photo-initiator) the QTH and the stronger LED light produced similar hardness, while in the case of Definite (containing an additional photo-activator absorbing at lower wavelength) lower hardness was observed after LED irradiation. The temperature rise during polymerization and heating from radiation were lower with LED compared to QTH curing. The fastest increase of polymerization contraction was observed after QTH continuous irradiation, followed by the stronger and the weaker LED light in the continuous mode. Ramp curing decreased contraction speed even more. Shrinkage strain after 60 min was greater following QTH irradiation compared with both LED units (Herculite, Definite) or with the weaker LED light (Z250).     

Modern high powered led curing lights and their effect on pulp chamber temperature of bulk and incrementally cured composite resin

Pulpal temperature changes induced by modern high powered light emitting diodes (LEDs) are of concern when used to cure composite resins. This study showed an increase in pulp chamber temperature with an increase in power density for all light cure units (LCU) when used to bulk cure composite resin. Amongst the three LEDs tested, the Elipar Freelight-2 recorded the highest temperature changes. Bulk curing recorded a significantly larger rise in pulp chamber temperature change than incrementally cured resin for all light types except for the Smartligh PS. Both the high powered LED and the conventional curing units can generate heat. Though this temperature rise may not be sufficient to cause irreversible pulpal damage, it would be safer to incrementally cure resins.     

Comparison of composite curing parameters: effects of light source and curing mode on conversion, temperature rise and polymerization shrinkage

This study analyzed the degree of conversion, temperature increase and polymerization shrinkage of two hybrid composite materials polymerized with a halogen lamp using three illumination modes and a photopolymerization device based on blue light emitting diodes. The degree of conversion of Tetric Ceram (TC) (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Filtek Z 250 (F) (3M/ESPE) was measured by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy at the surface and 2-mm depth; temperature rise was measured by digital multimeter, and linear polymerization shrinkage was measured during cure by digital laser interferometry. Composite samples were illuminated by quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit (QTH) (Astralis 7, Ivoclar Vivadent) under the following modes: "high power" (HH) 40 seconds at 750 mW/cm2, "low power" (HL) 40 seconds at 400 mW/cm2 and "pulse/soft-start" (HP) increasing from 150 to 400 mW/cm2 during 15 seconds followed by 25 seconds pulsating between 400 and 750 mW/cm2 in 2-second intervals and by light emitting diodes (LED) (Lux-o-Max, Akeda Dental) with emitted intensity 10 seconds at 50 mW/cm2 and 30 seconds at 150 mW/cm2. A significantly higher temperature increase was obtained for both materials using the HH curing mode of halogen light compared to the HP and HL modes and the LED curing unit after 40 seconds. Significantly lower temperature values after 10-second illumination were obtained when LED was used compared to all halogen modes. For all curing modes, there was no significant difference in temperature rise between 20 and 40 seconds of illumination. Results for the degree of conversion measurements show that there is a significant difference in the case of illumination of resin composite samples with LED at the surface and 2 mm depth. For polymerization shrinkage, lower values after 40 seconds were obtained using LED compared to QTH.     

Temperature rise during adhesive and resin composite polymerization with various light curing sources

This study evaluated the temperature rise in two different adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond [CSEB] and EBS-Multi [EBSM]) and composite systems (Clearfil AP-X [CAPX,] Pertac II [PII]) by the same manufacturer when illuminated by four different light sources: Light-emitting diode (LED), Plasma arc curing (PAC), high intensity quartz tungsten halogen (HQTH) and quartz tungsten halogen (QTH). Forty dentin disks were prepared from extracted premolars. These dentin disks were placed in apparatus developed to measure temperature rise. Temperature rise during photopolymerization of adhesive resin and resin composite was then measured. The mean values of temperature increases for adhesive and resin composites did not differ significantly (p=0.769). The highest temperature rise was observed during photopolymerization of EBSM with PAC (5.16 degrees C) and HQTH (4.28 degrees C), respectively. Temperature rise values produced by QTH (1.27 degrees C - 2.83 degrees C for adhesive resin; 1.86 degrees C - 2.85 degrees C for resin composite) for both adhesive and resin composites were significantly lower than those induced by PAC and HQTH (p<0.05). However, these values were significantly higher than those produced by LED (1.16 degrees C - 2.08 degrees C for adhesive resin; 1.13 degrees C - 2.59 degrees C for resin composite). Light sources with high energy output (PAC and HQTH) caused significantly higher temperature rise than sources with low energy output (QTH and LED). However, in this study, no temperature rises beneath 1-mm dentin disk exceed the critical 5.6 degrees C value for pulpal health.     

Shrinkage behavior of a resin-based composite irradiated with modern curing units.

OBJECTIVE: The present study determined the influence of different light curing regimes (four light-emitting diode (LED) units (Freelight 1 and 2, 3M-ESPE; e-light, GC; Bluephase (prototype), Ivoclar Vivadent), two quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) lights (Astralis 10, Ivoclar Vivadent; Swiss Master Light, EMS) and one plasma-light curing unit (Easy Cure, DMDS)) on the curing behavior of a resin-based composite material (InTen-S, Ivoclar Vivadent). METHODS: Polymerization shrinkage was induced by light curing the tested material with 14 different regimes of the curing units mentioned above. The contraction stress was recorded for 300 s at room temperature with a Stress-Strain-Analyzer (c(FACTOR)=0.3). The maximum contraction stresses after 300 s, the time until gelation (t(0.5N)), and the coefficient of near linear fit of contraction force/time (gradient) were analyzed. The statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA (alpha=0.05) and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: The five tested regimes of the LED unit e-light revealed the lowest statistically significantly maximum contraction stress followed by the low intensity LED unit Freelight 1 and the plasma curing unit Easy Cure. The high intensity LED unit Freelight 2 exhibited a significantly higher contraction stress compared to Freelight 1. No significant differences between the standard and exponential modes within these curing units were found. No significant differences were found between the LED unit Freelight 2 and the pulse program of the halogen light curing unit Astralis 10. The highest polymerization stresses were observed for the high energy curing units, either QTH (Swiss Master Light and Astralis 10) or LED (Bluephase). SIGNIFICANCE: Fast contraction force development, high contraction stress and an early start of stress build-up cause tension in the material with possible subsequent distortion of the bond to the tooth structure. The lowest polymerization stress was observed for the low energy LED lamps, while the plasma unit and the high energy QTH and LED curing units produced two to three times higher stress.     

Radiometric and spectrophotometric analysis of third generation light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units

AIMS: Light-emitting diode (LED) polymerization of dental restorative materials has become increasingly popular. However, individual light-curing unit (LCU) functions (intensity and/or wavelength emission) may not conform to manufacturer specifications due to quality control issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of irradiance, in terms of power density (intensity) and spectral distribution (peak wavelength), emitted from LED and quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH) LCUs in vitro. The battery expenditure of these LED units was also tested. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The intensity and spectral distribution from four third generation LED (Smartlite PS, Coltolux LED, radii Plus, Diopower) and one QTH (Schein Visible Cure) light sources were measured using six different dental curing light meters (Coltolux, Cure Right, Demetron 100, Demetron LED., Hilux, and Light Meter-200) and a visible-ultraviolet light spectrophotometer (Hitachi Elmer-Perkins). The battery life was also plotted for each light source following a 1500 second duration period. The data obtained from radiometric and spectrophotometric analysis was compared to manufacturer specifications. RESULTS: Radiometric evaluation revealed LED light units tested did not satisfy manufacturer claims for minimum intensities. Spectral emissions from the LED light sources did meet manufacturer requirements. No clinically appreciable battery drain was evidenced from testing all re-chargeable LED units. CONCLUSION: Despite limitations LED technology appears to be an effective alternative for curing of light-activated esthetic restorative materials. Additional advantages associated with LED curing lights include ergonomic handling capabilities, negative heat generation, and minimal maintenance concerns.     

Temperature rise and degree of photopolymerization conversion of nanocomposites and conventional dental composites

The aim of the study was to investigate the temperature rise of a nanocomposite and a conventional hybrid dental composite during photopolymerization when cured with halogen curing lamp (QHT) and light-emitting diode (LED). Temperature rise during photopolymerization of two commercially available composites (Filtek Supreme® and TetricCeram®) were measured using a K-type thermocouple and a digital thermometer. Different curing modes were utilized to cure the composites: a high-intensity QHT unit (Optilux 501) in two different modes (standard and ramp), a low-intensity QHT unit (Coltolux 50), and an LED unit (Ultralume-2). Total temperature rise, polymerization reaction exotherm, and irradiation-induced temperature rise of the composites were determined. Degree of conversion of the specimens was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. The results revealed that the Filtek Supreme® nanocomposite showed lower temperature rise and degree of conversion in comparison with the hybrid composite (p?相似文献   

长春市口腔临床应用光固化灯的调查

目的调查长春市临床应用光固化灯的功率密度及其相关信息,为临床医师正确维护使用光固化灯提供参考。方法调查对象为长春市口腔专科医院、综合医院口腔科、民营诊所,采用简单随机抽样的方法,共检测270盏光固化灯的功率密度及相关信息,包括光固化灯的品牌、类型、使用年限、光导头数目及类型,光导头玷污、破损情况,使用频率,装置的检测及维修情况,灯数目/牙椅数。结果270盏光固化灯中,卤光灯174盏,发光二极管灯96盏,检测功率密度变化范围在0～1702 mW/cm2,平均功率密度为413.2 mW/cm2,73盏灯小于200 mW/cm2,不能充分聚合光固化复合树脂。光固化灯的平均使用年限为4.7年。大多数医师未检测过光固化灯的功率密度,84％(227/270)的光导头表面有树脂的玷污和破损。结论 长春市大部分光固化灯为卤光灯,部分灯老化明显,需要更新,大多数医师没有注意光固化灯需要定期检测和维修。     

DEPTH OF CURE AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF DENTAL COMPOSITES CURED WITH BLUE LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (LEDs)

Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that depth of cure and compressive strength of resin composites cured using either an LED curing light or a QTH curing light would not be significantly different. The second objective was to characterize and compare the irradiance and emitted light spectra for the LED and QTH light curing units.     

Polymerization efficiency of LED curing lights

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the curing efficiency of three commercially available light‐emitting diode (LED)‐based curing lights with that of a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) curing light by means of hardness testing. In addition, the power density (intensity) and spectral emission of each LED light was compared with the QTH curing light in both the 380‐to 520‐nm and the 450‐ to 500‐nm spectral ranges. Materials and Methods: A polytetrafluoroethylene mold 2 mm high and 8 mm in diameter was used to prepare five depth‐of‐cure test specimens for each combination of exposure duration, composite type (Silux Plus [microfill], Z‐100 [hybrid]), and curing light (ZAP Dual Curing? Light, LumaCure?, VersaLux?, Optilux 401?). After 24 hours, Knoop hardness measurements were made for each side of the specimen, means were calculated, and a bottom/top Knoop hardness (B/T KH) percentage was determined. A value of at least 80% was used to indicate satisfactory polymerization. A linear regression of B/T KH percentage versus exposure duration was performed, and the resulting equation was used to predict the exposure duration required to produce a B/T KH percentage of 80% for the test conditions. The power densities (power/unit area) of the LED curing lights and the QTH curing light (Optilux 401?) were measured 1 mm from the target using a laboratory‐grade, laser power meter in both the full visible light spectrum range (380–780 nm) and the spectral range (between 450 and 500 nm), using a combination of long‐ and short‐wave edge filters. Results: The emission spectra of the LED lights more closely mirrored the absorption spectrum of the commonly used photoinitiator camphorquinone. Specifically, 95% of the emission spectrum of the VersaLux, 87% of the LumaCure, 84% of the ZAP LED, and 78% of the ZAP combination LED and QTH fell between 450 and 500 nm. In contrast, only 56% of the emission spectrum of the Optilux 401? halogen lamp fell within this range. However, the power density between 450 and 500 nm was at least four times greater for the halogen lamp than for the purely LED lights. As I a result, the LED‐based curing lights required from 39 to 61 seconds to cure a 2‐mm thick hybrid I resin composite and between 83 and 131 seconds to adequately cure a microfill resin composite. By I comparison, the QTH light required only 21 and 42 seconds to cure the hybrid and microfill resin I composites, respectively.     

Effect of exposure time on curing efficiency of polymerizing units equipped with light-emitting diodes

A study was conducted to evaluate the top and bottom hardness of two composites cured using polymerizing units equipped with light-emitting diodes [LED] (LEDemetron; Elipar FreeLight, Coltolux LED) and one quartz-tungsten halogen device [QTH] (Optilux 501) under different exposure times (20, 40 and 60 sec). A matrix mold 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth was made to obtain five disc-shaped specimens for each experimental group. The specimens were cured by one of the light-curing units (LCUs) for 20, 40 or 60 sec, and the hardness was measured with a Vickers hardness-measuring instrument (50 g/30 sec). Data were subjected to three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). LED LCUs were as effective as the QTH device for curing both composites. A significant increase in the microhardness values were observed for all light LCUs when the exposure time was changed from 20 sec to 40 sec. The Z250 composite showed hardness values that were usually higher than those of the Charisma composite under similar experimental conditions. LED LCUs are as efficient for curing composites as the QTH device as long as an exposure time of 40 sec or higher is employed. An exposure time of 40 sec is required to provide composites with a uniform and high Knoop hardness when LED light-curing units are employed.     

Light curing--an update

Light-cured, resin-based composite is an integral part of esthetic and restorative dentistry. This article reviews the performance and limitations of 4 types of curing lights and predicts that curing lights of the future will use light-emitting diode (LED). Currently, LED curing lights are not as powerful as plasma arc curing (PAC) or quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) lights. For the present, QTH curing lights dominate, but PAC lights cure increments of composite resin more efficiently. This article discusses different curing lights: QTH lights, PAC lights, laser curing units, and LED curing lights. The support for different curing modes (soft, exponential, and pulse delay) to improve marginal integrity and reduce marginal leakage is examined.     

Degree of conversion of adhesive systems light-cured by LED and halogen light

This study evaluated the effect of blue light emitting diode (LED) and quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) on the degree of conversion (DC) of an etch-and-rinse Single Bond adhesive system (SB) and a mixture composed of primer solution and resin bond from Clearfil SE Bond self-etching adhesive system (CB) using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR). Adhesives were applied to potassium bromide pellet surfaces and FTIR analyses were performed before and after photo-activation for 10 s with either LED (Freelight 1 - 400 mw/cm(2)) or QTH (XL 3000 - 630 mw/cm(2)) light-curing units (n=8). Additional FTIR spectra were obtained from photo-activated samples stored in distilled water for 1 week. The DC was calculated by comparing the spectra obtained from adhesive resins before and after photo-activation. The results were analyzed by two-way split-plot ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Both adhesive systems exhibited low DC (%) immediately after photo-activation (SB/QTH: 18.7 +/- 3.9; SB/LED: 13.5 +/- 3.3; CF/QTH: 13.6 +/- 1.9; CF/LED: 6.1 +/- 1.0). The DC of samples light-cured with LED was lower than DC of those light-cured with QTH, immediately after light curing and after 1 week (SB/QTH: 51.3 +/- 6.6; SB/LED: 50.3 +/- 4.8; CF/QTH: 56.5 +/- 2.9; CF/LED: 49.2 +/- 4.9). The LED curing unit used to photo-activate the adhesive resins promoted lower DC than the QTH curing unit both immediately after light curing and 1 week after storage in water.     

Microhardness of a Resin Cement Polymerized by Light-Emitting Diode and Halogen Lights through Ceramic

Purpose: This study evaluated the curing efficiency of light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen [quartz tungsten halogens (QTH)] lights through ceramic by determining the surface microhardness of a highly filled resin cement.
Materials and Methods: Resin cement specimens (Variolink Ultra; with and without catalyst) (5-mm diameter, 1-mm thick) were condensed in a Teflon mold. They were irradiated through a ceramic disc (IPS Empress 2, diameter 5 mm, thickness 2 mm) by high-power light-curing units as follows: (1) QTH for 40 seconds (continuous), (2) LED for 20 seconds, and (3) LED for 40 seconds (5-second ramp mode). The specimens in control groups were cured under a Mylar strip. Vickers microhardness was measured on the top and bottom surfaces by a microhardness tester. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a post hoc Bonferroni test at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: The mean microhardness values of the top and bottom surfaces for the dual-cured cement polymerized beneath the ceramic by QTH or LED (40 seconds) were significantly higher than that of light-cured cement ( p < 0.05). The top and bottom surface microhardness of dual-cured cement polymerized beneath the ceramic did not show a statistically significant difference between the LED and QTH for 40 seconds ( p > 0.05).
Conclusions: The efficiency of high-power LED light in polymerization of the resin cement used in this study was comparable to the high-power QTH light only with a longer exposure time. A reduced curing time of 20 seconds with high-power LED light for photopolymerizing the dual-cured resin cement under ceramic restorations with a minimum 2-mm thickness is not recommended.     

Temperature rise produced by different light-curing units through dentin

AIM: This study investigated the temperature rise caused by different light curing units and the temperature increase in dentin of different thicknesses. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dentin discs of 1.0 and 2.0 mm thicknesses were prepared from extracted human mandibular molars. Temperatures were recorded directly at the surface of the light guide tip, under dentin discs with different thicknesses, and through a sandwich composed of 2 mm thick cured composite and dentin using a K-type thermocouple. The curing units used were two quartz-tungsten-halogen lights (Spectrum and Elipar Trilight-ET) and a light-emitting diode (LED). RESULTS: The highest temperature rise was observed under a Mylar strip using ET standard mode. Under 1 and 2 mm thick dentin barriers, the lowest temperature rise was measured for the LED curing light. Significant differences in temperature rise existed among all curing units except between the Spectrum and ET exponential modes under a 1 mm thick dentin barrier with cured composite. Temperature rises were insignificant between the Spectrum and ET exponential modes and between two modes of Trilight when the same experimental setup was used under a 2 mm thick dentin barrier. CONCLUSION: For all curing units, temperature elevation through 2 mm of dentin was less than for 1 mm of dentin thickness. The ET standard mode produced the highest and the LED produced the lowest temperature rise for all tested conditions. The thickness of dentin and light-curing unit might affect temperature transmission.     

Performance of two blue light-emitting-diode dental light curing units with distance and irradiation-time.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of two blue light-emitting-diode (LED) curing units, in terms of their spectral output and irradiance and the depth of cure (dcure) produced in standard hybrid and modified composites, compared with a conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light curing unit. METHODS: The following light curing units (LCUs) were studied: Elipar-Freelight-1 LED (LED-1) 3 M-ESPE, Ultralume-2 LED (LED-2) Optident, and the Optilux-500 QTH (QTH-1) Sybron-Kerr. For each LCU, using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, the output spectrum was measured and the irradiance of emitted light as a function of source-detector distance. Three composites were studied of similar formulation but differing in their initiator concentrations and/or opacity. These were: Tetric Ceram (A3), Tetric Ceram HB containing an additional photoinitiator responding to approximately 435 nm (A3) and Tetric Ceram Bleach (L). dcure was measured using a calibrated digital needle-penetrometer, as a function of source-specimen distance and for irradiance periods of 10, 20 and 40 s. RESULTS: Each unit delivered a single peak in the blue region of the visible spectrum. The wavelength maxima for LED-1, LED-2 and QTH-1 were 486.4, 458.2 and 495.2 nm, respectively. Cure-depth (dcure) values varied significantly (p<0.001) with irradiance times and source-specimen distance for both LED and QTH sources. The percentage reduction in dcure values resulting from LED versus QTH irradiance increased with source-specimen distance. SIGNIFICANCE: The LED-LCUs had an energy-efficient spectral output for conventional composite curing but had a lower irradiance compared with the QTH-LCU, leading to reduced performance in depths of cure. Design improvements to provide greater irradiance from the LED-1 and to a lesser extent LED-2, should result in increased performance.     

Effects of curing lights on human gingival epithelial cell proliferation

BackgroundLight-emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) curing lights are used commonly in clinics. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of these lights on the proliferation of human gingival epithelial cells.MethodsSmulow-Glickman (S-G) cells were exposed to a VALO LED (Ultradent) or an XL3000 QTH (3M ESPE) light at 1 millimeter or 6 mm distance for 18, 39, 60, and 120 seconds. Untreated and Triton X-100 treated cells were used as controls. At 24, 48, and 72 hours after light exposure, cell proliferation was evaluated via a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.ResultsThe authors first evaluated the performances of these 2 lights. Both LED and QTH lights generated heat. The LED light generated less heat than the QTH light and could save approximately two-thirds of the curing time. When used for 18 seconds at a 6 mm distance, the LED light did not inhibit the proliferation of S-G cells. However, if the exposure time was longer (for example, 39, 60, or 120 seconds), the LED light inhibited cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect increased when the exposure time was increased to 39, 60, or 120 seconds. The QTH light did not inhibit S-G cell proliferation if the exposure time was less than 120 seconds.ConclusionsProlonged exposure to a blue curing light (both LED and QTH) inhibits the proliferation of gingival epithelial cells and may cause damages to oral soft tissues.Practical ImplicationsIn dental practices, a balance should be struck in consideration of curing time not only to cure the composites completely but also to minimize unnecessarily prolonged light exposure.