Is there a light meter in your practice?

Research papers, especially those reporting a laboratory based study, often appear boring and irrelevant to the busy general practitioner faced with a pile of journals to read after a busy day in practice. The American Journal of Dentistry always includes a paragraph entitled ‘Clinical Significance’ and for this particular piece of research it really is quite significant, especially for your patient. The curing ability of three curing lights was tested on a 2mm thick sample of composite resin. Full polymerization was achieved if the tip of the most powerful light was held 15mm from the material, whereas the weakest light had to be only 6mm away. If the light is held at a greater distance than these then full depth curing – that is at the top and the bottom of the restoration - may not occur.

The resultant restoration may therefore depend on three factors. First, the output of the curing light, which varies with different models and which should be tested regularly using an appropriate light meter. Second, the distance the curing tip is held from the surface of the restoration, ensuring that the distance remains constant throughout the procedure. Thirdly, although this is not mentioned in this research paper, is the training given to the dental nurse responsible for holding the curing light. This paper may be a useful reference during a staff training session, to show how apparently esoteric academic research is actually very relevant to everyday clinical practice. Evidence based dentistry in a different form?