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Three generations of led lights and clinical implications for optimizing their use. 1: from past to present B Pelissier B Jacquot WM Palin AC Shortall Dental Update 2024 38:10, 707-709.
Authors
BPelissier
BDS, PhD
UFR d'Odontologie de Montpellier I 545, avenue du Professeur Jean-Louis Viala 34193, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
In the present era of adhesive dentistry light-curing units are essential pieces of surgery equipment for everyday practice. The success and longevity of light-activated resin sealants, photo-cured restorations and orthodontic treatments are related to the efficacy of the light-curing process. Energy efficient blue LED lights are rapidly replacing their halogen lamp predecessors as the standard light source. Manufacturers are producing materials with different initiators and not all of these materials can be properly polymerized with blue LED lights.
Clinical Relevance: Adequate curing in depth is basic to the long-term clinical success of any light-activated restoration. As dentists enter the post-amalgam era they are required to restore increasingly large cavities with direct resin composite. To achieve this goal predictably, an appropriate light source needs to be combined with materials knowledge, requisite clinical skills and attention to detail throughout the entire restoration process.
Article
The goal of adhesive restorative dentistry is smaller restorations of increased longevity. Advances in adhesion and polymerization, coupled with new materials and conservative or ‘minimal intervention’ restorative treatments, have revolutionized dental practice since the introduction of light-cured composites on to the market 35 years ago (Figures 1 and 2). The curing light is just one aspect of a proper clinical polymerization protocol. Operator proficiency, the composite material formulation (shade and opacity, initiator system, resin matrix composition, filler type and loading, etc), the adhesive system and the polymerization method all have a strong influence on the outcome. The aims of dental photocuring are to gain uniform high conversion to full depth in the fastest appropriate radiation time whilst minimizing conversion shrinkage stress and material/tooth/tissue overheating effects. For optimal results, the appropriate radiation time for a specific situation depends on the material (product, shade, opacity) and the light source parameters as well as, for example, clinical (cavity location, access, depth) and operator variables.
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