You probably wondered why there's such a big difference in price between some curing lights and others. The price is not only associated with the design and accessories of the lamp but also with functions and technical characteristics such as weight, wavelength or output power.
Dental curing lights are used in our dental clinics to polymerize light-sensitive resins in restoration processes and to accelerate certain whitening treatments. Adequate polymerisation is essential in order to achieve long-lasting restorations. This will depend on factors such as: power of the light source, exposure time, light quality, incidence and distance, as well as energy and heat output.
First of all, as a basis for a correct choice of curing light, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- How much output power does the curing light you want to purchase have and does it match your clinic's needs?
- Is it for constant use? Does the lamp give off heat during polymerization?
- Is it wireless? How long does it take to charge the battery?
At Dentaltix we offer you some advices to help you when choosing the curing light that best suits you and we will recommend you some of the best options currently available on the market. Curing lights are characterised by the output power, the diameter of the light guide tips and the amount of heat emitted.
According to Ivolcar Vivadent, at least 1,000 mW/cm2 are needed to polymerize composite materials in 10 seconds through a dental structure in indirect restoration. However, for direct restorations, at least 400 mW/cm2 of output power is required for proper light-curing.
Curing lights are divided into:
- Halogen curing light bulbs.
- Plasma arc lamps.
- Laser polymerization lamps.
- LED curing light bulbs.
Plasma arc and laser lamps, despite their high light output which ranged from 1400 to 2700 mW/cm2, were not very successful on the market because they generated too much heat and were expensive. The same is happening now with halogen lamps, which are gradually being replaced by LED lamps (Light Emitting Diode) because they have certain advantages over halogen lamps: They consume little energy, generate less heat, and have a much longer service life. In fact, the latest generation LED lamps, both the cheapest and the most expensive, are characterized by ergonomics that benefit the user's comfort, such that they are smaller, lighter and easier to clean.
Highly priced dental lamps such as Ivoclar's BluePhase G2 polymerize in depth without damaging soft tissue thanks to their high output power. This lamp has integrated soundproof fans for continuous use and polymerizes all materials in the wavelength range 380nm to 515nm.
Another lamp that should be highlighted is the SDI Radii Plus, which does not require fans as it uses a heat sink technology that reduces the emission of heat. However, the emission spectrum is less wide since it ranges from 440 nm to 480 nm, so it can only polymerize materials that are in that range.
Another interesting, medium-priced, high-quality lamp is the Coltolux LED, which can be very suitable for clinics where intensive use of the curing lights is required.
Right now there are numerous good quality LED lamps out on the market with more affordable prices starting from 150 euros. For example, if you do not make intensive use of a curing light in your practice, you can purchase a less functional and more economical appliance such as the DTE branded Led D or the cordless lamp branded by Bader .
The main disadvantage of the latest generation of LED lamps is their battery, as they have a limited life span and are quite expensive to replace, starting from 90+ euros depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, they also have a more limited spectrum compared to halogen lamps.
A couple years ago, the Kerr brand launched Demi Ultra Kit, the LED curing light with Ultracondenser. This revolutionary condenser stores enough energy to run continuously for approximately 4 minutes, equivalent to 25 10-second polymerizations. After full discharge, it recharges in as little as 40 seconds without losing its efficiency, so there's really no need to think about recharging the battery. In addition to this, thanks to its output power, which ranges from 1,100 to 1,330 mW/cm2 with a wavelength ranging from 450 to 470 nm, polymerization can be performed through a dental structure.
On top of this, its C.U.R.E. technology allows the lamp to stay cool at all times, allowing continuous use of it without the need for fans - which entails no more worrying about battery replacements and tangling up in your clinic wires!
Wired or wireless?
You should also check whether the lamp you are buying comes with cables, is wireless or is integrated into the dental chair. For example, the Ivoclar BluePhase is wireless and allows continuous operation after battery discharge. As for the Radii Plus, it is a wireless lamp that allows total freedom of movement and for which the battery does not need to be recharged constantly.
Radiometer
The radiometer is a device that measures the energy emitted by the curing units. The use of this device in your clinic is necessary to control and ensure a complete and safe polymerization. The radiometer also alerts you to the need to replace or repair the lamp, so it is important that the lamp has an efficient radiometer to measure the output power.
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