George Freedman, DDS
Many resin-polymerizing curing lights are available. The earlier LED curing lights worked well for polymerizing Camphoroquinone chemistry, but were not predictably effective for the PPD initiators. The newer LEDs have an extended range that covers all the commonly used dental composite photo initiators. LED curing lights have largely displaced all the earlier formats in just a few short years.
Clinically, the dental profession is highly dependent on restorative material polymerization. Understanding curing lights, their properties, limitations, and uses is essential. Light-activated photo curing is part of every dental discipline (restorative, aesthetic, orthodontic, endodontic, etc) and one of the most frequent tasks in day-to-day dentistry. The price drivers of curing lights are related to the unit quality and the optional features available. These options often enhance, simplify, or speed the curing process.
The introduction of CQ-containing, light-initiated polymerizing restorative composites in the early 1980s propelled dentistry into the appearance-related manifestation that has driven the profession for much of the last 3 decades. Increasingly wide-ranging resin utilization has encouraged the development of innovative composites and adhesives. Composites are one part of the aesthetic revolution and the curing light is the other.
The are a few major advantages of photo polymerization, some of which include (1) unlimited, dentist-controlled working time, (2) greatly improved material properties, and
(3) chairside clinical convenience.
The unlimited prepolymerization working time of composite materials encourages cosmetic/aesthetic dentists to manipulate restorative materials to the shades and shapes.
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Kerr
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SDI (North America)
The Radii Plus is one of the most powerful LED lights available. With intensity readings of at least 1,500 mW/cm2, a built-in radiometer, and a 60-mm depth of cure, the operator has absolute confidence that the curing will be complete. The modern, slimming design has a tip that rotates 360° to ensure easy access to all areas. A fully charged Radii Plus achieves 1,200 ten-second cures before needing to be recharged. There is a 5-year warranty on all Radii Plus parts, except for the batter section, which has a 2-year warranty. For more information, call (800) 228-5166.
CAO Group
The Ascent PX LED curing light features a power output of up to 2,000 mW/cm2 and dual-spectrum output covering 377 to 490 nm. It can cure any dental material with a photoinitiator. The ergonomic design includes 360° wand rotation and a large, 1 cm2 curing area. This allows the clinician to position the light exactly where it is needed while keeping the hand in a comfortable, ergonomic position. For more information, call (877) 236-4408, option 1 or visit caogroup.com/dental.
Coltène
The S.P.E.C. 3 defines performance without compromise. Chair time can be effectively reduced due to rapid and deep polymerization on various light-cured materials. The sealed aluminum body ensures quick and easy disinfection between patients. The powerful lithium polymer battery offers enough storage capacity to perform more than 300 ten-second cures between charges. S.P.E.C. 3 features multiple curing modes for maximum functionality in any clinical situation. For more information, call (800) 221-3046 or visit coltene.com.
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Ivoclar Vivadent The Bluephase Style combines a new, slim, lightweight design with all the features, power, and efficiency that have made bluephase THE DENTAL ADVISOR’S top-rated LED curing light for 3 years (2009 to 2011). Ergonomic, high-powered, and cordless, it reduces the strain exerted on the hand and arm while curing, and a newly designed light probe allows for convenient access in hard-to-reach posterior areas. For more information, call (800) 533-6825, visit ivoclarvivadent.com, or e-mail mail@ivoclarvivadent.com. |
DentLight
FUSION 3.0 is an award-winning curing light rated from an independent, nonprofit dental education and product testing foundation. It outputs a laser-sharp, focused beam of 2,700 mW/cm2 power for a 5-second deep cure. It is the light that you can count on for heavy-duty procedures, given its solid metal design and proven quality and durability. FUSION 3.0 is compact, lightweight, easy to use, and low profile, with versatility beyond any other lights for cancer screening and caries detection. For more information, call (800) 763-6901 or visit dentlight.com.
MicroDent/Apollo Dental
The LED 2000+ cordless dental curing light has an output of up to 2,500 mW/cm2 and cures anything used in the dental profession today. Its battery is rechargeable, providing more than 800 three-second cycles without recharging. It is suitable for in-office bleaching and comes with a full-arch bleaching attachment. For more information, call (800) 399-0999.
Johnson-Promident
The Clear Blue Digi 2.0 LED curing light is one of the most popular curing lights on the market. It offers high power of 1,200 mW/cm2 for fast cures and can solidify any brand of resin with a 430- to 480-nm wavelength. It has an easy-to-read digital display and 3 working modes that can be set at different exposure times for different clinical protocols. The light is compact and lightweight and operates coolly and silently. The battery is super capacity lithium-ion. For more information, call (800) 210-8945 or visit johnsonpromident.com.
Spring Health Products
The CURE and TC-CL II are the latest in cordless curing light technology. Made in the United States, the all-metal construction makes the curing lights extremely durable and the well-designed slim shape and incredible lightweight housing help prevent fatigue. The LED technology provides 1,200 mW/cm2 intensity with 4 light-emitting diodes that generate a very broad light spectrum (440 to 465 nm and special order 390 to 468 nm), giving excellent compatibility with all composites and polymerization in 6 seconds. For more information, call (800) 800-1680.
DenMat
The FLASHlite Magna 4.0 is powered by a LED engine that delivers advanced beam collimation, reducing divergence and maximizing curing power in deep preps. With single-button simplicity, high-speed curing, a wide beam width, and ergonomic design, the curing light saves valuable chair time for clinician and patient. The shortened head angle allows easy access to posterior teeth and decreases patient discomfort. Nothing beats the FLASHlite for curing efficiency and value. For more information, call (800) 445-0345 or visit denmat.com.
Beyes
The newest Slimax-C Plus Curing Light features an innovative built-in digital radiometer that gives users an instant output measurement; they can now be more confident than ever when calculating curing time. The light, equipped with a LED display panel to give users the control they need, is powered by a rechargeable Samsung lithium-ion battery that provides up to 850 curing times per charge. It generates a powerful output of up to 2,000 mW/cm2 ± 10%, and it is offered with a full one-year warranty. For more information, call (877) 703-3562 or visit beyes.ca.
3M ESPE
Increased power, versatility, and speed of cures are all available to dental professionals through the power of the Elipar S10 LED curing light. Its one-piece stainless steel casing makes it durable and virtually unbreakable, and its simple 2-button operation provides one cure mode for all indications and a tack cure mode. For more information, call (800) 634-2249 or visit 3mespe.com/elipars10.
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VOCO America
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The Celalux 2 is a wireless, lightweight, ergonomic LED curing light with a high light intensity of 1,000 mW/cm2. Through targeted light focusing and low stray loss with a defined wavelength range of 420 to 490 nm, Celalux 2 allows highly effective light curing of almost all current light-curing materials. An optional power light guide increases the intensity to 1,500 mW/cm2. Celalux offers a choice of a standard and a soft-start curing mode. It also offers a choice of 4 curing times: 10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds. For more information, call (888) 658-2584, visit ACTEON North America
The Mini LED Supercharged is one of the most powerful and effective curing lights on the market. With a powerful output of 2,000 mW/cm2 and a very wide wavelength of 420 to 480 nm, it can cure most composites currently on the market in as little as 3 seconds, so you can treat more patients with perfect restorations. It is also very versatile with 3 modes (fast, pulse, and ramp) and can be used all day on one full charge. For more information, call (800) 289-6367 or visit us.acteongroup.com.
DiaDent
D-Lux is a new, advanced, cordless LED curing light with a high-intensity output of 1,600 mW/cm2. Made from the highest quality aluminum, it is robust and can dissipate heat quickly. Featuring a unique and intuitive OLED one-button control, it has 5 versatile curing modes, including a pulse mode. For more information, call (877) 342-3368.
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Ultradent Products
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VALO uses a custom, multiwavelength light emitting diode for producing high intensity light at 395 to 480 nm, capable of polymerizing all light-cured dental materials. This intensity will also penetrate porcelain and is capable of curing underlying resin cements. It has a medical-grade international power supply and is suitable for power outlets from 100 to 240V. VALO Cordless is equipped with a sensor that registers movement of the light. When the light is not being used, VALO Cordless will automatically go into sleep mode. For more information, call (800) 552-5512 or visit Kinetic Instruments
A unique, multicapability light source power supply, SunliteLAZER is able to provide brilliant white light illumination to fiber-optic handpieces and at the same time incorporates an output for a unit-mounted SunliteLAZER curing light. The 4 handpiece circuits will power halogen or LED lamps, and this curing light is capable of delivering 1,600 mW/cm2 curing power at 470 nm. The stainless steel construction permits the probe to be autoclavable and swivel 360°. For more information, call (800) 233-2346 or visit kineticinc.com.
MTI Dental Products
The powerful Clear Blue LED curing light features a cordless handpiece, delivering more than 1,200 mW/cm2 to ensure rapid, safe polymerization of composite and adhesive restorative materials. The lightweight handpiece uses a high-performance lithium-ion battery with no memory effect in durable metal housing. Clear Blue is supplied with an 8-mm glass light rod, a charger base and AC/DC wall plug adapter, a light shield, a direct-power adapter, and an operations manual. For more information, call (800) 367-9290 or visit mtidental.com.
Parkell
Aurora S3 curing light features a thin design and an easy-access head to reach anywhere, even posterior teeth of petite patients. There are 3 powerful LED lights in the head, along with a precision parabolic reflector to minimize light dispersion. The result is a concentrated beam with a constant level of irradiance across a large, 11-mm curing spot. The Aurora S3 also offers multiple timer settings with audible and visual indicators. For more information, call (800) 243-7446 or visit parkell.com.
DENTSPLY Caulk
The SmartLite Max LED curing light offers dual-wavelength technology, providing curing confidence for all of your restorative materials. It also features a high output up to 2,850 mW/cm2, a built-in radiometer, 4 different output modes, and multiple time settings. It can be used both cordlessly and corded. For more information, call (800) 532-2855 or visit smartlitemax.com.
