Estimation of the tolerance threshold for the irradiance of modern LED curing units when simulating clinically relevant polymerization conditions

Luca, Bianca-Ioana and Ilie, Nicoleta (2021): Estimation of the tolerance threshold for the irradiance of modern LED curing units when simulating clinically relevant polymerization conditions. In: Dental Materials Journal, Vol. 40, No. 3: pp. 750-757

Abstract

The study aims to characterize various LED light curing units (LED-LCU) in order to determine the tolerance threshold for varying the polymerization conditions. Two violet-blue and two blue LED-LCUs were analyzed by using a laboratory-grade spectrophotometer system. Fifty-five curing conditions were simulated in each LED-LCU by varying the position (centered and with an offset of 3-mm to the left, right, lower and upper direction) and the exposure distance (0 mm to 10 mm in 1-mm steps). Irradiance decreased with increasing exposure distance, while the effect of the LCU position was significant and LCU-specific. Only one LED-LCU enables the irradiance threshold of 1,000 mW/cm(2) to be achieved in all positions up to an exposure distance of 4 mm. LCUs with a more homogeneous light beam profile more easily tolerate deviations from the ideal curing conditions. The study enables dentists to identify the limits of modern LED-LCUs and to estimate potential deviations from ideal curing conditions for clinically relevant situations.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0287-4547
• Language: English