Effect of air, dentin and resin-based composite thickness on light intensity reduction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of air, dentin and resin-based composite thickness on light intensity reduction.


METHODS
Two different light-units were used in the study. Light intensity was measured using a curing radiometer.


RESULTS
There was an exponential decrease in light intensity with distance. The light-intensity value at a specific distance from the tip during passage through a specific dental material was calculated. Both composite and dentin caused a dramatic reduction in light intensity rate, e.g. 2.0 mm of composite are sufficient to reduce the light-intensity to 6% of its initial value.
Prati
C
C
Department of Emergency Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Bologna, Italy. prati@alma.unibo.it
Chersoni
S
S
Montebugnoli
L
L
Montanari
G
G
D000388:Air; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003748:Dental Equipment; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D016014:Linear Models; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011874:Radiometry; D014172:Transillumination
D003188:Composite Resins; D011108:Polymers