Decrease in power output of new light-emitting diode (LED) curing devices with increasing distance to filling surface.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the percentage decrease in power output of light-emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) curing devices at different distances between the light guide tip and a radiometer.


METHODS
Three LED curing devices (Elipar FreeLight/3M ESPE, Luxomax/Akeda, e-Light/GC) were compared to two QTH curing devices (Elipar TriLight/3M ESPE, Optilux 501 conventional and Turbo light guides/Kerr-Demetron). Power density was measured with a Fieldmaster GS/Coherent unit (Sensor LM-3 HTD) at increasing distances from the light guide tip (0 to 20 mm at 1-mm increments, n=6).


RESULTS
The mean decrease in power density available for curing at a distance of 10 mm between the light guide tip and the radiometer was 68% for the FreeLight, 83% for the e-Light, 42% for the Luxomax, 38% for the TriLight, 33% for the Optilux with the standard light guide, and 44% for the Optilux with the turbo light guide. The power density of the Luxomax was only 40% of that of the other LED curing devices at 0 mm distance.


CONCLUSIONS
The blue LED curing devices Elipar FreeLight and GC e-Light showed a significantly higher percentage decrease in power output at a distance of 10 mm from the light guide tip to the radiometer compared to the QTH curing devices. Therefore, although blue LED curing devices might have the same curing potential compared to a QTH device when placed in direct contact to a resin composite, blue LED curing devices may not provide a sufficient cure when placed at a clinically relevant distance of 10 mm to the resin composite surface.
Meyer
Gerrit R
GR
Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. gemeyer@mail.uni-mainz.de
Ernst
Claus-Peter
CP
Willershausen
Brita
B
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003748:Dental Equipment; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D006219:Halogens; D008027:Light; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011874:Radiometry; D012666:Semiconductors; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003188:Composite Resins; D006219:Halogens; D011108:Polymers