Light-emitting diode curing light irradiance and polymerization of resin-based composite.
BACKGROUND
Light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights are becoming popular; however, questions about their efficiency remain. The authors performed a comprehensive analysis of the properties of resin-based composites cured with LED lights.


METHODS
The authors evaluated seven LED lights and one quartz-tungsten-halogen light (control). They measured intensity, depth of cure (DOC), degree of conversion (DC), hardness and temperature rise. They used three shades of a hybrid resin-based composite and a microfill composite, as well as one shade of another hybrid composite.


RESULTS
Two LED lights required additional cure time to reach a DOC similar to that of the control light. DC at the top of the samples was independent of the light used. At 2.0 millimeters, the DC for several LED lights was significantly lower than that for the control light and was correlated strongly to the light's intensity. The bottom-to-top ratio for hardness of resin-based composites cured by all but one light was greater than 0.80. All LED lights except one had smaller temperature rise than did the control light.


CONCLUSIONS
Six of the seven LED curing lights performed similarly to a quartz-tungsten-halogen curing light in curing resin-based composites. Clinical Implications. While LED curing lights and a quartz-tungsten-halogen light could cure resin-based composites, some resin-based composites cured with LED lights may require additional curing time or smaller increments of thickness.
Aravamudhan
Krishna
K
Product Evaluations, Research and Laboratories, Division of Science, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill 60611, USA. aravamudhank@ada.org
Floyd
Cynthia J E
CJ
Rakowski
Duane
D
Flaim
Glenn
G
Dickens
Sabine H
SH
Eichmiller
Frederick C
FC
Fan
P L
PL
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D011108:Polymers