21
Volume1 Issue6
|
N
ews and
E
vents
AConsensusStatement from the2014Symposiumon
LightCuring inDentistry,DalhousieUniversity,Halifax, Canada
*
When selectinga light curingunit (LCU):
•
Recognize that all lightsarenot createdequal.
UseaLCU fromamanufacturerwhoprovides
contact information, ausermanual, and service.
Preferably theLCU shouldhave receiveda
favourable report or certification froma reputable
independent 3rdparty.
•
Know thekeyperformanceparametersof your
LCU,
whennew:
(i) the light output (averaged irradianceover the
beam incident area inmW/cm
2
and spectral output
from theLCU), (ii)whether thebeamhas auniform
andeffectiveoutput (profile) across the light tip,
and (iii) thediameter of the light beam.
•
Becautious
whenusinghigh (above1,500 to
2,000mW/cm²) output LCUs that advocatevery
short (e.g., 1 to5 seconds) exposure times.When
used for such short times, it is critical that the light
tip is stabilizedover the resinduringexposure.
Although some resincomposites arematched to
specifichighoutput curing lights, highoutput
LCUsmaynot adequatelycureall of today’s resin-
composites to theanticipateddepthwhenused for
short exposure times. Seekpeer-reviewed literature
validating theefficacyand safetyof such lights and
materials.
Beforeyou light cure, remember to:
•
Regularlymonitor and record
the light output
over time,with the samemeasurement deviceand
light guide. Repair or replace theLCUwhen it no
longermeets themanufacturer’s specifications.
•
Inspect andclean
theLCUbeforeuse toensure it is
on thecorrect setting, ingoodworkingorder, and
freeof defects anddebris.
•
Consider that every resin-basedmaterial
has a
minimumamount of energy thatmust beprovided
at thecorrectwavelengths toachieve satisfactory
results. [Energy (Joules/cm
2
) =output (W/cm
2
) x
exposure time (seconds)]. However,minimum
irradiation times arealso required.
•
Follow the light exposure timesand increment
thickness recommended
by the resin
manufacturer,makingallowances if youuseanother
manufacturer’s light. Increaseyour curing times for
increaseddistances anddarker or opaque shades.
•
Select aLCU tip thatdeliversauniform light
output
across the light tipand that covers asmuch
of the restorationaspossible. Cureeach surface
independently, usingoverlappingexposures if the
light tip is smaller than the restoration.
•
Position the light tipas closeaspossible
(without
touching) andparallel to the surfaceof the resin
compositebeingcured.
•
Stabilizeandmaintain the tip
of theLCUover the
resincomposite throughout theexposure. Always
use theappropriate “blueblocking” glassesor a
shield toprotect your eyes as youwatchandcontrol
thepositionof thecuring light.
Precautions:
•
Avoid
conditions thatwill reduce light delivery to
the resin-composite, e.g.,:
– Holding the light tip severalmillimetres away.
– Holding the light tipat anangle to the resin
surface.
– Dirtyor damaged light-guideoptics.
•
Supplementary light exposures shouldbe
considered
under circumstances thatmay limit
ideal light access, suchas shadows frommatrix
bands, intervening tooth structure, or from
restorativematerial.
•
Bewareofpotential thermal damage
to the
pulpand soft tissueswhendeliveringhighenergy
exposuresor longexposure times.
•
Air-cool the tooth
whenexposing for longer times,
orwhenusinghighoutput LCUs.
•
Never shine theLCU into theeyes
, andavoid
lookingat the reflected light, except throughan
appropriate ‘blue-blocking’ filter.
•
Testing surfacehardness
of the resin-composite
in the toothusingadental explorer providesNO
informationabout adequacyof curingdepth.
*Blanket copyright license isgiven for this information tobe freelyused, inwholeor inpart, for all derivativeworkswithout permission from the copyright holder.
