IADR Abstract Archives
Effect of Barrier Sleeves on the Irradiance of Light Curing Units at Distance
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate how barrier sleeves affect the performance of a light curing unit (LCU) at distance.
Methods: We used Bluephase® Style Sleeves (REF#636239) to evaluate the distance performance of two LCUs; Bluephase® Style (10mm tip) and EliparTM S10 (10mm tip). The LCUs were each mounted on the MARC LCTM system (bluelight analytics) and the irradiance was measured through a 6mm wide aperture. The irradiance at distance was measured from 0mm to 10mm in 1mm steps. Three measurements were done for each height. The LCUs were tested under three conditions; without a sleeve, with a sleeve used correctly, and with the sleeve seam placed over the tip.
Results: Fig.1 shows the effect of distance on irradiance for all three measurement conditions. For both LCUs, a paired t-test confirmed there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.005) in the distance performance of the LCUs for all conditions.
Fig 2. shows the percentage decrease in the irradiance when using a sleeve compared to when no sleeve is used. The Bluephase® Style percentage change goes from 3.6% at 0mm to a maximum of 9.4% when the sleeve is used correctly, and from 9.3% at 0mm to a maximum 17.6% with the seam over the tip. The EliparTM S10 ranges from 5.8% at 0mm to a maximum of 13.9% when the sleeve is used correctly, and from 11.5% at 0mm to a maximum of 20.8% with the seam over the tip.
Conclusions: The irradiance of an LCU when using a sleeve decreases faster with distance from the surface. This decrease is higher when the barrier sleeve is used incorrectly. This has been demonstrated for both multipeak (Bluephase® Style) and single peak (EliparTM S10) lights. We recommend dentists test their lights with the sleeve on and adjust curing times to reflect changes with distance.
Methods: We used Bluephase® Style Sleeves (REF#636239) to evaluate the distance performance of two LCUs; Bluephase® Style (10mm tip) and EliparTM S10 (10mm tip). The LCUs were each mounted on the MARC LCTM system (bluelight analytics) and the irradiance was measured through a 6mm wide aperture. The irradiance at distance was measured from 0mm to 10mm in 1mm steps. Three measurements were done for each height. The LCUs were tested under three conditions; without a sleeve, with a sleeve used correctly, and with the sleeve seam placed over the tip.
Results: Fig.1 shows the effect of distance on irradiance for all three measurement conditions. For both LCUs, a paired t-test confirmed there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.005) in the distance performance of the LCUs for all conditions.
Fig 2. shows the percentage decrease in the irradiance when using a sleeve compared to when no sleeve is used. The Bluephase® Style percentage change goes from 3.6% at 0mm to a maximum of 9.4% when the sleeve is used correctly, and from 9.3% at 0mm to a maximum 17.6% with the seam over the tip. The EliparTM S10 ranges from 5.8% at 0mm to a maximum of 13.9% when the sleeve is used correctly, and from 11.5% at 0mm to a maximum of 20.8% with the seam over the tip.
Conclusions: The irradiance of an LCU when using a sleeve decreases faster with distance from the surface. This decrease is higher when the barrier sleeve is used incorrectly. This has been demonstrated for both multipeak (Bluephase® Style) and single peak (EliparTM S10) lights. We recommend dentists test their lights with the sleeve on and adjust curing times to reflect changes with distance.
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