IADR Abstract Archives
Spectral Analysis of Different Accessories of a Multi-Wave LCU
Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize different accessories of a light curing unit (LCU).
Methods: A LCU (Valo X, Ultradent) with different accessories (pointcure-lens, proxicure-ball-lens, translume-lens, interproximal-lens, and diffuser-lens) was positioned onto the bottom sensor of a spectrophotometer (MARC LC) and the power, irradiance, spectral power, and radiant exposure were measured/calculated (n=3) based on caliper measurements of the active area of each one of the tips. The LCU has two curing modes (standard-power and xtra-power) with fixed time settings and diagnostic mode with white and black light. The five accessory lenses were used per manufacturer instructions which yielded 13 groups. For each group, lateral beam profiles using 0.025% rhodamine solution were obtained. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: The power of the curing modes without accessories was significantly higher with xtra-power (2585mW vs. 1623mW for standard power). However, the radiant exposure was the same (11.9 J/cm2 v 12.1 J/cm2). Using the proxicure- and ball-cure-lenses lower power was measured (170mW – 353mW) with significant differences between all of them. No differences were found in the radiant exposure for both modes using the proxicure-ball-lenses (39.2J/cm2 standard and 38.3J/cm2 xtra-power). The same was true for the point cure lenses that delivered 34.3J/cm2 and 34.6J/cm2. The diagnostic accessories showed a power between 0.1 mW and 134 mW with significant differences. The corresponding irradiance was between 285mW/cm2 and 0.1mW/cm2. Lateral beam profiles showed excellent collimation for the LCU in curing modes and the point cure lens. The proxicure-ball-lens showed a lateral spread allowing proper interdental cure.
Conclusions: The performance of the LCU simplifies light curing because the curing mode automatically sets the curing time, even with a point-interproximal cure to deliver the same radiant exposure. The low irradiance of the diagnostic accessories makes them safe for the eyes of the operator.
Methods: A LCU (Valo X, Ultradent) with different accessories (pointcure-lens, proxicure-ball-lens, translume-lens, interproximal-lens, and diffuser-lens) was positioned onto the bottom sensor of a spectrophotometer (MARC LC) and the power, irradiance, spectral power, and radiant exposure were measured/calculated (n=3) based on caliper measurements of the active area of each one of the tips. The LCU has two curing modes (standard-power and xtra-power) with fixed time settings and diagnostic mode with white and black light. The five accessory lenses were used per manufacturer instructions which yielded 13 groups. For each group, lateral beam profiles using 0.025% rhodamine solution were obtained. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: The power of the curing modes without accessories was significantly higher with xtra-power (2585mW vs. 1623mW for standard power). However, the radiant exposure was the same (11.9 J/cm2 v 12.1 J/cm2). Using the proxicure- and ball-cure-lenses lower power was measured (170mW – 353mW) with significant differences between all of them. No differences were found in the radiant exposure for both modes using the proxicure-ball-lenses (39.2J/cm2 standard and 38.3J/cm2 xtra-power). The same was true for the point cure lenses that delivered 34.3J/cm2 and 34.6J/cm2. The diagnostic accessories showed a power between 0.1 mW and 134 mW with significant differences. The corresponding irradiance was between 285mW/cm2 and 0.1mW/cm2. Lateral beam profiles showed excellent collimation for the LCU in curing modes and the point cure lens. The proxicure-ball-lens showed a lateral spread allowing proper interdental cure.
Conclusions: The performance of the LCU simplifies light curing because the curing mode automatically sets the curing time, even with a point-interproximal cure to deliver the same radiant exposure. The low irradiance of the diagnostic accessories makes them safe for the eyes of the operator.