IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT COMPONENTS IN CURING

Understanding Optics:

Visible light has a wavelength in the range of about 380 nanometres (nm) to about 740 nanometres Visible light (commonly referred to simply as light) is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. 

COMPOSITION OF WHITE LIGHT:MIXING ALL COLORS WHAT WE GET IS A WHITE LIGHT

EMR SPECTRUM

TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT: In common with all types of EMR, visible light is emitted and absorbed in tiny "packets" called photons, and exhibits properties of both waves and particles. This property is referred to as the wave–particle duality. The study of light, known as optics, is an important research area in modern physics.

HOW CURING IS DONE THROUGH LIGHT?????

Two type of light cure are available

Halogen based:

The Tungsten halogen curing light, also known as simply “halogen curing light” is the most frequent polymerization source used in dental offices.[7] In order for the light to be produced, an electric current flows through a thin  tungsten filament, which functions as a resistor.

This resistor is then heated to temperatures of about 3,000 Kelvin This halogen light is converted to blue light by filters at the tappered end LED BASED

LED BASED: 

This light uses a gallium nitride as a semiconductor that is the basis for the blue emission.

The dental LED curing lights use LED’s that produce a narrow spectrum of blue light in the 400- to 500-nm range (with a peak wavelength of about 460nm), which is the useful energy range for activating the carboxypeptide  molecule most commonly used to initiate the photopolymerization of dental monomers.

GUIDELINES FOR A GOOD LIGHT CURING:INTENSITY:

A curing unit with a minimal light output of 550 lux is considered appropriate for dental use.

Wavelenght: around 450 to 490 nm, a blue light.

Energy density:energy-density outputs of 400 mW/cm2 to 800 mW/cm2

FACTOR AFFECTING LIGHT CURE: PHOTO

  

The Blue Dental  Curing Light Can  Hurt Your Eyes!: 

Although there is minimal potential for radiation damage to surrounding soft tissue inadvertently exposed to visible light, caution should be used to prevent retinal damage to the eyes.  Because of the high intensity of

the light, the operator should not look directly at the tip or the reflected light from the teeth.

(By: Vishwadeep Garg: Area Sales Manager : vishwadeep_sales@unicorndenmart.com )