Evaluation of light-curing units used in dental clinics at a University in Malaysia (original) (raw)

Journal of International Oral Health, 2018

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of all light-curing units (LCUs) used in dental clinics of a university in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Light intensity output (LIO) of each LCU was first determined using a light radiometer. A total of 88 LCUs were used in this study which were divided into three groups based on their LIO as follows: Group 1 (G1) ≥1000 mW/cm2, Group 2 (G2) 701–999 mW/cm2, and Group 3 (G3) ≤700 mW/cm2. Prepared composite resin specimens were then cured using these LCUs and were subjected to compressive strength test. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the compressive strength of composite resin specimens cured by the three LCU groups. Independent t-test was used to compare LIO between corded and cordless light-emitting diode (LED) LCUs. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: About 77.27% of LCUs had LIO ≥1000 mW/cm2 (G1), 14.77% had LIO ranging from 701 to 999 mW/cm2 (G2), and 7.95% ≤700 mW/cm2 (G3). There was no significant difference in the compressive strengths of composites cured by G1 and G2 (P > 0.05). However, compressive strength of composites cured by G1 was significantly higher than that of G3 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compressive strengths of composite cured by G2 were also significantly higher than that of G3 (P < 0.05). The LIO of cordless LED LCU was significantly higher than that of the corded ones (P < 0.05). Conclusion: LCU with LIO above 700 mW/cm2 outperformed those with LIO < 700 mW/cm2. Cordless LED LCU demonstrated better performance than corded ones.

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