PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of air, dentin and resin-based composite thickness on light intensity reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different light-units were used in the study. Light intensity was measured using a curing radiometer. RESULTS: There was an exponential decrease in light intensity with distance. The light-intensity value at a specific distance from the tip during passage through a specific dental material was calculated. Both composite and dentin caused a dramatic reduction in light intensity rate, e.g. 2.0 mm of composite are sufficient to reduce the light-intensity to 6% of its initial value.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of air, dentin and resin-based composite thickness on light intensity reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different light-units were used in the study. Light intensity was measured using a curing radiometer. RESULTS: There was an exponential decrease in light intensity with distance. The light-intensity value at a specific distance from the tip during passage through a specific dental material was calculated. Both composite and dentin caused a dramatic reduction in light intensity rate, e.g. 2.0 mm of composite are sufficient to reduce the light-intensity to 6% of its initial value.