AIM: The study compared pulp temperature rise during polymerization of resin-based composites (RBCs) using halogen and LED light-curing units (LCUs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 32 teeth extracted from patients aged 11-18 years were used in the study. Thermocouples placed on the roof of the pulp chamber using a novel 'split-tooth' method. In Group 1 a halogen LCU with a light intensity of 450 mW cm(-2) was used and in Group 2, an LED LCU with a light intensity of 1100 mW cm(-2) was used. The teeth were placed in a water bath with the temperature regulated until both the pulp temperature and the ambient temperature were stable at 37 degrees C. Continuous temperature records were made via a data logger and computer. The increase in temperature from baseline to maximum was calculated for each specimen during the curing of both the bonding agent and the RBC. RESULTS: The rise in pulp temperature was significantly higher with the LED LCU than with the halogen LCU for bonding and RBC curing (p<0.05). The major rise in temperature occurred during the curing of the bonding agent. During the curing of the RBC, rises were smaller. CONCLUSIONS: Curing of bonding agents should be done with low intensity light and high intensity used only for curing RBC regardless of whether LED or halogen LCUs are used.
AIM: The study compared pulp temperature rise during polymerization of resin-based composites (RBCs) using halogen and LED light-curing units (LCUs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 32 teeth extracted from patients aged 11-18 years were used in the study. Thermocouples placed on the roof of the pulp chamber using a novel 'split-tooth' method. In Group 1 a halogen LCU with a light intensity of 450 mW cm(-2) was used and in Group 2, an LED LCU with a light intensity of 1100 mW cm(-2) was used. The teeth were placed in a water bath with the temperature regulated until both the pulp temperature and the ambient temperature were stable at 37 degrees C. Continuous temperature records were made via a data logger and computer. The increase in temperature from baseline to maximum was calculated for each specimen during the curing of both the bonding agent and the RBC. RESULTS: The rise in pulp temperature was significantly higher with the LED LCU than with the halogen LCU for bonding and RBC curing (p<0.05). The major rise in temperature occurred during the curing of the bonding agent. During the curing of the RBC, rises were smaller. CONCLUSIONS: Curing of bonding agents should be done with low intensity light and high intensity used only for curing RBC regardless of whether LED or halogen LCUs are used.