Evaluation of curing units used in private dental offices.

It is well known that numerous factors influence the light output of curing units, but many dentists are unaware that the output of their curing lights are inadequate. This study was conducted to evaluate the light intensity of visible-light curing units in private dental offices and to assess their curing efficiency by measuring compressive strength of a light-cured resin. Also, in order to determine the maximum light intensity of the curing units, lamps, filters, and fiber optic bundles were replaced by new ones and curing efficiency remeasured. Light intensity was measured by employing a Quantum Radiometer LI-189 at a wavelength of 470 +/- 40 nm using a bandpass filter. Compressive strength of a light-cured resin using the light units was measured employing an Instron Testing Machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. From the evaluation of 105 light units, the light intensity ranged from 28 to 1368 W/m2 (0 approximately 500 W/m2; 41.9%, 500 approximately 1000 W/ m2; 45.7%, 1000 approximately 1500 W/m2; 12.4%). Light intensity of the light unit in private offices decreased 15.9 approximately 82.1% compared to brand-new units. Reduction of light intensity impaired compressive strength of the light-cured resin to varying degrees (148.3 approximately 279.9 MPa) compared with the highest value (317 MPa) obtained from brand-new light units. The replacement of the parts increased the light intensity, with maximum increases of 36.0% for lamps, 157.7% for filters, 46.2% for fiber optics, and 322.7% for all three parts. The results of this study indicated that the light intensities of the curing units used in private practice were lower than expected.