بررسي كارايي دستگاههاي لايت كيور در مطبهاي خصوصي و مراكز درماني شهر تبريز در سال 1380

Evaluation of light curing units effectiveness used in clinics and private dental offices of Tabriz, 2001

Background & Aim: Many of the advantages of light curing composites are dependent on the adequate polymerization and therefore the source of the visible light, particularly the wavelength and the intensity output of curing light source. The aims of this study were 1) to determine the intensity output of curing lights in clinics and private dental offices of Tabriz and 2) to relate their output to various factors that may affect the intensity of the light produced by each unit. Method & Material: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. The light intensity of each light curing unit was measured using the Coltolux radiometer. Tha study forms were completed by the dentists. Results: Mean readings ranged from a high of 1115 to a low of 27 mW/cm2 for curing lights at the time of evaluation. Twenty seven (24.5%) of the light curing units were functioning at optimal intensities (400-566 mW/cm2), followed by 21(19.1%) functioning at levels 567 mW/cm2 and more and 11 (10%) functioning at levels far below that required to achive adequate photocuring. Of the 110 light curing units surveyed, 46.4% registered an output of between 201 and 399 mW/cm2. This level would be considered acceptable with additional curing time; however, 20% of practitioners were curing for 20 s or less. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing intensity readings with age, last maintenance service and bulb replacement (P >0.05). There was a significant correlation between the type of light curing unit and the light intensity (P=0.021). Most of clinicians interviewed (84.5%) expressed subjective satisfaction with the performance of the light curing units, even though 75.3% functioned below optimal intensities. 96.4% of respondents had never checked the light output of their unit. Greater awareness of the need to monitor practice light curing units is therefore required. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the light intensities of light curing units used within private dental practices and clinics were inadequate for optimum curing.